“Making eye contact” is over-rated as an important “skill”—let’s put it in the same category as the antiquated notion that a limp handshake indicates a weak character. It’s time to stop judging people who may not always make eye contact, and time to stop torturing children and adults via therapies and other efforts to force them to make eye contact.

My son, Benjamin, has cerebral palsy. As a young child, he usually was not able to maintain his posture, hold his head up, listen, and make eye contact at the same time. He spent a lot of time with his head down, and his dad and I made the common (and unfortunate) mistake of assuming he had mentally “checked out” during these times. Imagine our shock and dismay (and ultimately joy) when we realized that our son heard every word we said (and memorized much of it) even though he didn’t appear to be “engaged” because he wasn’t making eye contact. Read more...

Copyright 2011 Kathie Snow, www.disabilityisnatural.com; all rights reserved. You may make copies of the PDF of this article to share with others as a handout. Do not republish in newsletters, blogs, websites, etc., without permission. Click here for the Terms of Use and permission request form.

THINK ABOUT IT . . .

What lies in our power to do, it lies in our power not to do.
Aristotle

And now here is my secret, a very simple secret; it is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Our eyes are holden that we cannot see things that stare us in the face, until the hour arrives when the mind is ripened; then we behold them, and the time when we saw them not is like a dream.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

The subtlest and most pervasive of influences are those which create and maintain the repertory of stereotypes. We are told about the world before we see it. We imagine most things before we experience them. And those preconceptions, unless education has made us acutely aware, govern deeply the whole process of perception.
Walter Lippman

NEWS

"Capacity Building Beyond Community Services” is the topic of an extraordinary interview with the legendary John McKnight, provided by the Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities.

Let's go to Hawaii! Learn more about the 28th Annual Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity: "Living to Our Complete Potential" March 26-27, 2012.

A Mother's Pride: My son, Benjamin, is featured in "Dragon Helps Achieve Academic Success"—how voice-recognition dictation software has made an incredibly positive difference in his life!

There's lots to learn from the experiences and wisdom of Dr. Margaret Stineman. A successful doctor, artist, and more, she grew up facing numerous surgeries, being placed in a "slow class," and more. It's an awesome story. Thanks to Sharon Campbell for sharing this with me.

VISIT DISABILITY IS NATURAL

Our unique books and media include strategies that can lead to better outcomes for children and/or adults with disabilities. What will it take for all students with disabilities to receive a high quality, inclusive education in their neighborhood schools? You'll find strategies that work in Disability is Natural: Revolutionary Common Sense for Raising Successful Children with Disabilities ($30.00). My book also covers alternatives to ensure children with disabilities of all ages live more natural lives—disability does not have to be a barrier to living a wonderful, normal, successful life!

My Apple-Bites book ($10.00) is a little book full of big ideas, and my 101 Reproducible Articles: Revolutionary Common Sense for a New Disability Paradigm book ($28.00 or $38.00 with a CD) is just that: more than 100 reproducible articles that can be shared with others, used for trainings, and more!

Other affordable goodies—posters, badges, bookmarks, magnets, and sticker sheets—are available in 30+ designs that promote new ways of thinking about disability.

While you're visiting Disability is Natural:

• Take the People First Language Pledge and download the Pledge certificate and the ever-popular People First Language article.
• Browse the 150+ FREE articles on our site—download your favorites, share with others, and use for trainings. There are so many ways to embrace positive ways of thinking and effective strategies for change—let's do it!
• "The World Would Be a Better Place If..." features thoughts and ideas worth considering. (Scroll to the lower half of the page.) Why not contribute your own suggestions?
• "Your Stories" features a variety of amazing, insightful, and powerful testimonies. Do you have a story to share?

PRESENTATIONS

I'll be presenting in Virginia, Idaho, Ohio, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Mississippi, and the DC area in the coming weeks and months, and presentations are pending in other states. I'd love to see you at any of those events, and I'd also love the opportunity to present for your organization! Click here to learn more.

THANK YOU!

Thanks for your interest in Disability is Natural! You're welcome to share the link to this newsletter with others. Before using the contents of this E-Newsletter on websites/blogs, in newsletters, etc., please review our Terms of Use.

Remember to always Presume Competence in people with disabilities!

Kathie