Disability Activist/Campaigner/Social Researcher/Published Author. Interested/involved in Co-production/Deliberative Democracy. Posts are my own, RP’s are not.
As we gear up to watch some amazing athletes go for gold at the
#Olympics
, here's your chance to play our Alt Text Games! So, here are the rules…
On your marks, get set, and tag!
#Olympics2024
Thank you to Ireland’s Future for the invitation to speak at today’s pathway to change event…in all, Disability Matters inclusion really does matter…I hope today is the start of much greater inclusivity of the disability community north and south, thank you all, for listening💜
Meeting up with Eileen at the
#IWD23
After Party was the best, her reaction to having disability visibility… was priceless and made overcoming speaking without my speech print out so worth it… it was the most precious moment of the day, for sure! 💜✊💕
🚨Ireland’s Future is delighted that Joanne Sansome will speak at the SSE Arena event on 15 June
🚨Disability Matters on a Changing Island
🚨For tickets see link below
🚨Ireland’s Future is delighted that Joanne Sansome will speak at the SSE Arena event on 15 June
🚨Disability Matters on a Changing Island
🚨For tickets see link below
A powerful speech by
@joanne_sansome
on the centrality of equality, rights and inclusive participation to the promise of the Good Friday Agreement.
A key theme in the wonderful contributions today.
On Monday at Members Statements
@RobbieButlerMLA
give our ALT Campaign a “warm hug on a chilly day”
Many people have watched, listened & asked how to ALT & set a reminder:
Here’s an ALT how to:
…
& an ALT reminder setting screenshot
🫶PB & friends 💜
We can all do better to make social media more inclusive for those who are visually impaired.
Today I made a serious plea, sprinkled with humour and a dash of compassion to encourage MLAs to lead the way on using Alt text.
“And may the alt text be with you.”
It’s a pleasure to be 1 of the nominators for
@ClaireHanna
who I know listens, supports, turns up to debate & speak to the issues that impact us all in S’th Belfast & Mid Down, demonstrating inclusion, commitment & dedication everyday to all
#VoteHanna1
#ForgetTheRestKeepTheBest
Election formalities include getting signatures from 10 nominators & I’m delighted to have support of some wonderful campaigners on issues key to me & to South Belfast. First up the indomitable
@joanne_sansome
, a relentless & positive voice for inclusion & more generous politics
Meeting Judy at Harkin Belfast is a treasured memory 💜
Judy started as a person I truly admired, after meeting we became friends… I hope we all continue to keep her life & wisdom a living legacy. Thank you
@ballyaltonboy
@SenatorHarkin
💞 Rest In Power, once met, never forgot 💜
First day at Stranmillis College Co teaching an OU Social Work 3rd Year Workshop… only a few week to go before they get out in the world of practice as Qualified Social Workers… the discussions were great, so interesting… you all will be great!
@PSNIBelfast
PSNI could you please ALT describe your images (including the text) so that the text can be read by browse aloud software, ensuring that your digital communication is as accessible as possible, thank you 💜
Video ALT: This is a wee reel montage of photos and clips of video taken at the Ireland’s Future: pathway to change event on Saturday…I spoke about “Disability Matters on a Changing Island” 💜
Thank you, everyone, for being part of my journey, so far! I wish you all good health, joy, happiness and peace throughout 2024… I hope that you reach your goals and live your dreams 💜💞🥂🍾💕
“The cost of care is steep, but… if people truly believe their security and wellness is tied to their communities, neighbors, friends and family. …I [know]… we can transform the world if we have the political and collective will to do so.”
Read the full article below👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
Alice Wong’s
@SFdirewolf
perspectives on home care, including specifics on what a more complete and just care system would look like. We can’t let candidates and lawmakers forget about these important issues.
