RespectAbility

RespectAbility is closed July 4th and 5th for Independence Day. Our team will be back next week, together in person, for Disability Advocacy Week!

60 Miles North "is a message to the medical community to listen to your patients as well as a story about overcoming adversity and finding the strength to keep moving forward." Read our full review of the film which will be available on VOD on July 9: https://www.respectability.org/2024/07/60-miles-north-review/

On social media or TV, you probably have seen stories of a disabled person being celebrated at their High School prom, or being named an honorary member of their Football team. While these stories may seem harmless on the surface, these stories fall under the trope of “inspiration p*rn.” Learn more about this trope and why it’s harmful: https://www.respectability.org/2023/12/inspiration-porn/

New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation last Friday which states that "any proposed amendment or other ballot measures must be explained using language that is 'plain and clear,' allowing voters to fully grasp the practical impact of adopting or reject the measure being proposed to them."

Activists with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) have advocated strongly on both federal and state levels for all ballots to be written in plain language. This is helpful not only to people with I/DD, but also to English language learners, people who are less familiar with the "legal-ese" and jargon often used in public policy, and pretty much everyone else too!

Image Description: closeup of a person looking over a paper ballot

N.Y. law will set language standards for statewide ballot proposals It is aimed to cut down on voter confusion.

Greek letter organizations usually have a set idea of the type of people they would like to extend a bid or formal offer to become a member to. But does that fixed idea of the perfect member come with an ableist mindset? Read more in a piece from RespectAbility Fellow Vanessa Bliss at the link below!

Image Description: Icon representing a fraternity or sorority house. Headline text reads "Give Inclusivity A Bid."

Give Inclusivity A Bid: Making Fraternities And Sororities Accessible - RespectAbility Greek letter organizations usually have a set idea of the type of people they would like to extend a bid or formal offer to become a member to. But does that fixed idea of the perfect member come with an ableist mindset?

Barbie is launching with an American Sign Language version, in true "Barbie is for everyone" fashion. It will be available on Max on December 15. The ASL interpretation is performed by Leila Hanaumi, a deaf creator, performer, and writer well known for her viral song interpretations. Hanaumi will appear at a special December 14 screening of Barbie ahead of the release, alongside star Margot Robbie and hosted with Deaf West Theatre and RespectAbility!

Image Description: A group of coordinated Barbies and Kens dance on a brightly lit, pink dance floor in a scene from Barbie. A woman in a black shirt interprets in ASL in the bottom right corner of the screen.

Max announces an ASL version of 'Barbie' coming soon A little 'Barbie' for all.

Join us this Wednesday to learn more about how you can create or work on podcasts! https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RXsVzP7ESOC2xXuWeN73_Q

Podcasting can be helpful for people to gain various skills that stand out to employers. Join us next Wednesday, December 6, to meet two RespectAbility National Leadership Fellows, who have both worked on a podcast. Their podcasting skills helped them receive their Fellowship offers, as our team was able to see their skills in action. During the session, learn from RespectAbility staff and Fellows on how you can create or work on podcasts in various ways, including interview and narrative.

Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RXsVzP7ESOC2xXuWeN73_Q

"On this important day, I call on the world to work side-by-side with persons with disabilities to design and deliver solutions based on equal rights in every country and community." – United Nations Secretary General António Guterres

Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2023. Read more from Secretary General Guterres at the link below!

Image Description: People using wheelchairs who are participants of the tenth session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. UN Photo/Manuel Elias

Message | International Day of Persons with Disabilities | United Nations This year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities reminds us that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires living up to the promise to leave no one behind, especially the 1.3 billion persons with disabilities worldwide.

“It’s imperative that mental health professionals seek disability-related training in order to better understand the unique challenges that LGBTQ+ youth with disabilities face, and be equipped to provide quality care based on these factors."

Image Description: A person using a wheelchair wearing a rainbow colored outfit at a Pride event.

Disabled LGBTQ+ Youth At Greater Risk Of Su***de Than Their Peers, Study Finds It’s "imperative" that mental health providers are trained to help people of multiple marginalized identities, the study's lead research scientist told HuffPost.

In film 'DARUMA' disabled actors take the center stage 'DARUMA' is the first movie that stars two leads with disabilities in a narrative not about disability

In case you missed it, we're hosting a free webinar on December 13 about why sacred communities need to raise awareness to create a culture of belonging. Learn more and register:

Building Disability Inclusion Together: How to Increase Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion in Your Faith Community - RespectAbility Shelly Christensen, Rev. Ben Bond and Rev. Bill Gaventa will discuss why sacred communities need to raise awareness to create a culture of belonging.

