Billion Strong

Empowering people with disabilities and changing the world so that it's more inclusive and accessible is a huge undertaking. We need your help. Please donate today at https://lnkd.in/g4jXV9Tm. #pwd #crowdfunding LaMondre Pough

Africa is ready to shine at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games! Let's rally together to support and celebrate the incredible talent of athletes from across the continent. Join us in cheering them on and promoting disability sports in Africa. Watch the live events from August 28 to September 8 on the Paralympics' YouTube channel. LA28 Olympic & Paralympic Games ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology IAAP - International Association of Accessibility Professionals International Disability Alliance International Disability and Development Consortium ILO Global Business and Disability Network European Disability Forum African Disability Collaboration Global Disability Inclusion, LLC Global Disability Innovation Hub Disability:IN Diversability® UN Disability Inclusion Network (DIN) VIC UN Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Fund Disability Debrief CBM Global Disability Inclusion Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD) Malta African Union Paralympics New Zealand #BeyondThisLand #Paris2024Paralympics #AmplifyAfrica #AT2030 #BeyondSportParis

10 months felt like a lifetime. This candidate decided to quit. (The company claimed they are Inclusive) He had been with his current employer for just 10 months but was already looking to move on. He explained that the company had promised reasonable accommodations but failed to deliver on accessibility in critical areas. But more than that… It was the lack of genuine effort to provide the accommodations he needed to thrive. The leadership team talked a good game during the interview process, assuring him that accessibility was a priority. But when it came down to it… They didn’t deliver. This wasn’t the job he signed up for… And now he’s back in the market, looking for a company that truly understands and prioritizes accessibility. A critical reminder for employers: # Recruitment doesn’t end with a signed contract. # Probation isn’t just a time for the employer to assess the new employee… # It’s also a chance for the employee to assess whether the company follows through on its promises of accessibility. Companies that understand this and treat accessibility as a non-negotiable are the ones who retain top talent. #Workplace #ReasonableAccommodation #WeAreBillionStrong #Equity #SDGs #Accessibility #a11y #AXSChat #Hiring #Recruitment

If you are learning about dyspraxia for the first time, it’s most likely not what you think it is.. Dyspraxia sometimes shows up in ways that are obvious, but for most people with dyspraxia, our struggles are invisible on the outside. So, let’s break it down. Coordination and motor skills: From a very young age, we learn to adapt to challenges in coordination. Simple tasks like tying shoelaces or riding a bike can be incredibly frustrating. We often appear clumsy or uncoordinated, but it’s not about laziness — it’s about the brain struggling to connect the dots between intention and movement. Speech and communication: Many of us have difficulty with speech, and it can manifest as slurred words, stammering, or trouble organizing our thoughts in conversation. We might come across as hesitant or shy, but inside, we are constantly searching for the right words, working hard to communicate clearly. Organizational skills: We struggle with planning and organizing activities, from managing daily tasks to long-term projects. This often leads to a sense of overwhelm. Outwardly, we might seem forgetful or disorganized, but inside, it feels like we are juggling a hundred things at once and trying not to drop any. Sensory processing: We might be overly sensitive to light, sound, or touch, or alternatively, we might not notice these stimuli at all. This sensory imbalance can make everyday environments feel chaotic or unsettling, yet we often learn to mask these sensitivities to fit in. Fatigue and effort: Because of the constant mental and physical effort required to manage these challenges, many of us experience fatigue that’s hard to explain to others. We may seem disengaged or uninterested, but in reality, we are often exhausted from the sheer effort of navigating a world that isn’t designed for us. Intelligence and creativity: We may excel in creative fields, problem-solving, or thinking outside the box. However, our difficulties with organization and communication can overshadow our strengths, leading to misconceptions about our abilities. For the vast majority of us, dyspraxia is a hidden challenge. If we tell you we have dyspraxia but we don’t “look” like we do… please believe us. There is no downside. Disclaimer: This post is based on my personal experiences, interactions with others who have dyspraxia, and my readings on the subject. It’s important to recognize that dyspraxia can manifest differently in each individual. This post is intended to raise awareness and foster understanding, but it is not an exhaustive or definitive account. ID: Abstract painting with vibrant colors including reds, oranges, greens, and blues, creating a textured, dynamic background. In the center, there is a search bar with the word 'Dyspraxia' and a search icon next to it, symbolizing the exploration and understanding of dyspraxia. #Dyspraxia #Neurodiversity #WeAreBillionStrong #DisabilityInclusion #Ableism

