Striving to remove barriers that prevent us from building Diverse, Vibrant, Inclusive, Accessible Communities!
Welcome to The Shining Lamp
Accessibility for people with disabilities should not be treated as charity given at one’s convenience and out of generosity. Rather instead, it should be treated as service to humanity and viewed in the light of Justice! It should not be an afterthought, but should always be planned for, and integrated into all communications and community activities and life events.
This space is about community.
It is about the kind of community that you want to be a part of. A community where you feel like you belong and you have value. A vibrant active community full of opportunities and lots of ways to participate and be involved. A community that is inclusive of your children and your older parents as well. One that strives to be accessible in all settings. A community full of a variety of interesting people of different backgrounds who all bring something of what they have to offer to help make things better for everyone. Imagine a rich blend of racial backgrounds and cultures with different kinds of foods and activities to learn about and participate in.
This space is about exploring and learning about ways to remove the barriers that prevent us from building a community of exactly this kind. No matter who you are; No matter what your background, your race, disability, gender, age, or culture... You probably want to be a part of a community like this.
Barriers Do Exist for Many People.
The truth is, because of barriers related to race, disability, gender, age, and culture, some people have had a much more difficult time than others being a part of their community. Sadly, this leaves us with an unbalanced community. One which is not at all like what is described above.
So what can we do about them?
How can we learn about and remove barriers that prevent us from building Diverse, Vibrant, Inclusive, Accessible Communities?
Let's find out together!
Learn and Use the International Accessibility Standards
To ensure your communication is accessible and inclusive in emails, meetings, events, videos, newsletters, websites, apps, and other materials produced and used, it's vital to follow International Accessibility Standards. Thankfully, Accessibility Training offers free and easy-to-learn standards for you to utilize.
Plan and Host Accessible Events
Abdul-Baha exemplified unity, justice, and inclusion of marginalized people, including those with disabilities. It's crucial for event planners to prioritize accessibility for participants. Removing barriers and establishing just relationships is key to uplifting everyone and building vibrant communities.
Change our Mindset from the Medical Model to the Social Model of Disability
Shifting from the medical to the social model of disability is important because it emphasizes the need to address systemic barriers and promote inclusivity, rather than solely focusing on individual impairments.
Take Advantage of our Resources
Remove barriers and unlock the full potential of the Shining Lamp Collection of Resources!
Stay informed with our Articles
Discover a world of illuminating knowledge and inspiration at the Shining Lamp's online collection of articles.
Use ALT Text and Descriptive Images
Boost your image accessibility - learn how to write meaningful ALT text. Learn to tell the difference between simply identifying what's present in the image and offering a clear and concise description of it.
Write Inclusive Accessible Email Messages
Effective communication is crucial in creating diverse, inclusive communities, and email messages are a common tool used for sharing information. If messages aren't inclusive and accessible, they can hinder community building by creating a sense of "otherness" instead of belonging. It is essential to remove these barriers and create truly diverse, vibrant, and inclusive communities.
Learn about and Use Audio Description in Video for Blind and Low Vision Accessibility
To ensure accessibility for those who are Blind or have Low Vision, be sure to use videos with Audio Descriptions for presentations and enable Audio Descriptions during presentations and video creation. This article emphasizes the importance of Audio Descriptions, their role, and how to incorporate them for a more inclusive digital world.
Make Materials Accessible to Your Blind Friends.
Include blind friends in meetings by providing accessible formats like braille, audio, large print, or electronic copies. Check privately for their preferred format which can be obtained easily through a certified transcriber, enabling full participation.
Keep up to date with What's New!
Stay up-to-date with the latest and most intriguing content on the Shining Lamp website. Explore a variety of captivating articles, videos, and resources that will keep you informed and ready and able to remove barriers. Don't miss out on the opportunity to discover something new and exciting every time you visit the site.
