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Navigating the Stereotypes of Disability

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  Photo Alt Text: Pink background with back text reading  “Disability is not the barrier, a world designed for non-disabled people is the barrier. Disability is not the problem, stereotypes and perceptions are the problem. Disability is not an inability, lack of accessibility is the inability to see potential” ~ @celia_hensman When disabled people tell you that living in such an ableist society is hard, we mean it. We are sick and tired of being viewed as people who need to be cured. I cannot tell you how much times I have heard someone say “You don’t look sick enough”. A saying that really boils my blood. Why, in the 21st century are we conformed to the notion that disabled people have to “look sick” to have a disability? Surely people most see how wrong this is?  Stereotypes are everywhere within society. They are inescapable and the foundation for the ableist society we have today. For the avoidance of doubt, a stereotype is a set idea of what someone is like. Society, over the year
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Children in Need? Or… Children we are failing

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  Every year, in November, the UK is all about Children in Need. However, do we really know the true extent of what happens behind the scenes of the UK’s largest fundraising campaign? In this blog, I hope to iron out some of the things that disabled people believe based on their views of Children In Need.  From the offset, I do not believe that Children In Need is bad or evil. It brings families together and allows for everyone to sit and watch something together. Donating to a charity is your choice, you have the autonomy and freedom to choose what you do with your money. However let me explain my opinion.  In previous blogs, I spoke about the media making disabled people out to victims that are inspirational or need pity. I believe this is exactly what Children in Need contributed to, the idea that disabled children need pity or are inspirational. Now, while our hearts melt at some of the stories, they are often shared by celebrities who have probably never donated to children in nee
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Let’s Talk Scottish Education | National Discussion

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  Alt Text: Primary School Children sitting in blue chairs looking at the board and their teacher Across Scotland, young people and children from primary to higher education are being encouraged to shape the future of education by partaking in a National Discussion launched by the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. This is an incredibly important conversation to have as we look forward to our future and implement the changes but also prioritise what young people have to say about their experience in education and more importantly what do they want out of their education. There was a recent Muir review which suggested putting learners at the fore front of the Scottish education system and stated that it needs a new vision to pave the way for education. So why am I talking about this? There’s been a lack of awareness of this happening in Scotland and I think this discussion is just so important not just for Scottish Children and Young people but for the
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The Role of Media in Negatively Raising Awareness of Disability

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For too long, the media has inaccurately represented the disabled community. In the industry, only 31% of actors are disabled, according to Aruma. The media, particularly movies portrays disabled people as villains, superhero’s, victims, a joke and angelic like. However, we know that the problem doesn’t just exist in movies, it also exists in mainstream media. Villains are anyone who sets out to be evil towards or harm other people. In movies, this is what disabled people are portrayed as. They are seen as people who are bad for society. Particularly sending out messages that they are not wanted here. The Nora Project writes of something called the Disabled Villains Trope - where writers use a disabled actor to make the villain seem more scarier or evil. This idea came as a result of the belief that we in the disabled community are morally corrupt or bad. Most villains we see in movies commonly have a mental illness, such as schizophrenia, which sends a message that all those strugglin
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The Story of Red Cords

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For our first post, we thought it would be prudent to discuss Red Cords and the importance they play in a disabled persons life. This blog post aims to raise vital awareness of why you mustn’t interfere with these pieces of equipment.  First of all, what is a red cord? Basically, it does what it says on the tin. It is a long red rope with 2 plastic triangles. The significance of it being red, is that red is associated with danger. Common sense would be that if you see one of these, you leave it alone. However, in this Ableist society, common sense is often a second thought. A red cord is usually found in public disabled toilets so that if a disabled person was to take a fall or have a seizure or whatever emergencies they face, they can get help quickly. The cord is long with two triangles to grip and pull - one triangle is placed at seat height and the other is placed on the floor. You can see what the cord looks like or what it is similar too in the photo below Photo Alt Text: Disable
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Hello and Welcome!

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