Oarcid Services

Just freshly up two videos about Facebook accessibility, this is part of the AIMS program that has been created to address social media accessibility. You can find both videos at the OARCID Services YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_LD8NMLuXC6BlNhjnGmzHw Video's are closed captioned, no autocraptions here!... [Image Description: OARCID Service's logo that looks like a green stick figure in the shape of an "L" and circle for a head and three circles to make a person in a wheelchair and a purple outline of a flower connecting to the green image with 4 points.]

Have you reached out to your disabled friends or family lately? It might be time to check in on them, sometimes messaging others can be overwhelming, so it's important to reach out to them from time to time.

A poorly written image description is just as bad as no image description. Image descriptions need to be described properly, meaning if you can see it, it needs to be described. Describe the person, logo, or colors, don't just say the person, company logo, or multi-colored when it's only 3 colors. This is only some examples in how people are not describing images. We need to do better for those who use screen readers to have access to the world around them.

Hey folks sorry it's been a while since I've posted anything. Between a couple of contracts, working on the Vocational Learning Outcomes for Child and Youth Care Practioners of Ontario, appealing for for my disability benefits, and managing my own disability it's been a bit hectic. I'm in the process of creating instructional videos for accessibility and they are taking some time because I need to create closed captions for each one. I've also been working on the Accessible... Social Media content to create a training program for folks who want to take it to be more accessible in their posts and videos online and with different platforms. I may not post a lot of content online to be popular or get a lot of likes, but there is a lot of meaningful work being done in the background. When I'm able and things have settled down I will be posting more and creating more blog post content for folks to read and relate to. Plus I will be making merch like buttons, stickers, keychains, t-shirts, heating packs, and possibly crocheted comfort blankets that are all disability themed that can be bought to support OARCID Services so that I can offer free services to community members. A big thank you for all of you who are here and support me this means so much and really pushes me to do better for the community and those of who I want to support.

Be mindful that you do not need to know everything about disability or accessibility to be an advocate.

Just so folks know that lateral ableism exists, which means people in the disability community can be ableist. One of the ways people can be ableist is with their language so terms like stupid, crazy, idiot, spaz, fall on deaf ears, and so on is all ableist. Why it's ableist, it has been used to harm community members. For example apprehending children, forced sterilization, forced labotomies, refusing education, ect. These words have a dark history. If we as a community can't change our words then we can't expect non disabled people to change theirs and the ableism just continues. Language is the simplest way to make a lasting impact and it costs nothing to do.

Here's the thing I have an option to spend all of my time creating online content and promoting OARCID Services, or I can create content that will promote change and inclusion. I chose the latter and therefore have not been on engaging folks. I'm sure once most of my content has been created I will share with folks online and engage more, but until then the content online will be sparse, but I do check daily for any messages. Keep in mind the training WISE is live and can be taught from the comfort of your home.

A friendly reminder that Accessibility is work and not easy. Start small and start engaging with more people by using Image Descriptions, make your Podcast accessible by including a transcript, encourage dialog by including closed captions. Here are some resources to help you get started: Link: https://livingwithdisability.tumblr.com//all-about-image-d Link: https://www.headliner.app/... Link: https://podcastmovement.com//how-to-create-an-accessible-/ [Image Description: Link picture, the background is a dark yellow and at the bottom middle of the picture is a white keyboard, at the top left there is a black pair of headphones, and to the top right there is a silver microphone. On the bottom right is a wifi symbol in black, which consists of a circle and two black curved lines radiating outward from the circle.]

Warning Rant Ahead: One thing I've noticed scrolling through my social media feeds and TikTok is that babies, children, and people with disabilities are not respected and their privacy means nothing to people posting. I'm not talking about those posting on a closed account for friends and family. I'm talking about open accounts shared for the masses. Babies, children, and people with disabilities are thought of as property and not individual beings because if they were though...t of as more than the people posting about them would get consent first. Oh but babies and children can't consent... so then don't post about them. Same goes for people with disabilities if they can't consent or don't consent then don't post about them... I'm posting about their journey to raise awareness for xyz.... you can raise awareness without posting about the person with a disability. The other question to those who post about their babies and children, and people with disabilities is what are your intentions with posting? Clearly you want something for posting whether it be likes, shares, gifts, or money... why else would you share to the masses and violate privacy and consent and treat your baby, child, or person with a disability like a commodity to trade all for people to hit a like button. This is so frustrating and it happens so much online and it's not fair to these babies, children, or people with disabilities to have their rights taken away with just one click. No one has the right to post pictures or video of anyone without consent why should it be different for babies, children, and people with disabilities?

