API Disability Advocacy/Leadership Training

Leadership Development

We have come to realize from our previous conferences that Asians and Pacific Islander organizations and individuals really need basic disability information in order to obtain what is called in disability culture: "disability sensitivity."" Disability sensitivity is knowledge of more than one or two disabling conditions which characterize many APIs with disabilities. It is also having a comfort level to interact appropriately with people with disabilities.

A critical feature of our three previous conferences has been leadership development. APIAs with disabilities served as conference organizers and panelists. We have identified that our organization needs to begin with providing "disability sensitivity" training. Our training tool will incorporate culturally competent language and exercises.

We are also developing a "Disability 101" training which will include basic disability etiquette, as well as an introduction to the vast resources available to people with disabilities.