Podcasting can be helpful for people to gain various skills that stand out to employers. Join us next Wednesday, December 6, to meet two RespectAbility National Leadership Fellows, who have both worked on a podcast. Their podcasting skills helped them receive their Fellowship offers, as our team was able to see their skills in action. During the session, learn from RespectAbility staff and Fellows on how you can create or work on podcasts in various ways, including interview and narrative.

Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RXsVzP7ESOC2xXuWeN73_Q

There is still time to support disability inclusion this by making a donation to RespectAbility! We appreciate your support over the last 10 years, and hope to achieve even more in the next decade! Give now at www.RespectAbility.org/Donate!

Tomorrow is ! We are celebrating a decade of disability inclusion and advocacy. Show your support by giving to RespectAbility at www.RespectAbility.org/Donate!

People with disabilities still face many challenges, including unfair bias and stigmas, lack of employment opportunities, disparate wages, barriers to practicing their faith, inaccurate and inauthentic representation in media, and so much more. Help us advocate for the inclusion of millions of disabled people by making a tax-deductible gift – learn more at www.RespectAbility.org/Donate!

The last concert in the series is tonight at 7 PM ET!

Amazon Music Live Ensures Deaf Audiences are Fully Welcomed and Included - RespectAbility Star ASL interpreters dazzle again in the second season of Amazon Music Live (AML), a weekly concert series.

To all of our supporters who celebrate, Happy Thanksgiving from RespectAbility!

The new animated Disney movie WISH is opening today in theaters nationwide. The film centers on Asha, a 17-year-old who stands for an injustice in her kingdom. Asha's best friend Dahlia, who was authentically casted, is a disabled teen, yet the film does not go into details about her disability. RespectAbility was proud to provide a variety of consulting advice throughout production, including ensuring the proper animation of Dahlia's crutch, walking sequence, and more. Learn more at the link below!

Image Description: Cultural Consultants from RespectAbility (L-R) Maddy Ullman, Vanni Le, Erica Mones, and Lauren Appelbaum, with The League's Kristen Marston and Disney's Kathy Le Backes, at the premiere of WISH in Hollywood

Developing Dahlia: Spotlight on Disney’s WISH - RespectAbility WISH centers on Asha, a 17-year-old questioning her city's leadership. Asha's best friend Dahlia is a disabled teen, yet the film does not go into details about her disability.

The second season of Amazon Music Live wraps up this Friday with a concert from Garth Brooks. Read about how each concert in the series was made accessible to deaf and hard of hearing audiences at the link below!

Image Description: Four ASL interpreters at the Amazon Music Live concert series smile together in front of a step and repeat banner with the logo for Amazon Music Live

Amazon Music Live Ensures Deaf Audiences are Fully Welcomed and Included - RespectAbility Star ASL interpreters dazzle again in the second season of Amazon Music Live (AML), a weekly concert series.

On Wednesday, December 13, join us for a free webinar where Shelly Christensen, Rev. Ben Bond, and Rev. Bill Gaventa will discuss why sacred communities need to raise awareness to create a culture of belonging. They will talk about their experiences creating grassroots faith and disability initiatives, offer tools and resources, and provide wisdom from different sacred traditions and communities. Learn more and register at the link below!

Image Description: Graphic advertising RespectAbility webinar titled Building Disability Inclusion Together. Includes date and time of December 13 at 2 pm ET, icons for captioning and ASL, and headshots of Shelly Christensen, Bill Gaventa, and Ben Bond, the three speakers who will be part of the webinar

Building Disability Inclusion Together: How to Increase Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion in Your Faith Community - RespectAbility Shelly Christensen, Rev. Ben Bond and Rev. Bill Gaventa will discuss why sacred communities need to raise awareness to create a culture of belonging.

In a Western society that often shies away from death, Project CC’s creative and bright exploration of grief and impermanence is refreshing. Directed by RespectAbility Entertainment Lab alumna Cashmere Jasmine, this Disney Launchpad short film tells the story of a 12-year-old science genius, Paris, who attempts to clone her best friend CC. Read our full review at the link below!

Image Description: poster for Disney Launchpad's Project CC with a black woman holding a pen with various scientific symbols around her, and a Corgi wearing ski goggles

Corgi Clones Teach Kids About Grief: A Review of Short Film "Project CC" - RespectAbility In a Western society that often shies away from death, Project CC’s creative and bright exploration of grief and impermanence is refreshing.

