Stories, essays, opinions, analyses and more from across the different disability communities and from their friends, families, and allies.
Findings from an online survey on the mental health effects of COVID-19 on Canadians with disabilities and chronic health conditions
“Increased anxiety, stress, and despair were associated with negative financial effects of COVID-19, greater concerns about contracting COVID-19, increased loneliness, and decreased feelings of belonging…Findings address how the global health crisis is contributing to declining mental health status through heightened concerns over contracting the virus, increases in economic insecurity, and growing social isolation, speaking to…
Perceptions of Canadian Federal Policy Responses to COVID-19 among People with Disabilities and Chronic Health Conditions
“Policy preferences among people with disabilities and chronic health conditions reflect broader partisan divides, as well as health and economic situations specific to this group…Our study also alludes to long-term implications both for health and financial wellbeing and for perceptions of government policy and policy-makers. The pandemic is ever-evolving. What many respondents have voiced is…
Who Counts? Measuring Disability Cross-Nationally in Census Data
“Our analysis of disability census questions across 65 countries shows that how disability is defined and measured shapes the prevalence of disability. We found that definitions, terminology, measurement, and instructions to respondents and enumerators matter for understanding disability prevalence.” David Pettinicchio, Michelle Maroto, Who Counts? Measuring Disability Cross-Nationally in Census Data, Journal of Survey Statistics and…
Disability equality: do we have the needed resolve?
Twenty-six percent is a non-trivial number. Most people would notice it if their salary increased by 26% or if their rent went up by 26%. But the 26% of Americans who have disabilities are difficult to find in classrooms to boardrooms. Despite diversity and inclusion efforts, people with disabilities continue to be marginalized. Depending on…
What’s with Ableist Systemic Discriminatory Thinking?
Prior to pandemic, we (the disabled community – ed.) were forced to exist on the very fringes already fully aware society excluded us. Historically our community has never been viewed as vital equals capable of greatness even when incredible contributions to humanity by Differently Abled innovators, scientists, artists, engineers, and jurists, such as Helen Keller,…
Workplace Accommodations for People with Mental Illness
Reasonable accommodations in the workplace (also known as reasonable adjustments in the UK) are a human right for people with disabilities. However, it may not be immediately obvious to employers or employees how that applies to people with mental illness. For those of us living with mental health conditions, it can be helpful to get…
Supporting Students with Mental Health Needs at School
Students with mental health, emotional, or behavioral needs, like all children, need to be understood, supported, and appreciated in their schools and communities. Specialized services and supports may be required to help these children succeed at school, and problems at school can create or increase mental health needs. As schools have resumed in-person learning for…
Build Back Better, Better Jobs Act
As America moves towards pandemic recovery it is essential now more than ever that we make massive investments in expanding access to Home-Community Based Services (HCBS) for kids and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities regardless of IQ, or at risk of institutionalization. Our service system must be reformed into a pro-active system that…
Women’s History Month Reflection
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this piece are those of the author.