Resources for Social Justice and Disability

Previously I posted on Social Justice and Disability – Evaluating Materials and Media with Characters with Disabilities. I am back to share some other essential resources and sites to follow. After a divisive presidential campaign, where the elected official hasn’t been forthcoming on stances in regards to disability issues this has raised concerns in the disabled community. Ambiguity has led to a sense of uncertainty. When it comes to social justice we need to be as informed as possible and empathetic as possible.

In the last post I posted a video from Annie Elainey. Again, because she discusses so many great things. Here she discusses Disability Identity and Language:

As she discusses, individuals have their own preferences on how they want to be identified whether it is person-first (person with a disability) versus identity-first (disabled). She links to this article on the Autistic Self Advocacy Network that at the bottom has articles on both sides and some in between.

There are some other great Youtubers out there discussing their disabilities and issues around disability. That in itself requires its own post for The Hub. For now, check out these posts from Disability Now and Disability Thinking on Youtubers to follow.

The following is not a complete list of all the great websites out there talking about issues of social justice and disability. These are the few I have discovered that are excellent and to be paid attention: (in alphabetical order)

• The American Association of People with Disabilities: Their focus is to work “to improve the lives of people with disabilities by acting as a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities.” Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
• Autistic Self Advocacy Network: Their mission “seeks to advance the principles of the disability rights movement with regard to autism. ASAN believes that the goal of autism advocacy should be a world in which Autistic people enjoy the same access, rights, and opportunities as all other citizens.” Follow them on Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest.
• The Body is Not an Apology: Their mission statement states that they believe, “Through information dissemination, personal and social transformation projects and community building, The Body is Not An Apology fosters global, radical, unapologetic self love which translates to radical human love and action in service toward a more just, equitable and compassionate world.” Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
• Disability in Kidlit: They are, “dedicated to discussing the portrayal of disability in middle grade and young adult literature. We publish articles, reviews, interviews, and discussions examining this topic from various angles—and always from the disabled perspective.” Follow them on Twitter, Tumblr, and Goodreads.
• Disability Intersections: This is “a magazine with periodic installments on disability issues, viewed through an intersectional lens.”
• Disability is Natural: Their mission is “to encourage new ways of thinking about developmental disabilities, in the belief that our attitudes drive our actions, and changes in our attitudes and actions can help create a society where all children and adults with developmental disabilities have opportunities to live the lives of their dreams, included in all areas of life.”
• Disability Now: They seek to provide a “platform for debate and discussion of disability issues – a platform where disabled people voices are heard.” Follow them on Twitter.
• Disability Thinking: This is a blog by Andrew D. Pulrang. He does a weekly round-up of articles, has a round-up of disability blogs and websites, and also does podcast about disability representation on television. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr.
• The Disability Visibility Project: This online community is “dedicated to recording, amplifying, and sharing disability stories and culture.”  They have community partnership with StoryCorps. Follow them on Twitter.
• National Center on Disability and Journalism: The NCDJ is a resource that aims “to provide support and guidance for journalists as they cover people with disabilities.” You can read their piece on disability terminology. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
• The Mighty: Their goal is to build a community and create a platform “to tell their stories, connect with others and raise support for the causes they believe in.” Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

What resources did I miss? Please add them in the comments.

–Danielle Jones, currently reading Invisible Man, Got the Whole World Watching by Mychal Denzel Smith