DisAbility: The Power of Focusing on Ability

Mon, 30 Sep 2019 20:54:21 -0400
accessibility, adapt, ads, advocacy, asperger, autism, change, climate, dapi, disability, duckworth, greta, helen, honor, keller, nations, sds, senate, speak, spectrum, speech, stella, tammy, thunberg, united, wheelchair, young

Diagnosed four years ago, Greta Thunberg has not let autism slow her down in her advocacy for people around the world to do their part in slowing down, or indeed ending, climate change. She has organized student strikes, addressed Swedish Parliament, sailed across the Atlantic on a carbon-neutral sailboat, and most recently spoken in front of the U.S. House of Representatives and the United Nations. Her ability to raise awareness about acting responsibly to end climate change has been very, very successful. Additionally, her experience has also demonstrated possibility to others with autism and disability, as representation matters, not just during Disability Awareness Month, which starts tomorrow. Learn more about her work here:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/11/greta-thunberg-schoolgirl-climate-change-warrior-some-people-can-let-things-go-i-cant

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/09/27/teen-climate-activist-greta-thunberg-inspires-others-aspergers-autism/3778356002/

Greta's global quest continues the legacy of people with a disabilities making the most of their circumstances, standing up and speaking up for initiatives that benefit communities, nations, and the world. Below are links to people with disabilities whose focus on ability has made a difference:

Helen Keller: avoiding war and preserving peace

Stella Young: on respect and avoiding Inspiration Porn

ADAPT has spoken up for affordable health care and Medicaid

Senator Tammy Duckworth: preserving the ADA

Feeling inspired? If you or someone you know is a UMBC student with a disability, we are looking for a few good student (GPA of 3.1 or better is ideal) to join UMBC's chapter of DAPi, an international honor society.Reach out to them through the linked website below.

Additional information about Disability Awareness Month events on campus is listed under the Events tab above and summarized here: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/events/60435