KosAbility meets on the last Sunday of each month at 4pm Pacific. All are welcome; it’s an open thread.
Hi, friends —
I hope your time at home hasn’t been too hard. I know many of us are very used to spending most of our time at home, but for some it may be new. And even for those used to home, right now it might seem hard to be losing time in our attempts to get our country back on track, and make sure those with disabilities are heard. In a past diary, I mentioned about disability activists who are helping their communities during this crisis. This week I went looking for more activism, especially stuff that could be done at home. Here’s one that focuses on those with hearing loss, but it might also apply to other disabilities — spending time being aware of when government is leaving out or forgetting those with disabilities, lessening access for us.
disabilityjustice.net/…
Here are 3 simple things you can do at home. ASL interpreters make people with hearing loss safer.
- Watch TV for ASL interpreters and closed captions. You make sure emergency information on tv is done right.
- Ask your local government about the emergency plans for people with disabilities. Do they have a plan?
- Search your state and local government websites. Are they accessible
Emergency Plans
We already know that state and local emergency plans often do not include people with disabilities. The most recent annual report from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) dropped all mention of people with disabilities.
This means that FEMA no longer gives direction to state and local governments about the best ways to plan to keep people with disabilities safe and alive. So, each one of us must do it.
Remember, people who cannot hear police commands can get badly hurt. People with a broken leg cannot use stairs. People with breathing problems cannot move quickly.
Emergency management functions of government kick in for events like flooding, tornados, pandemics, and toxic waste spills.
The plan must cover people with all disabilities: deafness, blindness, using mobility aids like crutches, canes, wheelchairs, oxygen tanks . . . is this a written plan? Ask for a copy or an online link to the document. Tell us what you find – or don’t find.
And this post was just a bit of inspiration, from someone who wasn’t sure she could contribute:
demcastusa.com/…
I Can Do Something: Activism, Disability, and Community
I started using Twitter not long after 45 took office. I needed to find like-minded people to commiserate with. And boy did I find them! But after a while I wanted to do more than Tweet. I wanted connection, real life activism.
I have a disability. Fibromyalgia has ruled my life for 16 years. It’s like living with a little dictator. Telling me constantly that I can’t do this or that, reminding me how much pain I will be in if I overdo.
And over the past five years, little by little, I withdrew. Social engagements? Never. I rarely left the house. Anxiety, depression and fibromyalgia literally shut me off from society. I became a hermit. And the longer it’s gone on the harder it is to step up and out.
Yes I tried to stay politically active and do my part by emailing and calling my Senators and Representatives. I’m proud of what I’ve done there. But I wanted to do more. I told myself that maybe if I pace myself I can do more! But I’ve lived in my shell a long time. It’s hard to take that first step….
It’s not always easy to find inspiration and encouragement about disability rights and inclusivity, especially now when the virus is taking all the front pages. Who else has found helpful, inspiring or informative web posts about advocating for disability inclusion & access? Or — what’s on your mind? How have you been? This is an open thread.