Category Archives: prejudice

Let’s talk about language: Is disability a bad word?

Posted on March 21, 2023 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

(CW – for outdated ableist terms in article) In my work as an educator and an activist, I have long wondered why it is so difficult for us to use the word “disability.” The word “special” and the notion of … Continue reading →

Posted in ableism, Autism, BCTF, Disability, Discrimination, prejudice, Public Education, Special Education, the R word | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Resistance

Posted on October 27, 2018 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

Sometimes I barely keep breathing winded gutted witnessing the pain and trauma of friends neighbours fellow humans Sometimes the next breath seems impossible sucked away by horror intensity hopelessness And yet… it comes the next breath in and out The … Continue reading →

Posted in Collective Responsibility, poetry, prejudice, privilege, Rail Against Stigma | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Teacher’s Kid – It’s not what you think…

Posted on November 22, 2017 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

I had the opportunity this evening to enter into a discussion with a colleague: a fellow teacher who is also the parent of a five-year-old Autistic son. So as we talked this man commented, “It is great that you are … Continue reading →

Posted in Activist, Advocacy, Autism, childhood, Disability, Educator, neurodivergent, Parent, prejudice, Teacher | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Disability Day of Mourning: The Loss of Innocence

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

A few weeks back I asked H if he would like to attend the ASAN Vancouver Disability Day of Mourning Vigil with me on March 1st, at the Woodlands Memorial Gardens in New Westminster, BC. He asked what the vigil … Continue reading →

Posted in ableism, Activist, Advocacy, ASAN, autism stigma, Autistic, Boycott Autism Speaks, Death, Disability, Grief, prejudice, Rail Against Stigma | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

#BlackLivesMatter: Teaching My Son About White Privilege and Intersectionality

Posted on December 16, 2014 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

Our few days in Washington, DC were rich in so many ways… and it will likely take me a while to capture and pin the words of even a few of our many experiences to the page. So now I … Continue reading →

Posted in ableism, Activist, Autism, perspective of others, prejudice, privilege, social justice, TASH | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Sometimes I cringe: Leaning into my discomfort

Posted on April 13, 2013 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

Sometimes I read something that I’ve written long ago – and I  cringe. Sometimes I am tempted to change a few words to reflect what I know now. But there is a usefulness to this. It is a way of … Continue reading →

Posted in ableism, acceptance, Aspergers, Autism, being wrong, Big sister, diversity, handling discomfort, Neurodiversity, perspective of others, prejudice, privilege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments