Diverse-ability/Disability & Inclusion

Diverse-ability/Disability and Inclusion

This page features a variety of resources for teaching students about Diverse-ability/Disability and Inclusion including an Inclusion checklist, Downloadable Resources, helpful links and videos, and personal experiences from those with diverse-abilities/disabilities. Watch the introduction video to learn more about this section and its’ importance.

You may be wondering what “diverse-ability” means! Here at the Stigma-Free Society, we understand the importance of language. Some folks prefer to use the word “disabilities” while others prefer “diverse-abilities.” When you’re not sure which one to use, it is best to match your language who you are speaking to. You can ask them which one they prefer!

Downloadable Resources on Diverse-abilities/Disabilities & Inclusion

Click here for a Printable Version.

Click here for a Printable Version.

Downloadable Resources – Rick Hansen Foundation School Program

The Stigma-Free Society is proud to partner with the Rick Hansen Foundation, established in 1988. For over three decades, RHF has raised awareness, changed attitudes and funded spinal cord injury research and care. Today, roughly one in five Canadians identify as having a disability, and that number is growing as our population ages. RHF is working on breaking down one of the most fundamental barriers that people with disabilities still face: physical barriers in the places where we live, work, learn and play.

These informative resources have been created by the Rick Hansen Foundation.

Feel free to use them in your classrooms to deepen awareness and understanding for breaking down the stigma of disability.

Click here for a Printable Version.

Click here for a Printable Version.

Diverse-ability and Inclusion Comic

Mental Health Literacy Guide for Autism

The Mental Health Literacy Guide for Autism is written by the Autism Mental Health Literacy Project (AM-HeLP) Group.

This valuable resource provides helpful information about the mental health needs of Autistic adults. The guide is developed in consultation with Autistic adults, and parents and siblings of those with lived experience of autism. Adults living with autism share their mental health experiences and provide ideas of what is needed to support and promote their well-being.

Please click here to view the guide!

Inclusion Checklist

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To receive access to this resource, please Register Today.

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To receive access to this resource, please Register Today.

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*This resource has been reviewed and is supported by Erika Cedillo, PhD, from Inclusion BC.

Conversation Cards About Diverse-Abilities/Disabilities and Inclusion

Below you’ll find our “Conversation Cards” to help you kick-start your conversation with students about Diverse-ability and Inclusion.

1. Simply look at a card and read the question on the front.

2. The other person offers a response.

3. Then discuss the answer together.

What language can we use around the diversely-abled/disabled community?
The prefix “dis” in disability means “the opposite of.” This indicates that disability is the opposite of the word ability. The word disability makes us focus on what people with disabilities can’t do, instead of what they CAN do. Some folks find this disempowering. Diverse-ability means that we all have different abilities, but a certain group of people isn’t more able than the other. Regardless of this, some folks still prefer to use the term “disabled” or “disability”. They feel empowered by these terms and feel that they are the most inclusive. When it comes to language, it’s always best to ask what language people prefer!
What does inclusion mean and why is it important?
Inclusion means that within a physical space or social setting, everyone is included no matter their gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, diverse-abilities or religion.

Inclusion is important because when we exclude others, it is usually because we are stigmatizing them. Being excluded makes people feel lonely or less worthy than others others. The truth is, everyone is worthy and deserves to be treated with respect and without stigma.
What are developmental diverse-abilities?
Developmental disabilities are a group of conditions that involve impairment in learning, language, or behavioural areas. These conditions begin early on in life. They may impact daily functioning and they usually last throughout one’s lifetime.

Some developmental disabilities include autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities, and learning disabilities.
What are sensory diverse-abilities?

Someone with a sensory diverse-ability has different abilities to do with one or more of their senses (touch, taste, sight, hearing, smell). Sensory diverse-abilities include vision impairment, people who are hard of hearing, and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD).

*These Conversation Cards have been reviewed and are supported by Jake Anthony from AutismBC.

Helpful Links

Videos

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