<if you have questions, ask them in comments, I will respond either through a direct comment, or a post.>

Disability comes in many forms - physical, invisible, developmental - it can affect many areas of a person’s life; however, it does not detract from their worth, nor the richness of their experiences.

I am autistic and ADHD (AKA AuDHD <I love this fusion>)- I have grown up surrounded by the disability community, meeting all sorts people. If I have learnt anything, it’s this:

• Everyone’s experience is different, no matter if it’s the “same disability”; challenges, barriers and achievements differ person-to-person

• Everyone, disabled or not, requires accommodation of some form - accessible toilets, appropriate food, appropriate clothing, the right instructions for any project

• Accommodations initially made for few positively impact everyone

• Accommodation, understanding and respect are crucial to allowing everyone to live as happily and freely as they possibly can

In my experience, discrimination and many problems that arise with disability stems from the lack of accommodation within the modern world structured around able-bodied, ‘neurotypical’ (ie the brain function of the majority) people. Of course, this differs experience-to-experience; as someone with AuDHD, I go through very, very different challenges to someone in a wheelchair or with a chronic illness.

However, the point is; discrimination stems from the fact that humanity accommodates the majority - able-bodied, neurotypical - and struggles to accept those who do not align with these ‘rules’. Therefore, using autism as an example; if the world was autistic, ‘neurotypicals’ would face the same discrimination we do, because autism would be accommodated.

I am proud to be an AuDHDer - it gives me a unique lens, and I love who I am. Disability is never something to be ashamed of; the diversity in perspectives, resources and ideas is beautifully human.

This month, I urge you to connect with disabled creators and people in your life, and I urge you to immerse yourself in the reality of human life - go, learn, love.

These are some creators that I follow on instagram that I absolutely adore, they’re wonderful people, and I reckon are a great place to start learning:

A small business that makes ‘dignitea’ mugs for those with physical disabilities: https://instagram.com/made.with.mud?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Spencer West, a cool, very funny dude with no legs: https://instagram.com/spencer2thewest?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Scott Christian Sava’s Art, an awesome autistic artist: https://instagram.com/ssavaart?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==