


Terry Cullen
Mar 10, 2023
Global
Categories:
People with disabilities, Volunteerism, Civil Rights
Judy Heumann died last Saturday. Many of you may not recognize the name. She was a widely acclaimed activist for the rights of disabled people. Her work led to groundbreaking legislation in the United States to advance the rights of disabled people, and she founded national and international advocacy organizations. The Washington Post once said, "She's considered the mother of disability rights - and she's a 'badass.'"
Judy contracted polio when she was two years old and lost her ability to walk, confining her to a wheelchair for the rest of her life. She could not attend preschool because school officials considered her wheelchair a fire hazard. She recounts how she was treated as a second-class citizen when she was finally granted access to school at age nine.
Judy studied speech therapy at Long Island University. She earned a Master's in Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley. Judy's early activism involved a lawsuit against the New York Board of Education in the 1970s to be the first teacher in a wheelchair. She won the suit.
In 1977, she staged a 24-day sit-in at a federal building in San Francisco, California (USA). This pivotal event and many other successful events eventually led to the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990.
Judy's accomplishments were many and legendary. She served in Presidents Clinton and Obama's administrations. She played an essential role in the passage of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Rehabilitation Act, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. She co-authored two books, 'Being Heumann' and 'Rolling Warrior,' and she had a role in an Oscar-nominated documentary, 'Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution.'
According to the United Nations, 1.5 billion people worldwide live with disabilities, and 80% are in developing countries. What can you do to make a difference in your hometown? Here are some suggestions to consider.
1) Start by learning general etiquette tips to interact with people who have disabilities. Here are a few tips to get you started:
Remember, people with disabilities are people. Please treat them with dignity and respect.
Don't shy away from or avoid people with disabilities. Sadly, too many people do this, and many people with disabilities feel isolated and lonely.
Always ask before assisting. You may be well-intentioned, but your help may be intrusive, especially if the person with the disability does not know you.
Pause and think before you speak. Avoid labels. (e.g., labeling a person with a mental illness as deranged)
Don't show pity or be patronizing.
Talk directly to the person with the disability, not to their companions or caregivers. There are different ways to talk to people with various disabilities.
Remember the golden rule. Treat everyone as you would like to be treated.
2) Get to know people with disabilities. Consider volunteering with the organizations that help them and where they live. Lifepath (see link below) categorizes the services and programs supporting independent living for people with disabilities. Use that as a guide to explore what organizations in your community provide these services.
3) Donate food, clothing, supplies, and devices. A lot of people with disabilities are living in poverty and may be in assisted living homes. Find out what the greatest needs are first. Donations of food, clothing and suitable supplies (e.g., appliances for colostomies, catheters, pressure relieving cushions, and continence supplies; canes, walkers, grab bars) are usually welcome but remember to ask first.
4) Become an advocate. Amplify the voice for people with disabilities to overcome the challenges of daily living in your community.
5) Work with your workplace to hire more people with disabilities.
6) Help the caregiver. Many people with disabilities live with a family caregiver. Offering support to the caregiver can help lighten their load temporarily and give them a much-needed break.
7) Support businesses that go out of their way to hire people with disabilities.
These are only a few suggestions. The spectrum of disabilities is significant, and this article only scratches the surface. One thing is sure: the need for services and programs is enormous. Your help can make a difference in the quality of life for a person or people navigating life with a disability. Reach out today. You won't regret it.
Resource links in this article:
People First: A Guide to Interacting with People with Disabilities. DHS 4151. Illinois Department of Human Services (USA) https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=32276
Lifepath. Options for Independence. Services for Persons with Disabilities. (State of Massachusetts USA) https://lifepathma.org/services/services-for-persons-with-disabilities
Photo by Kampus Production on Pexels.
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