On Friday December 1st, Best Buddies is teaming up with a nonprofit organization called We Are Able, for the second annual We Are Able Day, to raise awareness for people with disabilities.We Are Able was created by Lincoln Park High School graduate, Griffen Saul. Griffen’s father had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis long before he was born and sadly lost his life to it in 2015. But Griffen’s experience with connecting and working with people with disabilities is what fueled his passion to start his non profit. We Are Able empathizes students and people all over to be the change they wish to see in the world, as well as empowering others to do the same. We Are Able informs students on the proper disability etiquette, like using person first language which is about seeing the person first rather than their disability. The organization also stresses that it is ok to make mistakes, trying to communicate with someone with disabilities as long as you’re learning from it.

High school students all around the city on Friday will be participating in this We Are Able (https://www.weable.org/) Day. In the past students simulated disabilities and impairments like not being able to hear, see, or use a body part. The idea behind the simulation was to step into the shoes of a person who has a disability and experience what the world is like through their eyes. Some people believed that the simulation was a good thing to experience like Ella McCarthy’ 18. Ella described the simulation as, “a way to understand their difficulties and experience how the see the world at least for a day,” but some students aren’t too keen about the simulation like Sierra Orr’ 18. She believes “it is not an accurate portrayal of the struggles they deal with on a day to day basis and I think it’s sort of insensitive.” Regardless of simulation, We Are Able Day is still happening on December 1st.

Make sure you check out the table in Blue House to learn more about We are Able or go to the We Are Able website to learn about how you can get involved!

Kyra Sobel