#disabilityrights

Please stop saying “differently abled”. Do not try to assign us the definition of “disabled” as a dirty word; you are not entitled to decide whether being disabled is okay or not, and it sends the wrong message, especially to children. Not saying things isn’t going to make them disappear, and “disabled” is not a dirty word. It’s okay to be the way we are and be open about it.

If you’re interested in this or similar stickers from my small, human-made business, you can check them out on Vandalpark’s website (linked in my profile).

Thanks for being here ~

Accessibility isn't just a policy debate—it's something families encounter in everyday life.

A recent visit to DreamWorks Water Park with my two adult daughters, both of whom are on the severe end of the autism spectrum, reminded me how much thoughtful design and inclusive policies matter. Outstanding employees made a real difference, but unnecessary barriers also turned simple moments into stressful ones.

My latest article isn't just a review of a water park. It's a look at what happens when exciting attractions meet the realities faced by families living with disabilities—and why accessibility should be part of every conversation about public spaces.

On June 27, 1880, Helen Keller was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama. After an illness at just 19 months old left her both blind and deaf, she faced extraordinary challenges in a world of silence and darkness.

With the help of her teacher Anne Sullivan, Keller learned to communicate and went on to achieve what few thought possible. She became a celebrated author, speaker, and advocate for people with disabilities, inspiring millions through her determination and achievements.

LAUSD serves a large population of students who rely on Special Education services—yet it rarely comes up in meaningful detail during school board elections.

To try to bring more clarity to the June 2, 2026 race, I sent six questions about Special Education to every candidate running for LAUSD School Board. The questions focused on IEP services, funding, charter school enrollment disparities, accountability, and how families navigate the system.

So far, only Board District 4 candidate Ankur Patel has responded.

His answers are here for anyone who wants to understand where at least one candidate stands on these issues before voting.

Special Education is often discussed in terms of budgets and policy frameworks, but for families it’s something much more immediate: whether services are actually delivered, whether support staff are available, and whether schools are equipped to meet students where they are.