Ships Journal

About Dis the Dis

Dis – it’s just three letters but this prefix has such negative vibes. It means not or none. So, when we add ‘dis’ to the beginning of a word, we turn it into something negative, like when we add it to the word ‘abled’ to form ‘dis-abled’

At Dis the Dis we aim to challenge the perceived negativity that comes with being labelled Disabled.  It can impact on peoples’ perceptions of being incapable, another negatively prefixed category. While some people don’t see the term ‘disabled’ as a negative, a great many people living with disability do and that’s why we think we should “Dis the dis” in disability.

We want to start a discussion on the use of the word ‘disability’ by challenging people of all abilities to find a way to work together, find common ground and help people living with disability to become ‘en’abled.

 

We aim to do this in 3 ways…

1. Raise Awareness

There are many ways to raise awareness but one of the best is to have some fun. Through ‘Dress like a Pirate Day’ we aim to raise awareness about the way people who are living with disabilities are just seen as ‘dis’abled and not for the things they are ‘cap’able of doing.

 

2. Share stories

Tell us your tales and you’ll probably find that others are living the same things.  Find ideas and hope in other people’s journeys. Be inspired, be outraged, be informed and be yourself. 

 
 

3. Build a community

A ship is only as strong as it’s crew and we’re aiming to assemble the best, most adventurous crew around.

Meet the Team

  • Coxswain - Lassy Anouska 

    FOUNDER

    Lassy Anouska is able-bodied. Despite this, she can't see over the wheel, navigates by the stars and interestingly prefers squawking seagulls to talking parrots. She has friends who have disabilities. Anouska loves to see the world through alternative mindsets and is always angling towards fun solutions.

    "I'm enlightened when I hear stories of success and love people who overcome challenges. Everyday I learn something new about this through being exposed to it. I just think we can all learn more if we share. The idea surrounding dis the dis is to bring people like you, me, my friends, together to talk about disability".

  • Powder monkey - Quickfire Sam

    FOUNDER & FINANCIER

    Quickfire Sam is a bear of a man. He will never run a shot across a bow prefering to shoot straight first.

    He was approached to hear the stories of some sectors of disability that were lacking in equality. Mainly around stigma to lack of employment opportunities.

    Quickfire Sam quickly realised he was completely unaware of how bad things had gotten and was compelled to intervene.

    Somebody poked the bear.

    3 years on the high seas, hungry for revenge, and sea sick, he is our grumpiest crew member.....Grrrr.

  • First Mate - Seafaring Ferg

    FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR

    Dad of two, husband of one, Ferg has a background in Advertising and Communications where he’s been known to rock the boat.

    Inspired by his kids, he’s been known to frequently ask the questions “Why?” and “Why not?”. He brings this healthy scepticism and the need to challenge the status quo to Dis the Dis.

    If the words “But we’ve always done it that way” exit ye mouth, be prepared to be asked to 'walk the plank'.

  • Pirate Fairy - Navigator Nabila

    STRATEGIST & DESIGNER

    Nabila is a curious and empathic dust-keeper fairy who is intrigued by blue pixie dust (technology). She wonders at its endless possibilities and many magical properties, "how can we harness the power of tech to build a more inclusive and accessible world?"

    Though career advisors tells her that it is forbidden to tamper with pixie dust she mixes the ingredients (Branding, User Interface, User Research & Testing, User Experience, Design & development) to find quicker, leaner methods to help game-changers like Lassy Anouska to launch and grow their movement.