DEI Conference
Disability Awareness: Inclusive Language and Practices
Session Description:
People with disabilities still experience discrimination in many aspects of daily life, including in education, employment, and community participation. Stereotypes and negative attitudes, even microaggressions, contribute to these experiences of discrimination. In this session, we will learn new ways to think about disability. Have you ever considered that disability is a valuable form of human diversity? We will also discuss new ways of talking about disability, such as the difference between using person-first and identity-first language. We will learn about simple ways we can change our language and behavior to be more inclusive. This session offers valuable content, context, and tools for all participants. Disability awareness is essential to addressing the discrimination that people with disabilities face today!
Objectives and Key Takeaways:
- Develop a deeper understanding of ableism.
- Get comfortable talking about disability!
- Learn best practices for creating inclusive spaces and interactions.
Audience Knowledge and Experience:
Additional Materials
Guest Speakers
Linda Clemon-Karp
Continuing Education Specialist and Acting Assistant Director at Northwest ADA Center
Linda Clemon-Karp (she/her) serves as Continuing Education Specialist and Acting Assistant Director at Northwest ADA Center, part of the ADA National Network. Having acquired a life-changing disability well into adulthood, Linda has an uncommon perspective which she brings to her work as the Center’s lead trainer and curriculum developer, providing live, virtual, and online trainings to increase awareness of the ADA and other disability-related topics, both regionally and nationally. Prior to joining Northwest ADA Center, she worked at University of Washington’s Disability Resources for Students department as Program Manager for Access Text and Technology, overseeing implementation of students’ reasonable accommodation requests and training them to utilize their accommodations. In her capacity as a certified ADA professional, Linda has a wealth of experience presenting and training about ADA accommodations to educators, service providers, VR professionals, and transition age students in the Northwest and across the country. Linda recently served as a Content Developer on a collaborative project for the National John F. Kennedy Center, creating online disability awareness curriculum to help arts organizations across the country improve access and inclusion of people with disabilities as employees, artistic partners, and patrons. She is a certified ADA Coordinator (ADAC) and an American Bar Association trained paralegal. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Roger Williams University in RI, and her master’s degree at California State University, Fullerton.
