I hesitated posting this, as I know it may read as me seeking sympathy, or may result in some mockery. But I don’t shy away from being vulnerable. And it’s not just about me.
We are a week from International Day of People with Disability and it’s very quiet. It’s not just me feeling this way – so many of my disabled friends and colleagues say they’re feeling the same. It’s quiet worldwide.
Disability Day is usually my busiest work event of the year. It spans over a couple of weeks, and I often struggle to rest. This year is my quietest ever. I have work, but not much. (I did get asked to do some free work, of course! 🙄) I realise I’ve been given space because I’ve been on leave because of cancer treatment and recovery. But I am open to work now, and have been very clear about my work capacity.
Optimistically, I hope that disabled people have a high enough profile that the work is being spread across the community. But that’s probably not true. We’ve been forgotten and ignored so often – the silence from “allies” around the response to the Disability Royal Commission in September 2023 comes to mind. The response included commitments to increasing employment, ensuring rights and anti-discrimination practices are upheld, and promoting access and inclusion in all aspects of society “to improve community attitudes around disability”. The silence around Disability Day shows that we will continue to be isolated, harmed and face barriers to access and inclusion.
I also see many culturally significant days and weeks acknowledged and celebrated, and significantly funded, but Disability as a culture is constantly overlooked. (A UK based activist wrote on LinkedIn that she received many enquiries to speak at Pride events earlier this year, but none for Disability Day).
The theme for 2024 is Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future. Disabled people make up approx 20% of fhe population. What are you doing as organisations, brands and individuals to celebrate and amplify disabled leaders on Disability Day and beyond?
I hope come 3 Dec, we see lots of posts and events celebrating Disabled people. I hope I am proven wrong.
💗
Image: Carly, a woman with a red face, wearing a gold turban and a pink and gold dress with very puffy sleeves. She’s smiling. Dress previously gifted by @stfrock.
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