Summary
October 2024 newsletter from Dr. Stephanie W. Cawthon with her latest news and insights.
👋 Welcome to the October issue of The Latest! It’s been a whirlwind with the Disability Is Human book launch! I’m happy to be back to the “slow and steady wins the race” approach to all the things. 🐢
🪨 How to Get Buy-In for Accessibility
I see people working so hard to increase accessibility and opportunity for disabled people.
And yet it sometimes feels like we push a rock up the hill one day, only to slide back the next.
Why is that?
- The lack of buy-in from leadership is a huge factor.
People often ask me how to make an impact that lasts. I’ve worked with many different kinds of organizations to identify how and where change can happen.
Here are some key action steps to making progress:
- Identify a Top Ten List of priorities.
We cannot do everything at once! Focusing attention and efforts on a priority list helps leaders know what is most important. This is a great activity for mobilizing energy towards a goal.
- Collect data and personal narratives.
Bring the power of data and stories together — numbers give the big picture, and individual stories make it real. Be sure you can leverage both. Slides with talking points and quotes are a bonus.
- Share conversation space together.
Conversations need to happen with all members of your organization, together. This requires dedicated time and structured dialog. This is why I wrote the Disability Is Human Official Workbook – there are tools in there for both small and large groups to create constructive spaces for conversation.
- Change may seem slow at first – and that’s okay. Anything that is built to last will take time.
Want to see this work in action? Check out this collaboration with the Deaf Professionals Network at the Council on State Administrators for Vocational Rehabilitation. We are currently working on the 2024 update!
To those leading the charge: Be sure to find ways to recharge and rest so that you are ready for the next day!
📣 Looking For Ways to Share the Disability Is Human Message?
Together with the book launch, we have a new expanded section on The Movement, complete with easy steps you can take today.
- Use the hashtag in your own posts: #DisabilityIsHuman
- Follow disabled creators. Check out Creator Call Outs – some from the book, and some new!
- Share quote cards and posters, brand new and ready for your social media feed, office, or classroom.
Reviews for the win!
- To those of you who have supported this movement with a book purchase, thank you so very much!!! Please do drop in a review 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 and spread the word!
- There’s nothing like putting ideas into action. Check out Sara Shunkwiler’s in-depth account of her own use of Disability Is Human at Johns Hopkins University, especially the Official Workbook exercises. Thank you, Sara!
🗓️ Taking NDEAM into Q4 and Beyond!
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month!
There’s been an overwhelmingly positive effort to improve accessibility and opportunity for disabled people. I am so impressed with how persistent the amplification of this message has been throughout the last few weeks.
NDEAM may end in October but our chance to support disabled people continues!
Make the plan NOW to discuss issues that impact disabled employees, including:
- Flexible work policies
- Accessible recruitment practices
- Disability representation in leadership
- Opportunities to reach broader client base
2025 is just around the corner and will be here before we know it. Make your plan today on how accessibility will be part of your own Q1 agenda. Let us know how we can help!
📚 Support Your Local Bookstore!
Many of you are avid readers and have a favorite local bookstore. Now you can grab your copy of Disability Is Human (or one for a friend!) and support your local bookstore at the same time!
Check out Bookshop.com! Once you’re there:
- Sign up for an account
- Choose your favorite bookstore
- Search for Disability Is Human
- Stick it in your cart!
You automatically get a 5% discount and your favorite bookstore gets 30% of the sale!
- It’s a win-win.
Of course, you can always go directly to your local bookstore website and order Disability Is Human and the Official Workbook. Just search online for the title and it should appear.
- We’re super excited to be able to offer this local bookstore option in addition to Amazon!
✳️ Disabled Creator Call Out
I’m thrilled to share out my latest read:
Life of the Mind Interrupted: Essays on Mental Health and Disability in Higher Education by Katie Rose Guest Pryal
I am fortunate to be in a mastermind with Katie led by Carole Chabries.
- Katie’s book is an essential compendium for anyone working and leading in higher education.
She’s got new releases since this volume, and I’m excited to work through each of them to build my own knowledge base.