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Life may not have a universal meaning, but you can give it context.

Context is one of my favorite words. I've always been suspicious of absolutes. Perhaps also because my disability was imposed on me as a label, as something static that is simple. In reality, disabilities are the result of a person's interaction with their environment. I am writing about this reality, my reality, here. I put it in context, the context that I think is missing in society.

This also means writing about life issues. About what could be in the future and what no longer is. About today in context.

So don't expect the "disability issues" you might expect.

The picture shows Saphir Ben Dakon and Sara Staub. The image appears in the branding of the podcast. It shows a blue table with a glass on it. The background is red.Podcast Stammtisch

Podcast Stammtisch

Source: Reflab und reformiert.

AbleismDisability policyPodcasts

Reflab and Reformed regulars' table

Saphir Ben Dakon: Inclusion starts with language

Saphir Ben Dakon was a guest at Sarah Staub's podcast Stammtisch. The Stammtisch is a podcast by Reflab and reformiert.

It was held as part of the action days on the topic of disabilities and barriers. Find out in the podcast why the word disability is inclusive. Listen to something about ableism and classify the term with us. Sara and Saphir shed light on the topic from the perspective of people who are affected themselves. A perspective that is far too rarely taken into account.

Disability policyMedia contributionsPodcasts

Morning guest SRF from 15.05.2024

Interview with Saphir Ben Dakon

The national Disability Rights Action Days of Zukunft Inklusion started on 15.05.2024. In this context, Saphir Ben Dakon was a morning guest on SRF - Swiss Radio and Television.

The following questions were asked:

▪ What are your experiences on public transport?
▪ What do you want from society?

The campaign days are about raising awareness among the general public about the realities of life and the rights of people with disabilities.

In terms of this awareness-raising, it is important for me to mention that Agile is not a disability organization, but the Swiss umbrella organization of self-help and self-advocacy organizations for people with disabilities. In contrast, disability organizations are not founded by people with disabilities and are not run by them. Self-advocacy organizations mean that people with disabilities stand up for their rights themselves and participate in and manage all levels of the organization.

Disability policyMedia contributions

Tagesanzeiger Disability rights in Zurich

Interview with Anja Reichenbach and Saphir Ben Dakon

Many people wonder why the Disability Rights Action Days are needed. Well, the short answer is because neither the Disability Equality Act nor the UN CRPD have been implemented. But also because many people are not yet aware of the realities of life for people with disabilities.

Evelin Meierhofer from Reporter:innen ohne Barrieren interviewed Anja Reichenbach and Saphir Ben Dakon and the article was published in the Tages-Anzeiger.

Disability policyMedia contributions

RSI Telegiornale

Contribution to the opening event of the Disability Rights Action Days in Zurich

Have you thought about improving your Italian lately? The Ticino Television report on the Disability Rights Action Days
Disability Rights by Zukunft Inklusion is the perfect opportunity to do so. A number of people have their say and provide interesting insights. Saphir Ben Dakon had the pleasure of representing Agile in the report and addressed the challenges of including people with disabilities on a meta-level.

The topic of inclusion also includes linguistic inclusion. Switzerland's linguistic diversity is unique. Three recognized sign languages are also spoken in Switzerland.

Saphir Ben Dakon is slightly turned away from the camera. She laughs.The front cover of the field report

The front cover of the field report

Photographer: Louis Hosali

Women with disabilitiesPublications

Ableism and gender

I am Sapphire

As a board member of Agile - The Organizations of People with Disabilities, I am actively involved in the fight against ableism. As an expert in inclusive communication, I am constantly working on the latest findings on non-discriminatory language. My particular focus is on intersectionality and multidimensional discrimination. An important and under-discussed topic is the living situation of women with disabilities in Switzerland. I have therefore written an article for Agile that addresses the topics of ableism and sexism. I also give those affected tips on how to deal with ableism. To do this, I not only use my inclusion expertise, but also my own expertise as a woman with disabilities.

I wish you an exciting read!

Publications

Issue 2: zfo | SGO Communication

The SGO strategy process

In the 2nd SGO Communication 2024 of zfo , the authors Saphir Ben Dakon and Valeska Hoenen report in detail on the SGO strategy process initiated in 2024.

This is being accompanied by Netmap expert Jürg Honegger, who familiarized the Board of Directors with his Success Logic® in an initial workshop.

Saphir co-authored this article on behalf of the SGO with the aim of making the strategy process accessible to interested parties who are not directly involved.

