Striving to remove barriers that prevent us from building Vibrant, Diverse, Inclusive, Accessible Communities!
Disability awareness should extend beyond a single month, week, or day on the calendar. While Disability Pride Month in July highlights the importance of recognizing People with Disabilities, true inclusion requires daily efforts in removing barriers that prevent us from building Vibrant, Diverse, Inclusive, Accessible Communities! Our community-building initiatives should ensure that accessibility and inclusion are not mere checkboxes but are ingrained in every aspect of our communities. Acknowledging that the well-being of People with Disabilities is a collective responsibility demands continuous commitment.
Life-giving care, resources, accessibility, and validation should be consistent and unwavering. These essentials should not be dependent on convenience or public perception but provided every single day. Our communities should strive to remove the barriers that keep People with Disabilities dependent on systems rigged against them. Until we actively engage in fostering inclusive environments, we create these barriers, preventing the potential of People with Disabilities from being fully realized.
The injustices faced by People with Disabilities require urgent advocacy. The struggles detailed by Mia Maysack highlight the egregious barriers that persist in our communities, from inadequate support to the punitive nature of disability benefits. These injustices are not just personal problems but collective failures in our community-building efforts. Removing these barriers and creating a world where People with Disabilities can live with dignity, free from the fear of losing essential support, is essential.
Shifting focus from temporary recognition to lasting change is crucial. Disability Pride should not be limited to a fleeting moment of acknowledgment but should be a continuous effort to create inclusive communities. It’s time to challenge societal attitudes and remove barriers that prevent People with Disabilities from fully participating in all aspects of life. Let’s work together to ensure that our communities are truly accessible and inclusive.
Read the Full Article: The Pride and Prejudice of Living with Disability
by: Mia Maysack
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