New England Aquarium’s Post

World Braille Day on January 4 is celebrated to honor the birth of Braille’s inventor, Louis Braille. Braille’s gift to the world has brightened the lives of millions of people around the world who are blind or visually impaired, and they benefit from his work every day. The day also acknowledges that those with visual impairments deserve the same standard of human rights as everyone else.  Background Eye conditions are remarkably common. The World Health Organization estimates that globally, at least 1 billion people have a near or distance vision impairment that could have been prevented or has yet to be addressed. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, adopted in 2006, has advanced the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. The Convention considers Braille essential for education, freedom of expression and opinion, access to information and social inclusion. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted in 2015, further pledges that no one will be left behind in the aim to ensure that all human beings can enjoy prosperous and fulfilling lives. References: World Braille Day | United Nations Background | World Braille Day | United Nations Celebrate World Braille Day | National Federation of the Blind (nfb.org) #diversity #inclusion #equality #diversityandinclusion #culture #community #equity #diversitymatters #leadership #representationmatters #inclusionmatters #inclusivity #worldbrailleday #disabilityawareness #disabilityinclusion

A song. And, not precisely, but in essence, my life. This is why I will never stop advocating for diversity, equity & inclusion. #humanrights #together #kindness #diversity #equity #inclusion #speaker #transgender #trans #lgbtqiplus #lgbtqi #lgbt #amwriting #mutualrespect #buildingbridges #liamklenk #lifejourney #paralian #notjusttrans

We’re seeing a rise in diverse hunters and self-defense shooters from various ethnic and cultural groups. As Bethany Beathard contends, it’s important to continue fostering a welcoming environment for incoming hunters, especially those from marginalized groups within the industry. Learn more about it in her article, "Breaking Down Barriers: Diversity & Inclusion." https://lnkd.in/gaYMUht6

A pin of #hope!! 📍 ⚖️ Laws can protect the underserved, but they can also change suddenly, leaving vulnerable communities exposed to hatred and abuse. I've experienced firsthand the impact of laws in Saudi Arabia, where waiting for fairness would have severely limited my achievements. In contrast, the US provided me with endless opportunities (with room to improve) ⚠️ However, laws can be slow and unpredictable. Sadly, we see this volatility in Florida, affecting our #trans and Black community and extending to other #POC and #lgbtq communities. 🌟 At #ISSMA, we aim to answer a simple question: where are YOU safe based on your unique intersectionality of race, gender, sexuality, religion, and more. Our first ISSMA pin in Florida, placed at a #Denny's restaurant by one of our users, represents an emotional ray of hope. It reminds us that despite frustrating laws, there are good people with #empathy who welcome and accept us for who we are, irrespective of the color of our skin or visible sexuality or religion. Please join our movement at issma.ai to discover more inclusive and safe spaces around the US! Thank you for helping us shine light on the good!! 🙏🏽💞 #IntersectionalSafety #Empowerment #Inclusivity #StandForEquality https://lnkd.in/eHW_SQ7T

Before you take a look at Pop'n'Olly Ltd's NEW VIDEO at the bottom of this post, I want to bring your attention to a crucial matter.   The Department for Education released proposed guidance for schools concerning transgender and gender non-conforming children on December 19th last year.   Here are two key points you should be aware of:   1) This guidance is non-statutory (advice that is not legally binding). 2) This guidance is currently a draft version and is up for consultation.   As educators, parents, LGBT individuals, and allies, you now have the opportunity to review the guidance and share your thoughts. Pop'n'Olly Ltd will be sharing our response with its email subscribers in the coming weeks.   The consultation period ends on the 12th of March 2024.   To help you understand the guidance better, here are some excellent resources (you may need to copy and paste these into google)   A Commentary on Department for Education Draft Guidance - Robin Moira White, Barrister   What Does the Proposed Trans Schools Guidance Really Say? - Mermaids   Stonewall's Response to Draft Trans Guidance for Schools in England - Stonewall   In the meantime, I want to leave you with a new, short animation to remind you of the incredible power we have as a community. Together we are unstoppable...

Why Homeowners Feel Thankful for Their Homes [INFOGRAPHIC] Here are three reasons why homeowners feel thankful for their homes. First, it’s a safe place that can give you a greater sense of comfort, safety, and security. Second, it gives you freedom of expression. From the color of the paint to the art on the walls, you can express your style and your personality. Third, it provides a sense of community. Owning your home helps you build lasting friendships with neighbors and connects you to your community. If you're thinking of buying a home and want to hear more about the potential benefits, DM me. GayRealEstate.com #gayrealtor #gayrealestate #lgbtq

OCLC President and CEO Skip Prichard highlights efforts underway at OCLC that not only provide inclusion opportunities and training for employees, but that also support libraries in more inclusive uses of technology. "Our commitment is, and should always be, to design and deliver library services that are welcoming to and worthy of the diverse communities we represent," Skip says. "And I believe that when we include more diverse voices, we expand not only today’s success, but the edges of even greater and more inspiring horizons." ⤵️ Click below to read more in this #OCLCnext blog. --- #OCLC #DiversityEquityInclusion #Diversity #Equity #Inclusion #DEI #EngagedLibraries #PublicLibrary #PublicLibraries #AcademicLibrary #AcademicLibraries #Library #Libraries #Librarian #Librarians #LibraryLife #LibraryLove

Join LandPaths, Sonoma County Ag Open Space District, and me for a hike around the beautiful Myers preserve to warm up before doing a heart-centered yoga session. After yoga, we will enjoy lunch, take in the beauty of the preserve, and connect in community. This outing is part of LandPaths’ new Branch Out series, centering LGBTQ community members with the purpose of creating a sense of belonging and inclusive spaces in the outdoors! Allies are welcomed! All abilities and experience levels are welcome to join this outing. Details: We will ask you to sign a waiver of liability. There is no potable water on the property. We ask that you leave your pets at home for this event. There are no restrooms on the property. About the area: This nearly 800 acre preserve stewarded by LandPaths in western Sonoma County teems with native coastal grasslands, canyons, pristine ponds and streams, mixed oak woodlands, redwoods, and a habitat garden that benefits pollinators, birds, and humans alike. A breath-taking abundance of plant and animal life call this place home. Thanks to strong community interest, a small group of angel funders, and the promise that Ocean Song’s stunning beauty would be locally owned and protected forever, LandPaths was able to purchase the land and start cleaning up the property in November 2019. Since then, LandPaths has continued to invest in cleaning up Ocean Song’s old buildings and resolving a lengthy list of code violations from prior to when they became the property’s stewards. What to bring: Bottle of water, snacks, and lunch for the day Comfortable clothing to protect from the sun (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen) Comfortable walking shoes (that can get dirty) Yoga mat Where we will meet you: Driving and parking instructions will be sent out to you 2-3 days before the outing by field specialist, Roxy Layden. Accessibility: If you have accessibility questions, please call or email with any questions or concerns you may have. To sign up: Visit landpaths.org>calendar>event page Do you need help registering? email [email protected] Thanks to LandPaths and Ag Open Space for co-creating this event! #commonthreadyoga #communityyogahike #sonomacountypride