Understanding Our Differences

10/10/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CAVK1S9mo/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Seven years ago, Siân Heder learned on the fly with her crew how to design a house that a deaf family would live in for her Oscar-winning film “CODA.” But her latest movie, “Being Heumann,” had a much steeper learning curve as the filmmaker was tasked with creating a production environment for dozens of actors with various disabilities.

“Being Heumann” is an upcoming film based on disability rights activist Judith Heumann and recounts the famed 504 sit-in protests in which dozens of disabled people took over the San Francisco offices of the U.S. Health Department and remained inside for four weeks. The protests were a major steppingstone to the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act more than a decade later.

“Being Heumann” will be released on Nov. 6.

To learn more, click here: https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/being-heumann-crew-built-accessible-set-disabled-actors/

10/08/2026

Today is ! 🌟

What will your Donor-Advised Fund do today? When you recommend a grant to Understanding Our Differences, you’re putting your fund directly to work for disability inclusion in our classrooms and local communities! 💙

Your DAF grant directly supports:
✨ Educating Students: Interactive school-based disability awareness programs that build empathy, break down barriers, and teach allyship.
✨ Co-Programming Events: Hands-on community initiatives, like co-creating, planning, and delivering our annual Disability Pride celebration.
✨ Amplifying Lived Experiences: Fairly compensating guest speakers with disabilities to share their firsthand insights and lead the conversation on inclusion.

Make your DAF grant count today! Click the link below to recommend a gift directly to UOD:
👉 https://secure.givelively.org/donate/understanding-our-differences-inc/daf-day-with-uod



(Image: Graphic featuring the Understanding Our Differences logo in the top left and a calendar design. Text reads: 'Today is DAFday! Support Inclusion! Use your DAF to support Understanding Our Differences)

09/14/2026

We love this. Andover's Commission on Disability has developed a sensory garden, with plenty of benches, wide paths for wheelchair accessibility, and raised beds filled with carefully chosen plants and flowers that captivate the senses and help stimulate memory. Stop by if you're in the area!

A new sensory garden in Andover is giving people with disabilities and cognitive challenges a peaceful place to explore, learn, and connect with nature.

08/06/2026

Next week people with disabilities, local election officials, and voters are invited to test out accessible voting equipment and provide your feedback. The Accessible Voting Equipment Vendor Fair closest to us is at Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown on Thurs. 8/13 from 10AM to 1PM.

These vendor fairs are the first step in the state's process to upgrade from Massachusetts' existing accessible voting equipment.
Each fair is scheduled for three hours. Drop in anytime to review the equipment, ask questions, and provide your feedback!

07/27/2026

Summer is great reading time, and here from our dear friend Emily Ladau Words I Wheel By is a fantastic list of children’s books with positive disability representation that she wished she had growing up. Happy reading!

07/22/2026

Enjoy this wonderful article and photos from the July 19th Disability Pride Celebration, from Fig City News!

Each square of the quilt created during the Newton Disability Pride Celebration told a brief, personal story through abstract designs, colorful scenes, and poignant statements. “Everyone shares their voice” as part of the project, said visual artist, educator, and disability advocate Bill Porter...

07/20/2026

Now a “can’t miss” summer event in Newton, yesterday’s Disability Pride Celebration attracted a large, enthusiastic crowd. Attendees enjoyed an afternoon of art, games, music by Oskar and Friends, and community as they celebrated Disability Pride Month. Working together with the guidance of artist Bill Porter, the group created a colorful Disability Pride quilt filled with messages and images of solidarity to cap off the afternoon. Many thanks to our event partners City of Newton Commission On Disability and Newton Free Library for another great collaboration!

07/02/2026

July is Disability Pride Month, and this year, we’re throwing a celebration! Join us for the Disability Pride Celebration on Sunday, July 19th from 2:00 to 4:00pm at The Cooper Center in Newton! Enjoy an afternoon of art, music, games and activities, food, and community. Co-sponsored with City of Newton Commission On Disability and Newton Free Library. The location of this meeting is accessible, and reasonable accommodation will be provided. More info here: https://understandingourdifferences.org/events-disability-pride-2026/

06/25/2026

Happening tonight, Thursday 6/25! 5:30-8PM

Authentic disability representation in media shapes how we see the world. Tonight, we are proud to support GBH for their annual "Disability ReFramed" panel discussion, exploring the power of inclusive storytelling.

This year’s panel is extra special for us, as it features two phenomenal past partners in our mission: activist Emily Ladau and violinist Adrian Anantawan.

If you are joining the event in person, please come early to connect with Understanding Our Differences —we will be tabling in the atrium beginning at 5:30 PM

You can register to attend in person or virtually.
https://www.wgbh.org/events/disability-reframed-celebrating-our-childhood-on-tv

06/22/2026

You may be a fan of World Cup soccer, but did you know that FIFA is providing broad accessibility services and support that allow all fans to enjoy the game? This support include ASL interpretation, sensory services, audio-descriptive commentary, tactile boards and more. Love this!
https://inside.fifa.com/organisation/news/accessibility-world-cup-2026-disability-social-inclusion?fbclid=IwY2xjawSmHgtleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFnN2NkdzFuQ052VmhVcERsc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHv7XnxSSm8LG3Cdiq2YP8-6eA3mdJaPMADc3wvcw_ezQeT8xg8AIqTmBOcDp_aem_YP71UTt9EDn91mtTFDskXw

FIFA is dedicated to making sure that all fans – including those with disabilities and their families and friends – have an excellent experience at this year’s FIFA World Cup™.