AbleismPodcasts

Radio Kunterbund - Program on the topic of discrimination

Interview with Saphir Ben Dakon

Radio Kunderbund, a program of the Bernese radio station RaBe, interviewed Saphir Ben Dakon on the subject of discrimination. The statements can be found below in written and audio form. The interview begins at timestamp 5:15.

The picture shows Saphir Ben Dakon. She is standing outside in the snow and laughing into the camera.Saphir Ben Dakon giving an interview

Saphir Ben Dakon giving an interview

Source: Pro Infirmis

Disability policyPodcasts

Rally on Helvetiaplatz in Zurich to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Interview with Saphir Ben Dakon

December 3 is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. In 2023, a rally was held on Helvetiaplatz to mark the occasion. Pro Infirmis interviewed Saphir Ben Dakon on the sidelines of the event. She pointed out that inclusion, just like sustainability, the fight against poverty or racism, is a specialist area. It is therefore not a hobby. To be able to pursue inclusion, specialist expertise, a holistic view of the topic and cooperation are important.

You can find out what it takes and what everyone can do to make inclusion a reality in the interview.

The picture shows the screen at the entrance to the event. The logo of the Canton of Zurich, Directorate of Justice of the Interior. The title of the event can also be read..Community Forum 2023 - UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Implementation in the municipalities

Community Forum 2023 - UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Implementation in the municipalities

Photographer: Samuel Schalch

Self-determined lifeInputs

Community Forum 2023 - UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Implementation in the municipalities

Speech Saphir Ben Dakon

As part of the Community Forum 2023, I gave a speech on the topic of "Barriers and their impact on the lives of people with disabilities". The speech was about visible and invisible barriers. The aim was to make these perceptible for the population as a whole and to show those responsible in the municipalities how they can take action by defining three basic attitudes that still prevent inclusion today and presenting the topic based on these widespread attitudes.

In order to also address the topic visually, I disappeared behind a visible barrier while listing the obstacles. This was then removed again when the solutions were explained. This made it possible to recognize the effect of inclusion and the importance of one's own scope for action.

Are you also interested in such an input? I look forward to hearing from you and hope you enjoy reading!

Media contributionsPodcasts

Podcast on the 2023 community forum

Interview Saphir Ben Dakon

Media representatives were also present at the Community Forum 2023. Regionaljournal Zürich Schaffhausen broadcast an audio report on the topic, which you can play from timestamp 7:34 min.

Statements by Saphir Ben Dakon can also be heard in the report. Enjoy listening to it.

Choose an offer

I am happy to accomplish your goals

Did you enjoy the gimpses into my work? Are you inspired and want to put your project into practice? I look forward to hearing from you.

Inclusive and Integrated Communication

Inclusion is not part of everyday life. Let's make it commonplace in communication.
Changing communication requires a clear understanding of language as a system and the resulting rhetoric in society. With this foundation, we are able to assess the influence of these conditions on individuals and organizations and counteract them. On this basis, the understanding of people with disabilities as an entitlement and target group can be promoted. Through knowledge of the recipients, inclusive messages on accessible channels are a matter of implementation.

Keynote and expert input

Disability is part of everyday life. Let's talk about it.
Disability affects all areas of life. In order to create inclusive structures in an organization and provide services for the target group of people with disabilities, inclusion must not only be understood as an overarching concept, but also as a cross-cutting issue. People with specialist expertise should be able to understand, apply and ultimately live inclusion in their specialist areas.

Project Work

We want to achieve great things, let's start small.
In addition to patience, innovative approaches are required to promote inclusion. A project often has to provide proof of impact. In order to achieve impact, a project must be designed with this focus in mind. The initial situation often involves many unknowns. Thanks to my many years of experience in associations and in inclusive project work, I can offer perspectives and create clarity.

Workshop

Inclusion is work. Let's tackle it together.
We need to talk about inclusion and we should do it in such a way that inclusion becomes a reality. The step from initial awareness-raising to personal and organizational change is particularly critical. The motivation that arises from raising awareness should be used in a targeted manner. To this end, interested parties must be given concrete recommendations for action and the necessary tools to implement them. Developing these in a participatory manner is the next step. Let's take it together.

Podium and Moderation

People need space. Inclusion makes it usable.
We need time and space to familiarize ourselves in depth with equity issues and make them useful for ourselves and our organizations. It is important for me to create such spaces in order to promote organizational and social discourse around disabilities.

Creative and Scientific Writing

Using words to describe realities and make them accessible.
In order to live inclusion, we must constantly address equity issues from different perspectives. Discussion is essential for topics to evolve. Clear words, in-depth research, hard and soft facts help us to create a strong foundation for this undertaking.