By: Allyson Masterson
Disability Pride Month not only celebrates the many ways in which disabled people positively contribute to society, but also the advancements they made throughout history to secure their civil rights as human beings. One of those advancements started in March with the Capitol Crawl of 1990, when disabled individuals of all ages gathered on the Capitol steps and literally crawled up them to protest the Americans with Disabilities Act being repeatedly pushed off the agenda. Their goal was to highlight how essential the Act was for all people with disabilities, especially those with physical limitations. The fact that the protesters couldn’t walk up the steps to address Congress underscored the importance of adapting public spaces for all to enjoy.
There was even a moment during the multi-day protest when protesters chained their wheelchairs together in the Rotunda to show they would not move until the Act was passed swiftly. Eventually, the police arrested them, taking two hours to cut the chains and carry them out of the Capitol. All these efforts led to the ADA passing Congress with an overwhelming majority and being signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in July of 1990.
Ukeru is all about creating safe, inclusive, and comforting spaces for everyone; both individuals served and those who provide care. This month’s theme, “The World Works Better with Us,” directly emphasizes our philosophy of prioritizing comfort over control. When we understand where people come from and get to know them as people, we can create a more inclusive and diverse world. According to Pam Martin, Grafton’s Lead Training Support Manager, “[Someone’s] disability is just one aspect about that person. There is so much more that makes them a unique individual that you should learn about.” One way to bring comfort to a space is to build relationships with the people within it, embracing what makes each individual unique within the community’s dynamic.
Even small tasks, such as building experiences and places that are accessible to diverse people, can bring comfort and safety to those who are marginalized. Ukeru customer and organization, Community Integrated Services (CIS), internalizes this mission by creating more inclusive employment options for those with disabilities. As Alan Scott, Assistant Director of Benefits at CIS, says, “Small actions—such as using inclusive language, considering accessibility when planning events, and challenging stereotypes—can help create a culture where everyone feels welcomed and valued.” It is easy to see the large actions of people in the past and feel that everyone must do big things to create positive change. However, even the smallest of gestures can influence larger attitudes in a ripple effect.
This month, as we reflect on the past and embrace the possibilities of the future, one small way to embrace the contributions of people with disabilities is to amplify their voices and listen. Stefanee Lambert, Grafton’s Clinical Administrator at the Richmond location, researched the month’s history and listened to those who identified as disabled. She concluded that “Disability Pride Month is about moving away from focusing on having empathy and moving towards action that creates equal access and opportunity.” Stefanee’s approach to research and Ukeru’s philosophy of comfort over control exemplifies what Disability Pride Month is all about: amplifying the voices of those with disabilities and creating spaces where they feel valued.
To learn more about the experiences of real people with disabilities in the community, as told by those with disabilities, please explore the Rooted In Rights website.
