The Voiceless Minority

Photo Credit: shutterstock-entertainmentdaily.com                                                                                                  Recently, I wrote an article about how the word 'disability' is not a dirty word; however, for some people, the language they use to describe their disability is just as empowering as the word' disability. Whether you call it a disability or a difference, embracing it is key. British actor Arthur Hughes refers to his disability as an upper limb difference because he has radial dysplasia. Radial dysplasia is a disability in which the radial bone of one or both arms is missing. In some cases, such as Arthur's, other portions of the arm or hand may also be miss...

Over twelve years ago, when this blog began, I wrote a piece entitled “ Terminology Debate” . It talked about the power of language and the positive language I use to refer to my disability. In that blog, I talked about how some people view the word disability as a negative word. All these years later, I feel it is essential to have that discussion again. For those of you who followed my journey these last 12 years, you know I am a journalist and a part-time screenwriter. As a writer, it is my responsibility to use language effectively to convey my ideas. As humans, language is the one constant. That being said, it is our job as writers to adapt to change within the language or context in which it is used. I will be honest and say this is the hardest part of my job because I am not always politically correct. I say all that to get back to my main point: the word disability has been under attack in recent years, but I am here to defend it once again. In today’s society, people are easil...

I have been writing for this blog for 12 years. I have found a new passion in the form of advocacy, and over the last 12 years, I have not only found my voice but have also helped others find theirs. However, when I was younger, I had a slightly different passion, which some would have called an obsession. I was a hardcore gamer. The first system I could play by myself was the Super Nintendo. My favorite game was Bart’s Nightmare—one of the many Simpsons games that came out in the early '90s. I also played the classics such as Paperboy and Yoshi’s Island, just to name a few. That slowly changed as time progressed; my love for video games did not disappear, but my ability to use my hands drastically changed, and even though, whenever possible, I used an adaptive controller. It was basically an arcade-style joystick with big buttons to make it easier to see. Also, you did not have to use a great deal of force for the buttons to react to your touch. Unfortunately, as time and technolo...

One of the biggest misconceptions about disability is that just because one has a disability, one cannot learn. Pieces of legislation in recent history, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education (IDEA) and the Individualized Education Program (IEP), have mitigated this misconception to a degree but are they enough to break the glass ceiling that society has imposed on disabled individuals as a result of what they have been taught about disabilities in the first place? The term ‘glass ceiling’ is typically used in business settings, and it refers to the final position an individual reaches beyond which they are unable to advance despite having qualifications that make them eligible for higher-level positions. To be clear, this has to do with bias that exists in those environments, not necessarily the policies that are in place. However, for this piece, I will use it about those who have disabilities that have been, or are currently being, educationally stunted by those around ...

                                      Many years ago, I wrote a blog post entitled “Terminology Debate,” which explored the impact of language on society. Well, as they say, evergreen material constantly circles back around. The time has come to revisit the topic of language. We all know President Trump does not pull punches and is not the most sensitive or eloquent person. That being said, this blog has nothing to do with politics; instead, it addresses some insensitive remarks Trump made late last year. He used the “r-word” about former Vice President Kamala Harris. I am not only blaming President Trump for the resurgence of the “r-word; however, it cannot be denied that he has a large following and a great deal of influence. When political figures use such derogatory language, they make it seem acceptable. As an article written for Disability Scoop states, there has been an increase in the ...

  Happy, wonderful Wednesday, everyone. We hope you have enjoyed our recent articles. We would like to thank Samantha Lebron for her honest and raw piece from yesterday about her struggle with Hyperacusis. Your willingness to be so vulnerable is refreshing. We look forward to pieces from you in the near future. Today, we return to the frequent topic of politics. Late last week, the Trump administration removed a rule put in place by the Biden administration that would have ended the practice of paying some people with disabilities subminimum wages. Specifically, the rule would have put an end to sheltered workshops and C-14 certificates. What is a C-14 certificate? Essentially, it allows businesses that obtain one to pay people with disabilities significantly less than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Indeed, sometimes workers in these establishments are paid between One to two dollars per hour. For several years now, there have been those in the disability community who...

