July is Disability Pride Month! We all have a responsibility to create a world that celebrates the uniqueness, diversity, and specific needs of every individual. Disability is a word that describes individuals’ experiences and challenges but also represents a distinct identity. The Disability Pride Flag represents a number of identities that can help us understand the range of experiences of individuals with disabilities. The flag is made up of five stripes: green, blue, white, gold, and red.
What Do the Colours in The Disability Pride Flag Represent?
- Green represents sensory disabilities
- Blue represents emotional and psychiatric disabilities
- White represents non-visible and undiagnosed disabilities
- Gold represents neurodiversity, intellectual and cognitive disabilities
- Red represents physical disabilities
- The Black background commemorates and mourns the disabled people who have died due to ableism, violence, negligence, suicide, illness or eugenics
We should recognize and celebrate the resilience and perseverance that people with disabilities take on in navigating our world while we also work to reduce the barriers that meet people every day. Some barriers are more obvious, such as inaccessible curbs, a lack of braille or the unavailability of accessible services in a classroom or office. Other barriers are more hidden such as the impact of strong fragrances, shifts in social interactions, or a lack of understanding regarding cancelled plans or sick days. Regardless of how people show up in the world, all are deserving of love and respect. Take a read on to learn about some Dos and Don’ts of creating an inclusive society.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Creating an Inclusive Society
Don’t stare
Do ask kind questions
As humans, we all experience the world differently. When we don’t know or understand someone else’s experience, the kindest thing we can do is to ask. Educating yourself through workshops or searching questions online is a great step, but asking questions about someone’s experience in a respectful way can lead to great conversations and more awareness for yourself. Just because you’ve asked the question, doesn’t mean the individual has to answer you, but asking questions shows that you’re open to understanding. When you avoid topics of disability, stare at individuals with disabilities or avoid eye contact altogether, this can feel very dehumanizing. Look at individuals with a disability just as you would at someone without a disability and don’t shy away from talking about challenges or supportive aids.
Don’t talk to the support person or animal
Do address the person directly
With both supportive animals and supportive people, they are both there to support the individual. Talking or addressing the person with the disability is always the best step and the supportive person or animal can do their job. Not only can it dehumanize the person with the disability if they are talked around, but it can also distract support animals or people from the job they are doing as well.
Don’t take over
Do ask if they would like support
People with disabilities are navigating the world on their own, just as you are. It can be kind to offer support, but never assume that anyone needs your help. People with disabilities deserve to be treated as independent people, just as anyone else. They may have strategies to support their independence and individual needs that you don’t see. As a rule of thumb, any supportive devices or animals that the individual uses are off-limits to you unless they ask for your assistance. Never push someone’s wheelchair unless they ask!
Don’t make assumptions
Do treat people with respect
Disabilities come in many shapes and forms, and not all disabilities are visible! Just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. If someone is sitting in priority seating on the bus or making accommodations for themselves, assume that they are making decisions to best prioritize their well-being and respect their needs.
To continue deepening your understanding of disabilities in Canada, the Easter Seals website is a valuable resource that showcases information to raise awareness and numerous programs and services for individuals with disabilities. Check out this blog about Disability Pride Month from a youth in Sudbury, Ontario and learn the facts about disability in Canada.
You can also find actionable tips on how to create inclusion in our Wellness Tips series about Disability Allyship. We highly recommend reading through a three-part blog series submitted by a youth in our community called Service and Support Animals. If you don’t have a diagnosis but are experiencing hurdles in your physical, mental or emotional health, you can learn more about how to reach out and find the support you may need.