Language is powerful. When we talk about people with disabilities, the most respectful approach is simple: follow their lead.
Some prefer Identity-First Language (e.g., “Autistic person”). Others prefer People-First Language (e.g., “person with a disability”). And many individuals use both.
![[Image Description: A colorful graphic with the Yes! Access logo in the top right corner. Text reads “Disability Access Quick Tip” and on a post-it note it says, “Always Include Alt Text. Describe what’s in your images concisely and meaningfully. Focus on the purpose of the image, not just what’s visible.” A small label at the bottom says “#YesAccess.” The design features yellow and pink blocks with a soft gradient background. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreibkoccasvqq2cylhiq7endqq5nk6zko4liumb5pnxai4jorzumyle)
![[Image Description: A graphic shows a smiling woman with curly purple and gray hair wearing a blue patterned sleeveless top. Text reads: “Accessibility and inclusion aren’t accommodations — they’re accelerators of innovation.” – Debra Ruh. The background is purple and gold with the Yes! Access logo in the top right corner. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreihpvk342u3hszevetxeu7gwyr35v5u3trxttwsyowsd7pezil7oyi)
![[Image Description: A minimalist graphic with the Yes! Access logo in the top right corner. The background is a soft gradient of pink, purple, and gold. In the center, text reads: “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement; nothing can be done without hope.” – Helen Keller. The quote appears on a white paper-style box with gold tape accents. The hashtag #YesAccess appears in blue at the bottom right. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreiersjaojm6cbj6okfoztkistnpbidxkc2t6dzjfzwrj4dhjxmocbm)
![[Image Description: A graphic with the Yes! Access logo in the top right corner. The text reads: “Imagine if... when you injure your leg or spine, you can still work at your job because it’s designed for access.” The photo shows a smiling woman seated in a wheelchair in a workshop setting, wearing overalls and holding a tablet. The background features tools and equipment. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreidzwlm3v3cexrk4oep37sxxqfh2aei3odqnpnmand2gkbfmfp4ruq)
![[Image Description: A graphic with the Yes! Access logo in the top right corner reads “Disability Access Quick Tip.” Below, on a post-it note text says “Use CamelCase for Hashtags. Capitalize each word in hashtags (e.g., #AccessForAll). This makes them readable for screen readers and everyone else.” A small blue label at the bottom says “#YesAccess.” The background is a gradient of soft yellow, pink, and blue. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreifb2yl4gclmp7ulyqbhlur2fkrluquoy54rruykbfhoeczoe3r3ey)
![[Image Description: A colorful infographic titled “5 Reasons Hiring for Disability Inclusion is a Business Advantage.” It lists: 1. The Financial Boost — Companies that embrace disability inclusion outperform peers with 28% higher revenue, 200% higher net income, and 30% higher profit margins. 2. Innovation Thrives — People with disabilities bring new perspectives and creative problem-solving. 3. Retention Improves — Employees with disabilities show exceptional engagement and reliability. 4. Core Culture Strengthens — Inclusion builds empathy, collaboration, and morale. 5. Reputation and Brand Value Increases — Inclusion attracts top talent and customer loyalty. The Yes! Access logo appears in the top right corner. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreieui22yov6gcc6e22tpo4knva2t26xzr72mw2ime4c6z7biaykbzy)
![[Image Description: A graphic features a black-and-white photo of Richard Pimentel smiling, with a purple and gold background. Text reads: “Hiring people with disabilities isn’t charity. It’s smart business.” – Richard Pimentel. The Yes! Access logo appears in the top right corner. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreiawtdmqpblz3765z67pi5k7b3j4qq236zoiowyvra6obavo7pmfou)
![[Image Description: A graphic reads “Imagine if… when you have dexterity issues due to age or injury, you can still work with the support of accommodations.” Below, an image shows a woman seated at a desk holding her wrist, appearing to experience pain. A laptop and bookshelf are in the background. The Yes! Access logo appears in the top right corner, and the hashtag #ImagineAccess is at the bottom. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreih3sur2q3ascbnuafw3jwlv6kg45jvvoejnalxrxa6fs6pk73nkay)
![[Image Description: A graphic titled “The Office Reimagined” lists examples of ways to design a workplace welcoming to everyone: lighting that supports sensory comfort, adjustable desks and chairs, plain-language communication, flexible scheduling, and adjustable brightness to avoid sensory overload. On the bottom right is a smiling man wearing a red tie and light shirt. The Yes! Access logo appears in the top right corner. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreiecrpzog3oij3auqliykafl5d7uutu3tojrok5apl6yzg6nuokijy)
![[Image Description: A graphic features the text “Tomorrow’s Success Begins with Today’s Schooling.” It explains that the path to employment success begins with support for every child to learn, and lists what’s lost without the Office of Special Education: no vital learning resources, no accountability for IDEA, no guidance for schools, no advocate for parents, and no research to ensure outcomes. At the bottom right, a young girl with pigtails sits in a wheelchair smiling. The Yes! Access logo appears in the top right corner. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreicw4ubjvzauckmcy5olfq4scxoxiar2aaaybde2sdrilw7piijueu)
