Disability Pride Month

July marks Disability Pride Month which gives us all the opportunity to raise awareness of disabilities, start positive conversations and celebrate the diversity and differences of the disabled community. At RHG, we are celebrating Disability Pride Month by discussing how we can be better allies and what we can do to support our disabled learners & colleagues. For example, did you know that at least one in five people in the UK are thought to be neurodivergent.  

Kylie Thompson, one of our learning coaches, who herself celebrates being neurodiverse, has shared her top tools and tips for supporting neurodiverse learners and colleagues. 

Tools for learners

Tools to help with time management 
Forest app – practice the Pomodoro technique and complete focus sessions whilst planting trees and helping the environment. (NB there may be a cost to download some versions of the app) 
Routinery app – helps you create daily routines and gives you rewards for completing! 
 
Tools to help with focus and productivity 
Microsoft viva insights – block out time to focus and do not disturb periods (can also play motivational music and give you analytics around your productivity)  
Immersive reader in word/ PowerPoint/ edge/ outlook/ OneNote- to help read and absorb information and limit distractions. Change the layout, page colour, text focus, and add read aloud options. 
 
Tools for presenting and staying on track  
Microsoft Teams – speaker coach – gives you analytics when presenting on teams such as pace, tone, and filler words.  
Microsoft PowerPoint– rehearse with coach- gives you similar analytics but used for preparing for presentations

Tools for learning coaches/tutors/assessors

Tools to use inclusive and remove non ableist language  
Microsoft Word- Editor edit the settings to identify and remove discriminatory language on any of your communications as well as helping with spelling/ grammar (inclusive language option) Can be used alongside Grammarly too! 
 
Tools for accessibility 
Microsoft accessibility checker – check for any accessibility issues across word/ outlook/ PowerPoint etc and learn how to remove and make your documents more accessible. 
 
Top tip – always ask if you can support by including captions or providing adjustments and consider asking ‘Can you see my screen and/or hear me ok’ when presenting information to take into account those who may have visibility or hearing impairments. Not everyone may be able to see your screen and may be relying on audio or screen readers so just asking ‘can you see my screen’ is potentially exclusionary!  
 
Add your top tips/tools and let’s continue this conversation! #disabilitypridemonth #disabilityallies