How we approach disability

Lime Connect takes a different approach to disability than that of most organizations. We believe disability is just one component out of many that make up an individual - not what defines them.  We also believe that there are many strengths and talents that accompany disabilities, and focus on building those strengths so that members of The Lime Network maximize them and are valued for their unique perspectives.  

"Individuals who have dealt with adversity, including people with disabilities, are the game-changers of the future."                                                                                                      Malcolm Gladwell, author, David and Goliath

A person with a disability is defined as someone who has, or considers themselves to have, a long-term or recurring issue that impacts one or more activities that others may consider to be a daily function. This definition also includes the perception among others that a disability exists. We know that 90% of disabilities on campus and 70% of disabilities among the general population are not visible, including ADD, Dyslexia, medical conditions, mental health conditions and more, and university students and professionals with all disabilities are encouraged to join The Lime Network and take full advantage of the benefits it offers. 

You'll also see that we use both "person-first" and "identity-first" language, as preferred language varies from individual to individual.  Examples of person-first language include "people with disabilities" or "woman who is autistic" - while identity-first language can be "disabled people" or "autistic woman."  We respect the wide variety of ways in which people choose to describe themselves.