Become a Disability A.L.L.Y. in Your Community and Promote Inclusion for All

About

Promote accessible environments by identifying and addressing barriers impacting community members with disabilities.

Graphic spelling ALLY: Acknowledge, Learn, Leverage, Yield for disability inclusion tips.

Advancing disability inclusion for equal opportunity

Disability affects more than 1 in 4 (28.7%) adults in the United States. Disability inclusion is:

  • Including people with disabilities in everyday activities.
  • Creating accessible environments.
  • Creating equitable opportunities that support people in holding roles similar to their peers who do not have a disability.

This involves more than simply encouraging people to participate in activities. It requires making sure that adequate policies, accessible programs, and inclusive practices are in effect in a community or organization.

Disability inclusion means understanding the relationship between the way people function, how they can participate in society, and making sure everybody has the same opportunities to participate in every aspect of life to the best of their abilities and desires.

Disability inclusion entails identifying barriers that potentially impact people with disabilities to independently live and be fully engaged in their communities. Every community member can make a difference and play a part in addressing those barriers. For example, healthcare professionals and administrators can create more inclusive health care for patients with disabilities.

Take steps to learn how you can increase disability inclusion and accessibility for all to improve the health, well-being, and participation of people with disabilities in your community.

Illustration of diverse people with disabilities interacting, highlighting inclusion and accessibility.
Disability impacts all of us. Promoting accessible communities ensures everyone can participate fully, supporting health, access, and inclusion for people with disabilities.

Call to action‎

"Health equity means optimal health and well-being for all people. Each of us has a role to play in promoting health and achieving health equity for people with disabilities. Please join us and become an ALLY." Dr. Karen Remley, Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Director for the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities

Help us spread the word through social media, blogs, podcasts, and more!

Join CDC in promoting disability inclusion and accessibility for all by sharing resources and information on your social media channels, blogs, podcasts, and more. Use the resources posted online, share the sample social media posts below, and/or contact CDC to interview a subject matter expert.

The following social media posts are examples you can use as-is or modify to align with your organization's mission or preferences. Please use #DisabilityALLY, #Diversability, and/or #Inclusion4Health in your social media posts. Remember to follow @CDC_NCBDDD on Twitter for more messages to retweet. Check out CDC on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn for additional messages to share.

Sample social media posts and buttons

Facebook

Graphic spelling ALLY: Acknowledge, Learn, Leverage, Yield.
ALLY

ALLY:

Acknowledge and respect individual experiences and abilities.
Learn about different disability types.
Leverage your influence to promote accessibility and inclusion.
Yield the floor to people with disabilities to help identify and eliminate barriers.

#DisabilityALLY
#Diversability
#Inclusion4Health

https://go.usa.gov/x6yBX

Patient in wheelchair checking in at a medical reception desk.
Ensuring accessibility.

Is your medical practice inclusive for all patients? We all have a role to play in creating more inclusive communities for people with disabilities.

#DisabilityALLY
#Diversability
#Inclusion4Health

https://go.usa.gov/x6yBX

Doctor with a blind patient in an exam room, emphasizing inclusivity.
Promoting inclusivity in medical practices for patients with disabilities.

Is your medical practice inclusive for all patients? We all have a role to play in creating more inclusive communities for people with disabilities.

#DisabilityALLY
#Diversability
#Inclusion4Health

https://go.usa.gov/x6yBX

Inclusive playground with people of various abilities and accessible play equipment.
A diverse group of children and adults enjoy an inclusive playground, with accessible play equipment and activities for people of all abilities.

Is your local playground inclusive for all? We all have a role to play in creating more inclusive communities for people with disabilities.

#DisabilityALLY
#Diversability
#Inclusion4Health

https://go.usa.gov/x6yBX

A quote by Karen Remley promoting health equity for people with disabilities.
Karen Remley, Director of the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, promotes health equity and allyship for people with disabilities.

"Health equity means optimal health and well-being for all people. Each of us has a role to play in promoting health and achieving health equity for people with disabilities. Please join us and become an ALLY."

-Dr. Karen Remley, CDC's Director for the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities

#DisabilityALLY
#Diversability
#Inclusion4Health

https://go.usa.gov/x6yBX

Twitter

Graphic spelling ALLY: Acknowledge, Learn, Leverage, Yield.
ALLY

ALLY:

Acknowledge and respect individual experiences and abilities.
Learn about different disability types.
Leverage your influence to promote accessibility and inclusion.
Yield the floor to people with disabilities to help identify and eliminate barriers.

#DisabilityALLY
#Diversability
#Inclusion4Health

https://go.usa.gov/x6yBN

Patient in wheelchair checking in at a medical reception desk.
Ensuring accessibility.

Is your medical practice inclusive for all patients? We all have a role to play in creating more inclusive communities for people with disabilities.

#DisabilityALLY
#Diversability
#Inclusion4Health

https://go.usa.gov/x6yBN

Doctor with a blind patient in an exam room, emphasizing inclusivity.
Promoting inclusivity in medical practices for patients with disabilities.

Is your medical practice inclusive for all patients? We all have a role to play in creating more inclusive communities for people with disabilities.