#CripTheVote
#DisabilityTwitter
#CareCantWait
This is a opportunity for us all to work together in a truly coproduced, participatory, deliberative democracy that promotes accessibility, inclusion & societal awareness of our multiple identities & issues at all stages & decisions realising many legislative duties, meaningfully
Myself &
@ciaraf44
met with disability activist
@joanne_sansome
to discuss participatory democracy
All parties must work together to ensure representation from the
#disability
community at all stages of decision-making process to promote independence, accessibility & inclusivity
🚨Ireland’s Future is delighted that Joanne Sansome will speak at the SSE Arena event on 15 June
🚨Disability Matters on a Changing Island
🚨For tickets see link below
Since Bairbre is not on X and has been a mentor that has become a friend over the many years of my activism, it feels only right that I ensure she is included in the posts about today! She has taught and guided me beyond the politics of N.I to the EU and beyond 💜
As your MP, I’ve tried to represent you with courage, conviction and compassion on the issues that matter to all of us.
I’m standing for re-election and asking people in South Belfast and Mid Down to put their faith in me again.
Get involved here :
For those that could not join the
@IrelandsFuture
Pathway To Change Event in the SSE Arena, here is the complete experience! Via a recording of the live streamed event!… Irelands Future are listening and know
#InclusionMatters
💜 👏
via
@YouTube
Today,
#IWD2023
is a day of reflection, sadness & blessings for the global disability movement as we all remember our own precious memories, moments & so much more as we celebrate the life of
#JudyHeumann
. Thank you, does not cover it today, you were a leading light to all RIP 💜
As someone who has been involved in service user & carer citizen education within Social Work for at least 18 years, I’m delighted to see it going from strength to strength & to the USA! I’m looking forward to working with the team as the work progresses to practice
@JoeDuffy63
Thank you Joanne
@joanne_sansome
for agreeing to coordinate reviewing the CSWE Curricular Guide from a service user standpoint, working with service user colleagues in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and in other parts of the United Kingdom.
@CSocialWorkEd
@QUBSSESW
At the
#SayYesAgain
rally, the PEACE flag kept blowing down - a real symbolic message to us all that peace takes work & commitment… maybe Mo Mowlam, John Hume & David Trimble etc. where there in spirit reminding us of that, who knows! Don’t give up on the possibility of hope 💜
As always I had a great day, here, today… This years, first years rock! You are all fab and will be amazing on the 1st Dec and I will be feeling true nervous empathy with you all that day for sure! 😉💞🤭 Good luck, we can do it! 💕
#P4P
A decent breakthrough on the road to a better childcare system , and a good day for parent power & collaboration. Hats off to
@meltedparentsni
for doing serious spade work on this. Thanks to Education Minister &
@GRobinsonDUP
who really helped get this over the line.
‘A spokesperson for Twitter said Ms Sansome’s account had been suspended in error.
"An agent inadvertently suspended the wrong account when working cases. The account has been reinstated,” they said.’
“Social media is impacting on the structure of society. …we [Disabled People] are no longer …categorised as ‘hard to reach’. We are now called the ‘seldom heard’, …because we are not hard to reach, …we are seldom heard.”
@Ka81
@ElaineMcgreevy
@michaelsheen
What a lovely example of making space, supporting and encouraging inclusion… the autonomy of person centred choice and control in decision making 💜
As a Co-Author i’m asking everyone to:
1) click the link below
2) vote
@healthdpt
Reflections Coproduction-a group of us did this in lockdown to showcase lots of great NI practice! & while there vote for
@Niscc
pip & make N. Ireland double award winners!🤞
💯let’s not dehumanise, this by constantly using terms such as “bed blockers” they are people just like you, the person reading this post…Remember they are unwell and require supportive care…that could also be you, at any moment…they are not ‘bed blockers’ they are people…
"Bed blockers" are people who are entitled to receive timely and appropriate social care provision from our health AND SOCIAL CARE trusts.
They are not "blocking beds" for the fun of hanging out in our hospitals.
These people are being failed too.
Today on
#WorldSocialWorkDay2024
(or week in NI🤣) I would just like to say thank you, to all the great Social Workers, old, new and soon to be… I see the commitment to your profession via the citizen educator role etc. …I have met many great Social Workers
#ChangeTheScript
💜
Thank you
@tenx9
for the opportunity to speak about the impact of 700+ Days of Covid-19 shielding at your
#IDHR
Event…great to catch up with the lovely
@rachelwoods52
. It was a privilege to hear the amazing & impactful true stories shared
#Dignity
#Rights
#Freedom
‘Things Can Only Get Better!’
D:Ream performing their hit song to over 10,000 people tonight at Féile 80s and 90s Night in the Falls Park.
