Masking has, in a myriad of ways, negatively impacted my life. As I grew older, I was surrounded by the negative stereotypes of an autistic person because of social media. The “r slur” was being used like the class sharpener. Everyone would use it.

This is a call for people with disabilities to participate and work in the health and wellness industry. We need disability represented in the fitness space.

Why aren’t people with disabilities participating in yoga, Zumba, Pilates, and personal training?

They might not believe that it’s within their capability.

Living with Asperger's Syndrome (Autism Spectrum Disorder) has particular rewards and difficulties.

The rewards are noticeable. We tend to be good students, reliable employees and model citizens once we understand what the rules of institutions are and receive support in learning how to live by them. If we are given chances to participate in these institutions fairly and without prejudice, we can contribute to them, and even change them in positive ways.

Books are a critical tool to introduce children to stories like and unlike their own experiences. Representation and diversity in books help children to learn about the world around them and themselves.

Here are five books to share with your children this summer for some extracurricular reading! Find them at your favourite library, bookstore, or reading app!

What’s better than sitting outside on a summer day with a good book? These five books about disability, accessibility and inclusion are from authors with lived experience. These books include diverse nonfiction perspectives from people with disabilities, as well as fictional representations and stories. Find them at your favourite bookstore, library or reading app!

On the surface, there appears to be a lot of support for people with disabilities. We are often part of ad campaigns that help to exemplify diversity, there are resources tailored to our unique needs, and countless employers will advertise their commitment to supporting those who require accommodations. However, if you are disabled, you’ve probably noticed that this is more fluff than fact. Despite the seemingly positive representation, the disabled community still has a shockingly high unemployment rate, often depending on others for financial support. Stigma would dictate that this is due to a lack of job skills, minimal education, and the inability to meet job requirements. And, while this might be an issue for some, the ultimate reason why disabled people struggle to achieve financial independence is not incompetence, but rather inaccessibility.

Thoughts about inclusion, accessibility and lived experience from bloggers, thought leaders and influencers from across the country and beyond! Blogs are a great way to get connected with a community, which is why we launched Explore Possible. These blogs include personal stories and anecdotes, education and information, and disability activism and advocacy across the disability spectrum.

Without further ado, here are some disability bloggers from around the country that we’ve been following.

Have a blogger you’d like us to know about (or maybe you are one)? Send us a message at marketing@manitobapossible.ca.

You’ve stumbled across Explore Possible and it sounds like the writing opportunity you’ve been waiting for. A paid thought leadership space looking for writers with lived experience? Yep, it’s real!

Laptop at the ready, you’re full of so many ideas. But, if you aren’t sure what to type when you open up the submission page, we’ve got some helpful tips.

“The pitch” is your opportunity to tell us exactly what you want to write about. It’s short, it’s engaging, and it’s focused.

Manitoba Possible is thrilled to launch “Explore Possible” - a thought leadership initiative bringing lived experiences of facing barriers to Canadian audiences.

Keen to explore the many perspectives of people with disabilities and who are Deaf and hard of hearing. Manitoba Possible wanted to lead the charge in creating an online journal for Manitobans and Canadians to invite conversation, educate, inform, and challenge assumptions.

Our goal is to amplify the voices of those who face barriers to full and equal participation.