The Inclusion Hour!
Did you know Busy Life runs an Inclusion Hour on Twitter every week? Anyone can join in with #thinkINC to tweet, retweet and like everything positive about disABILITY. It’s Mondays at 630pm. Just follow me on Twitter @busylifeandme #thinkINC #disABILITY
Inclusion Hour Topics
Each week, I Tweet about a different topic. To date, we have covered issues including:
- Autism
- Special schools
- Stammering
- Therapy animals
- Models of disABILITY
- Train travel
- Normalcy
- Communication
- Employment
- Film & TV
- Social barriers
- Depression
If you have suggestions for topics please, let me know & spread the word about this hour!
New for 2020!
The Inclusive Question of the Week!
The Busy Life “Inclusive Question of the Week” runs from 730pm to midnight after the "Inclusion Hour." If there’s something you want to ask about #disABILITY , DM me on Twitter. I’ll pick one question to answer, anonymously. I'll tweet the answer the following Tuesday & record it on this page too! Views my own!
20th July 2020
"Is understanding theory more important than understanding practice?"
Practice is based on theory. Therefore, if practice is to improve, it's important to revisit theory and develop it. However, as a special needs mum, I don't always have to understand why a particular intervention works. I'm just pleased that it does, For me, theory and practice are equally important. #thinkINC
13th July 2020
"What is a rare disease?"
A rare disease is described by the EU as a condition that affects less than 1 in 2,000 of the population. Examples are Niemann-Pick, Sickle-Cell and Prader-Willi. There is a UK National Strategy for supporting people with rare diseases. However, it's implementation was described in 2018 as, "worrying." A further review is due this year. #thinkINC
6th July 2020
"Is it only children who have ADHD?"
Whilst ADHD is usually diagnosed in early childhood, the condition may persist into adulthood. The symptoms may be different and include:
- Impulsiveness
- Disorganization and problems prioritizing
- Poor time management skills
- Problems focusing on a task
- Trouble multitasking
- Excessive activity or restlessness
- Poor planning
- Low frustration tolerance.
For me, the profile of adults with ADHD needs to be raised to ensure they get the support they need. #thinkINC
28th June
"How many people have Tourette's Syndrome?"
It's a condition that causes involuntary sounds & movements; tics. The onset is usually in childhood. Symptoms can improve & might disappear. In the UK, more than 300,000 people have it. #thinkINC
22nd June
“What is the thinking behind the autism awareness ribbon?”
The puzzle pattern represents the complexity of autism. Different colours and shapes, the diverse nature of the people and families living with autism. The brightness of the ribbon means hope — hope that through championing awareness of autism, people with autism will be able to live the life they want to. #thinkINC
15th June
“What is the origin of awareness ribbons?”
The use of various coloured ribbons is designed to create public awareness of health, medical conditions, disABILITY, & other issues. New awareness ribbons are being created every day; there’s literally hundreds! I think, this is a really great way to raise awareness of a disABILITY. Do you? #thinkINC
8th June
“What is the origin of awareness ribbons?”
The use of various coloured ribbons is designed to create public awareness of health, medical conditions, disABILITY, & other issues. New awareness ribbons are being created every day; there’s literally hundreds! I think, this is a really great way to raise awareness of a disABILITY. Do you? #thinkINC
1st June
“What’s the difference between anxiety and depression?”
Anxiety is a feeling of worry, dread, nervousness or unease about something that you believe has an uncertain outcome. Depression is a feeling of dejection or unhappiness that can negatively affect how an individual thinks or acts. Many people with depression are likely to experience some symptoms of anxiety. #thinkINC
25th May
“Why is depression referred to as The Black Dog?”
It's used because depression can feel like an ominous, long-suffering presence tracking your every move. Winston Churchill used this metaphor to describe his depression. #thinkINC
18th May
"What proportion of the population has a stammer?”
This is a bit difficult to answer. Some children stammer from being able to talk. Others, develop one in later childhood. For some, the stammer disappears as they get older. However, 3% of the population is the general figure.
Everyone stammers differently and it's different every time you stammer. We 3% are a complex lot! #thinkINC
11th May
"How can I support someone who stammers?”
For me, you need to give them the confidence to talk. This requires giving them a safe space to do so. What I mean by this is? A conversation were it doesn’t matter if they fail to talk fluently.
You need to be patient and listen longer. Try not to look away if they do stammer. Don’t finish their sentences for them. If they want to talk about their stammer, be the person who listens. Tell them it doesn’t matter if they do and they are valued for who they are. I think these are all reasonable adjustments. Do you? #thinkINC
4th May
“What is the WHO’s thinking on #disABILITY?”
The World Health Organisation states, “DisABILITY is now understood to be a human rights issue. People are disabled by society, not just by their bodies.
These barriers can be overcome, if governments, non-governmental organisations, professionals and people with disABILITIES and their families work together. The WHO/World Bank World report on disability shows the way forward”. I couldn’t agree more. How about you? #thinkINC
6th April
6th April
6th April
“Up to what age is an EHCP applicable?”
An Education, Health & Care Plan outlines any special educational needs a child has, & the provision that must be provided. They are legally binding up to the age of 25 years.
