April 27, 2010
'TALK' (part 1)
The award-winning 'Talk' portrays a society in which non-disabled people are a pitied minority and disabled people lead full and active lives. Jonathan Kerrigan, of BBC's 'Casualty' fame, plays a business executive whose negative preconceptions of disability are dramatically shattered.
This is what it's like to be me!
This is what it's like to be me: living and overcoming life with a disability
April 26, 2010
disABILITY
The World Health Organization defines Disability as follows: "Disabilities is an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. An impairment is a problem in body function or structure; an activity limitation is a difficulty encountered by an individual in executing a task or action; while a participation restriction is a problem experienced by an individual in involvement in life situations. Thus disability is a complex phenomenon, reflecting an interaction between features of a person’s body and features of the society in which he or she lives."
An individual may also qualify as disabled if he/she has had an impairment in the past or is seen as disabled based on a personal or group standard or norm. Such impairments may include physical, sensory, and cognitive or developmental disabilities. Mental disorders (also known as psychiatric or psychosocial disability) and various types of chronic disease may also be considered qualifying disabilities.
A disability may occur during a person's lifetime or may be present from birth.
An individual may also qualify as disabled if he/she has had an impairment in the past or is seen as disabled based on a personal or group standard or norm. Such impairments may include physical, sensory, and cognitive or developmental disabilities. Mental disorders (also known as psychiatric or psychosocial disability) and various types of chronic disease may also be considered qualifying disabilities.
A disability may occur during a person's lifetime or may be present from birth.
Against bullying!
Bullying is persistent unwelcome behaviour, mostly using unwarranted or invalid criticism, nit-picking, fault-finding, also exclusion, isolation, being singled out and treated differently, being shouted at, humiliated, excessive monitoring, having verbal and written warnings imposed, and much more.
Bullying is present behind all forms of harassment, discrimination, prejudice, abuse, persecution, conflict and violence.
A bully is a person who:
*has never learnt to accept responsibility for their behaviour
*wants to enjoy the benefits of living in the adult world, but who is unable and unwilling to accept the responsibilities that are a prerequisite for being part of the adult world
*abdicates and denies responsibility for their behaviour and its consequences *is unable and unwilling to recognise the effect of their behaviour on others
*does not want to know of any other way of behaving *is unwilling to recognise that there could be better ways of behaving.
*has never learnt to accept responsibility for their behaviour
*wants to enjoy the benefits of living in the adult world, but who is unable and unwilling to accept the responsibilities that are a prerequisite for being part of the adult world
*abdicates and denies responsibility for their behaviour and its consequences *is unable and unwilling to recognise the effect of their behaviour on others
*does not want to know of any other way of behaving *is unwilling to recognise that there could be better ways of behaving.
Bullying is obsessive and compulsive; the serial bully has to have someone to bully and appears to be unable to survive without a current target.
Let's fight bullying!
April 19, 2010
You don’t have to put up with it!
You have a right not to be discriminated against. There are specific anti-discrimination laws protecting you from discrimination because of the following factors:
Race, colour, nationality or ethnic origins
Religion or religious or philosophical belief
Sex (gender)
Transgender
Marital status
Sexual orientation
Disability
Age
Political belief (in Northern Ireland only)Even if one of these factors does not apply to you, you may still be protected from discrimination under human rights laws.
You should not be treated unfairly for any reason. Not only is it disrespectful and wrong to treat you in this way, it may also be illegal.
If you think someone is discriminating against you, you don’t have to put up with it. It doesn’t matter whether it’s your boss, colleague, social services, a shop, or your local bank. Discrimination is unpleasant, unfair and, in most cases, against the law.
Race, colour, nationality or ethnic origins
Religion or religious or philosophical belief
Sex (gender)
Transgender
Marital status
Sexual orientation
Disability
Age
Political belief (in Northern Ireland only)Even if one of these factors does not apply to you, you may still be protected from discrimination under human rights laws.
You should not be treated unfairly for any reason. Not only is it disrespectful and wrong to treat you in this way, it may also be illegal.
If you think someone is discriminating against you, you don’t have to put up with it. It doesn’t matter whether it’s your boss, colleague, social services, a shop, or your local bank. Discrimination is unpleasant, unfair and, in most cases, against the law.
