The Importance of Disability Advocacy: How to Get Involved and Make an Impact
In the fight for equity and inclusion, disability advocacy is essential—and often, it’s both personal and systemic. With more than 47 years of experience as a wheelchair user, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of standing up for the rights of people with disabilities and the impact we can make when we come together. My journey began in West Hartford, Connecticut, where I was the first child with a disability mainstreamed in the public school system and the first wheelchair user to participate in little league and high school tennis. Today, I’m deeply involved in advocacy work, from nonprofit leadership to shaping state policy, to ensure access and independence for everyone in the disability community.
Disability advocacy is a powerful tool, bringing positive change to many areas: healthcare, transportation, housing, employment, and more. As we explore the key issues facing the disability community, let’s look at how anyone, regardless of their background, can get involved and help build a more inclusive future.
Key Issues in Disability Advocacy: A Path to Independence
One of the core issues that affects the disability community is the pursuit of independence. For many, independence goes hand-in-hand with access to quality education, inclusive housing, accessible transportation, and fair employment opportunities. These factors can seem straightforward, yet they can pose complex challenges. During my five years as the first-ever Governor’s Liaison to the Disability Community in a Cabinet-level role, I found that what may seem like simple accessibility solutions are often complicated in practice. Bridging these gaps became not just a professional focus but a deeply personal mission.
Education: The Foundation of Independence
Access to quality education for individuals with disabilities is a cornerstone of independence, and it’s an area that has seen notable progress but also faces persistent barriers. As a child, I was fortunate to be mainstreamed in public schools—a groundbreaking move in my hometown at the time. This early integration not only provided me with academic opportunities but also the confidence to pursue activities that many might have thought inaccessible, like little league baseball and high school tennis. However, studies show that people with disabilities still face disparities in educational outcomes, often due to a lack of inclusive learning environments or tailored resources. Continued advocacy is needed to ensure that every child with a disability receives the support they deserve.
Employment: Overcoming Barriers in the Workforce
Employment is one of the most powerful means for individuals to gain independence and self-sufficiency. However, people with disabilities face unemployment rates nearly twice that of the general population, largely due to discrimination, inadequate accommodations, and lingering social stigma. Employment advocacy is an area close to my heart, having seen firsthand both the possibilities and challenges in my own career and through my work as a state-level advocate. Organizations and businesses can help break these barriers by fostering inclusive hiring practices and creating accessible workplaces that recognize the contributions people with disabilities bring to the workforce.
Healthcare Access: A Continuous Struggle
Access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right, yet it remains a significant hurdle for many within the disability community. The issues are often twofold: physical inaccessibility of healthcare facilities and systemic lack of understanding of disability-related health needs. Without proper access, individuals with disabilities face unnecessary health risks and barriers to well-being. This is where advocacy becomes crucial—not only for the creation of more accessible healthcare facilities but for policies that prioritize disability awareness and training within the medical field.
Social Stigma: Education as the Key to Change
One of the most pervasive barriers people with disabilities face is social stigma. This stigma can manifest as misconceptions, biases, or even a lack of consideration for people with disabilities in everyday planning and policy. During my advocacy work, I’ve seen how powerful education can be in changing mindsets. Whether through school programs, workplace seminars, or media representation, ongoing education about disability is essential for dismantling stigma. The challenge, of course, is that education only works for those open to learning—but for those who are, it can be transformative.
How You Can Get Involved and Make an Impact
Advocacy is a journey that can take many forms, and everyone has the potential to contribute. Whether you’re directly affected by these issues or simply passionate about equality, here are some impactful ways to get involved in disability advocacy:
Support Disability Rights Organizations: Many nonprofits, like the Miracle League of Connecticut—where I serve as President—work tirelessly to provide recreational and educational opportunities for children with disabilities. Volunteering your time, making a donation, or spreading awareness of their work can help expand their impact.
Advocate for Policy Change: Public policy plays a critical role in ensuring accessibility and equality for people with disabilities. Stay informed about local and national policies affecting the disability community, and consider writing to your representatives to support inclusive policies.
Promote Inclusive Workplaces: Whether as an employer or employee, you can help create a more inclusive work environment. This might include advocating for accessible office spaces, inclusive hiring practices, and disability awareness training.
Educate and Raise Awareness: Combatting social stigma starts with awareness. Share resources, participate in disability awareness events, and educate those around you. One person’s shift in perspective can have a ripple effect in creating a more understanding community.
Get Involved in Accessible Recreation: Recreation and sports can be incredibly empowering for individuals with disabilities, and accessible facilities are essential for inclusivity. My experience as a child involved in wheelchair sports led to the founding of the first wheelchair sports camp on the eastern seaboard—an experience that was life-changing. Today, you can support or volunteer at inclusive recreation programs to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate and thrive.
The Art of Possibility: Building a Future for All
Disability advocacy is not just about addressing challenges; it’s about the art of possibility. It’s about envisioning a future where every individual has the resources, opportunities, and support to live independently and fully. This work takes resilience and collaboration, and it requires the engagement of people from all walks of life.
As we push forward, I invite you to take action in whatever way you can. Advocacy can start with a conversation, a small change in your workplace, or even joining a local nonprofit’s efforts. Every step, big or small, brings us closer to a world where everyone’s potential can shine. Together, we can build a future where independence is not a privilege but a given right for all.
