Ally, Advocate, and Support – Ideas, perspectives, tips, and tools to help differentiate when to, and when not to speak up on behalf of people living with or experiencing disability.
Understanding the Barriers
“Advocacy is not just a task for charismatic individuals or high-profile community organizers. Advocacy is for all of us; advocacy is a way of life. It is a natural response to the injustices and inequality in the world.”
In part one of this series on allyship, advocacy, and supporting the disabled community we discussed some of the differences of actions that help or hinder meaningful change for individuals living with disability. Personally, I believe that most people are of good character and want to help others. My experience as a career and life coach have shown this to be true – when I ask people I’m working with “what do you want to do?” 9 out of 10 will answer “I want to help people.”
If the vast majority of people want to help others, it’s reasonable to question why hasn’t there been more progress in accessibility, employment, and inclusion of people with disabilities? While there is no singular answer, there is evidence that shows even well-intentioned people can cause harm and create barriers for people with disabilities when they aren’t aware of how to practice meaningful advocacy.
Avoiding the Savior Complex
A frequent type of harmful advocacy shows up as the “savior complex.” When the “complex” is applied to individuals with disabilities, it can lead to harmful dynamics. Perpetuating the idea that people with disabilities are helpless and in need of saving. Often undermining autonomy and independence, reinforcing stereotypes, and paternalistic attitudes. Those wanting to positively impact the lives of people with disabilities must first recognize and support individuals with disabilities as equals. It requires respecting individual agency and advocating for their rights without imposing one’s own assumptions or agenda.
The Consequences of Denying Agency
Denying agency to individuals with disabilities causes harm in several ways. It undermines the personal dignity and sense of self-worth. The stereotype of helplessness is perpetuated and fosters dependency. Not recognizing autonomy and capabilities can limit opportunities for growth, self-expression, and participation in society. Disregarding the right to make decisions about one’s own life, leading to disempowerment and a lack of control over their own destiny. Denying agency to individuals with disabilities reinforces discrimination and inequality, hindering the ability to live fulfilling and meaningful lives.
People with disabilities can experience significant harms, spanning social, psychological, and legal dimensions. Key issues include:
- Social Exclusion: Individuals living with disability are often excluded from social activities, decision-making processes, and community involvement. One study found that almost two-thirds (61%) of disabled people report experiencing chronic loneliness, with this figure rising to 70% among young disabled individuals aged 16 to 24. Additionally, over two-thirds (70%) of disabled people say that social isolation negatively affects their mental health, highlighting the severe impact of loneliness on their well-being (Pew Research Center) (Sense).
- Workplace Discrimination: In organizational settings, denial of agency manifests as reluctance by employers to make accommodations for employees with disabilities. This is often due to misconceptions about the costs and a desire to maintain control over work processes. This leads to significant discrimination and underutilization of potential talents (Harlan & Robert, 1998). The ADA requires compliance in providing reasonable accommodations, but the power imbalance between employee and employer often leads to a negative outcome for the employee. Multiple Studies confirm that employers often do not meet their legal requirements when reasonable accommodations are requested.
- Dependency on Others: Denying agency fosters dependency on caregivers or institutions. This can be detrimental to personal growth, independence, and strain relationships with family members and caregivers. Without agency, individuals with disabilities may not acquire the ability to advocate for their rights and needs. Resulting in policies and practices that do not adequately address their concerns, further entrenching inequalities.
- Lack of Opportunity: Without the ability to advocate for themselves, individuals with disabilities may miss out on educational, employment, and social opportunities. This limits their potential and prevents them from contributing fully to society. When society views individuals with disabilities as incapable of making decisions, it reinforces negative stereotypes and stigma. This can perpetuate discrimination and marginalization, further hindering the opportunities available.
Agency is essential for people with disabilities. It leads to broad societal and individual consequences, good and bad. This emphasizes the need for careful consideration of the right for self-determination and inclusion in all aspects of life. Advocacy requires input and leadership from those who are supposed to be served by the work being done. Who is being served when decisions are being made for a group of people when that group isn’t a part of the decision-making process? People with disabilities are too often told what they need by the non-disabled.
Advocacy & Allyship
Being an ally of the disability community means actively supporting and advocating for the rights, inclusion, and dignity of people with disabilities. It involves listening to the experiences, amplifying our voices, and taking action to promote accessibility and equal opportunities for all. Working to end discrimination in all its forms, be it ableism, or any other type.
Challenging ableism specifically involves recognizing and confronting attitudes, practices, and policies that discriminate against people with disabilities. Educating oneself about disability issues, speaking out against ableist language and stereotypes, advocating for accessible environments and accommodations, and supporting initiatives that promote inclusion and equal opportunities for people with disabilities. Listen to the experiences and perspectives of people with disabilities and amplify their voices in discussions about disability rights and inclusion. Speak up when we are not in the room or unable to speak to power due to systemic problems.
Remember, 9 out of 10 individuals say they want to help people. This is an opportunity to do just that. As stated by Alice Wong, “Advocacy is a way of life.” Make it part of yours.
By: Ken Meeker CPC, ADAC
About The Author
Ken Meeker CPC is the owner of Vitality Career Coaching LLC, a boutique leadership coaching company. His work includes creating inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible opportunities for employment through consulting and training workshops.
He is Inclusive Behaviors Inventory Certified, a Certified ADA Coordinator, graduate of the AFB Blind Leaders Program. Ken is a recognized leader for disability and blind/low vision advocacy as the recipient of the 2023 AFB Llura Gund Leadership Award. Additionally, Ken is enrolled in the 2023 NCDA Leadership Academy. He has been a featured speaker in numerous seminars, summits, a featured guest on multiple podcasts, and is the creator and host of the “Dissing My Ability’ Podcast. You can connect with him on LinkedIn.com/in/kenmeekeraz, kenmeekeraz@gmail.com or visit https://vitalitycareercoaching.com
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