Getting a Seat at the Table
The concept of "nothing about us without us" is very important. It is important for those affected by an issue to come up with solutions to solve the issue. The people affected by an issue would be most equipped to come up with a solution that works best. The only problem with that mentality is that it requires everyone else to listen.
How can we make people want to listen? How do we show them that our voices as a community matter?
All communities have people who disagree so how do we deal with a disagreement or lack of concern?
Keep bringing up the issue even when it isn't the main topic of conversation.
Ableism for example is a huge problem that affects the disabled community. No one wants to call out their well-meaning friend who suggested you join a non-disabled gym. I make excuses all of the time for friends who agreed to be my roommate. They didn't want to find an accessible apartment when they could find one with stairs that are half the price.
It's okay to acknowledge that friend's behavior. Personal growth often is uncomfortable. The friendship will survive if that friend is willing to listen.
You have to figure out how to bridge gaps within your community. The disability community has a wide range of abilities. A person who is blind does not face the same issue as a person who uses a wheelchair. We have to figure out the best way to help each other.
The beautiful thing about the disabled community is it is so vast. Every major social issue has someone with a disability that is a part of that group. Promoting people with disabilities shows that we are everywhere.
The more visible people with disabilities are in the public, the more able-bodied people will realize that disabilities affect everyone. I also think that the broad variety and intersectionality of disabilities puts the disabled community in a unique position. People with disabilities should try to be aware of everyone's struggles. After all, how can you expect people to fight for you, if you won't fight for them?
Photo by Tumisu courtesy of Pixabay.
This article was inspired by the podcast episode with Laura Garcia, CEO of Global Greengrants Fund. Here is the link to the episode.
Stephanie Wyatt has Cerebral Palsy and uses a manual wheelchair. She spends her free time hanging out with her best friend Carmen and her dog Ama Angelica.
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