Welcome to the Talking About Accessibility page. If you have not done so already, please consider visiting the home page for the Accessibility office.
Topics in this section (work in progress):
- Medical and Social Models of Disability.
- Identity and Person First Language.
- Philosophies of Disclosure.
Part of disability and accessibility is sharing a vocabulary to talk about it. This section of the Accessibility website will help us examine that vocabulary, along with looking at certain normal discussions in the broader community.
The goal of this section not to tell people they are right or wrong. Instead, it’s to lay out both sides so they can be discussed. By moving towards a shared vocabulary, we can reduce misunderstandings.
Additionally, this section will serve to help those who want to understand, either for themselves or so they can better assist others. When we understand more, even on a superficial level, we can better connect with others.
Ultimately, we are a community. We are a fan organization with a common passion. We are also a diverse, international community. We have all kinds of people in our organization, and no one should feel excluded.
While we may not have the same type of diversity as Star Trek, we are still wonderfully different. By creating a common understanding, we can achieve the same type of cooperative community that makes the Starfleet we see on screen a powerful organization.
Let’s boldly go,
Fleet Captain Coleen Parker
Director of Accessibility
sfcoa@sfi.org
SCC#82868