The Power of Disability Advocacy: Making a Difference and Driving Change

I know I have written a lot about disability advocacy I felt it was time for a refresher/ beginner's guide for those who are reading this blog for the first time and do not know much about disability advocacy. I recommend you read this blog first and then sample my other pieces. 

Disability advocacy is a formidable force that has the power to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and drive meaningful change in society. It serves as a catalyst for transforming attitudes, policies, and systems, ultimately creating a more inclusive and equitable world. In this blog post, we will explore the remarkable power of disability advocacy, highlighting how it makes a difference and drives change at individual, societal, and systemic levels.

Empowering Individuals and Amplifying Voices:

Disability advocacy provides individuals with disabilities a platform to be heard, acknowledged, and valued. It empowers them to advocate for their rights, express their needs and aspirations, and participate fully in society. By amplifying their voices, disability advocacy helps individuals gain confidence, build self-advocacy skills, and assert their rightful place in all aspects of life.

Shattering Stereotypes and Promoting Inclusion:

One of the key roles of disability advocacy is challenging misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding disabilities. Through awareness campaigns, education, and personal stories, disability advocates work tirelessly to dismantle biases, promoting a more accurate and inclusive understanding of disability. By highlighting the diverse abilities and talents of individuals with disabilities, advocacy efforts foster a culture of acceptance, respect, and celebration of differences.

Influencing Policy and Legislation:

Disability advocacy plays a pivotal role in shaping policies and legislation that protect the rights and improve the lives of people with disabilities. Advocates work closely with lawmakers, government bodies, and organizations to advocate for the removal of discriminatory practices, the implementation of accessibility standards, and the provision of necessary support services. By driving legislative change, disability advocacy ensures equal opportunities, access to healthcare, education, employment, and independent living for all individuals with disabilities.

Fostering Accessibility and Universal Design:

Accessibility is a fundamental aspect of disability advocacy. Advocates work towards creating an inclusive environment where people with disabilities can fully participate. This involves advocating for accessible infrastructure, public spaces, transportation, information and communication technologies, and digital platforms. By promoting universal design principles, disability advocacy not only benefits individuals with disabilities but also creates a more inclusive society that benefits everyone.

Promoting Employment and Economic Independence:

Disability advocates strive to break down employment barriers and promote economic independence for individuals with disabilities. They work with employers to raise awareness about the value of inclusive hiring practices and the benefits of a diverse workforce. Through advocacy efforts, job opportunities are created, workplace accommodations are implemented, and discriminatory practices are challenged, fostering an environment of equal employment opportunities and economic empowerment.

The power of disability advocacy cannot be understated. It has the potential to transform lives, challenge societal norms, and drive change at all levels. By empowering individuals, shattering stereotypes, influencing policy, fostering accessibility, and promoting economic independence, disability advocacy paves the way for a more inclusive and equitable society. It is through collective efforts and the unwavering determination of disability advocates that we can build a world where every person, regardless of ability, is embraced, valued, and given equal opportunities to thrive. Let us stand together and continue to harness the power of disability advocacy to make a difference and drive lasting change.

Till next time, Jay. 

Lessons Learned: Self-Reliance

So I didn't write a lot in 2014 yet, but I promise that will change. This posting will be my 40^th blog. It is amazing what this blog has grown into a little over nine months.

            Nine months ago, I was angry and bitter and didn't know how to deal with it. They say life has a funny way of working out. I can't say that I would say that in nine months, I found my voice or at least the beginnings of it. As this blog says, I have learned a few things over the past little bit. I've written about comedy, I've written about political issues, and I've written about disability stereotypes; however, this blog will be a little different.

            Maybe it's because of how I was raised, but I have developed a fighter spirit that is both a good thing and a bad thing. As I sit down to write this post, in fact, I still remember the latest fight I had with my parents about being self-reliant. Without boring you with the gritty details, let's say we disagreed on how self-sufficient I should be at this point in my life.  My fight with my parents had nothing to do with a disability, at least on the surface; however, it got me thinking about a disability community problem.

            I've read a lot lately since graduating from my master's program in early December of 2013. I don't know whether it was intentional or not, but many titles have been related to making one's destiny. The last book I finished, I am Malala, was a highly publicized book about a girl shot by the Taliban in Pakistan to speak up for girls' educational rights. That book not only blended history and culture, but it struck me on a personal level. The circumstances Malala had to overcome put her in extreme danger every day. Regardless of that danger, she still stood up for what she wanted.  She knew no one else was going to give it to her unless she proves herself.

Similarly, A Bold Piece of Humanity, by Bill O'Reilly, discussed the controversial commentator's belief system and how he had come to reach those beliefs. While some of Mr. O’Reilly's political views may not sit well with some, the striking thing about this book was that like Malala; he did not rely on anyone to hand him success. No, he just took it.

            What does this all have to do with disability, one might ask? Well, it is simple. I've noticed lately, and I include myself in this generalization as well, that most people with disabilities let external forces control their lives. Often they feel trapped by circumstance, so we do not complain when our aide care is sub-par or something doesn't get done in a typical fashion because we are disabled. No, we accept it as our reality. Well, the above two books, along with something my father has been trying to tell me for forever, have finally sunk in.  Hard work isn't easy. I will use a parable from a well-known book for those of you who need it put simpler. Whether or not you believe it that Jesus of Nazareth is God as I do, the Bible does have one exciting thing that everyone can live by. Give a man a fish, feed him for a day, teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime. This is not a wealth criticism or even a social criticism; instead, in this case, it is a disability criticism.

