Don't Dis My Ability
Summary:
DON’T DIS MY ABILITY: A campaign to ensure that St. Paul Public Libraries (SPPL) is a welcoming place for people who have the attribute of being diff-abled by celebrating their diversity and abilities. I started using the term “diff-abled” after hearing several advocates use it saying that disabled implied something broken down like a car whereas diff-abled indicates that we are all able in our own ways.
About You
About You
First Name
Erin
Last Name
Zolotukhin-Ridgway
City
Saint Paul
County
Ramsey
Country
United States
Website (if you have one)
Names of others who helped contribute to my idea
Leah Wing St. Paul Jewish Community Center, Inclusion & Accessibility Services Coordinator
How did you hear about the Forever Saint Paul Challenge?
City of St. Paul e-mail
About Your Organization (if applicable)
Organization Name (if applicable)
St. Paul Highland Park Library
Organization Website
Organization Phone
651-695-3700
Organization Address
1974 Ford Parkway
City
Saint Paul
Organization Country
United States, MN
Your idea
Title of your idea
Don't Dis My Ability
Give us the highlights of your idea for making Saint Paul great (2,000 characters maximum or approx. 250 words)
DON’T DIS MY ABILITY: A campaign to ensure that St. Paul Public Libraries (SPPL) is a welcoming place for people who have the attribute of being diff-abled by celebrating their diversity and abilities. I started using the term “diff-abled” after hearing several advocates use it saying that disabled implied something broken down like a car whereas diff-abled indicates that we are all able in our own ways.
Website address (if applicable)
Innovation
What makes your idea different or unexpected? (4000 characters maximum or approx. 500 words)
I think it is assumed that every place is welcoming to people who are diff-abled and this is certainly the intent and most people/places do their best to be welcoming. However, not having a well-thought out plan of how one wants to welcome and include can mean that staff aren’t aware of issues, concerns, opportunities. If families see that an organization has an Inclusion Program, they can see someone has gone to the effort to plan for the welcoming and recognition of people who are diff-abled.
Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
How will your idea make a difference in Saint Paul? (4000 characters maximum or approx. 500 words)
It will start the process of creating a deliberate and concrete plan to serve and celebrate people who are diff-abled. This plan will include:
* Creating an advisory committee to determine needs and opportunities
*Training staff and the public on issues
*Increasing public awareness of this community and their abilities
*Creating opportunities for empowerment and inclusion.
People who are diff-abled are at risk for isolation, unemployment or underemployment, and the library, as the community’s family room, is a great place to provide opportunities for learning, engagement, connections.
Sustainability
Why do you think people will recognize or remember your idea after it comes to life? How might it inspire others to do something similar in their community? (4000 characters maximum or approx. 500 words)
People will recognize and remember this because you appreciate feeling like you belong, like you are included and you remember the places and people that/who facilitate this. This idea could inspire other libraries to create their own plans for inclusion and awareness, community members to talk to their libraries about creating programs, advocacy organizations to partner with their neighborhood libraries in doing outreach and engagement programs. Inclusion leads to awareness and recognition of abilities, needs , and what can be done to help people succeed and to celebrate their success. This in turn makes life better for all of us.
Additional resources for this competition are available for download here:
 | idea1.docx | 24 KB |
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