Nothing About Us Without Us

Many a well meaning soul has tumbled into the error of trying to do things for disabled people instead of with disabled people. The old "charity" and "medical" models of disability linger on and it's all too easy to slip into sorting out what's best for disabled people without consulting us or our representative organizations. People may still feel more comfortable talking to medical experts or service providers than to disabled people themselves. That's why "Nothing About Us Without Us" remains the rallying cry of the disability movement throughout the world.

At a recent Job Forum hosted by the National Education Association of Disabled Students (NEADS) I was encouraged by the closing lines of one of the representatives of a large national employer. He had outlined a variety of approaches that his corporation had explored to make their workplace more inclusive. He described the huge learning curve that management experienced as they began to open up their company to employees with disabilities. He commented on the benefit to the company, and re-stated the company commitment to a more representative workforce that would include disabled people. His closing line: "The rest, of course, is up to you."

The event was part of the NEADS Job Search Strategies Forums Project, addressing practical aspects of successful transition from school to the employment market. Despite the progress that has been made in the last decade, people with disabilities are still three and a half times more likely to be unemployed than non-disabled people, even when they have equivalent educational attainments. It was good to hear an employer acknowledge that disabled people working together will come up with the best strategies.

The practice of consultation with persons with disabilities and representatives of disability organizations demonstrates respect for the rights and contributions of people who are often marginalized and excluded from full participation as equals. Planning around disability at the university and in the rest of society will benefit from the active involvement of persons with disabilities in the planning and development of policies, programs and practices that affect their lives.

There is frequently tension between disabled people and the agencies that provide disability supports and services. Historically, such agencies resisted the efforts of disabled people to organise and speak for themselves. Whenever and wherever disabled people have begun to organize they have been first resisted by those whose job it has been to look after them, or provide their services. Advocacy groups and service providers cooperate and work together but have different roles and responsibilities. Today, most charitable agencies and service providers take direction from the major advocacy organizations of disabled people.

Last week Access celebrated the first anniversary of our referendum. In last year's student election, undergraduate students voted 80% YES to fund our Disability Advocacy Centre. On the last day of classes we gave away 400 pieces of cake to thank students. We've decided to make our "thank you" an annual one. Henceforth Access UVic will serve perpetual cake on the final day of student elections.

Introduction to Sign Language classes, with Deaf instructor Elizabeth Syring continue every Wednesday in March, from 2pm to 3pm in the Access UVic Office, SUB B102.

Rose Mariana Robb is the Director of Access UVic. 472-4389