![Image Description: A black-and-white image of Judy Heumann smiling while seated in a power wheelchair appears against a purple and gold background. The text reads: “People with disabilities want the same thing as everyone else — a fair chance to contribute, to succeed, and to belong.” – Judy Heumann. The Yes! Access logo appears in the top right corner. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreib5okeodnipohgknzjh4a3coz5wuo5bsgtejijdsumwopvgothhcu)
![[Image Description: A graphic with the text “Imagine if… when you have vision loss due to age or injury, you still can work and you’ll have the tools to do your job.” Below the text, an image shows two women in a workplace setting — one seated and using a computer, the other standing beside her providing guidance. The background is light with accents of yellow and purple, and the Yes! Access logo appears in the top right corner. The hashtag #ImagineAccess is at the bottom. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreid6i5zybeuap2zz6awyzfo7y7355oxcxjl5j525v2i57p2wpgio4y)
![[Image Description: A colorful infographic titled “Hiring People with Disabilities: Myth vs. Facts.” The left column, in pink, lists common myths, and the right column, in blue, provides the facts. Four myths are shown: “Hiring people with disabilities is costly,” “People with disabilities can’t perform at the same level,” “Accessibility only benefits a small group,” and “People with disabilities don’t want to work.” The corresponding facts note that most accommodations cost little or nothing, employees with disabilities often have higher performance and retention, accessibility benefits everyone, and that most people with disabilities are eager to work but face barriers. Small illustrations show diverse disabled and non-disabled workers in inclusive settings. The Yes! Access logo appears in the top right corner, and #YesAccess is written in the bottom right. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreidnb7hdltubhonko67a2vtt5ihgmtiin5e4selpimbzt3jim23qce)
![[Image Description: A black-and-white photo of disability rights advocate Karen Clay with short hair and glasses resting on her head. She holds up both fists toward the camera — one reads “HEALTH CARE VOTER” and the other “FIGHT LIKE A MOM.” The background is bright purple and yellow with the Yes! Access logo in the top right corner. Text reads: “The greatest barriers that persons with disabilities have overcome are not steps or curbs, it’s expectations.” – Karen Clay. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreif74ncngk23chmo2mlzk4klxc2yvpnozszfjy6ffrht4b5hqh2zmq)
![[Image Description: A colorful infographic titled “5 Actions for National Disability Employment Awareness Month.” The list includes: 1. Review accessibility. 2. Spotlight disabled stories. 3. Host trainings or panels. 4. Promote advancement options. 5. Engage in community partnerships. Each item includes a short explanation and an icon. The Yes! Access logo appears in the top right corner and #YesAccess in the bottom right. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreiaz27ytvacolqbzsv5kbw2l7zifyq4dloffaxcavkzy2w42gjwkze)
![[Image Description: A colorful graphic with the Yes! Access logo in the top right corner. Bold text reads: “70 million Americans have a disability (more than 1 in 4 of us). The largest marginalized group that anyone can join at any time. Building an accessible world benefits everyone.” At the bottom, a diverse group of smiling people of different ages, including a man using a wheelchair, raise their hands together in celebration. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreie2ft3dmaqhhhbvmc5beto4xda3f257r5hnh5owol4tc2pu3ajk4a)
![[Image Description: A black-and-white photo of Josh Bersin, a smiling man in a suit, set against a bright yellow and purple background with the Yes! Access logo in the top right corner. A large white quotation mark appears on the left. The quote reads: “Companies that embrace diversity and inclusion in all aspects of their business statistically outperform their peers.” – Josh Bersin. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreih4krad2cp3rwggc5nrmpagrneciueoqw4rhaazodssdgetbp75sm)
![[Image Description: A graphic with the Yes! Access logo in the top right corner. Bold text at the top reads: “Imagine if… when you have surgery and need a mobility device.” Below, a photo shows a woman using a wheelchair facing a set of stairs outside a public building. Text at the bottom reads: “you can still access public buildings and community spaces.” The hashtag #ImagineAccess appears in the bottom right corner. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreiano4gqaex3enjfzcedlpxynbva2ovhtzwlfk6ow6mukg3dcsqiii)
![[Image Description: A graphic with the Yes! Access logo in the top right corner. Large text at the top reads: “Imagine if… when you have hearing loss due to age or injury...” Below, a photo shows two older adults sitting together on a couch, watching a news program on TV. Text at the bottom reads: “You can still enjoy your favorite TV program or video.” The hashtag #ImagineAccess appears in the bottom right corner. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreibibqog6lrsas5zjvwxmvlojeg4w6zxnr3ev75xljkqjteuqx4c7e)
