Jessica PingOur Struggles Will Outlive The Month Of July.
Learn How to Uphold The Ideals Set Forth By The ADA’s 30th Anniversary Celebration for Months To Come
Here on The Rolling Explorer, we have been celebrating the ADA’s 30th Anniversary for the entire month of July.
It all started with my Disability Pride Month blog post. So many people, myself included, learned about Disability Pride for the first time this year.
*Disclosure: There are affiliate links in the following article, meaning that, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the links, I will receive a small commission.
As a reminder, the disabled community celebrates Disability Pride Month as a way of declaring our inherent value to the rest of the world. Ability does not equal worth, and that’s something everyone could be reminded of from time to time.
From there, I went on to highlight one area the ADA focuses on heavily: employment.
The ADA makes discrimination against people with disabilities illegal in the workplace. Yet, only a small percentage of the disabled population is included in the workforce. My blog post on Disability Representation in the Workplace gives companies and employers guidance on how to improve these statistics.
Over the last 20 days, I have written guest articles, carefully crafted social media posts, and even chosen a book of the month aimed at empowerment.
July Book of the Month
Girl, Stop Apologizing: A Shame-Free Plan for Embracing and Achieving Your Goals
It’s been busy, but so, so fulfilling.
Of course, none of my efforts matter if they don’t inspire real change. I am thrilled to have a platform to speak out on, but at the end of the day, words can only do so much.
That’s why I created the list below.
I love educating others on topics of disability, I can only continue to do that with your help. If you’d like to support my intellectual labor, please consider using the button below to make a donation via Paypal.
Disability Pride Month is coming to an end and the ADA won’t have another significant anniversary for at least 5 years. I’ve been impressed that so many organizations have used this month to spread awareness. The real key, though, is what people do moving forward.
Continue reading to learn 5 things you can do to continue to be an ally to the disabled community after the hype dies down from the ADA’s 30th Anniversary
1. Read Our Stuff
Books to Read:
Moving Violations: War Zones, Wheelchairs, and Declarations of Independence
My favorite professor from college gave me this book to read last summer. At the time, I had only just begun my advocacy and self-love journey. This book was a great, and comical, starting point to help me understand what I was getting myself into.
Now, I have not personally read this book, but if it’s anything like Shane’s Instagram account, it is definitely worth the read! Shane is a great example of a dedicated disability advocate. I have plans to read this book in the near future. Until then, I’d love to hear your thoughts on it!
Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century
I am currently working through my summer 2020 reading list, but this book is at the top of my list for the Fall! I’ve heard nothing but good things and can’t wait to read this myself someday soon.
Instagrams to Follow:
Subscribe to my Newsletter to Continue Learning About The Disabled Perspective: KEEP LEARNING
2. Do Research And Vote Accordingly
Not registered to Vote?
Sign Up Today! – REGISTER TO VOTE
If you are already registered, GREAT! Make sure you do your research before the next big election (November 3rd, y’all).
Keep in mind, the right to vote is an important responsibility. You’re not just voting for yourself, but for the entire American people. Choose wisely.
If you’re not from the United States, I implore you to do your own research to find ways you can get involved in your own country’s policy creation.
3. Hire Disabled People
If you’ve read my Disability Representation in the Workplace blog post, then you know that, in 2019, only 19.3% of people with disabilities were employed. Additionally, you know that unemployment rates are highest for people with disabilities despite their level of education. – Bureau of Labor Statistics
Those facts are incredibly embarrassing.
Obviously, you should always hire the best candidate for the job. But, it’s your responsibility to make sure it’s not completely impossible for people with disabilities to shoot their shot.
In 2018, 26% of non-institutionalized adults living with a disability were living below the poverty line (Disability Statistics). Access is not cheap and healthcare is VERY expensive. Employment is the first step in correcting these numbers.
4. Include The Disabled Perspective In Your Activism
DISABILITY INTERSECTS WITH ALL FORMS OF SOCIAL ACTIVISM.
Black Lives Matter – Black, disabled individuals are some of the most marginalized people in our entire society. Lift their voices and help them fight for their right to adequate healthcare and a better quality of life.
Climate Change – The disabled community is frequently left out of climate change conversations. When the important decisions are finally made, I can only pray that disabled people are not forgotten about. Our healthcare requires more waste and energy than many of our nondisabled counterparts, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t able to do our part in other ways.
I could go through every facet of social activism and point out how it connects to the disabled community. Because I value your time and mine, I am not going to do that. But, that means it’s up to you to thoroughly do your research on your own!
The next time you are raising your voice for a cause, please do not leave out the disabled perspective. It further perpetuates the idea that:
- People with disabilities are not valued members of society
- Our issues are not worth your time and understanding
- We are worthy of the marginalization society has placed us into
5. Believe And Share OUR Stories
I cannot tell you how many disability advocates I see questioned on a daily basis.
One of the easiest ways you can be an ally to the disability community is to believe people with disabilities when they are sharing their stories. Ableism exists. Unprofessional medical doctors are out there. Misdiagnosis happens.
Just because you personally have never encountered something, doesn’t mean it’s not true.
Additionally, make sure you’re sharing the correct stories. First hand accounts from actual disabled people are not only the most compelling, they are the most accurate. It’s very obvious when a news organization or another individual tries to retell someone’s story in their own words.
Amplify disabled voices and let stories come straight from the source.
