The Disability Conversation | Ben Myers | TEDxOStateU

Summary

Ben Myers, born with Moebius syndrome, shares his experience as a disability advocate. He recounts his first advocacy presentation to his Boy Scout troop, highlighting the initial silence and subsequent flood of questions, emphasizing society's fear and ignorance about disabilities. He criticizes the negative portrayal of disabilities in media and everyday language, including the use of slurs and 'inspiration porn.' Myers urges for more positive and inclusive conversations about disabilities, suggesting the use of neutral terms like 'physio divergence' and advocating for diverse representation in media. He concludes by emphasizing the importance of initiating disability conversations to foster acceptance and accommodation.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Ben Myers, born with Moebius syndrome, has been advocating for disability awareness for seven years.
• 🎓 His first advocacy presentation was to his Boy Scout troop, aiming to help them earn the Disabilities Awareness merit badge.
• 🔍 Initially, there was an awkward silence when Ben was asked to share about his disability, highlighting the discomfort around discussing disabilities.
• 🤔 Ben realized that people are eager to talk about disabilities but often refrain from doing so out of fear of offending others.
• 🌍 He emphasizes that avoiding discussions about disabilities can lead to ignorance, fear, prejudice, and misinformation.
• 🚫 Ben criticizes the negative portrayal of disabilities in the media, including the use of disabilities as insults and the 'supercrip' trope.
• 📚 Jack Nelson's book identifies seven negative disability tropes prevalent in the media, which contribute to the stigmatization of people with disabilities.
• 💬 Ben suggests using neutral terms like 'physio divergence' instead of derogatory or stigmatizing language.
• 🌐 According to the US Census Bureau, 57 million Americans live with disabilities, indicating the importance of inclusivity and awareness.
• 🌍 The World Health Organization reports that over 1 billion people worldwide have disabilities, emphasizing the global relevance of the issue.
• 📺 Ben encourages the inclusion of diverse disabled characters in children's shows to foster acceptance and understanding from a young age.
• 🗣️ The final message is a call to action for everyone to start the disability conversation together, promoting tolerance and accommodation.

Q & A

What is Moebius syndrome, and how does it affect Ben Myers?

Moebius syndrome is a rare congenital condition characterized by facial paralysis and limited limb movement. Ben Myers was born with this condition, which impacts his daily life but has not stopped him from being an advocate for disability awareness and education.

How did Ben Myers' first experience with disability advocacy begin?

Ben's first advocacy experience started when his scout master wanted the scouts to earn the disabilities awareness merit badge. Ben, being 11 years old at the time, was asked to be interviewed by his fellow scouts to fulfill one of the badge requirements.

Why was there an initial silence during Ben's interview with the boy scouts?

The initial silence was due to the scouts' fear of asking the wrong questions and potentially offending Ben. It highlights the discomfort and lack of understanding many people have when it comes to discussing disabilities.

What did Ben learn from his experience with the boy scouts about people's attitudes towards disabilities?

Ben learned that people are eager to discuss disabilities but often refrain from doing so out of fear of offending someone. This avoidance can lead to ignorance, fear, prejudice, and misinformation about disabilities.

What is the term 'disability tooo' as mentioned by Ben Myers, and what does it represent?

The term 'disability tooo' is a play on the word 'ditto' and represents the idea that disabilities are everywhere and a common part of life. It emphasizes the need for open and honest conversations about disabilities.

What are some of the negative ways in which disabilities are portrayed in society according to Ben Myers?

Negative portrayals include using disabilities as insults, the media's portrayal of disabled individuals as 'supercrips' who overcome their disabilities through sheer willpower, and the use of 'inspiration porn,' which objectifies disabled people's achievements.

What is 'inspiration porn' and why is it problematic according to Ben Myers?

'Inspiration porn' refers to the media's practice of sharing stories of disabled individuals overcoming their disabilities as a source of inspiration. It is problematic because it implies that the worth of disabled people is tied to their ability to minimize or overcome their disabilities.

How does Ben Myers suggest we change the conversation around disabilities?

Ben suggests using neutral terms instead of derogatory ones, avoiding the use of disability slurs, and including a variety of disabled characters in media to normalize the presence of disabilities. He also encourages more open and positive discussions about disabilities.

What is the significance of the numbers provided by the US Census Bureau and the World Health Organization in Ben's speech?

The numbers highlight the prevalence of disabilities worldwide, with 57 million Americans and over 1 billion people globally living with disabilities. This emphasizes the importance of making disability conversations more mainstream and inclusive.

What is the main message Ben Myers wants to leave with his audience?

Ben's main message is to start the disability conversation together, promoting understanding, acceptance, and accommodation of disabled individuals in society.