Speaking Me, Hearing You: A learning toolkit for talking about disability

<h2>What's the issue?</h2><p dir="ltr">Almost 1 in 5 Australians have a disability. That's 5.5 million people!</p><p dir="ltr">But even though disability is very common, we're often not taught how to talk about disability openly and respectfully. This means that when we need to start talking about disability (at work, school, or in everyday life!), we can find these conversations really difficult.</p><h3>It's normal to feel worried</h3><p dir="ltr">When we need to talk about something that we've not been taught to talk about, using words that we might not really understand, in places where we need to do 'the right thing' - it's normal to feel nervous or worried. We might be worried we'll say the wrong thing, or that we'll upset the other person - or that we'll do something REALLY wrong and break the law!</p><h3>What happens when we stop talking</h3><p dir="ltr">Because we're not sure how to talk about disability, we might avoid talking about disability - or we might use made up words to refer to disability (like "diff-able") instead.</p><p dir="ltr">But 'disability' isn't a naughty word. When we stop talking about disability, or we replace 'disability' with made-up words, we tell others that disability is something 'bad' or 'wrong', to be hidden away and ignored. But disability is just part of life - and we all benefit from inclusion!</p><h3>Included - us, all of us, always</h3><p dir="ltr">Learning how to talk about disability at work, school, and in everyday life helps ALL of us to be more included. Inclusion isn't only 'the right thing to do'. Workplaces that include people with disabilities are more likely to attract more customers, have more productive teams, better respond to changing needs in their sector or area, be more sustainable.... and frankly, they're happier places to work!</p><p dir="ltr">When our spaces are more diverse and inclusive, we all benefit. That's why we've created Speaking Me, Hearing You (SMHY).</p><p><br></p><h2>Speaking Me, Hearing You</h2><p dir="ltr">The aim of Speaking Me, Hearing You (SMHY) is pretty simple: "helping you to talk about disability confidently, comfortably, and capably". It's the way that SMHY does that which makes it different to the pack!</p><p><br></p><h3>A cuppa for inclusion</h3><p dir="ltr">We know that finding time to learn about disability, inclusion, and communication is hard in today's busy world. So SMHY is separated into parts (<b>sections</b>), each containing learning <b>modules</b>.</p><p dir="ltr">Each module is able to be completed in the same amount of time it takes to drink a cup of tea (15-30 minutes). Learners can complete modules in sequence, from the start to the end, or can pick and choose which modules they complete. It's your choice!</p><h3>A neuro-affirming learning kit</h3><p dir="ltr">SMHY is a neurodivergent-designed learning kit. Designed for people across the neurodiverse spectrum from neurotypicals to neurodivergents, SMHY offers different learning reinforcement opportunities like videos, games, Padlets, quizzes, and open access articles. In addition, Learning Sandpits provide safe places for learners to put their skills into practice, while Learning Reflection Emails keep the learning happening after the fact - including links to resources and communities to ensure that learners are always supported.</p><h3>Open. Always</h3><p dir="ltr">Built on an open philosophy, SMHY is available openly to all: both in and outside the Deakin community. Open Access resources have been prioritised, helping to build a learning culture before, during, and after Deakin.</p><h3>We're learning with you</h3><p dir="ltr">SMHY has been designed as a learning platform - and that means that as you learn, others learn too. Shared learning sandpits offer opportunities for learners to share their reflections and learnings with others from the safety of their home, while shared learning workshops provide opportunities to come together with others and to work through - and talk through - modules together over a cuppa. We call this our InclusiviTea! suite.</p><p><br></p><h2>Ready to learn?</h2><p dir="ltr">SMHY is now available! To choose your first module, visit https://researchsurveys.deakin.edu.au/jfe/form/SV_cNiD52pUrFgQIvA?rep=fig</p><p dir="ltr">We so hope that you enjoy learning how to talk about disability with us.</p><p><br></p><p dir="ltr">Talking about disability is hard. We can't change that: but we hope that we can help you feel more confident and capable when having these conversations.</p>