By Martin Block Youโve probably seen the podiums, the handshakes, the town halls with the stale coffee and folding chairs. But for people with disabilities who dare to step into the political arena, thereโs a different set of stairs to climbโsometimes literal ones. Thereโs the public scrutiny, the internal doubt, and often the logistical acrobatics… Continue reading Wheelchairs and Campaign Trails: Rewriting the Rules of Who Gets to Lead
Category: Educational
Post 1: What Is Dyslexia? Understanding the Brain Behind the Struggle
๐ Why This Series Matters Welcome to our 3-part series on dyslexiaโborn out of love for the children who feel lost in classrooms, the adults who carry invisible burdens, and the families and educators who walk beside them. Dyslexia is not just a learning difference; itโs a profoundly personal journey that affects how people perceive… Continue reading Post 1: What Is Dyslexia? Understanding the Brain Behind the Struggle
The Butterfly Circus: Rethinking Disability and Inclusion
The film The Butterfly Circus provides a profound lens to examine societyโs perception of disability. Historical Perspectives Throughout history, individuals with disabilities have faced marginalization, stigmatization, and exclusion. In many communities, they were shunned and viewed through a lens of pity or seen as burdens. In some cultures, disabilities were even misconstrued as curses or… Continue reading The Butterfly Circus: Rethinking Disability and Inclusion
House Hunting with Accessibility in Mind: A Guide to Finding the Right Home
By Martin Block Searching for an accessible home requires careful planning, attention to detail, and a clear understanding of your needs. Whether youโre looking for a house that accommodates mobility challenges, sensory impairments, or other accessibility requirements, the process goes beyond traditional house-hunting considerations. By knowing what to look for and what questions to ask,… Continue reading House Hunting with Accessibility in Mind: A Guide to Finding the Right Home
Learning Disabilities and Disorders
Parents want to see their kids enjoy going to school, learning, and making friends. When a child experiences difficulty in learning, parents may think the child just has a slow start but will catch up later. They may even push the child harder, assuming the child does not work hard enough. Sometimes, it is true… Continue reading Learning Disabilities and Disorders
Olfactory Impairment
Olfactory impairment, or smell disorder, is an invisible disability. Olfactory impairment is often neglected because, unlike mobility impairment, it cannot be observed by others. Moreover, this impairment is often trivialized because most people do not realize how the loss of smell can affect their daily lives. Our sense of smell helps us enjoy life. Imagine… Continue reading Olfactory Impairment
Developmental Delays
โGuess what? Tommy took his first step yesterday!โ A lady said excitedly to her friend, sitting beside her and holding a baby in her arms. โThatโs exciting. I cannot wait for this one to sleep through the night.โ Her friend responded while looking at her baby with deep affection. The above exchange I heard at… Continue reading Developmental Delays
Speech and Language Impairments
Definition Speech and language impairments include a variety of conditions that interfere with a person's communication. According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, "Speech or language impairment means a communication disorder, such as stuttering, impaired articulation, a language impairment, or a voice impairment, that adversely affects a child's educational performance." Speech is oral communication.… Continue reading Speech and Language Impairments
Inclusivity Matters: Strategies for Attracting Employees with Disabilities
By Martin Block An inclusive workplace isn't just an ethical necessity; it's also a competitive advantage. Diversity in the workforce, including the hiring of individuals with disabilities, offers a myriad of benefits such as enhanced innovation, improved problem-solving, and increased customer satisfaction. Itโs time for employers to consider how they can attract, hire, and retain… Continue reading Inclusivity Matters: Strategies for Attracting Employees with Disabilities
What Is Ableism?
Busy stairways
