A microaggression is an indirect, subtle, possibly unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized group. Usually these take the form of statements, actions, incidents, or exclusions.
Example:
Being excluded from an event because of what the host perceives you can or can’t do.
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Ableism is the expression of a discriminatory preference for someone without a disability. Ableism assigns inferior worth to people who have developmental, emotional, physical or psychiatric disabilities by devaluing and limiting their potential.
Accessibility refers to the design of products, devices, services, or environments so it is usable by people with disabilities.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law in 1990. The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.
Disability includes impairments of physical, sensory or mental functions that may affect undertaking activities or participating in community life. It may be caused by accident, trauma, genetics or disease. A disability may be temporary or permanent, total or partial, lifelong or acquired, visible or invisible.
Universal design is the design of buildings, products, technology, or environments to make them accessible to all people, regardless of age, disability or other factors.
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Disability advocates may advocate for themselves, another person, or a group of people with disability. They work through issues that have an adverse effect on rights for an individual or group, or on a society-wide level.
Design activism is about using your talents as a designer to create a positive impact in the world. Activist design creates a series of questions or proposals using media for unresolved ends: to provoke, or question, or experiment in search of new political/social conditions.
Assistive Technology is any item, piece of equipment, software program, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities. This can be low-tech and/or high-tech equipment, computer software, mobile applications, etc..
Digital Accessibility is the ability of a website, mobile application or electronic document to be easily navigated and understood by a wide range of users, including those users who have visual, auditory, motor or cognitive disabilities. This enables users to navigate the website or mobile application using assistive technologies/screen readers to interact with the content.
Access-A-Ride (AAR) Paratransit Service provides public transportation for eligible customers with disabilities or health conditions that prevent them from using the public buses and subways for some or all of their trips. AAR operates 24/7/365.
Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York (CIDNY) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1978. We are part of the Independent Living Centers movement: a national network of grassroots and community-based organizations that enhance opportunities for all people with disabilities to direct their own lives.