I'm not disabled.
I cannot hope to understand exactly what a person with disabilities goes through every day. It's important to note that while we may group disabilities under one umbrella term, the experiences are as diverse as the individuals themselves.
From physical disabilities to neurodivergence, from visible conditions to invisible ones, everyone's journey is unique. So with the large diversity of disabilities, there's no way I can ever hope to understand all these experiences.
The only thing I can do is to talk to others and try to empathise. It's a poor man's substitute for a lived experience, but I consider it a crucial step towards building a more inclusive society. Listening to those with disabilities and learning about their challenges, I can hope to contribute to creating a world that better accommodates and values every individual.
I can never claim to speak for those with disabilities. But I can speak with them. And this is what I've been doing. Some of you on this email list have gotten in touch and I had the pleasure to talk to and understand some of your perspectives. I thank you immensely for those conversations!
And I wanted more. Some of you recommended books for me! I now have a large reading list to go through! I've started this week with Resistance and Hope: Essays by Disabled People. I've read just the first three essays, but it's safe to say it's a must read for anyone trying to understand the disability movement.
One thing is clear from the conversations I've had, this book and I'm sure the other recommendations I received will make the same point.
We have to open our minds to the reality that not everyone is like us.
This means we have to:
- acknowledge the wide spectrum of disabilities, both visible and invisible
- understand that accessibility needs vary greatly from person to person
- recognise that people with disabilities are experts in their own lives and experiences
- accept that our own assumptions about disability are flawed or incomplete
And if you want to talk to me about accessibility, disabilities, inclusion, life or just share a joke or two, hit reply! I'd love to hear from you!