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Diversity Reads > January 2021 Diversity Theme - Disability

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message 1: by Keli, Keli Snail (last edited Dec 28, 2020 05:43PM) (new)

Dec 28, 2020 05:40PM

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January 4 is world braille day (it's Louis Braille's birthday), so I have chosen disability as our January theme. I originally wanted to do disability back in October but wasn't quite sure how to address it because "disability" encompasses a wide range of conditions, and I wanted to present it honestly, considerately and fairly. It appeared overwhelming until I read on the Disability Rights UK website that they are campaigning for changes in regards to three major principles; to live independently, to have equal opportunities in work and education, and to affect positive change in the attitudes and behaviours of the general public. Regardless of type of disability, everyone who has a disability could be discriminated against and most likely are or have been.
Disability legislation is relatively recent throughout the world. Some countries enacted laws in the early 1990s but most legislation is from the 21st century. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities wasn't voted on and accepted until 2006. So advancement in equality and protections in law have been around, at best, for 30 years. Laws and attitudes have come a long way but there is still a long way to go for true equality. Hopefully, positive and increased inclusion of disabled characters in mainstream culture will aid in this change.

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