![[Image Description: A graphic with the Yes! Access logo in the top right corner. Large text reads: “No one is without disability forever. Advocate for accessibility now.” Smaller text below adds: “By age 65, you will likely have experienced either temporary or permanent disability.” At the bottom, there is a row of mobility aids, including a wheelchair, walker, crutches, and canes. The hashtag #ImagineAccess appears in the bottom right corner. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreicputt234mjw5gvwk3kn46gq5izmk6mnbpn7j57w5575hono44664)
![[Image Description: A graphic with the Yes! Access logo in the top right corner features a black-and-white photo of Arthur Chan, smiling against a yellow background with a purple border. Large white quotation marks appear to the left. Below, white text reads: “Diversity is a fact. Equity is a choice. Inclusion is an action. Belonging is an outcome.” – Arthur Chan. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreidwly7suegsm6f677jlugvagughzragph3myiyed2dw6asio3juee)
![[Image Description: A graphic with the Yes! Access logo in the top right corner features the bold title “Hope is a Practice!” Below is a quote from Mariame Kaba: “Hope is a philosophy of living. In this world, it is easy to feel hopeless—that nothing will change. But we can choose differently. We can choose to believe that there are more people that want justice—real justice—than there are people working against it.” On the right side, there is a black-and-white illustrated portrait of a woman in a wheelchair, smiling and raising her fist in strength. The background is softly shaded pink and yellow. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreidewvwm4auavz5bsxqk5azokixs5453l42b5otqh5h5nl657c5q2i)
![[Image Description: A graphic with the text “Imagine if… when your child has learning challenges, they can still go to school, learn, and reach their full potential.” The words “child,” “go to school,” and “full potential” are highlighted in yellow. Below, a photo shows a young girl with Down syndrome smiling and clapping in a classroom, with other students and a teacher in the background. The Yes! Access logo appears in the top right corner, and #ImagineAccess is at the bottom right. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreicrz42l7wkkwwrhkpjmlesgwk5ercaxkgxypjyvkywzp7gqavltxu)
![[Image Description: A graphic with the text “Imagine if… when you break your leg you can still eat out at your favorite restaurant.” The words “break your leg” and “still eat out” are highlighted in yellow. Below, a photo shows a man in a wheelchair sitting at an outdoor restaurant table with friends. The Yes! Access logo appears in the top right corner, and #ImagineAccess is at the bottom right. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreigu73raprwjr34ajylicfuw4r6zs7huadeahabs24ofml7zcloj44)
![[Image Description: A black-and-white photo of Franklin D. Roosevelt seated at a desk, holding a pen, is set against a purple and yellow background. The text reads: “Franklin D. Roosevelt. Paralysis Due to Polio. His empathetic leadership style, resilience, and optimism derived from his experience with disability guided the U.S. through the Great Depression and World War II. As president, he restarted the economy with the New Deal and protected workers with Social Security, the FDIC, the SEC, and by fighting against employment discrimination.” The Yes! Access logo is in the top left corner with the words “Disability Shapes History.” End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreihkcuvbk57avtupudzs4nnnitjoxr5uy4ybfwwkdxvkis7iajeuwm)
![[Image Description: A black-and-white photo of Franklin D. Roosevelt in a suit is set against a purple and yellow background. Large white quotation marks appear beside him. The quote reads: “We are trying to construct a more inclusive society. We are going to make a country in which no one is left out.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Yes! Access logo is in the top right corner. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreib6x45pgijkeppo2spl5vwqoj3ka6ysw5f7q76ibp6jq5gpctkm4a)
![[Image Description: A graphic titled “Disability Shapes History” features a black-and-white portrait of Ludwig van Beethoven in formal 18th-century attire. Text reads: “Beethoven. Progressive Deafness. Beethoven’s progressive deafness led him to find innovative ways to compose music based on vibration and produced some of his greatest works while completely deaf. One of the most revered composers and pianists in the history of Western music. His music is ranked among the most performed classical music.” The Yes! Access logo appears in the top left corner. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreie362cl6rpa2ixdbheeidogq3agirujdnjjn5el7ghup6lwbtf244)
![[Image Description: A graphic titled “Disability Shapes History” features a black-and-white photo of Stephen Hawking sitting in his wheelchair with a mounted computer screen. Text reads: “Stephen Hawking. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). ALS forced him to carefully structure his thoughts, a mental discipline that he stated made him a better physicist. Advanced our understanding of black hole thermodynamics and cosmic inflation. Discovered black holes emitting particles.” The Yes! Access logo appears in the top left corner. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreigy7rhgirtde66oegi4smnplia62s6ypa6qatkv7fgchgpdjzxgpq)
