Diversity is the spice of life! But wait, what IS diversity?! Diversity is the differences and variety in something. When we talk about humans, it means the things that make us all unique, different people. We all have unique talents, abilities, appearances… No person is the same, and that’s what makes us special. If we were all the same, it would be a mighty boring world!
No person is better or worse than the next: we’re just different. Every single person, no matter their age, gender, sexual orientation, color, size, appearance, or abilities, has the same value and right be here. We’re all priceless, and add so much to the world. That’s what it means to embrace diversity!
Learning About Diversity
Learning about other people and their experiences of the world helps to remind us of our “sameness.” It reminds us of our shared humanity, that we all experience emotions and the ups and downs of life. One great place to learn about diversity is SBSK, a site that features interviews with TONS of neuro-diverse people. By sharing their stories, they remind us that we’re all in this together.
Self-Advocacy
Sometimes it’s hard to voice your wants and needs, but that’s what self-advocacy is all about. It’s empowering you to stand up for yourself, and make sure that your voice is heard (whether that’s verbal or non-verbal)! Your thoughts, feelings, opinions, wants, and desires are all valid and important, and you have the right to express them. Sometimes it’s about big things, like petitioning for accessibility. But it’s also the little daily things you do, like letting people know something that you need, asking for more information to help you understand something, or saying “no” to something you don’t want to do. In other words, self-advocacy is all about empowering you to make sure your needs are met!
Check out Self Advocate Net for all kinds of great info on how to be a great self-advocate!
Highly recommended: PWD Allies, the podcast about disability advocacy in Canada. New episodes air LIVE! every week on YouTube.
Tips for successfully advocating for yourself:
- Remember, you have RIGHTS!
- That means you are entitled to certain things, just like everyone else:
- You have the right to be heard
- You have the right to feel safe
- You have the right to understand what’s happening (and ask for information to help you understand things)
- You have the right to access the same places and things as everyone else
- You have the right to voice your opinions, wants, and needs
- You have the right to be respected
- And so much more... Find out by visiting The Human Rights Commission!
- That means you are entitled to certain things, just like everyone else:
- Need something? Ask for it!
- In any place or situation, there’s usually someone who will listen to you and help you out. Part of being a good self-advocate is getting good at finding those helpers.
- Keep records of things that happen
- If someone doesn’t want to help you or does something mean, it’s good to keep track for later. Write it down, or tell someone you trust. That information may be useful later.
- Sometimes, certain people are supposed to help you, but they don’t help at all. It’s a good idea to keep track of that!
- Any time you ask an organization or a company for help, you should keep a record of you talking to them. For example, save any emails you send or get from them.
- If someone doesn’t want to help you or does something mean, it’s good to keep track for later. Write it down, or tell someone you trust. That information may be useful later.
- Work together!
- Do you know any other self-advocates? It’s a lot easier (and a lot less scary) to face problems together.
- It can help to ask around, and find out if anyone else has had the same problems you have.
- Do you know any other self-advocates? It’s a lot easier (and a lot less scary) to face problems together.
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