Disability Awareness

What is Disability Awareness?

The biggest barriers people with disabilities encounter are other people. Disability Awareness means educating people regarding disabilities and giving people the knowledge required to carry out a job or task thus separating good practice from poor. It is no longer enough just to know that disability discrimination is unlawful.

For instance disability awareness relates to topics such as a recent paper released by the Council for Disability Awareness that examines the lack of awareness of the risks and the financial burden that an unexpected accident or illness can have on retirement savings. Despite the fact that three in 10 workers entering the workforce today will become disabled before retiring, disability is often overlooked as a threat to long-term financial security.

Hidden Disability Awareness:

People with hidden disabilities often do not feel like they belong within the disability community because they are not considered to be “disabled enough” to fit into the group. People with hidden disabilities are caught between not being fully accepted as people without disabilities, and not being recognized as having “real” disabilities.

Disability Awareness Week:

Disability Awareness Week (DAW) continues the tradition of National Access Awareness Week first established in 1988 to promote better community access for people with disabilities. Disability Awareness Week covers all types of disabilities and all age groups in partnerships with any interested supporters.

Disability Etiquette:

Disability etiquette are guidelines dealing specifically with how to approach people with disabilities and were initially created to challenge social conventions rather than to reinforce them. Most disability etiquette guidelines seem to be predicated on a simple dictate: “Do not assume...” They are written to address real and perceived shortcomings in how society as a whole treats people with disabilities.

“Disability etiquette” exists to draw attention to common assumptions and misconceptions through the provision of guidelines that contradict them. More than that, however, these guidelines are evolving to approximate social etiquette among the non-disabled, in hope that people with disabilities will be treated with “common courtesy.” (McGrattan, 2001)

Museum of Disability History:

The Museum of Disability History is a museum related to the history of people with disabilities from medieval times to the present era. Located in Williamsville, New York, USA, it is the only "bricks and mortar" museum dedicated to advancing the understanding, acceptance and independence of people with disabilities in the United States. With, and on behalf of, individuals with developmental and other disabilities, the Museum seeks to promote a higher level of societal awareness and understanding, and a change in attitudes, perceptions and actions that will result in people with disabilities having the greatest possible participation in their communities.

Awareness Ribbons

Many causes promote their awareness by the wearing of a particular color ribbon. Here is a list of awareness ribbons for some of the causes and the colors they use.

Our disability awareness articles will start readers on their way to a better understanding of disability issues and the disability community as a whole.

Disabled World also provides a number of video clips on disability awareness for general, education, and and training purposes. View the Disability Awareness Videos that help teach and make people aware of disability issues and persons with disabilities in society.

Further Information Regarding Disability Awareness

NFB Partners with Santa to Promote Braille Letters this Christmas
Once again, Santa has enlisted the help of the elves at the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Jernigan Institute to get Braille letters out to hundreds of blind boys and girls this Christmas season.

Enable America Declares November Disabled Veteran Employment Mentoring Month
Enable America is a non-profit working to improve employment opportunities for all people with disabilities. In November, in conjunction with Veterans Day, it will focus efforts on providing employment mentoring to those with service-related disabilities.

Obama - National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2009
Fair access to employment is a fundamental right of every American, including the 54 million people in this country living with disabilities. A job can provide financial stability, help maximize our potential, and allow us to achieve our dreams.

Today is World Osteoporosis Day - 20 Oct 2009
Speaking in Rome, Italy today on the occasion of World Osteoporosis Day, International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) CEO Patrice McKenney called for individuals and governments around the globe to join the fight against osteoporosis.

World MRSA Awareness Month
Chicago-based MRSA Survivors Network calls for action and is pushing international health organizations, the Centers for Disease Control, governments and state health departments to declare MRSA an epidemic and pandemic.

Celebrate World Sight Day to Help Prevent Blindness
World Sight Day is coordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) under the global initiative of VISION 2020. This year, the theme for World Sight Day is Gender and Eye Health.

Education Secretary Duncan on National Disability Employment Awareness Month
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today issued the following statement in support of President Obama's proclamation of October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Disability and Health Awareness Days Weeks and Months
List of disability and health awareness dates by day week and month to stimulate awareness of health risks and disease prevention.

Demi Lovato and Bullying Prevention Awareness Week
As part of PACER Center's fourth annual National Bullying Prevention Awareness Week, Oct. 4-10, 2009, Disney star and music sensation Demi Lovato has released three important public service announcements (PSAs) urging teens to join the movement against bullying.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
With the support of generous corporate partners, the Canadian Cancer Society is leading the fight against breast cancer. This October, the Society will raise funds and public awareness for breast cancer in partnership with companies across Canada.

Enable America Supports Disability Mentoring Day
Enable America, the non-profit devoted to improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities, is supporting and encouraging all businesses to participate in Disability Mentoring Day, held each October.

The NCD and Effective Emergency Management and People with Disabilities
The National Council on Disability (NCD) has submitted a report concerning Effective Emergency Management and People with Disabilities to President Obama, suggesting improvements for communities and people with disabilities.