Hey folks currently in the works is contract work on accessible social media and documents. Sparked by the Fireside is still tabled until further notice. There is still a project being created for inclusive and accessible play therapy, which is a little bit on the back burner until the contract has ended. Then there will be YouTube videos that showcase accessibility with social media. There is a blog post in the works for screen reader accessibility as this was highly request...ed by folks. If there are any blog posts that folks want me to write about send a suggestion over at the contact tab or e-mail me at oarcidservices[at]gmail[dot]com. Stay tuned as things develop.

A new post about the divisive nature of using the term able-bodied and how it does not support all people with disabilities. https://oarcidservices.ca/2020/09/01/its-not-about-ableness/ [Image Description: An animated GIF of rain hitting a puddle, the image is done in shades of grey.]

Working away. I have so much ahead of me but this booklet will be amazing it's on Accessible Inclusive Media for Sociability (AIMS). One step at a time, soon there will be videos to follow up . . . . .... #OarcidServices #DisabilityAwareness #Inclusion #DisabilityRights #Disability #SocialMedia [Image Description: Computer Microsoft surface with blue keyboard. The screen says what is sociability? And the rest of the words are a bit blurry to write out, but it's about what sociability is.]

Learn more about our team and who we are, which can be found here: https://oarcidservices.ca/about-us/our-team/ [Image Description: A picture of Juan who has tanned skin with a mustache and dark short hair. He is sitting on a black leather couch facing away from the camera with his hands clasping each other, and the wall behind him is beige. He is wearing black and silver glasses, a light purple dress shirt with a darker purple tie, on his left hand ring finger he is wearing a silver wedding band.]

Hi folks, I know the site and page has been very quiet, but there is a lot in the works that happens quietly behind the scenes, at the moment there are two projects that are being completed, one is an accessibility training for play therapists, another one is making accessibility videos for social media and documents. Then there is of course 2 blog posts in the works, and I've started to create custom made disability items, such as t-shirts, mugs, masks, and heating packs that will soon be available for purchase, and of course buttons are available. So stay tuned and if wanted there is an accessibility training available that can be done via skype.

Right now People with Disabilities are not able to reintegrate in society due to Covid 19, while many people are able to do so. Isolation impacts their mental health and well-being, loneliness is a real problem, so reach out to your friend or family that has been isolated, skype, zoom, Facebook chat, or whatever application you want to use and reach out to them today.

Finally created a store for the OARCID Services website found at https://oarcidservices.ca/services/store/ There will soon be Cotton rice heating/cooling packs available to purchase.

New Pronoun Buttons are available for $3.00 All proceeds will go towards OARCID Services that supports People with Disabilities. [Image Description: On the left 1st row there are 3 black button with the writing she/her, he/him, they them written in white font outlined in teal and purple. The 4th button on the 1st left row is a purple nebula button with she/her written in white outlined in black. The last button on the 1st row is a dark blue button with she/her written in whi...te with a black outline. In the 2nd row from the left there is 3 purple and blue nebula buttons with the writing in white outlined in black that reads she/her, he/him, and they/them. The 4th button on the 2nd left row is a purple nebula button with he/him written in white outlined in black. The last button on the 2nd row is a dark blue button with he/him written in white with a black outline. The row second from the right has 3 buttons with a black background and a rainbow stripe vertically down the center of the button with white writing outlined in black that reads she/her, he/him, and they/them. The 4th button on the 2nd right row is a purple nebula button with they/them written in white outlined in black.The last button on the 2nd row from the right is a dark blue button with they/them written in white with a black outline. The last row on the right has a black background button with rainbow lines that form a heart in the centre of the button with white writing outlined in black she/her, he/him, they/them. The last 2 buttons on the right row is a purple and light blue button with ask for my pronouns written in white outlined in black.] See more

A new blog post is up explaining what Internalized Ableism is and it's impact on people with disabilities. You can find the blog here https://oarcidservices.ca//internalized-ableism-and-the-i/ [Image Description: an animated candle that is flickering against a black background. The candle is read, the wick is black, and the wax is red on the outside and slightly yellow/orange on the inside, the flame is yellow.]