As of January 2019, there were 1,318,300 pupils with SEND in England, representing 14.9% of the total population. Of these 3
“Up to what age is an EHCP applicable?”
An Education, Health & Care Plan outlines any special educational needs a child has, & the provision that must be provided. They are legally binding up to the age of 25 years.
As of January 2019, there were 1,318,300 pupils with SEND in England, representing 14.9% of the total population. Of these 3.1% had an EHCP. These figures are rising year on year. Any thoughts on why? Maybe a topic for a future “Inclusion Hour”. #thinkINC #disABILITY
20th April
6th April
6th April
"How many people in the UK have a visual impairment?”
There’s almost 2 million people living with sight loss. Of these, around 360,000 are registered blind or partially sighted. Did you expect the number to be more or less than this? #thinkINC #disABILITY
27th April
6th April
27th April
“How can I describe Dyslexia in positive terms?”
A medical definition is, “a specific learning difficulty, that causes problems with certain abilities used for learning, e.g reading & writing. intelligence isn't affected”. Not very positive!
However, I prefer this one. I think it contains lots of words that can be used to describe Dyslexia in positive terms. How about you? #thinkINC #disABILITY
Inclusive Questions and Answers
13th January
"What is a disABILITY?"
You’re disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ & ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities". However, I think this definition is from the perspective of neurotypical & able-bodied people who make up the majority of the population & make the law. What do you think? #thinkINC #disABILITY
19th January
“What is the difference between diversity & inclusion?”
Diversity is understanding that each individual is unique whereas inclusion is embracing everyone as valuable members of their communities.
However, for me, I like this definition: Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance. How does that sound? #thinkINC #disABILITY
26th January
"What do we mean by normal?"
The word ‘normal’ entered the English language in about 1840. It can be defined as “constituting, conforming to, not deviating or different from, the common type or standard, regular, usual”.
Before this, the concept of the "ideal" prevailed. The "ideal" was the preserve of God & unachievable by the human. "Normal" introduced the correct & preferred way of being human, &, therefore, the concept of disABILITY. For me, there's no "normal" human, only a "typical" form. Do you agree? #thinkINC #disABILITY
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3rd February
"What is a social barrier?"
A social barrier is something, that is not physical that stops someone with an impairment doing something. Social barriers are the attitudes of individuals or groups of individuals in society. An example would be a child not being able to stay for an activity after school as the Head Teacher won't put in any additional support to facilitate this. For adults, this could be not being invited to join a conversation and being ignored.
For me, it's a lack of kindness and thought of the majority able-bodied and neurotypical population. The answer, once again, is kindness. Do you agree? #thinkINC #disABILITY
10th February
"What language should I use when referring to someone who has a disABILITY?"
There's no right or wrong answer! For me, it's about using the term the person you are referring to feels most comfortable with.
So, this could be a person with autism or autistic. Equally, this could be blind, a person with a visual impairment or visually impaired. I think the important thing is to ASK THEM! Then use the term they prefer. What do you think? #thinkINC #disABILITY.
17th February
"How can I be kind to a child with a disABILITY?"
Include them! Be the parent at the school gates that talks to the mum or dad of the child with special needs. Invite children with disABILITIES to parties and over for tea. Easy isn't it?! #thinkINC #disABILITY
23rd February
“What is “Nothing about us without us?””
It’s about self determination. Decisions that shape the lives of people with disABILITIES can only be made if they are involved in the decision making process. Sounds like a good idea to me! #thinkINC #disaBILITY
2nd March
"What percentage of the UK poulation has a disABILITY?"
There are 13.9 million people with a disABILITY:
8% of children
19% of working age adults 45% of pension age adults
22% of the population.
Is this what you expected? #thinkINC #disABILITY
9th March
"Why do words associated with impairment often start with dis or dys?"
Like many words, they have their origins in Greek & Latin. In Greek, dys means, "bad or disordered" & in Latin, "apart, in different directions, or not").So you have disABILITY, dyslexic, disorder etc. For me, banning the use of dis or dys would go a long way to overcoming social barriers and achieving a more inclusive society. How about you? #thinkINC #disABILITY #bandis #bandys
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16th March
"What is ableism?"
Ableism is “the oppression you’ve never heard of.” It's discrimination & social prejudice in favour of able-bodied or/& neurotypical people.
A venue can be inaccessible in a variety of ways. An event without sign language makes it inaccessible to persons with hearing loss. No quiet space makes it inaccessible to persons who have sensory overload, eg autism. Persons with #disABILITY have to be included in decision making! #thinkINC
23rd March
"What is the origin of the word, "Paralympics?"
The word “Paralympics” derives from the Greek preposition “para” (beside or alongside) and the word “Olympic”. Its meaning is that Paralympics are the parallel games to the Olympics and illustrates how the two movements exist side-by-side. Personally, I'd prefer to see one integrated event for all athletes. They all use the same track, pool or arena don't they?! #thinkINC #disABILITY
30th March
"What’s the most common disABILITY in the UK?”
For adults its mobility & for children it’s cognitive. However, your impairment is a certainty, no matter what the statistics say. Society needs to understand your needs & meet them. #thinkINC #disABILITY