Disability Discrimination

It’s alive and it sucks. I have a friend who was quoted a higher rate for her daughter at a daycare for “special needs“ - this sweet girl did not need any extra care than another typical kid.

Another peer just this week was asked to discontinue swim lessons because the instructor had no special needs training... despite the boy’s father holding him the entire lesson. Thankfully the business acknowledged their mistake and were incredibly sorry.

And now, shame on you, United Airlines.... “had they bothered to ask, they would have learned that Sean is a very capable young man, and Eagle Scout, a graduate of the Mason LIFE program at George Mason University, an athlete, and an employee who lives on his own with roommates.” (link below)

United Airlines Discrimination

If your business isn’t sure how to handle these situations, training DOES exist. DSAGC has an Outreach Coordinator who will come and train your staff on down syndrome and how it can positively affect you:

“When I do presentations I try to tailor it a bit depending on the audience.  So if we’re talking to medical professionals I’m sure to talk about ways to give a sensitive diagnosis, with educators I may mix in classroom modifications for learning, or if it’s business owner and employees who are serving customers or clients with disabilities I will speak even more heavily about stigmas, avoiding assumptions, people-first language, etc. I’m always sure to share anecdotes about the children and adults I know through the DSAGC and what they are capable of.

Presentations typically cover these areas:

-        What the DSAGC does and how we support families

-        What IS Down syndrome

-        Common visible and invisible traits, strength and challenges

-        Common medical issues and how they may or may not influence interactions

-        Life expectancy and what people with Ds CAN do – learn, attend school, work,
          volunteer, vote, date, cook, live independently

-        Language, people-first language, what to say and NOT to say

-        Inclusion in many forms”

Mariclare Hulbert of DSAGC