We All Need to Get Involved and Control Our Stories

According to the National Safety Council approximately 49 people become disabled every minute in the United States. Depending on the statistics used, somewhere between 18% and 20% of the population have a disability. Despite these numbers we are still not seen by many as a normal part of the fabric of America. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and 2009 was the tenth anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision upholding the integration mandate. Despite having civil rights laws behind us, a federal administration more committed to the principal and enforcement of community living, society has not moved forward. Ours is the only minority group that routinely has its independence and freedom ripped away by being placed in institutions. Ours is the only minority group that has members who are not allowed to choose when and what they eat, when they sleep, who they see, where they go. Ours is the only minority group where this removal of civil rights and segregation is viewed as compassionate and necessary - not cruel and inhumane. In addition to the legal avenues we can take to assert our rights to have the same life experiences as everyone else, now we need to take control of the stories around disability and make those stories about the normalness of all we do and who we are.



Many states are facing budget deficits. One of the first things on the chopping block is services that are essential for people to live in their communities instead of being institutionalized. Decision makers just see a dollar amount to cut. They are unwilling to look into it all a little further. In addition to being a civil rights violation it is also fiscally irresponsible – three to four people can be served in the community for every one person forced to live in an institution. So why are these bad moral and fiscal decisions so acceptable? Because we are seen as different and not an integral part of society as a whole.



Individuals with disabilities need to get involved and should no longer believe that “someone else” will fight for their rights. We need to show our numbers; how big this community is; and how we are part of every aspect of life. We all need to say in a loud, steady, forceful voice that we have the same hopes, dreams, aspirations as every other human being, and that our differences bring texture to the fabric of society and should be welcomed and cherished.



Community services are being threatened, and you need to get involved. Tell your elected officials that violating civil rights cannot be a money saving measure. Be a visible and vocal part of your community. Let people experience all that people with disabilities have to offer - let them see difference as the wonderful thing that it is.