My customary trawl for helpful, positive video showing the accessibility of products, places, activities and services takes me round the globe via the internet. I search out items to augment those submitted by enlightened businesses, charities, community groups, government departments and individuals. Recently I found myself on the website of a business organisation I had encountered some years ago and thought of them as an essentially supportive body.
However the video I found contained a message which is undoubtedly not intended, but actually portrays a subliminal eugenic bias: it clearly depicts the idea that with the removal of disabled people both society and business are better off.
You might say, this doesn't matter because this was not the intended message. You could say the organisation is a charity and doesn't have the money for checking and amending this kind of thing in a timely fashion.
But the really creepy thing about this is that these people are seen by themselves and others as the good guys, and yes, they genuinely are. So if this is the message unconsciously being put out by the good guys, and they haven't noticed after it being online for a year, what does that say about society as a whole? From where I am this aspect feels very scary.
If you're sitting there thinking, this couldn't possibly be the organisation I belong to, please go to your website and check. Just in case. If I were a member of this organisation I would be saying "not in my name".
If you'd like to let disabled people know that you are positive about inclusion, please take a look at my website as well: showmetheaccess.co.uk and see if you would like to participate in some way or other. It's not only good for diversity, it's good for business too.
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