“The primary solution I would recommend is universal accessibility. No place should be allowed to be a polling site if it isn’t physically accessible.” - Matan Koch, Senior Policy Advisor, RespectAbility

Read more about accessibility barriers to voting faced by disabled people in a piece by our Policy and Civic Engagement Fellow Kaitlin Martinez-Hall: https://www.respectability.org/2023/11/voting-accessibility-barriers/

"The independent film DARUMA directed by Alexander Yellen is set to make its East Coast debut as an official selection of the second annual Dances with Film Festival in New York at the Regal Cinemas in Union Square on December 1, 2023." We're very excited about this movie, which stars our Lab alum John Lawson!

Image Description: Photos of Barry Bostwick and Abigail Hawk, two of the lead actors in DARUMA. Daruma

DARUMA Starring Barry Bostwick & Abigail Hawk Set For New York Premiere at Dances With Films Festival The independent film DARUMA, directed by Alexander Yellen, makes its East Coast debut at the Dances with Film Festival in New York. Starring Barry Bostwick and Abigail Hawk, the authentically cast drama follows a paraplegic's journey to reunite with his daughter. Don't miss the New York premiere on....

Every autistic person is unique, and outdated labels like "high functioning" or "low functioning" oversimplify people's needs. When talking about an autistic person, ask them how they prefer to be identified if possible. When that's not an option, embrace individuality and describe specific abilities or support needs.

After numerous disability organizations including RespectAbility and FWD-Doc lobbied for disability inclusion, the 2023 UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report is tracking the disability status of actors for the first time. The report cites they are able to do so because of additional data sources, one of which is Nielsen-owned Gracenote, which began tracking on-screen disability representation as part of its inclusion data in late 2022, with the assistance of RespectAbility. Read more: https://www.respectability.org/2023/11/uclas-2023-hollywood-diversity-report/

Podcasting can be helpful for people to gain various skills that stand out to employers. Meet two RespectAbility National Leadership Fellows, who have both worked on a podcast. Their podcasting skills helped them receive their Fellowship offers, as our team was able to see their skills in action. During this session, learn from RespectAbility staff and Fellows on how you can create or work on podcasts in various ways, including interview and narrative. Learn more and RSVP: https://www.respectability.org/2023/11/podcasting-webinar/

AARP, in partnership with Innivee Strategies, a disability-led strategic consulting company, is performing a research project focused on gaining a deep understanding of the lived experiences of individuals with disabilities and the intersection with ageism. Specifically, they are looking for people who are age 45 or older and have a visual, hearing, and/or mobility disability. If that's you, take the survey at the link below!

Aging & Disability Survey If you're aged 45+ and have a hearing, visual, or mobility disability, take this survey today!

“What I want people to take away from the film, is a sense of family rebuilding, fun, and enjoying watching film again,” said BLACK BELTS writer Xavier Stiles, who also served as a faculty advisor for the RespectAbility Entertainment Lab. Read our review of Black Belts at the link below!

Image Description: Key art for Disney Launchpad's BLACK BELTS with a person wearing a karate uniform and a black belt.

Do the Dojo: A Review of Short Film BLACK BELTS - RespectAbility The short film "BLACK BELTS" is a promising and powerful beacon for many people across different communities.

According to the latest National Trends In Disability Employment (nTIDE) report, the labor force participation rate for people with disabilities grew to 40.4% in October 2023 from 38.7% in October 2022. This continues an upward trend we have observed throughout this year, which is great news. However, the labor force participation rate for people without disabilities was 78% in October 2023, so there is still plenty of work to do to close that gap! Learn more: https://www.respectability.org/2023/11/data-corner-november-2023/

"Carl the Collector, PBS Kids‘ newest series about a warm-hearted raccoon, will be its first led by a character on the autism spectrum." One of the writers on the show is our National Leadership Fellowship and Lab alumna Ava Rigelhaupt, and we're so excited for her and for this show premiering next year!

Image Description: Artwork for "Carl the Collector" with some of the show's characters in the trees in a backyard.

‘Carl the Collector,’ PBS Kids’ First Series Led by an Autistic Character, to Premiere in Fall 2024 (Exclusive) The series will feature a cast of diverse characters alongside a production team of neurodiverse and neurotypical writers, advisers and voice talent.