The Voiceless Minority

A common topic discussed within the disability community is the need for affordable, accessible housing. A home is supposed to be a haven, a refuge to relax in, but for those with disabilities, an inaccessible home can be an unsafe hindrance. With the use of reasonable accommodations and universal design homes, people with disabilities can once again find a safe and accessible haven. One of the first lessons a person with a disability learns is to adapt to the world around them. Those who cannot afford a fully customized accessible dwelling can find it frustrating and ultimately unsafe. When I moved into my first apartment. I was placed in a unit that had steps at the entrance. The steps had railings on both sides. I was able to lift my four-wheel walker up the steps one-handed while maintaining my balance by using my other hand to hold onto the railing as I walked up the steps. I did this for a while until I had a decline in my health and had to begin using a wheelchair. From that poi...

  Do you support disabled entrepreneurs? If you answered yes, then you should wear purple socks on December 3!   Seems silly, right? Well, the idea for this came about last year from Victoria Jenkins, an award-winning adaptive designer, speaker, disability advocate, and writer. She backed last year’s Purple Sock Day as a way to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities.   Victoria Jenkins' work last year was an incredible way to support entrepreneurs with disabilities. Oftentimes, people with disabilities like myself are often told that we will never amount to anything, much less design a business or make any profits. Let’s explore other ways to support disabled entrepreneurs beyond just purchasing our product or using our service.   ●      Partner with entrepreneurs with disabilities in areas where they need more support. Let’s say you know someone with a disability who wants to start up a business. However, an area that they need supp...

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...

Imagine you had just graduated from high school and you are considering what to do next. You have a passion for learning and helping others, so you decide to pursue teaching as a career. For those who do pursue this noble profession, the world says thank you. I went to school to become a teacher, but due to circumstances and individual biases, I did not end up becoming one in the traditional sense. I have indeed found my way to teach through this blog and my advocacy efforts; however, this particular piece is a nod to teachers in the traditional sense. It will discuss teaching as a profession and a teaching style that I wish had been more prevalent when I was in school pursuing my post-secondary education. What is that style, you may ask? It is known as inclusive learning. To begin, let’s discuss what it takes to become a teacher in America versus other places around the world. To become a teacher in America, one has to obtain at least a bachelor’s degree in either education or a par...

  Whether you love him or hate him, Donald Trump won a second term in the White House last year. There is no changing that. For the next three and a half years, barring an accident or his death, he will be the President of the United States and play a significant role in shaping policies that affect the Voiceless Minority. Members of The Voiceless Minority, like myself, have already seen President Trump make drastic cuts to Medicaid. For those readers who are unaware of the significance of Medicaid to people with disabilities, let me take a few minutes to educate you, the reader, on the program’s benefits. Medicaid provides assistance to people with disabilities and those who have a low income. The requirements to obtain/stay on Medicaid mean you are forced to remain at or below the poverty level. Before my readers who are Conservative comment something like, "No one is forced to be poor if you work hard, you can achieve anything. I must say that while this sentiment is a good ide...

  The simple act of getting dressed in the morning can be a genuine struggle for someone who has a disability. For not only themselves but for those assisting them. Adaptive fashion has made this simple task that many may take for granted much easier. Many recognizable clothing companies have now made it part of their mission to include adaptive wear in their collections. Some notable mentions include Zappos, Steve Madden, Tommy Hilfiger, Kohl's, Target, Victoria’s Secret, and PINK. Adaptive clothing is clothing designed to be more comfortable and easier to use for people with disabilities, injuries, or age-related limitations. These clothes feature modifications like magnetic closures, wider openings, and adaptable fits to address challenges with traditional clothing. The goal is to enhance independence and dignity during dressing and undressing.  In the past, if someone needed clothing tailored to fit them specifically due to a disability or condition, they had to either cre...

 I was born country, and that's what I'll always be. This old Alabama song lyric came to mind while I was researching for this article. For anyone who knows me, it's no secret that I love country music. Still, I prefer city creature comforts over country life, despite my claims to be a country enthusiast. However, my research for this article has given me hope that outdoor spaces may become more accessible to me and others like me in the future. I know nature is going to become less hilly and treacherous, but I mean that camping outdoors may be more accessible than I had previously thought. The rest of this article will outline some key considerations for making your outdoor adventure accessible. I live in Florida, where we're known for Disney World and election headaches, but we also have some pretty cool places. However, when you are a wheelchair user like me, camping is not usually high on your priority list. In an article that was published late last September in ...