Hey folks it's finally here buttons are 1.1/4 inches and can be purchased for $3 that goes towards the OARCID initiative to support more people with disabilities. Send a message with the button you want, address and a payment link will be sent. You can also support OARCID by buying us a KoFi at this link: https://ko-fi.com/oarcidservices/ [Image Description: Purple and teal button template with a black paint horizontal stroke inside of a black painted square with white writi...ng. The purple buttons read: Accessibility is for Everyone. Socializing is Overrated. My Truth, My Life, My Rights. Nothing About Us Without Us. Been offered unsolicited advice since I was Born. Not all Disabilities are Evident. Lived Experience Matters. Consent is not just Physical. This is what a Disabled Person Looks Like. Disability Pride. The teal buttons read: I'm not here to Inspire You. Fuck Ableism. My needs, My limitations, My body. Ableism is Toxic. Living Unapologetically. It's okay to not be okay. Disability does not equal Inability. Disabled Inside. Disabled and Proud. Ableism equals Oppression.] See more

Hey folks checkout this new post about the Ableism Lens that includes a bit of history about the term ableism, you can find it here https://oarcidservices.ca/2020/05/06/the-ableism-lens/ A part 2 will be followed up about what Internalized Ableism is and the impact. Stay tuned. [Image Description: Metallic mechanical pencil writing on a white piece of paper]

Hey folks just to give you some insight on what is currently in the works is a podcast called Sparked by the Fireside where there will be discussions on the lived disability experience and what's happening in the disability community, as well as some YouTube tutorials on making social media accessible. In other news a few more blog posts are being created about ableism and internalized ableism the differences and impact, as well as a post about the divisive nature of using the terms abled and abled-bodied in the disability community. Stay tuned as things slowly develop.

In these days of uncertainty, we have an opportunity to regain some of our humanity in the context of disability. Please check out this wonderful blog post written by the lovely Aerilyn Medina about the importance of language, especially surrounding the topic of #Covid19 . . . https://oarcidservices.ca//words-matters-more-than-ever-r/... . . . [image description: GIF of an animated clear water droplet moving on the surface of a stationary green leaf.] See more

Friendly reminder that AODA is the bare minimum knowledge of being accessible and inclusive of people with disabilities and is not often trained by a person with disabilities. It is important to get training about accessibility and inclusion by people who live it daily to really grasp what it means to be an ally to the community you want to include.

Hello!! Hope everyone is having a wonderful new year. Please check out the new blog post from the amazing Aerilyn Medina, about Inspiration Porn and the effect it has on the Disability community. We'd love to get feedback, so please share with us! https://oarcidservices.ca///the-inspirational-disability/

Just a friendly reminder that if your website and content is not accessible, meaning your website is not screen reader friendly and does not have image descriptions, you are missing a large portion of the population. This is also considered ableism and a communication barrier for those trying to access the information on your website. Ask us how you can be more accessible and reach a wider community of people with a few simple changes to your website.

Hey folks it's been a while! We are all currently in the tight grip of exams. Please stay tuned as we have some fresh content being created in between study sessions! (yellow winking smiley face)

Happy International Women's Day!Happy International Women's Day!

Content Warning: ableism and invalidation. This is something that happens in paid work outside of the academic walls as well. We are seen as unprofessional, unreasonable, reliable, and at times attention seeking. These are myths and can do serious harm. Maybe we need to redefine professionalism and what we can do together to create inclusive workplaces that values employees who are disabled by recognizing their worth and providing access needs so they can do their job effectively.

This is often the type of criticism that comes from outside the disability community, from those that are not aware of how episodic disabilities can be. This means that disabilities can change and adapt at a moment's notice. We in the disability community accept all lived experiences. #Disability #DisabilityActivism #DisabilityAwareness #DisabilityRights Credit: @spoonfulsofkindness . . . .... [Image description: a light grey background with 4 peach coloured speech bubbles. Inside the speech bubbles, there is black handwritten font. The first text bubble reads "stay sick, and you're not trying hard enough". The second bubble reads "make improvement, and you were faking all along". The third bubble reads "share your reality, and you're seeking attention". The fourth bubble reads "keep the struggle to yourself, and you aren't really sick".] See more

Hey folks! We are so excited to share another blog post with you. This time we have our team member Aerilyn with a piece about how to help others understand the impact of energy levels, explained through her Mana theory. She brings gaming and the disability community together with this post and we hope you enjoy it! Please go check it out on our website: https://oarcidservices.ca/blog/