What a night here in Belfast!
Thank you, again, to
@IrelandsFuture
for the opportunity to get disability, d/disabled people (people with disabilities) not only discussed but seen, included involved…in the conversation, it means a lot - in all our futures
#InclusionMatters
#DisabilityMatters
💜
#5DaysToGo
!
🚨Final running order for the SSE Arena event on Saturday 15th June
🚨More tickets have been made available but demand is high and expected to increase
🚨See ticket link below
🚨
From the small screen 💻 immersive theatre of “Recipe for disaster or happily ever after” to the big screen 🎥 premiere of “Where there’s a will, there’s a way” 💗🤣🤭💜 What an unbelievable year!
💯
@RobbieButlerMLA
is one of the most genuinely experienced politicians who (underrated by some) serves all in
#LaganValley
, supports all, whether it’s using his time, voice & empathy to further awareness, encourage, vote or write amendments & bills on issues that matter
#GE24
👇
It’s not about horses 🐴 in a race and it’s not about keeping themuns out. It’s about electing the best candidate in the contest to be your next MP for
#LaganValley
in the
#GE24
#BackButler
in
#LaganValley
Speaking 2day at Women’s Parliament to ensure Disabled People’s needs get included/met by committing to government disability action plans,via all aspects of our societal intersectional grouping/identities Covid -19 recovery plans while fully realising the UNCRPD into our laws.
Thank you!
@niavac
for a small team, you were a mighty professional team, of absolute gentlemen… Special thanks to Kieran (Ciaran) who listened to my every word ensuring the autocue pace was ok for me! It was much appreciated, as was all your hard work & effort backstage 👏 👏
Samuel, 3, collected his Wizzybug from us a year ago. His mum said: “It took him a while to master the controls, but since he could use it, he’s loved going outside in it. He goes around on our patio and chases his sister on her scooter. It’s lovely to see him so happy!"
Once again
@ClaireHanna
delivers her words articulately, with a truly heartfelt passion… IMO we are privileged in South Belfast and indeed NI to have such a strong representative! A representative that is not afraid to speak up and out for the good of all! 👏
I spoke in favour of an immediate ceasefire for Gaza today. The wholesale slaughter of innocent Palestinian men, women & children has no possible justification.
Thank you to
@flemingfulton
for hosting the APG on Disability today, it was a pleasure to be back at school! 😊 Among this years Head Pupils and year group, to hear the views and concerns of & from such strong, articulated young people…
#HolisticEducationMatters
#InclusionMatters
Celebrating
#IndependenceDay
with
@joanne_sansome
over some of South Belfasts finest coffee 🇺🇸☕️
We covered some ground 🗣️and put the disability world to rights. Plenty to do but grateful for your insight, input and wisdom Jo.
#Hope
#Friends
Many strategies & motions have been debated/passed
@niassembly
, yet there’s no mention of the disability strategy, we (disabled people) are 1 in 4 (almost 25%) of the NI population & have lost many rights as result of losing EU protective legislations since Brexit!
#WeMatterToo
💜
This is pure joy 💗 for the purposes of ALT below is a video of a little boy getting his toy digger filled with soil by a real digger and he is jumping for joy and is so excited
#PureInnocentJoy
💕
Thank you everyone who made my return to X an evening of pleasant news, with a side of encouragement, fun and laughter! you are all amazing, lovely people who inspire me in your own ways and make putting up with Elon and his algorithms worth it
#KeepFightingTheGoodfight
💜 Jo/PB😉
We can all do better to make social media more inclusive for those who are visually impaired.
Today I made a serious plea, sprinkled with humour and a dash of compassion to encourage MLAs to lead the way on using Alt text.
“And may the alt text be with you.”
@BarackObama
Judy was the global leading light of the disability movement! Her spirit, wisdom, heart and dedication was a massive blessing to us all. We must stay together as friends to ensure our rights continue to be recognised and met, where we live & worldwide! May she Rest In Power 💜✊
@TaraGrace_
💯looking back, Mo Mowlam was a true leader, she encouraged & supported change not for credit or praise, but because it was needed… IMO she was genuine, in her character & determination… She was like no other SoS past or present… She was a strong, Kind, one-of-a-kind-person 💜
All election candidates and those campaigning on their behalf, should be supporting RNIB's call to make the next General Election the most accessible ever by ALWAYS adding ALT text to images & capitalising each word in hashtags.
