The Latest: Un-Checklists, FOMO, and Having Twins 💜💜

👋 Welcome to the July 2024 edition of The Latest, where we are paying way more attention to the “feels like” temperature than ever before. 🫠

✅ “Accessibility is not just a ‘to-do’ list at work. It’s a ‘to-be’ list in everyday life.”

This quote came flying out of my mouth during one of our early book cover design meetings. As someone who is very attached to sticky notes, weekly planners, and long-term digital to-do lists, this is a tough one to swallow. 

• Here’s why: Checklists make me feel like I am making progress. 

How do we know if we are getting accessibility right without a checklist? Well, that’s the thing. We don’t.

• There are checklists galore in my upcoming book, Disability Is Human: The Vital Power of Accessibility in Everyday Life, but they aren’t there to help us feel like we’ve “accomplished” accessibility. 

They are there to help us remember what we intend to do as our next steps on the journey. 

But here’s the value of the “un-checklist”:

• Reduces performative accessibility

• Keeps us focused on progress over perfection

• Opens our minds to the experience of disabled people

And much more! 

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🥹 Advanced Praise is Humbling Indeed

Publishing a book means sending it out for advanced reviews – a process that taps into all the vulnerabilities that come with getting feedback for products before they are launched. 

Here’s what I’ve learned from this process:

• It’s hard to let go, say “pens down,” and accept that not everything is perfect AND that you’ve done enough.

• Variety is the spice of life! Getting different perspectives leads to delightful discovery.

• People are super busy, but they will make time given enough notice and some clear deadlines.

• You never know what lens people will take, but good reviews reflect both the content of your book and the positionality of the reviewer. Each is a value add!

Dr. Sara Schley’s review made me smile because (a) it sounds just like her and (b) it reflects the goals of the book so eloquently! 

• This book is the perfect combination of lived experience, academic evidence, and “holy heck everyone come on this just makes sense and it’s not that hard.”

Check out other reviews on the Disability Is Human website! We will continue to add them as they come in.

🌟 Disabled Creator Spotlights Continue!

Disabled Creator Spotlights are a big part of how I celebrate the deep talent in the community – during #DisabilityPrideMonth and beyond. 

• This month I want to spotlight Kala Allen Omeiza, author of Autistic and Black: Our Experiences of Growth, Progress and Empowerment. 

This volume includes often overlooked stories from people around the world. Check out her social media and go read her book to get a glimpse into the lived experiences of people you may not ever get to meet. Many thanks to Kala for her work and advocacy! 

• You’ll find more disabled “Creator Call-Out” spotlights at the end of each chapter of Disability Is Human. 

🔍 FOMO: I’m Not at Disability:IN, But I Am Seeking a Disabled Owned Business!

I’m having significant FOMO for not being at the Disability:IN Conference in Las Vegas this month. 

Their work is continuing to expand and bring more companies into the disability and accessibility fold. I’d be cruising the exhibit hall, making connections, and getting the latest scoop. 

• I’d also be looking for some disabled-owned vendors to help me with book launch activities.

If you know of a terrific business owned by a disabled person that makes bookmarks, stickers, t-shirts and other brandable swag, send them my way!

📗📗 And Finally… I’m Having Twins! 

Two books, that is! I’m thrilled to announce that Disability Is Human will have a companion volume, The Official Workbook. 

• Filled with more strategies and activities, the workbook is ideal for people who want to take their understanding of disability and implementation of accessibility to the next level.

Publication dates will be announced in the next issue of The Latest. Stay tuned!