Health Care Reform, The Community Choice Act, and People with Disabilities
Federal law in America only requires that individual States in this nation cover nursing home care in relation to their Medicaid programs, much to the dismay of many people with disabilities. There are no requirements that States provide people with disabilities who receive Medicaid and are eligible with home and community-based care services. The Community Choice Act requires that every Medicaid eligible person with disabilities, as well as older Americans, have a choice between receiving care in their homes or in an institution.

Sheltering Arms TV Documentary Celebrates National Rehabilitation Awareness Week
An upcoming documentary from Sheltering Arms is just one way Central Virginia's premier physical rehabilitation healthcare provider is marking the 2009 National Rehabilitation Awareness Week.

AA and AAPD Announce Altitude Award
American Airlines and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) are pleased to announce the creation of the "Altitude Award", honoring the best U.S. television commercials featuring authentic depictions of people with disabilities.

Car Show Community Awareness Event Success for SOFTIN
Hundreds of spectators had a blast admiring well over one hundred show cars decked out in stunning details and shining like a noonday sun at the Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara, July 25th. There were muscle cars with engine parts poking up above their hoods and every inch of engine compartment in use. There were classic cars which brought back many a wonderful memory for those of us old enough to remember playing in those cars.

Disability Awareness Day 2009
The Northwest Disability Awareness Day (DAD) for the year 2009 will be held on Sunday, July 12th, in Warrington in the United Kingdom. The event is Europe's biggest volunteer-led, pan-disability exhibition supporting Sports, Arts, and both children’s and family entertainment.

June Is Brain Injury Awareness Month In Canada
Brain injuries are the number one killer and disabler of people under the age of 45 in Canada. These injuries are a common occurrence, with more than 50,000 Canadians a year sustaining a brain injury, according to the Brain Injury Association of Canada (BIAC).

Paralysis Community Map Raises Paralysis Awareness
The Paralysis Community Map shows the world the faces of the paralysis community and raises awareness to help find a cure.

Child Abuse and Neglect of Children with Disabilities
The National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect (NCCAN) released a study regarding the abuse of children with disabilities. This first national effort to determine the incidence of abuse among this population found that children with disabilities are abused at approximately twice the rate of children without disabilities.

Safeway, Easter Seals and Special Olympics Launch Fundraising Campaign for Disabilities
Today, executives from Safeway, Easter Seals and Special Olympics launched the grocery retailer's annual fundraising campaign for people with disabilities in Washington, D.C., by challenging employers to tap into what they call an "extraordinary resource" of people who are ready and willing to work.

Brain Injury Awareness Week Should be Every Day
BrainTrust Canada is utilizing the timing of "Brain Awareness Week" the week of March 16th to remind people they need to think about the importance of their brains every day. The brain is the most important part of the human body, as it controls all major functions.

When You Meet a Blind Person
Every individual has a unique personality and therefore reacts in a unique way to blindness or visual impairment. Visually impaired people, whether they are totally blind or have some degree of useful vision may, at times, require the assistance of a sighted guide. When approaching a blind person, initiate the greeting using a normal tone of voice. Identify yourself and then inquire if your assistance is desired. If so, touch your hand to the back of their hand as a signal or them to take your arm.

Wheelchair Etiquette Awareness
The first rule of etiquette when interacting with people in wheelchairs, or power chairs, is to remember that one should not focus on their disability. Instead, focus on the person. Another rule of etiquette is the act of shaking hands, even if their limbs are limited in use. Focus on the person, not on his or her disability.

Self Injury Awareness Information
Most forms of Self-Injury are either superficial or moderate in nature, although there are some extreme forms of it. Self-Injury does not involve a conscious attempt to kill one's self; although it does involve a deliberate physical injury to one's self. Unlike intentional acts such as excessive drinking and smoking, Self-Injury includes acts of self-harm that are done without the intention of harming one's self to such an extent.

Teaching Kids Disability Etiquette
I am a single Mom with multiple disabilities who utilizes a service dog. I am also a disability consultant and motivational speaker; I travel the country with my service dogs, to visit schools, scout troops, businesses and such; teaching about the wonderful benefits that service dogs provide for their partners with disabilities through a motivational speaking program that teaches people to believe in the beauty of their dreams.

Down Syndrome Awareness
The main goal of Down syndrome understanding is to celebrate the diversity of life and promote the acceptance of families and individuals with the condition. Lobbyists ensure that adults with Down syndrome have equal opportunity access to housing, schooling and jobs.

Language of Awareness
When I interact with the public in either my professional or personal life, I seldom consider my blindness to be a barrier to an effective conversation, but I am quickly reminded by those with whom I am speaking that it can be. Their discomfort is palpable, their curiosity obvious.

The Silver Awareness Ribbon Campaign
The silver awareness ribbon is the official symbol for promoting public awareness of the need for support of people with brain disorders and disabilities.

Awareness Ribbon Colors and Meanings
A list of awareness ribbons and their associated causes regarding health and disability support. The use of ribbons is designed to draw awareness to health issues and other issues.