Media Guide

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Media Guide

Got a news story affecting people with disabilities or accessibility? We’re your resource reporters.

We’re responsive, knowledgeable and easy to work with. Just ask Fox6, Today’s TMJ4, WISN Channel 12, CBS58, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, The Business Journal, BizTimes, OnMilwaukee.Com and many more media sources. We strive to be your FIRST call related to issues impacting people with disabilities or accessibility in your story development.

Our Expertise: We serve people with different disabilities who we know are willing to be interviewed. We have media-trained staff experts in these areas:

Community-based long-term care (in-home care, Medicaid programs affecting people with disabilities)
Disability and Employment/Hiring Issues
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – consultants who work on physical and programmatic access and know the law
Reasonable Accommodations at work or in the community
Accessible Voting
Accessible Parking
Accessible Travel
Hospitality and accommodations including restaurants, hotels, public venues
Snow removal and accessible paths of travel.
Transportation issues affecting people with disabilities
Affordable, accessible housing issues
Assistive technology devices helping people with disabilities to work, attend school or function in the community (from wheelchairs to apps)
Kids with disabilities and issues that affect them
Adaptive DUET bikes for kids and adults with disabilities
Nonprofit leadership, social media, marketing, funding

If we can’t help you, we’ll give you someone who can. We also help with social media promotion if desired, prior to a story/segment running and share links after stories run on our profiles to share y/our work.

Contact:
Starlet Hayes, Fund Development & Communications Director, at 414-226-8305 V/Relay

IndependenceFirst Style Guide

Pet Peeves - Please Don't Say or Write

“Confined to a wheelchair” or “wheelchair-bound” in your reporting. Instead, use “(Name) uses a wheelchair.” A wheelchair is a tool that allows people with disabilities to be mobile and independent rather than stationary and limited in their movement.
Someone was “stricken with (disability)”, “crippled with (disability)” or “handicapped.” When disability is acquired, it is a significant change in one’s self concept but many people with disabilities live long successful lives despite their disability, and choose not to be defined by it. Appropriate language describing disability helps to promote inclusive thinking and independent living.
The “R-Word” <link to http://www.r-word.org/> – rather use “person with an intellectual disability.” It is never a funny term or joke.
“Handicapped parking” rather, “accessible parking” is preferred.

Resource:
Want Disability Statistics, Appropriate APA Style Disability Reporting Language Tips, Etiquette when interviewing people with disabilities?

National Center for Disability & Journalism

ADA & Accessibility

Disability Statistics & Federal Programs