A Wake-Up Call for the Disability Community: When Deception Hurts Our Cause Imagine finding out that someone you admired, someone who fought alongside you for a cause that deeply matters, never actually existed. This is not the plot of a movie; it's the unsettling reality we now face in the gaming accessibility community. In 2019, many of us were heartbroken by the news of Susan Banks' passing. Susan was known as a fierce advocate for accessibility in gaming, especially for those who are Deaf or hard of hearing. She was someone who, we believed, had worked tirelessly with game developers to create a more inclusive environment. Her death was a reminder of the fragility of life and the ongoing battle for equity. But today, we're confronted with the shocking revelation that Susan Banks might have been nothing more than a fabrication. It’s hard to digest, isn’t it? That someone could exploit the trust of a community built on the shared experiences of those who know too well the sting of exclusion. This deception goes beyond the mere creation of a false identity; it strikes at the core of what we stand for. Our fight for disability rights is grounded in truth—truth about the barriers we face, the lives we lead, and the changes we demand. When someone manipulates that truth for personal gain, it doesn’t just hurt our feelings; it undermines the very essence of our movement. But here’s the thing—this is not just a story of betrayal. It’s a call to action. It’s a reminder that our community, which has always thrived on authenticity and solidarity, must be vigilant. We must ensure that those who claim to speak for us are genuine because the stakes are too high to allow anyone to play games with our cause. Let’s take this moment to reflect on what we value most: honesty, trust, and the unwavering commitment to making the world a more inclusive place. We need to double down on these values, supporting real advocates who are doing the work, and calling out deceit when we see it. I urge you to share this message, not out of anger, but out of a desire to protect the integrity of our movement. Let’s remind each other that while our trust may have been shaken, our resolve remains unbroken. Let’s not allow this to divide us, but instead, let it strengthen our determination to fight for a future where everyone is included, and no one feels the need to fabricate a story to be heard. Let’s keep pushing forward, together. Thanks Jasmin for bringing this to my attention. ID: The image you uploaded is a screenshot of a headline from IGN that reads: "A Prominent Accessibility Advocate Worked With Studios and Inspired Change. But She Never Actually Existed." The subtext states: "In 2019, the games accessibility community mourned the death of Susan Banks. Now, evidence suggests she may have never existed to begin with." #DisabilityRights #Accessibility #Equity #DisabilityAdvocacy #SDGs #DisabilityActivism #WeAreBillionStrong #AXSChat

#BillionStrong is here to unite and amplify the voices of the global disability community! We are committed to ensuring that every country, every leader, and every advocate has a seat at the table in our mission to create a world where inclusion and empowerment are the norms. Together, we are stronger. Together, we can drive the change that over one billion people with disabilities deserve. Let’s break barriers, build bridges, and make history. #WeAreBillionStrong #InclusionRevolution #StrongerTogether Debra Ruh Richard Streitz Puneet Singh Singhal Jasmin Ambiong

The harmful stereotypes about disabled people are not just wrong—they’re dehumanizing. The misconceptions about laziness or lack of effort ignore the challenges we face. Instead of villainizing us, focus must be on building a society that values us for who we are, not who others assume us to be. #WeAreBillionStrong #DisabilityInclusion #Equity #Accessibility #Ableism #SDGs #AXSChat #BillionStrong

The Australian Government has developed an Intellectual Disability Health Capability Framework aimed at equipping health professionals to effectively support individuals with intellectual disabilities. This framework is designed to ensure that future health professionals are confident and well-trained in working with people with intellectual disabilities, ultimately leading to improved healthcare outcomes for this community. #DisabilityInclusion #IntellectualDisability #SDGs #Equity #Accessibility #DisabilityRights #HealthCare #Community

Ableism is glorifying the 'resilience' of disabled individuals while ignoring the systemic barriers we face. Stop praising perseverance in a broken system—demand accountability and change it. #DisabilityInclusion #WeAreBillionStrong #AXSChat #Ableism #Resilience #SDGs #Accessibility #DisabilityRights #Equity #BillionStrong #Bias #Discrimination

Disabled people deserve access to workplaces that accommodate their needs. Disabled people deserve streets and public spaces free of barriers. Disabled people deserve online platforms that are inclusive and accessible. Disabled people deserve public transportation that is reliable and fully accessible. Disabled people deserve dignity and equality in every aspect of life. #WeAreBillionStrong #DisabilityInclusion #Accessibility #Equity #Ableism #SDGs #AXSChat #DisabilityRights