It is the Fourth of July, the weather is nice with no rain in sight, and the sun has set a few hours prior. You are with friends and family at a local outdoor location to enjoy some fireworks. Before you know it, the sky is lit up with beautiful colors. Then you glance to the side and notice a young child sitting on the ground with their hands covering their ears. You do not think much of it. You figure the fireworks are too loud for them to handle, but what if this were a full-grown adult? Would you think differently? In the above scenario, I would be the full-grown adult covering my ears because I have a hearing disorder called hyperacusis. Hyperacusis is a rare hearing disorder that makes everyday sounds seem unbearably loud, painful, or frightening. The brain perceives sounds as loud regardless of their frequency, whether low or high. For as long as I can remember, sounds have always dictated how I go about my day. I was not diagnosed with hyperacusis until I was 25.  Before my...

Another week is beginning here at The Voiceless Minority. We hope you had a restful, enjoyable weekend. Now it’s back to the advocacy grindstone. Near the end of last week, we focused on several topics, including AI chatbots and their potential to assist people with autism. We also focused on an initiative put together by Wells Fargo Bank to change the way corporate America thinks about disability. Today, our focus is on something a little different. Last October, Disability Scoop shared an article that was first published in the Portland Press Herald. The article explored the notion that individuals under guardianship frequently lack access to legal counsel. The article defined guardianship for a person with a disability as the legal process that gives someone authority to make decisions for another person, often someone who has an intellectual or developmental disability. In most cases, it’s a parent seeking guardianship of a child once they reach adulthood, but there are many instan...

  It is time to put virtual pen to paper once again. The Voiceless Minority has been silent for the last two months, and we apologize for that. As anyone who is an activist for any cause knows, advocacy never stops. We recognize that our silence over the last two months not only affects us personally, but also significantly impacts The Voiceless Minority as a whole. That being said, let’s transition into today’s post. On June 14th, Michelle Zeman, Samantha Lebron, and I gave a presentation at the 27th Annual Family Café, which told the story of the Voiceless Minority, at least, up until now. For those who are not aware, The Family Café is a Florida-based organization that has held the largest disability resource expo in the United States for the last 27 years. According to their website, The Family Café began in 1998 when a group of parents of children with disabilities recognized their shared challenge in finding the information, resources, and knowledge they required to facilitat...

On April 6, 2025, the U.S. Autism Show occurred in Honolulu, Hawaii. Speakers Michelle Zeman (L) and Martin Slyngstad (R) are standing with Daniel Zimmerman (M) to show off the Proclamation that Slyngstad and Zimmerman received in honor of April being Autism Acceptance Month in Honolulu A couple of weeks ago, I shared that I would travel to Honolulu, Hawaii, to speak at the first U.S. Autism Show. Now that the event has wrapped, I wanted to reflect on the experience and share what that was like.   I was honored to be one of only eight presenters at this event. Standing at the podium and sharing my story was profoundly personal and empowering. It was a chance to speak openly about my journey – through diagnosis, therapy, professional growth, and advocacy – and connect with others through shared experiences.   If you couldn't attend the talk, I shared my journey through several key areas of my life. I started by talking about my experiences before receiving a diagnosis—what life...

Image description: Voting stations against a wall. On March 25th, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) titled "Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections." This EO proposes many changes to how our elections work, including voter eligibility, maintaining voter registration lists, vote-by-mail processes, which voting machines can be used, and who is responsible for managing elections. American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is highly concerned that if any aspects of this EO go into effect, voters with disabilities and other marginalized communities will be disproportionately harmed. Already, disabled voters face increased challenges in accessing their right to vote because of policies and practices that make voting difficult. The policies in the Executive Order are voter suppression tactics – policies that make it harder for many Americans to vote. This order comes at a time when Congress is actively considering similar voter sup...