#SeeDifferently
It’s that simple, keep it simple, use names not descriptions or labels… even when you don’t know a name, all you have to do is ask: What’s your name? 💜
It’s world book day, the perfect day to give 1 of the most positively, impactful books I have read/used to explore & learn more, a shout out! It really is a fab book!…if you have not read it, why not buy it this World Book Day, you won’t be disappointed!💕
My speech is submitted, so I can’t change it!… there is know going back! for me but
@ReclaimAgenda
as you know what the other speakers are saying feel free to edit 💕
We will be introducing the speakers for our 4 March rally for
#iwd2023
over the course of the coming days! The rally is next saturday at Writer's Square. Meet Joanne! Joanne Sansome is a published author, researcher and activist with a physical disability from Belfast.
We can all do better to make social media more inclusive for those who are visually impaired.
Today I made a serious plea, sprinkled with humour and a dash of compassion to encourage MLAs to lead the way on using Alt text.
“And may the alt text be with you.”
Yay! I got my disability participation dissertation and current future conceptual ideas from over 100 pages down to 516 words! and
@jonathangheaney
with my love of long sentences that is an achievement 😉🤣😂🤣
I just wanted to wish you all, Happy Holidays! Thanks for the opportunity to connect and have fun, learning and sharing along the way this year!This space has certainly been an interesting experience! Stay safe and take care 🫶🎄🫶
@little_pengelly
To demonstrate commitment to stability yourself &
@moneillsf
must remove the veto once & for all, to help achieve a thriving NI/NoI that’s best for all -show commitment beyond walking & talking behind closed doors & regard the societal detriment it causes!
FYI
@MatthewOToole2
Thank you
@RobbieButlerMLA
for your support today & always via ALTing & more! I was not expecting that today, thank you so much for the “warm hug on a chilli day…May the ALT be with you”
🫶 PB & Friends💜✊
P.S. Here’s an ALT how to:
…
We can all do better to make social media more inclusive for those who are visually impaired.
Today I made a serious plea, sprinkled with humour and a dash of compassion to encourage MLAs to lead the way on using Alt text.
“And may the alt text be with you.”
A strong MP, we know & trust to represent us all in
#SouthBelfastAndMidDown
Claire listens to us on the outside & brings us inside, in her words/actions to reflect & protect how we’re impacted by non-devolved matters, that impact us-showing up, speaking out & voting matters 4 all
“The Green Benches” is far from the only place an MP represents their constituents. I want to keep being a voice in the public conversation for common ground and for politics that works for people.
@SorchaEastwood
💯 I’m glad the person seen the error of their ways! It is very easy for people to forget that we are all just people surviving to thrive in a public/private world, as best we can…if only people would stop and think a little more…would I like this if someone did this to me etc.
☘️☘️🍀☘️☘️ “May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home, May good and faithful friends be yours wherever you may roam." ☘️☘️🍀☘️☘️
This is what the SDLP manifesto clearly states regarding committing to ensure D/disabled people achieve full Human Rights protections via the UNCRPD in NI Domestic Laws… Protections we lost as a result of Brexit… 👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
I couldn’t agree more with Sorcha its time for change in
#LaganValley
that change is
@RobbieButlerMLA
the most genuinely kind, caring & inclusive politician with an empathetic openness that’s matched with experience & dedicated commitment to win for
#LaganValley
& NI
@SuzyJourno
Jeffrey Donaldson's resignation has thrown the Lagan Valley
#GE24
race wide open. I join Jonny Buckley as he battles to keep the DUP seat; Robbie Butler who insists he has a real chance; & Sorcha Eastwood who says "it's time for change".
“There are barriers for us in almost everything that we do in Northern Ireland and sadly we do not see things getting better until the government is back up and running and the correct legislation can be put in place."
Thank you
@RobbieButlerMLA
for your support today and always via ALTing and more, sorry there was a delay in posting this… I was not expecting that today, thank you so much! 🥹 “May the ALT be with you” PB & friends 💜✊
P.S. Here is an ALT how to: