4 Ways to Build Disability Awareness

There is room for improvement when it comes to our national disability initiatives. Work is being done across Canada to have October officially recognized as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. And in the spirit of this month, we encourage you to help promote disability awareness to build safe and welcoming communities for everyone!

Here is a quick list of four things you can do to raise awareness and promote inclusivity:

Educate yourself

Not everyone knows what it means to have a developmental disability, and that is okay! Educating yourself is the first step in being a part of positive change. Having a developmental disability means there is a permanent impairment in the physical, learning, language or behavioural areas of an individual. Examples include autism, Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, and brain injuries — no two are the same.

Become an advocate

Advocates are individuals that speak up for the fundamental human rights for people with developmental disabilities. Talking about these things - getting the conversation going - is what will help get rid of stigmas and allow people with disabilities to feel welcomed into the community.

Try talking to your employer about their inclusive hiring practices. Send us a message if you are interested in learning more about becoming an Entrust Employer Partner!

Change the language

It’s time to get rid of the R-word. Take a stand for what is right and help people be mindful of the language they are using. The way we talk about things affects attitudes, and attitudes affect actions.

Get involved

There are several ways you can get involved and help to promote inclusivity in your community. Here are some great ideas on ways you can make a difference:

• Join the Autism Speaks Canada Walk
• Donate to Inclusion Alberta
• Pledge to use respectful language