It’s that time of year again, where we reflect on our trip around the sun and set our sights on the next one. This New Year looks unlike any other, but it’s still worthwhile to think about goals, dreams, changes, or systems we’d like to incorporate into our lifestyle. Let’s break down some open-ended resolutions to kickstart an inclusive year ahead, below.
Setting actionable Intentions
We often think of New Year’s resolutions as promises we make to improve ourselves in some way. Often life-changing or lofty, goal-based resolutions can be hard to keep. Perhaps you’ve identified a skill you want to learn, a certain amount of weight you’d like to manage, o a dream job you’d like to secure in the New Year. The challenge is identifying the small, day-to-day commitments that will lead to the success of that goal and sticking with them.
If setting clear goals in an otherwise unprecedented landscape feels difficult, join us in setting some open-ended intentions for the attitudes and perspectives we can control. Use this short list of intentions as inspiration to live more confidently and consciously in the New Year, and know that you are contributing to a worldwide resolution of inclusion.
1. I will try something new in an environment designed for all people.
Whether or not you are living with a physical disability, consider exploring the growing opportunities in adaptive and inclusive sports and recreation. Many adaptive and accessible organizations encourage individuals of all abilities to join!
Start learning about all of the possibilities by reaching out to a local adaptive organization that can point you in the right direction based on your interests across sports, recreation, music, arts, or even theatre. With specialized equipment, teams, programs and staff dedicated to inclusion, so much is possible!
Physical and mental health are highly attributed to our extracurricular activities. Setting this intention commits you only to learning more, trying something new, and meeting new people. Have you found a healthy hobby that excites you yet? From adaptive yoga to downhill skiing and everything in between, there is something for everyone.
2. I will remind myself not to compare.
Ever heard of the old adage “comparison is the thief of joy?” This can ring especially true when reflecting on this year’s accomplishments and planning for the next. Many people thrived in the chaos of 2020, but we know that even more people faced indescribable challenges.
It’s harder than ever before, in the age of social media, to remember that nobody is perfect — even if it appears that way online. Instead of setting goals based on what you think others are achieving, outline small to large objectives based on your own personal track and timeline. For example, if you want to get into a new sport, give yourself time to be a beginner at it. Not every athlete shares the goal of making it to the professional level, and that’s okay! Identify what you enjoy about the activity for the activity itself and focus on the benefits you gain from participating. By shifting your focus from being better than others to being a better version of yourself, you will see more progress and growth.
3. I will listen to and learn from individuals with abilities different from my own.
From picking up an autobiography, tuning in for a TED talk, or forming a personal relationship with someone new — we have a lot to learn from people with abilities different from our own. If you’re not living with a spinal cord injury, you may never truly know how this shapes the human experience. You can, however, gain an empathy, understanding, and perspective by learning directly from those who are.
There is no greater expert in the field of disability than the individual living with that disability themselves. It is crucial to note here that the disability community is not a monolith. Two people with the same injury or disability can vehemently disagree on how they prefer to interact with others, terminology they use, politics surrounding disability rights, and so much more. Having a specific disability, or not, doesn’t eliminate the variance in human nature, preference, or lifestyle across each human. We can all learn from each other.
4. I will recognize accessibility and advocate for inclusion.
Take notice of the places and spaces you utilize each day. Would someone with abilities or mobility devices different from your own be able to interact with that environment? Supporting businesses and programs that prioritize accessibility and inclusion promotes investment in practice and design that benefits all community members.
2020 has left us all in need of a little TLC. When it’s safe for you to finally level up your self-care game with a trip to the salon, a massage, or a new gym membership, select businesses that make it a priority to serve community members of all abilities — because self-care is for everyone! Most importantly, speak up about it. Let business owners and managers know that you choose to spend your money with them because of the conscious decisions they make to create a welcoming environment for you and your neighbors.
We all have our reasons for spending where we do. Maybe you prefer to spend with companies that prioritize sustainability or fair trade. Perhaps you prefer to support women or minority-owned businesses. Wherever you spend your hard earned dollars, consider adding inclusivity to your checklist of reasons. Making the demand for accessibility and inclusion known will help to transform our world into one where it is the expectation, rather than the exception.
5. I will align my language with the identity of others.
The language we use everyday is important. It has the power to help us define ourselves and connect with others. Listening to and using the chosen language styles and word choice of others when communicating with people can help create a more welcoming space for conversation and deeper relationships. There is no uniform answer for the best way to talk about disability. Individual preferences vary.
Two models to listen for when talking to others include person-first or identity-first language. Here’s a quick glance at these two schools of thought, which warrant a much deeper analysis in a future blog (stay tuned!):
- Person-first language always places a person before their disability. In this example, you might hear “a person with a disability,” rather than “a disabled person.” The approach behind person-first language is to recognize an individual — along with their values, personality, and skills — separate from their disability.
- Identity-first language includes the disability within how an individual describes themself. This type of language is preferred by people who consider their disability to be an inextricable part of who they are. This names the disability as a statement of fact, which many find empowering and an important disclosure of how they experience the world.
So how do we know what to say when speaking to others? You listen, or ask! Remember that not all disabilities are visible, either. Encourage yourself this New Year to normalize adapting your language to the model that your conversation partner uses, and asking for further clarification. Consciously customizing your inclusive language says to that person: your choices and identity matter, and I respect them.
Let’s Start 2021 Together
Try incorporating these intentions with us in the New Year, or sharing what your inclusive resolutions are in the comments below! If you’d like to collaborate on an inclusive resolution in 2021 together, get in touch with us here.