DEFINE DISABILITY & EMBRACE OUR DIVERSITY
PART FOUR OF OUR LEAD THE CONVERSATION ABOUT DISABILITY WITH CONFIDENCE SERIES
We’ve reached the final step in our LEAD framework for talking about disability with confidence.
As a reminder, LEAD stands for:
🌱 L = Learn Together
💛 E = Encourage Empathy
❓ A = Address Curiosity
💬 D = Define & Embrace
If you missed the other posts, you can find them here:
If you’ve been following along, you’ve already started learning alongside your kids, encouraging empathy, and addressing curiosity when questions come up. Now it’s time for the final (and often most intimidating) step: defining disability and embracing our diversity.
💬 WHAT “DEFINE & EMBRACE” REALLY MEANS
Many parents avoid using the word disability because they worry it sounds negative or heavy. But avoiding the word can actually make it feel scarier or more confusing for kids.
When we define disability simply and embrace it openly, we teach children:
Disability is not something to fear.
Disability is not something shameful.
Disability is not something to avoid.
Disability is a natural part of our human diversity and it exists in every family, school and community.
🧠 START WITH A SIMPLE DEFINITION
Kids don’t need a long explanation or a medical diagnosis. Short, honest definitions are enough.
Here are a few child-friendly ways to define disability:
Sample Scripts:
“A disability is any condition that affects a person’s brain and/or body and affects the way a person does something.” (This is the EXACT definition we use at BRIDGED.)
“Having a disability might mean someone does things differently, but they can still do them — some people type, some talk into a microphone and some use bigger letters on a screen.”
“A disability just means someone’s body or brain works in a different way.”
✨ Tip: We recommend introducing the word disability early so it becomes a normal part of a child’s vocabulary.
❓ ANSWER COMMON QUESTIONS HONESTLY
One of the most common questions kids ask is:
“How do you get a disability?”
This is a great opportunity to give a clear, calm explanation. Kids don’t need every detail.
Sample Scripts:
“Some people are born with a disability and some get one later in life. It’s just one part of who they are.”
“Some disabilities happen because of illness or injury. Some disabilities are lifelong, and some are temporary.”
“Every disability story is different just like every person is different.”
🌍 RECOGNIZE THAT DISABILITY IS PART OF EVERY COMMUNITY
People with disabilities are not rare. In fact, they are the largest minority group in America.
Help your child see people with disabilities as friends, classmates, neighbors and teammates.
Sample Scripts:
“People with disabilities are part of every community including ours.”
“We should play, laugh and build friendships with all kids. Everyone has something amazing to share.”
“That student plays basketball, loves to sing and uses a wheelchair to move around.”
🔤 LANGUAGE MATTERS
The words we use shape how kids think. When we talk openly and respectfully about disability, we teach children:
Disability is not an insult.
Disability is not something to hide.
Disability is just one part of who someone is.
Sample Scripts:
“Let’s use appropriate and respectful language when we talk about disability or about a person with a disability.”
“When we talk to or about our friend with a disability, we should use their name.”
“Respecting and including people with disabilities is what matters most.”
💬 CLOSING THOUGHTS
Defining disability doesn’t make it scary — it reduces unnecessary fear and stigma.
Embracing disability doesn’t mean focusing on differences — it means recognizing shared humanity.
When kids understand what disability is, they’re more likely to:
Show respect
Practice inclusion
Stand up for others
Become disability-inclusive leaders
✨ Disability is one part of our humanity.
When we define it simply and embrace it openly, we help kids grow into confident, inclusive adults who know how to LEAD the conversation — with curiosity, empathy and courage.
At BRIDGED, we are passionate about disability education. In addition to supporting conversations about disability at home, we also support conversations at school through our award-winning Disability Awareness Programs. Our school-based programming cultivates a disability-inclusive environment through education and experience. Programming is available for K-12 students in both public and private schools. You can learn more by clicking here.
