Earlier this year, Paris hosted the Paralympic Games which attracted 4400 athletes with disabilities competing in 549 medal events. Thousands of volunteers signed up to help at the event and they all received disability awareness training and the Paris transport system was transformed to make it more accessible than ever before. And for the first time in the history of the Games, Paris 2024 also featured a single emblem, reflecting its desire to place the Paralympic Games and the Olympic Games at the same level. This is disability awareness and progress in action – led by sport, not politicians and it shows just how much can be achieved when people pull together towards a common goal.
This month sees the start of UK Disability History Month (UKDHM), which is an event observed annually from 16 November to 16 December, dedicated to raising awareness about the history, struggles, and achievements of disabled people in the UK. This month-long event also includes several other related dates such as HIV/AIDS Day (1 December), International Day of People with Disabilities (3 December), and International Human Rights Day (10 December), making it the perfect time to increase awareness and change attitudes through education.
One of the many positive aspects of the Paralympics, is the recognition of the achievements and contributions that people with disabilities can make to society and this is one of the main aims of UKDHM, as well as encouraging a deeper understanding of the social, economic, and political barriers that disabled people encounter. As early years practitioners, you are in a prime position to positively influence attitudes towards disability so that everyone is accepted for who they are, and recognised for the unique gifts they bring to the world, regardless of any disability.
Celebrating disability is crucial for several reasons because it can:
- Promote inclusion and equality
- Raise awareness of the barriers and discrimination that many people face
- Highlight the contributions and changes that disabled people have made to society
- Encourage empathy, tolerance and understanding
- Inspire and empower disabled individuals
- Drive social change through policies and political activism
- Contribute to a rich and diverse culture
This Year’s Disability History Month Theme
The theme for UKDHM 2024 is “Disability Livelihood and Employment”. This theme focuses on the critical issues surrounding employment for disabled individuals, including accessibility, discrimination, and the need for supportive workplace environments. Do you have staff in your setting, for example, who are disabled or who have additional needs? Do you have a policy to actively encourage recruitment from this sector, and if not, could this be something you investigate? Despite advancements in disability rights, many disabled people still face significant barriers to employment, which impacts their economic independence and quality of life.
How To Get Involved In Disability History Month
There are numerous ways to get involved in the celebrations this month, and you can find information on key events and activities including exhibitions, performances and discussions on the UKDHM website at: https://ukdhm.org/. There are also educational workshops and seminars on disability rights, employment laws and best practices for creating inclusive workplaces that could help you make changes in your setting which encourage a more inclusive space.
Here are some other ways you can get involved:
Educational Activities
Storytime: Use books that feature disabled characters or are written by disabled authors. This helps children understand and appreciate diversity from a young age and also inspires people to think creatively about jobs they could do. You can access a list of suitable early years stories and resources at: https://ukdhm.org/early-years-ks1/.
Interactive activities: Organise activities that focus on different abilities to help children empathise with the experiences of disabled individuals. For example, you could have a game where the children wear blindfolds and have to be led by a helper, or practice doing things with only one hand. Remember to encourage empathy here and be especially mindful of the activities you do if you have children with disabilities in your setting. You could talk to their parents and ask their advice about how to best help other children understand some of the issues involved.
Inclusive Play
Adapted games: Incorporate games and activities that are accessible to all children, ensuring that those with disabilities can participate fully and make adaptations as necessary, which may include setting up different courses or using slightly different resources. The key here is to plan ahead so that everyone can be involved.
Sensory play: Create sensory play areas that cater to children with different sensory needs, using materials like textured objects and fabrics, scented playdough, and sound-making toys.
Inclusive And Representative Displays And Resources
Books and resources: Make sure your book corner includes books, games and resources that reflect a diverse range of abilities and experiences.
Posters and artwork: Display posters of contemporary and historical disabled people who have made significant contributions to society, or encourage older children to create their own artwork celebrating diversity and inclusion. Focus on what people CAN do rather than the things they can’t.
Involve Your Parents In Disability History Month
Workshops for parents: Host a workshop to inform parents about disability awareness and how they can support inclusion at home.
Family events: You could organise your own events to either raise money for a disability charity or just learn about disability history and the importance of inclusion in the wider community.
Staff Professional Development
Training: Provide training sessions for staff on disability awareness and inclusive practices or set up a CPD sessions so that all practitioners and admin staff are equipped to support all children effectively. Think about inviting a disabled speaker into the setting to tell their story too.
Engage With Your Community
Collaborate with local organisations in your area: People with disabilities live in all parts of the country and there will be organisations and charities local to your setting who you could contact to arrange visits, events and workshops. In the same way that intergenerational meetings benefit both age groups, the same can be true for wider community partners which cater for people with disabilities.
Promote awareness campaigns: Participate in or create awareness campaigns within your community to highlight the importance of disability inclusion. This can be as simple as putting a logo or banner on your website, using a hashtag, or sending home some information about the month to parents, saying you are supporting it.
By incorporating these ideas, early years settings can create a more inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and promotes understanding from a young age. This not only benefits disabled children/people but also fosters a culture of empathy and respect among all children and their families.
