Being an ally for disability is all about support and education to create a better environment for those around you with disabilities. Whether you want to be more supportive for friends and family, a co-worker or simply improve your allyship, there are many steps you can take to become a better disability ally. Path-Now provides a wide range of resources and disability services in California for people with IDD as well as support for family members.
How to Be a Better Ally
To be a good disability ally, you should educate yourself, listen to individuals with disabilities and advocate for accessibility and inclusivity in both social environments and work places to support family, friends and co-workers.
- Listen to people with disabilities
Instead of just assuming you know what to do, actually listen to your friends and family’s needs – remember they live with their disability and know what’s best for them. Also, believe what they are telling you about their lived experience with a disability and learn what you can do to help them.
- Educate yourself
Education is vital for learning about and understanding different disabilities, the barriers in society people with disabilities face and the importance of accessibility. It’s not down to disabled people to educate you but there are so many resources available to help people learn.
- Use inclusive language
Using the right language is important to help make individuals with disabilities more comfortable. Everyone has their own preferred terminology so be respectful and ask for their preferences. There are also certain negative words you should never use regarding disability too.
- Be an advocate for disability
Never be afraid to speak up and stand up for disability rights. Challenge ableist behaviour, language and jokes and use your voice and platform to advocate for accessibility and confront disability issues
- Always consider accessibility
Accessibility should be available for all, whether its transport, mobility in buildings, online documents or image descriptions. Always think about the possibilities of accessibility in everything you do. One small change can make the biggest improvement for people with disabilities.
Supporting Friends, Family and Co-workers
To be more supportive for friends and family, always plan inclusive socializing that is suitable for people with disabilities. Check if venues such as parks, restaurants and cinemas are fully accessible before you visit and also research disability friendly places to keep in mind. Also, be flexible when it comes to any last minute changes or cancellations due to their health.
In the workplace, provide support when it comes to various accommodation requirements to improve accessibility such as software and computer equipment, flexible hours and sensory needs. Build a safe and accessible environment for workers with disabilities.
Path-Now is an accessible platform that connects individuals with autism and developmental disabilities with comprehensive resources and services in California. Find custom matched service providers tailored to your individual needs all in one place.
