Inclusion is a crucial topic that emphasizes the importance of diversity, equality, and acceptance in all areas of society. Recent events have highlighted the ongoing need to address systemic barriers and discrimination faced by marginalized groups. Petitions within this topic focus on advocating for policies and practices that promote inclusivity and combat discrimination.
Notable petitions call for equal access to education, employment opportunities, and healthcare for minority communities. Another petition highlights the need for diversity and representation in media and entertainment to challenge stereotypes and promote a more inclusive society.
By exploring and supporting these petitions, individuals can contribute to creating a more equitable and welcoming world for all. Join the movement to promote inclusion and foster a society where everyone feels valued and respected. Your voice can make a difference in shaping a more inclusive future for our communities.
The majority of commercially available air “fresheners,” body sprays, and scented cleaning products contain volatile organic compounds (VOC.) While VOCS can be tolerable in small quantities for many people, they are a known problem for individuals living with allergies, asthma, conditions affecting the immune system, mast cell disorders, long Covid, etc. These products can wreck havoc in a matter of minutes when someone is exposed in a confined space, like a vehicle, and cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, migraine, nausea, rash, flushing, wheezing, itching, etc. It is particularly troubling when these products are used heavily to “cover up” odor related to unapproved activities in the vehicle, like smoking.
This is a major accessibility issue and there is a very real and immediate need for drivers to be educated on the risks these products pose to some riders. Undoubtedly, there are drivers who chose to not use these products in their vehicle, at bare minimum there needs to be a way for riders to connect with these drivers. The current system is like someone with a nut allergy ordering food without knowing whether or not it contains nuts and the only way to find out is after exposure and if they wish to stop eating and go elsewhere the onus is on them to pay additional fees and deal with the inconvenience. Not acceptable and not necessary.
I a lot of people that can easily get over stimulated by either music to load, yelling, music and people talking at the same time, lights and more. So have an option for them is great and you will be improving the future for others generations to come. We are not going away disability people have always been here and will always be here. Could be something you been born with or later on in life that you have to adjust to this because of either trauma or a medical condition that got ignore for so long that it got worse. Anyone can be disabled at any point in life.
One of the main things that prevents me from using ride services like Uber or Lyft, even when I really need it, is the possibility of sensory overload. Loud music, strong smells, and endless conversations can lead to me feeling overwhelmed before ever getting to my destination
I feel ASL is a great benefit for all people to learn. If they are learning other languages, why can't ASL do the same. It is one of the foreign languages. Otherwise I'm looking at it is a discrimination or a barrier to able to interact with the deaf/HOH people in need of a help / a friend / families anywhere in the world. Please continue ASL program. It is a great benefits for all students.
I have only had the opportunity to learn ASL intermittently. One of my teachers, a coworker, just passed away suddenly. He is the one who taught me so much about Deaf culture along with ASL. Deaf studies is an incredibly important minor in more ways than I can put into words
As a special ed paraprofessional and a student who is pursing a special ed degree at a different university, ASL is so important. Because I took ASL, I am able to communicate with my non verbal students, teach about deaf culture, and use such an extraordinary language to communicate with many many people.
The instructor is also exceptional, I got the chance to see her be an interpreter for a student this past summer where we learned from her personal experiences and gained so much knowledge of something that is so helpful to our communities.
Do not take this opportunity away from students, it only shows that UMD doesn’t care to be inclusive.
As a TA, I was hoping to take more ASL classes in the future because I want to make my classes more accessible for my hard-of-hearing students, which now is an increasingly difficult option for me. My students have found community in the deaf studies department and now I am afraid that a key part of their experience at UMD is being taken away. I understand that the budget cuts make it very difficult to make decisions on what to keep and what you need to do away with. But I hope you can consider how personal and deep this particular loss will feel, even for a hearing student of a completely different department (Biology, chemistry, and social sciences). Thank you for your consideration.
I am a graduate of UMD and did not have the opportunity to take ASL classes, however many of my peers did and I am currently learning ASL for my career in ABA therapy. ASL is essential for educators and students!
My Deaf Studies minor from UMD has helped me get every job I've gotten since graduating. I'm a biologist, but my bosses have told me it is what helped distinguish me from other applicants. ASL is the third most widely used language in the United States, making it more prevalent than French, German, and Chinese. Sign language, Deaf culture, and linguistics are an integral part of creating inclusivity at UMD.