Discover/ABLE

Are you disabled or do you know someone who is?
There are many ways people might be considered as having a disability. The designated handicapped parking space icon refers to one type of disability, but there are many types. Individuals can be considered disabled or impaired due to cognitive, developmental, intellectual, mental, physical, or sensory limitations and physical or cultural contexts. Many disabilities are invisible.
They also might be more common than you think.

Disability population break down

Map of the United States with the statics of disability population break down: 2.2 billion people worldwide have vision impairment. In the United States, the estimated number of people who are blind is approximately 3.5-million, and that number is expected to double to more than 8-million in America by 2050. Fewer than 40% of those with a hearing disability have full-time employment. In the United States, about 15% of people over the age of 18 reports some level of hearing loss. This makes hearing loss the third most common health condition after heart disease and arthritis.

List of accessible questions: Take a moment to notice your surroundings. What can you hear? Are the lights bright enough to read this text easily? What can you see? How did you arrive to this space? Did you have to make a choice using the stairs or an elevator on your way? Did you give much consideration to the distance you had to cover to get here? Do you hear voices, and air conditioning hum, or maybe an echo that muddles the sounds? Did you have to make a choice about whether to use a scooter, drive a car, or walk? Can you see a full range of colors? How much can you see at once?

Listen Very Carefully

By Ruth Lozner

Every human has differing abilities in both mind and body. How good is your hearing? Your vision? Your athletic ability? Or your ability to express feelings or ideas?

We all possess unique strengths and challenges. This is the wonderful diversity and commonality of humankind. While all of us must constantly adapt according to our changing set of abilities, there are some people who must navigate through their lives with profound challenges. One of my challenges is my hearing.

What are your stories?

Do you have a story to tell about ability or disability? Whether you are living with a disability, know someone who is or are now better understanding the ableism in society, we’d love to hear from you!

You can share your story one of three ways:

– Download the free Be Here Stories app for iPhone, open the app, click SPEAK, and then select Stories About Other Places and Experiences

– Call 1-833-TEL-STRY (1-833-835-7879) to record your story.

– Record directly on our website.

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