Discrimination is where someone treats you worse than they treat other people because of who you are. For example:
Oskar’s story
Two months’ ago, I moved from Poland to East Anglia in the UK. I know some other people from my town who moved here also. I came to work as a farm labourer. There are many farms here that need people to pick crops like lettuces in spring and summer time. Some of the local people have been very welcoming to us. But some do not like us being here. There is only one shop in the village where I live but when I first moved here I could not go there. The woman who owns the shop refused to serve any Polish people. So whenever I needed to buy anything, I had to go into the town. But, my friend, he told me that this was against the law. So I went in and complained. Now I can go into the shop whenever I want. But I’d rather spend my money somewhere else.
Two months’ ago, I moved from Poland to East Anglia in the UK. I know some other people from my town who moved here also. I came to work as a farm labourer. There are many farms here that need people to pick crops like lettuces in spring and summer time. Some of the local people have been very welcoming to us. But some do not like us being here. There is only one shop in the village where I live but when I first moved here I could not go there. The woman who owns the shop refused to serve any Polish people. So whenever I needed to buy anything, I had to go into the town. But, my friend, he told me that this was against the law. So I went in and complained. Now I can go into the shop whenever I want. But I’d rather spend my money somewhere else.
Hannah’s story
I used to waitress at a restaurant down the road from where I live. On one of my shifts, I seated and served a lesbian couple. After they’d gone, my manager called me into the kitchen and told me not to serve anyone like that again. If they came in again, she said I should just tell them that
the restaurant was full. I didn’t say anything at the time but I made up my mind that I wasn’t going to treat anyone like that no matter what my manager said. So, when they did come in again on my shift I gave them a table like everyone else. And I got the sack.
I used to waitress at a restaurant down the road from where I live. On one of my shifts, I seated and served a lesbian couple. After they’d gone, my manager called me into the kitchen and told me not to serve anyone like that again. If they came in again, she said I should just tell them that
the restaurant was full. I didn’t say anything at the time but I made up my mind that I wasn’t going to treat anyone like that no matter what my manager said. So, when they did come in again on my shift I gave them a table like everyone else. And I got the sack.
Who is discriminating against you?Anti-discrimination laws protect you from discrimination by:
Employers…when you’re applying for a job, to stop them offering you a job on less favourable terms and conditions (such as paying you less than they would other people), to make sure you get the same training, promotion and transfer opportunities as everyone else and so that they can’t sack you just for being who you are
Employers…when you’re applying for a job, to stop them offering you a job on less favourable terms and conditions (such as paying you less than they would other people), to make sure you get the same training, promotion and transfer opportunities as everyone else and so that they can’t sack you just for being who you are
Education and training providers
…such as schools, colleges, universities and vocational training services
…such as schools, colleges, universities and vocational training services
Public service providers
…such as GPs, hospitals, local authorities, job centres and prisons
…such as GPs, hospitals, local authorities, job centres and prisons
People selling, letting or managing property…such as a local authority housing departments (in Northern Ireland, the Housing Executive), housing associations and private landlords
Shops and other service providers
…such as pubs, restaurants, cinemas, banks and insurers
Shops and other service providers
…such as pubs, restaurants, cinemas, banks and insurers
Read more about this here.
April 09, 2010
April 08, 2010
Cultural diversity and cultural awareness
Important tips for communicating successfully with people from different cultures. Things to remember to ensure you embrace cultural diversity and communicate with cultural awareness.
Advice from Snéha Khilay, a trainer from communication skills experts Speak First.
A rich tapestry
“We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.”
Maya Angelou (American poet, 1928 - ...)Maya Angelou is a remarkable Renaissance woman who is hailed as one of the great voices of contemporary literature. As a poet, educator, historian, best-selling author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer and director, she continues to travel the world, spreading her legendary wisdom. Within the rhythm of her poetry and elegance of her prose lies Angelou's unique power to help readers of every orientation span the lines of race and Angelou captivates audiences through the vigor and sheer beauty of her words and lyrics.
Visit her official website here.
Why do you think you're better...
Why do you think you're better
If your culture is not the same?
Yes, maybe you seem different
But deep inside all are the same.
Why do they think they're better?
If one is black and one is white,
If one is man and one is woman.
They are the same, that is their right.
If one is straight and one is gay,
They are no different, just the same
If one is Christian and one is Jew,
All come from God, we are the same.
So, get to know all people,
And show them what you think and do,
You'll see how others live their lives.
When you like them, then they'll like you.
If one learns to understand
And respect all points of view,
Then peace on Earth must surely come
It is up to you. And you. And you....
