What does it mean to live in a society as a disabled person?
Disability Awareness
Around 49 million Americans and one billion people in the world have a disability, visible or invisible.
Disability awareness is the practice of knowing, acknowledging, and accepting individuals' experiences as they relate to disability. Knowing, being aware and moving beyond your own level of comfort is key to a greater understanding as well.
Through disability awareness, the misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding those with disabilities can be brought to the forefront.
Definition of a Disability: Any physical or mental condition that impacts daily life. Conditions that limit a person’s movements, senses or activities.
Often what creates barriers for people with disabilities is the lack of accessibility, accommodations and understanding in society. These barriers range from physical and attitudinal to systemic and organizational.
Definition of Ableism: Talila Lewis and Dustin Gibson define ableism as “a system that places value on people’s bodies and minds based on societally constructed ideas of normalcy, intelligence, excellence, and productivity. Ableism is really grounded in the notion of who is valuable and worthy based on a person's appearance."
MOV_3986 (1).MOVI Am a Person with Dwarfism
My name is Meg Weber. I was born with achondroplasia. I grew up in a home with able-bodied, average-size parents and siblings. I bring a unique experience and story to my work in educating others about disability and how to be an advocate.
I am a public speaker and have led numerous talks and educational workshops in schools, conferences and nonprofit organizations, about disability and how to be an ally. I taught elementary school for over 30 years and educated a great many students and parents about disability and advocacy. I developed disability curriculum that has been implemented in many schools.
I am seeking public speaking engagements and coaching opportunities on disability awareness, developing curriculum and becoming better allies for teachers, students and parents with disabilities.
As a person with dwarfism, I have experience living as a successful adult with a disability. I am passionate about sharing my experience with students and teachers in schools and in work environments for people who are seeking greater disability awareness.
Photo credit: Governor Dannel Malloy shaking hands with Natalie Whitton at the ceremonial bill signing of Public Act 15-87. An act designating Spinal Muscular Atrophy with Respitory Distress Awareness Day and Dwarfism Awareness Month.
Meg Lily disability video bars removed.movI interviewed my daughter, Lily about her experiences growing up with dwarf parents. Listen to her candid response.
I bring my lifetime of experience as an educator, advocate and activist and my lived experience of navigating a world that often literally overlooks me, to my work as a disability and accessibility speaker, trainer and consultant.
