“History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

“We can’t win!” I saw those words posted recently in response to an issue about disability access issues. I’ll be very honest. I had myself been feeling that way for a time. I had come very close to “giving up” and simply walking away from all I’d been working for regarding access and disability rights.

When you see “leaders” disrespecting the ADA (American with Disabilities Act), well known persons who are supposed to be “role models” behaving poorly in public and their “fans” simply accepting their behavior or worse, justifying it? You begin to lose faith that you can have impact for what’s truly right.

Then thankfully, you have a friend who’s also disabled, who talks you off the ledge. She reminds you that there’s a “long game” to be played. Perhaps a strategy that can work. She reminds you that you have a passion, a voice and a brain that still function. Yes, perhaps. Maybe. Absolutely!

Silence, has always been the problem. Throughout history, the failure of people to speak up, be it from fear, not wanting to lose a perceived social standing within a group or simply apathy has enabled those who would harm the less empowered to prevail. in this case, it’s the disabled community.

The ADA is 25 years old and exists to protect the disabled community. State laws have been enacted to offer similar protections. They assist with access, housing, employment, education and more. Without these laws the disabled community would still be a much more disenfranchised community than they are. These laws matter!

How can you help? Don’t be silent! Please bear in mind many who are disabled, myself included, have health issues. We don’t necessarily have the “energy” level of that of the able bodied. To have the able bodied helping and advocating with us, is tremendously helpful. Speak up! When you see something that is in violation of the ADA, report it. Someone who is disregarding or publicly disrespecting the ADA or the disabled? Call them out on it. Don’t continue to support them until they clearly understand the issue and proffer an equally public “Mea Culpa” followed by a true change in behavior. Become an advocate simply by doing little things. simply by using YOUR voice. Make a difference.

I would never want for anyone to “walk a mile” in my shoes or of those of any disabled person. However, I can assure you if you did you would be extremely grateful for the ADA and the few protections afforded you. You would also be incredibly motivated to ensure that those laws are followed and improved to the greatest extent possible.

There is a project in the making that will expand on this. We’ll tackle Service Dog Fraud (it greatly impacts access issues) and other access issues. I hope you’ll join us in our efforts. It truly takes more than a “village.”

“When you are complacent, you are complicit”.  -Author Unknown

~Willow’s Mom