Adelaide Rhead ( Durban, South Africa)
If your culture is not the same?
Yes, maybe you seem different
But deep inside all are the same.
Why do they think they're better?
If one is black and one is white,
If one is man and one is woman.
They are the same, that is their right.
If one is straight and one is gay,
They are no different, just the same
If one is Christian and one is Jew,
All come from God, we are the same.
So, get to know all people,
And show them what you think and do,
You'll see how others live their lives.
When you like them, then they'll like you.
If one learns to understand
And respect all points of view,
Then peace on Earth must surely come
It is up to you. And you. And you....
Adelaide Rhead ( Durban, South Africa)
YOU, whoever you are!...
All you continentals of Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia, indifferent of place!
All you on the numberless islands of the archipelagoes of the sea!
And you of centuries hence when you listen to me!
And you each and everywhere whom I specify not, but include just the same!
Health to you! good will to you all, from me and America sent!
Each of us inevitable,
Each of us limitless--each of us with his or her right upon the earth,
Each of us allow'd the eternal purports of the earth,
Each of us here as divinely as any is here.
("Salut au monde!" - abridged)
Walt Whitman - US poet
(1819 - 1892)
All you on the numberless islands of the archipelagoes of the sea!
And you of centuries hence when you listen to me!
And you each and everywhere whom I specify not, but include just the same!
Health to you! good will to you all, from me and America sent!
Each of us inevitable,
Each of us limitless--each of us with his or her right upon the earth,
Each of us allow'd the eternal purports of the earth,
Each of us here as divinely as any is here.
("Salut au monde!" - abridged)
Walt Whitman - US poet
(1819 - 1892)
People are people - Depeche Mode
People are people so why should it be
You and I should get along so awfully
So we're different colours
And we're different creeds
And different people have different needs
It's obvious you hate me
Though I've done nothing wrong
I never even met you
So what could I have done
I can't understand
What makes a man
Hate another man
Help me understand
People are people so why should it be
You and I should get along so awfully
Help me understand
Now you're punching and you're kicking
And you're shouting at me
I'm relying on your common decency
So far it hasn't surfaced
But I'm sure it exists
It just takes a while to travel
From your head to your fist
I can't understand
What makes a man
Hate another man
Help me understand
Sing - Annie Lennox
This song is about the AIDS epidemic in Africa. It features a female choir which includes Anastacia, Dido, Celine Dion, Melissa Etheridge, Fergie, Faith Hill, Beverley Knight, Gladys Knight, k.d. lang, Madonna, Sarah McLachlan, Beth Orton, Pink, Bonnie Raitt, Shakira, Joss Stone, The Sugababes and KT Tunstall among its featured luminaries..
In a blog promoting The Annie Lennox Collection the Scottish singer explained why she created this anthem for women and HIV AIDS. "SING is an expression of solidarity. The issue of HIV/AIDS is surrounded with so much stigma, and people are ashamed and afraid to speak up. Singing is a metaphor for speaking up. We must break the silence about AIDS. Women need to express themselves and let their voices be heard for protection, for treatment, and for human rights."
April 06, 2010
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Created by Seth Brau
Produced by Amy Poncher
Music by Rumspringa courtesy Cantora Records
The story of Human Rights
A striking short film defining one of the world's most misunderstood subjects: human rights.
Find out more at: http://www.humanrights.com/
Unity through diversity
Diversity is not JUST about different languages and the variation of races. It is about accepting these differences and embracing it. Giving respect to the people around us and love one another.
This video shows series of people with different backgrounds telling what diversity meant to them.
It has been a pleasure working with each and one of them.Embrace diversity. It is indeed beautiful.
Enjoy.
DOSOMETHING.ORG
Your religion, race, height, nationality, and even your gender are factors that most people make quick judgments about. Unfortunately, many of these judgments are based on biases and assumptions.Some facts about discrimination:
* About 600 million people in the world experience disabilities of various types and degrees.
* African Americans are 79% more likely to live where industrial pollution causes numerous health hazards.
* Only 24 states and D.C. include sexual orientation in their hate crime legislation.
* Immigrants are an essential element in keeping the American economy strong.
* The large majority of racially motivated hate crimes are against African Americans.
* The overwhelming majority of religiously motivated hate crimes are directed against Jews.
* 1/3 of American women and 1/4 of women worldwide will experience domestic/dating violence in their lifetime.
* Two-thirds of the world’s children who receive less than four years of education are girls.
Find some more information about this topic here:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)