![[Image Description: A graphic titled “Disability Shapes History” features a black-and-white photograph of Thomas Edison in a suit. Text reads: “Thomas Edison. Deaf due to scarlet fever and ear infections. Considered his deafness a great advantage, enabling him to concentrate on his experiments and research without distractions. Regarded as the most prolific inventor in American history. Invented the phonograph (audio recording). Invented the motion picture camera. Invented the first electric light bulb.” The Yes! Access logo appears in the top left corner. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreigivjfxw3ad42i3h444uauo2tlikkkq75qygovw42bnexjlbv3tii)
![[Image Description: A black-and-white photo of Stacey Park Milbern, a Korean American woman with short dark hair and glasses, wearing a scarf and a dark shirt. She is seated against a bright purple background with a yellow accent block behind her. White text on the image reads: “I want to leave a legacy of disabled people knowing we are powerful and beautiful because of who we are, not despite of.” – Stacey Park Milbern. The Yes! Access logo appears in the top right corner. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreicgvg6dj6u4d5zb76b4d2ti2waoekckc2fj3n2piwb2un2v62pmvm)
![[Image Description: A colorful infographic titled “5 Everyday Things That Started as Disability Innovations.” It lists: 1. Closed Captions & Subtitles – originally designed for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, now used by parents with strollers, travelers, and more; 2. Curb Cuts – originally for wheelchair users, now used by most for convenience; 3. Audiobooks – originally for the blind or those with reading challenges, now popular with commuters and multitaskers; 4. Electric Toothbrushes – originally for people with limited dexterity or arthritis, now used by children and adults; 5. Speech-to-Text – originally for those with dexterity challenges, now used for dictation and hands-free messaging. The Yes! Access logo is in the top right corner. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreie7353czftlpsanofqa2gigmwbnoyrubd2popdbqfdyiqlu4ran3e)
![[Image Description: A graphic with a purple background and yellow accent block features a black-and-white image of Ruth Bader Ginsburg in her judicial robe and lace collar, seated in a patterned chair. White text reads: “We will all profit from a more diverse, inclusive society, understanding, accommodating, even celebrating our differences, while pulling together for the common good.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The Yes! Access logo appears in the top right corner. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreihbznvg3rh6lz3ptwejydgirudiamiqktama7gox7xypfhoqb7ugy)
![[Image Description: A black-and-white photo of Haben Girma, a Black woman with long dark hair, looking to the side. The background is bright purple with a yellow accent block behind her head and shoulders. White text reads: “Disability is not something an individual overcomes. I’m still disabled. I’m still Deafblind. People with disabilities are successful when we develop alternative techniques and our communities choose inclusion.” – Haben Girma. The Yes! Access logo appears in the top right corner. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreigynpu7utqqlpvdm3zhql2e7y7sncb4ewuuxv36jdepwtaurh2d5u)
![[Image Description: A colorful infographic titled “10 Key Ways Your School Can Make Access Possible.” The list includes: 1. Audit Physical & Digital Accessibility Before Day One, 2. Provide Learning Materials in Multiple Formats, 3. Train Staff in Disability Inclusion & Universal Design, 4. Build Flexible Schedules & Accommodations, 5. Ensure Accessible Transportation, 6. Create Sensory-Friendly Spaces, 7. Make Extracurriculars Inclusive, 8. Provide Access to Health & Counseling Services, 9. Build Flexible Schedules & Accommodations, 10. Foster a Culture of Belonging. The Yes! Access logo appears in the top right corner and #YesAccess in the bottom right. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreihsczurzudwgrqyyqknc7ejgfnz2o2t7xor6il4pnlxdtqj4tne4i)
![[Image Description: A graphic with a bright gradient background in pink, orange, and purple. Large white text reads: “Yes! Access: Uniting the Disability Rights Movement for Inclusion and Systemic Change.” Below, smaller text reads: “Author Kevin Nuñez.” On the right side of the image is a smiling man wearing glasses, a gray suit jacket, a maroon shirt, and a gray tie. The Yes! Access logo appears in the top right corner. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreiclzq2ungziyl7sbusuvverlgkonstblvmkofuq4ycykdscbxpafi)
![[Image Description: A black-and-white photo of Arielle Silverman, a woman with short curly hair, wearing a dark top, looking slightly to the side. The background is purple with a yellow accent block behind her. White text on the purple background reads: “Having a disability can be a positive part of who you are. My disability has shaped my career and has allowed me to meet so many wonderful people!” – Arielle Silverman. The Yes! Access logo appears in the top right corner. End ID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ii7pw5biuh7h3gpxctllcq2/bafkreifzlriafrk662qmulz52rh2znbnigzorgthu6pjw4yxsklgmpy34m)