Why I Advocate for Disability Rights: A Journey of Interconnected Liberation
Understanding the Personal and Collective Struggles That Shape My Advocacy
Introduction
As I sit down to write this article, I'm reminded of the profound experiences and insights that have guided me to this path of education and advocacy. My journey is deeply personal, rooted in my own life and awareness of the myriad struggles and oppressions I have faced due to my multiple identities and intersections.
Personal Reflection on Advocacy Work
Growing up as the grandchild of Irish immigrants who left their homeland due to violent colonization in hopes of a better life, I am part of a lineage of resilience and perseverance. My grandparents' journey and their struggle for survival in a new country profoundly shaped my mother, whose strength and determination, in turn, shaped me. This intergenerational resilience is not just a family trait but a genetic inheritance that links us to those who came before us. Their struggles and joys are embedded in our very DNA, influencing who we are today.
As a descendant of chattel slavery and part of the first generation of Black United States American people to be born free after the civil rights movement, I carry the weight of history and struggle that has shaped my perspective on justice and equality. My dual ethnicity embodies the resilience and joy that come from both Irish and Black United States American heritages, continually informing my ongoing fight for liberation.
Add to this my own experiences with disability, neurodiversity, mixed ethnicity, and poverty, and you can begin to see the complex web of oppression that I navigate daily. My advocacy work is driven by a deep understanding of these interconnected relationships of oppression and liberation. I recognize that advocating for one group cannot be done in isolation from advocating for another. Each of us is entangled in a web of systemic oppression, and we must work together to get free from it.
One poignant example of this interconnectedness is the issue of marriage rights for disabled people. Just as the fight for marriage equality for queer folks was (and continues to be) a critical aspect of LGBTQ+ rights, disabled individuals face their own unique challenges in this area. For many disabled people, getting married can mean losing crucial benefits and support services. This unjust penalty is a stark reminder that our systems are designed to maintain oppression rather than support liberation.
My journey has also been shaped by my personal experience of moving from poverty and teen parenting into what used to be considered the middle class, and now as an elder parent. Navigating these shifts in socioeconomic status has provided me with profound insights into the realities of oppression and resilience. Seeing how things change when moving up the hierarchies of the pyramid scheme of whiteness (classism) has deepened my understanding of the systemic barriers that exist at every level.
Advocating for disability rights is not just about fighting for accessibility and inclusion. It is about challenging the very structures that seek to limit our freedom and potential. It is about recognizing that our liberation is bound up with the liberation of others. Whether it is fighting against ableism, racism, classism, or any other form of oppression, our struggles are interconnected, and our victories must be collective.
My Journey and Insights
My journey into advocacy is a result of living these experiences and understanding the profound impact they have on every aspect of my life. I have seen firsthand how systemic barriers can limit opportunities and perpetuate cycles of poverty and marginalization. But I have also witnessed the power of community, solidarity, and resistance.
Education has always been a cornerstone of my advocacy. By sharing knowledge, raising awareness, and fostering critical thinking, we can begin to dismantle the systems of oppression that hold us back. My work as a trauma-informed decolonization educator and counselor is about creating intentional, inclusive communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Intersectionality of Disability Rights and Other Marginalized Groups
The fight for disability rights intersects with many other marginalized groups’ struggles. Here are a few key intersections:
LGBTQ+ Rights:
Disabled LGBTQ+ individuals often face compounded discrimination due to their intersecting identities. This can manifest in healthcare disparities, lack of appropriate accommodations, and social exclusion. Advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights must include a focus on accessibility and disability inclusion.
Racial Justice:
Black people and other People of color with disabilities face unique challenges that are often overlooked. Racism and ableism intersect to create barriers in education, employment, healthcare, and housing. The Black disabled community, in particular, faces systemic neglect and violence. Advocating for racial justice must include addressing the needs of disabled people of color.
Economic Justice:
Economic disparities disproportionately affect disabled individuals, many of whom live in poverty due to systemic barriers to employment and adequate compensation. Advocacy for economic justice must include fighting for fair wages, employment opportunities, and financial support for disabled individuals.
Gender Equity:
Disabled women and non-binary individuals face specific challenges related to gender-based violence, healthcare access, and reproductive rights. Advocacy for gender equity must consider the unique experiences and needs of disabled people within these groups.
Call to Action
"Share your advocacy stories with us."
I invite you to join this journey of advocacy and liberation. Share your own stories of advocacy, resilience, and resistance. Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive movement for justice.
Resource
Here are some valuable resources and support groups to help you on your advocacy journey:
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF)
Website: dredf.org
Description: A leading national civil rights law and policy center directed by individuals with disabilities and parents who have children with disabilities.
National Disability Rights Network (NDRN)
Website: ndrn.org
Description: The nonprofit membership organization for the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems and the Client Assistance Programs (CAP) for individuals with disabilities.
The Arc
Website: thearc.org
Description: An organization promoting and protecting the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supporting their full inclusion and participation in the community.
Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)
Website: autisticadvocacy.org
Description: A nonprofit organization run by and for autistic people, advocating for systems change and ensuring that the voices of autistic people are heard in policy debates.
National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)
Website: ncil.org
Description: A national cross-disability, grassroots organization run by and for people with disabilities that advocates for the human and civil rights of disabled individuals.
Together, we can make a difference. Let’s continue to educate, advocate, and support one another in our shared struggle for justice and equality.
Conclusion
Advocating for disability rights is not just a professional endeavor for me; it is deeply personal and rooted in my lived experiences and the heritage of resilience and struggle passed down through generations.
The interconnected nature of our struggles means that advocating for one group cannot be done in isolation from advocating for another. Whether it is fighting for the rights of disabled individuals, LGBTQ+ communities, people of color, or economically marginalized groups, our liberation is bound together. The systems of oppression and supremacy that seek to divide and oppress us must be challenged collectively.
By sharing knowledge, raising awareness, and fostering inclusive communities, we can begin to dismantle these oppressive structures.
Thank you for being part of this movement. Your support and engagement are crucial to our collective success. Let’s continue to educate, advocate, and support one another in our shared struggle for justice and equality.
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In solidarity and empowerment,