            I am criticizing those like myself in the disability community who often let their circumstances define their lives.  Yes, our lives may be challenging, but our obstacles are no different than anyone else's. We are no other than a single mom of four that I know who busts her ass every day and sometimes goes without to help me and make her kid's lives better. We are also no different from a 49-year-old man who goes to work every day and doesn't smoke a day in his life but ends up getting cancer at 50. He still must get up, go to chemo, and move on with his life. We are no different from my Dad, who was perfectly healthy a year ago and is now fighting every day to keep his spirits up and keep moving towards his retirement dream. I know that was long-winded, but I do have a point.

            Disabled people think that because we rely on other people so much, whether we have a physical or mental disability, we are not in control of our lives. I'm here to tell you that our lives are what we make them, no one else.

If we do not have much physical control, then we can demand high expectations of those who do have biological control over our lives. Disability is not a limit, just a challenge. Quit letting it limit you and start challenging it. Your experiences will be better in the short term, and the world will be better in the long run. 

 

We’re Really Not That Different: Part 2

Disabled and can’t work? Call xxx-xxx-and-we-will-get-the money-you-deserve-at-no-fee-unless-we-win-your-case. I saw this ad for a law firm that will remain nameless late last night as I was browsing my Cable, and it raised an interesting question in my mind. Are these ads another way to perpetuate stereotypes of disability? I was not convinced one way or another until this morning I saw one of those ads that claimed the following: “Does your child has a birth injury?” And then listed several, including my disability. The ad went on to say that the disabilities entitled the persons concerned to large sums of money. Then they guaranteed that they would help advocate for that money.

After seeing both of these ads, it raised a profoundly disturbing question. Why do we perceive disability as so weak? This goes back to my terminology debates. In my opinion, but quite simply, I believe we perceive disability as a weakness rather than an obstacle. This is by the way we address it.

       To bring home my point, let me address two crucial areas of life: social interaction. The other being that of earning a living. Finally, I will manage a broken system, which reinforces stereotypes. As I’ve said previously, there are two types of disability. One a person is born with and one a person acquires through some means or another later. No matter what type of disability one has, though, it seems that as soon as one is labeled with a “disability,” they are also labeled as weak and need protection or assistance—for example, the law firm’s ad equating disability to not being able to earn a living. I have several things I could say about this ad, many of which are not pleasant, but the most constructive response I have to it is I understand their desired message. However, the way they present it could be different.

       Any lawyer out there who does disability work can feel free to correct me on this point. I believe that the producers and writers of this and are trying to convey that if one is suddenly overcome with a disability after not having one for so long, then it can be overwhelming either emotionally, physically, and in the least thought about way, which would be financial. This point is fair, but I argue the premise that one who is disabled can no longer work needs to be re-thought. Perhaps instead of disabled and can’t work—we will get you the money you need to survive…the slogan could be something like below. “Disabled and have to re-think things? We will get the money you need to get things back under control.” Just because someone is disabled doesn’t mean they cannot contribute to society. Ads like these are not the only element of society preventing disabled people from being meaningful contributors to society in great need of contributions.

The second element is that of something I like to call “the social and projection bias.” What is this bias, you ask? Simply put, it is the idea that disabled people need to be protected from themselves and cruel society. This idea is not only archaic, but it is detrimental to disabled people and society in general. I know many people that believe in the “fixing” philosophy, i.e., that wherever possible, a portion of the person’s disability that can be fixed needs to be. This is harmful from a social interaction standpoint. I agree that if a person’s health is in jeopardy from a particular facet of their disability, that needs to be addressed. Otherwise, aspects of their disability that are aesthetically are not pleasing or cosmetic adjustments be left alone. Simply because this will give the disabled person a better sense of identity and realism, another social aspect that needs to be addressed is that disabled people are supposed to fit a specific mold that we are supposed to be one type of person.     As I have said in “We Are Not That Different,” disabled people are just that! People first. Because we are all people first, we are all different. We do not fit into a cookie-cutter mold. Some of us are quiet and reserved that enjoy our solitude, while others are outgoing, adventurous, and even a little crazy (in the right way). What am I getting at? Society, and more importantly, the people close to people with disabilities should not restrict their activities because they are disabled. If there is a safe way for someone to (for example) go skydiving without becoming a chalk outline, then, by all means, they should be allowed to go for it. I don’t know how often I get the question, “Wow, you drink beer and go out when you’re disabled? How is that possible?” Let me re-emphasize again; the chair does not define me. I define how I use the chair. All that said, ads on T.V. and social perceptions are not the main problems. They are just part of it. If disabled people want to be seen as “not that different,” there is another issue we need to address.

       In general, the system is broken, and by that, I mean all aspects of the system, in general, are broken. The perception of disability as a weakness is reinforced by ads on T.V., implying that once you are disabled, you can no longer contribute to society. At the same time, social stigmas would have created those ads in general. The disabled community as a whole is oppressed by a society living in an archaic mindset and being oppressed by themselves. They are okay with a social security system that only earns $65 a month without losing their benefits. They should be screaming bloody murder at this injustice, but instead, we sit back and take it. It all comes down to one thing. Change is not easy, but to quote a dear friend of mine who is no longer with us, “There are doers, and there are talkers. Which one are disabled people as a community going to be?”