#DisabilityALLY
#Diversability
#Inclusion4Health

https://go.usa.gov/x6yBN

Inclusive playground with people of various abilities and accessible play equipment.
A diverse group of children and adults enjoy an inclusive playground, with accessible play equipment and activities for people of all abilities.

Is your local playground inclusive for all? We all have a role to play in creating more inclusive communities for people with disabilities.

#DisabilityALLY
#Diversability
#Inclusion4Health

https://go.usa.gov/x6yBN

A quote by Karen Remley promoting health equity for people with disabilities.
Karen Remley, Director of the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, promotes health equity and allyship for people with disabilities.

"Health equity means optimal health and well-being for all people. Each of us has a role to play in promoting health and achieving health equity for people with disabilities. Please join us and become an ALLY."

-Dr. Karen Remley, CDC's Director for the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities

#DisabilityALLY
#Diversability
#Inclusion4Health

https://go.usa.gov/x6yBN

Instagram

Patient in wheelchair checking in at a medical reception desk.
Ensuring accessibility.

Add hashtags:

#DisabilityALLY
#Diversability
#Inclusion4Health

Tag @CDCgov

Add a Swipe-up link, if feasible: https://go.usa.gov/x6yBR

Doctor with a blind patient in an exam room, emphasizing inclusivity.
Promoting inclusivity in medical practices for patients with disabilities.

Add hashtags:

#DisabilityALLY
#Diversability
#Inclusion4Health

Tag @CDCgov

Add a Swipe-up link, if feasible: https://go.usa.gov/x6yBR

Playground with people of various abilities with a quote of "Is your local playground inclusive for all?"
A diverse group of children and adults enjoy an inclusive playground, with accessible play equipment and activities for people of all abilities.

Add hashtags:

#DisabilityALLY
#Diversability
#Inclusion4Health

Tag @CDCgov

Add a Swipe-up link, if feasible: https://go.usa.gov/x6yBR

Playground with a quote of "We have a role to play in creating more inclusive communities for people with disabilities."
A diverse group of children and adults enjoy an inclusive playground, with accessible play equipment and activities for people of all abilities.

Add hashtags:

#DisabilityALLY
#Diversability
#Inclusion4Health

Tag @CDCgov

Add a Swipe-up link, if feasible: https://go.usa.gov/x6yBR

LinkedIn

Graphic spelling ALLY: Acknowledge, Learn, Leverage, Yield for disability inclusion tips.
ALLY

ALLY:

Acknowledge and respect individual experiences and abilities.
Learn about different disability types.
Leverage your influence to promote accessibility and inclusion.
Yield the floor to people with disabilities to help identify and eliminate barriers.

#DisabilityALLY
#Diversability
#Inclusion4Health

https://go.usa.gov/x6yBQ

Patient in wheelchair checking in at a medical reception desk.
Ensuring accessibility.

Is your medical practice inclusive for all patients? We all have a role to play in creating more inclusive communities for people with disabilities.

#DisabilityALLY
#Diversability
#Inclusion4Health

https://go.usa.gov/x6yBQ

Doctor with a blind patient in an exam room, emphasizing inclusivity.
Promoting inclusivity in medical practices for patients with disabilities.

Is your medical practice inclusive for all patients? We all have a role to play in creating more inclusive communities for people with disabilities.

#DisabilityALLY
#Diversability
#Inclusion4Health

https://go.usa.gov/x6yBQ

Inclusive playground with people of various abilities and accessible play equipment.
A diverse group of children and adults enjoy an inclusive playground, with accessible play equipment and activities for people of all abilities.

Is your local playground inclusive for all? We all have a role to play in creating more inclusive communities for people with disabilities.

#DisabilityALLY
#Diversability
#Inclusion4Health

https://go.usa.gov/x6yBQ

A quote by Karen Remley promoting health equity for people with disabilities.
Karen Remley, Director of the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, promotes health equity and allyship for people with disabilities.

"Health equity means optimal health and well-being for all people. Each of us has a role to play in promoting health and achieving health equity for people with disabilities. Please join us and become an ALLY."

-Dr. Karen Remley, CDC's Director for the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities

#DisabilityALLY
#Diversability
#Inclusion4Health

https://go.usa.gov/x6yBQ

Add these buttons to your website, email signature, or newsletters!

Let your networks know you're a Disability A.L.L.Y. by displaying the buttons below! Whether you add them to your website or email signature or include them in your distribution materials, these buttons let others know you're committed to health equity and inclusion.

Badge with text: "I'm a Disability A.L.L.Y." surrounded by an orange border.
I'm a Disability A.L.L.Y.

Accompanying Text

Be an A.L.L.Y.

*Acknowledge and respect individual experiences and abilities.

*Learn about different disability types.

*Leverage your influence to promote accessibility and inclusion.

*Yield the floor to people with disabilities to help identify and eliminate barriers.

Badge with text: "Ask me how to be a Disability A.L.L.Y." surrounded by an orange border.
Ask me how to be a Disability A.L.L.Y.

Accompanying Text

Be a Disability A.L.L.Y. and promote inclusion for all.

  • Acknowledge
  • Learn
  • Leverage
  • Yield
Print
Content Source:
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities