As scrolling through my LinkedIn feed, I came across this post by Catarina Rivera (LinkedIn Top Voice in Disability Advocacy).

Here are 7 questions you can ask disabled people to better include us.

1. How should we best communicate? i.e. speaking, writing, phone calls, video calls, ASL, etc.

2. How would you like to receive new information? How much processing time do you need?

3. How do you self-identify? How should I refer to you? i.e. disabled person, person with a disability, etc.

4. What are your access needs for in-person events?

5. What are your access needs for online events?

6. How open are you about your disability? When advocating on your behalf, should I name you/your disability or would you prefer I not do that?

7. Do you have capacity right now? Do you have the spoons for this?

Do not assume.

Ask questions.

Listen.

Take action.

Continue communicating.

What are your thoughts?

Any other questions you'd add to this list?

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These 7, unassuming questions are excellent to start the conversation around being inclusive to their needs and building open communication. We all benefit from understanding others lived experience and being more inclusive.

Wondering what Spoons are? check out Spoon theory - Wikipedia