WEBINAR: Supporting Disabled Parents Part 1 – Mobility Disabilities

Objectives: 

About 25% of the population identifies as having a disability, and disabled people represent 1 in 8 birthing people, yet disabled people are typically overlooked or invisible in perinatal health and parenting spaces. Disabled birthers and parents face unique stigmas, challenges, and barriers to accessing healthcare and other services. As doulas and birthworkers effective advocacy and self-advocacy promotion requires understanding of the experiences and needs of diverse disabled birthers. Are you prepared to advocate with and for disabled clients? Do you know where to find strategies and evidence based information and resources to support your disabled clients?

Description/workshop overview: 

This two-part Doula School continuing education webinar will allow birthworkers to learn directly from disabled parents about their prenatal, birth, and postpartum experiences, and how to tailor our support to their needs. The Q&A session will encompass ableism and eugenics in the healthcare system, accessing evidence-based information on disability and birth, and being an ally to disabled birthing people. 

Part 1 will be facilitated by Terri-Lynn Langdon. Terri-Lynn is a wheelchair-using single mom by choice with two children. She is a clinical social worker and a PhD candidate at OISE in Social Justice Education and Feminist Disability studies. 

Part 2 will be facilitated by Ingrid Palmer. Ingrid is Black, visually impaired mother of 3. Her vision condition is progressive and was at a different stage during each of her pregnancy and new parenthood experiences. Ingrid is an EDI consultant and speaker and the founder of Focus on Ability, a disability justice advocacy organization.

Attendees will leave with:

• An understanding of ableism and its impact on perinatal care
• The ability to “myth-bust” stereotypes and stigma aimed at disabled birthers and parents.
• Strategies for supporting the self-advocacy of disabled clients

Details:

Part 1 of this virtual continuing education event takes place on May 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM EDT (register below)

Part 2 takes place on May 20, 2025 at 6:00 PM EDT. (click here to register)

This webinar is free to members and alumni of Doula School, Discover Birth, and The Nesting Place. Members are welcome to register for one or both sessions. Participants will receive a certificate of attendance that can be used as 1 CEU (continuing education units) at Doula School for each session.

Fee: free for alumni, $35 for outside participants