How to be a better advocate/ally in 2023
Learn the basics of being an effective ally and advocate for people with disabilities. Check out these tips for making a real difference!
Hi, my name is Zachary Weeks, and I'm a disability advocate with cerebral palsy. I believe that all people with disabilities deserve equal treatment and opportunity regardless of their circumstances. The best way to do this is by being an effective advocate or ally for those who need it most. As someone with lived experience and who has had the opportunity to work in this field for over 10 years, I've seen firsthand the difference that advocacy can make in the lives of people with disabilities.
I want to share with you some of the things I've learned about how to be a better advocate or ally for people with disabilities. These tips are based on my own experiences and observations, as well as on the research I've done on effective advocacy methods.
I hope that by following these tips, you'll be able to help more people with disabilities to live happy, fulfilling lives in 2023 and beyond!
Listen to and learn from people with disabilities - they are the experts on their own lives
Listening to and learning from people with disabilities is essential for creating meaningful and lasting change. There are unique insights that can be acquired only from listening more and talking less and consulting those living with disability, as they are the experts on their own lives and understand best what kind of support would be beneficial. They know Doing so helps create an environment of mutual respect and collaboration in which everyone’s perspectives are valued and affirmed. While one may think this is only true for non-disabled people, it's just as valuable for disabled people to learn from each other!
By recognizing people with disabilities as experts in their own life experience, we emphasize our commitment to engage in authentic dialogue that results in positive action. We can learn much from this necessary exchange, but more importantly, by listening, we demonstrate our capacity to confront discrimination and injustices that prevent inclusion of all individuals. those with disabilities aren’t off the hook, either - we all have the responsibility to seek out opportunities to better understand each other and the unique challenges people with disabilities face.
Another important aspect of being an effective ally for people with disabilities is staying informed about current issues related to disability rights and investigating ways you can make a positive impact in your community. There are many advocacy organizations, support groups, and other resources available to help you learn more about this topic and find ways to get involved.
By taking the time to listen, learn from others, and stay informed on issues that affect people with disabilities, you can become a powerful force for positive change in your community.
Be aware of your own assumptions and biases about disability
Becoming aware of our own assumptions and biases about disability is a critical piece towards developing and nurturing a more inclusive, understanding society. It's important to keep in mind that negative attitudes and stereotypes don't just spring out of thin air; they often come from our upbringing, cultural influences and interactions with others around us. I admit that I have been guilty of this myself (despite disability issues and advocacy being so close to my heart), and it has been something I have personally worked on within myself and continue to be mindful of on a regular basis. With this in mind, it is extremely beneficial to take the time to reflect on any unconscious assumptions we may harbour related to disabilities. This kind of self-reflection only helps us become more open-minded individuals so that we can live in a world where everyone is equally valued and respected.
Speak up when you see ableism or discrimination against people with disabilities
Ableism is a daily battle faced by people with disabilities. This happens when prejudicial attitudes, discrimination and lack of accessibility impede their ability to be equal members of society. Some examples may be:
1. Refusing to make accommodations for people with disabilities in the workplace or education setting.
2. Assuming that a person’s disability determines their capabilities and worth as an individual.
3. Making fun of someone with a physical or mental disability by using derogatory language and jokes
4. Using offensive names such as “cripple” or “retard” to refer to people with disabilities, instead of referring to them by their proper name(s).
5. Failing to provide adequate access for people with mobility issues (elevators, ramps etc.).
It is important that we recognize and speak out when we witness these injustices. Ableism can take on subtle forms, such as ignoring or scrutinizing disabled people, making assumptions about them, not taking them seriously, or expecting more from disabled people than what our able-bodied peers have to do to get things done. We must be vigilant in standing up against ableism and ensure that we create an inclusive and welcoming space for disability rights advocates in all aspects of life so that oppression does not become the norm.
Educate yourself and others about disability rights and issues
Educating oneself and others about disability rights and issues is a vital part of creating a more just and compassionate society. We can and NEED to all work TOGETHER to raise awareness in our communities, workplaces, and educational institutions. By encouraging open-mindedness and empathy in our conversations and everyday interactions with one another, we can help facilitate positive change for the future. That can be transferred to other issues we are sadly still battling, such as racism, gender equality, mental health, and so much more.
Everyone deserves to have their voices heard and rights upheld by those around them. Making an effort to understand where others come from, whether it be through learning about their unique experiences or recognizing privileges that one may have, but not everyone does, is crucial for social progression. All it takes is a little willingness to open up your heart and mind. We need to strive for a world that strives for equality for all!
Support organizations and businesses that are inclusive of people with disabilities
One of the best ways to send a powerful message to society about inclusion is to actively support businesses and organizations that strive to be as inclusive as possible when it comes to people with disabilities. We should call attention to shops that are equipped with disabled-friendly services, such as wheelchair-accessible entrances and parking spots or closed captioning on tv's in your favourite pub or restaurant. This can be done in two ways. The first is by personally acknowledging the work to be more inclusive to management, highlighting that it’s not lost on you that many more people are able to support their establishment than, say, their competition. Who doesn’t want to support an organization or business with a mindset to welcome all people as opposed to those who don’t. The second is to amplify on social by sharing your experience with your network (tag them if possible). Every little bit helps in changing the way we view and interact with those with disabilities and can have a great impact on improving the lives of this group of individuals.
I hope this blog post has given you some insights into how to be a better ally or advocate for people with disabilities. All of us have a role to play in making the world more inclusive for everyone, and I’m optimistic that we can make progress if we all work together. I'm always looking for feedback, so please let me know in the comments below if you found my blog helpful and what you’ve found to be a successful disability advocate or ally. Thanks for reading!
