Stop Making It Weird 2.0: Imagining a less-weird world

Abstract

The authors continue the dialogue, initiated in 2016, discussing how disability service professionals and society at large can unintentionally create weird situations for people with disabilities by creating specialthat is, segregatedactivities and events for people with disabilities, rather than working to include individuals with disabilities in the activities and events that already happen in communities. The authors further explore the continuing trend of calling out and excessively celebrating people's actions and accomplishments based solely on the fact that they experience a disability. This session shares examples of people with disabilities in the news and social media, encouraging discussion about the difference between drawing attention to events that are newsworthy because of their historical context versus those that merely reinforce disability stereotypes. OBJECTIVE: It is critical to continue challenging disability stereotypes and questioning the value of segregated, disabilityspecific activities that serve to exclude people with disabilities from the community at large, even as they celebrate these special opportunities. CONCLUSION: In this session, a panel of individuals who experience disability shares personal experiences with this kind of weirdness and suggest ways to #stopmakingitweird. The authors provide ideas and discussion to encourage disability professionals, family members of people with disabilities, and people from the community at large to consider their own assumptions and stereotypes while challenging those whom they know and interact with to do the same.