People with Disabilities Need Better Representation

People with disabilities are the largest minority in the U.S. and the state of Florida, yet we do not have a voice in policies, access, and inclusion. Policymakers, if you want to know best practices for people with disabilities, ask them! Don’t assume what looks appropriate on paper will work for someone with a disability.

I used to think a lesson for policymakers was to spend an hour being disabled. I have since come to realize it is inappropriate because people with disabilities can’t remove themselves from the disability after an hour. The better lesson would be to spend a ”day in the life” with a person with disabilities, not as a caretaker, but as an observer.

I never thought my voice disorder and tremors would lead me to community activism, but here I am, fighting for inclusion, access, and, most importantly, a paradigm shift. Anyone at any point in their lives can experience a disability. The education of policymakers and people in the state of Florida should begin with the fact that not everyone can ”see and hear, walk and talk.”

One question for people with disabilities: Do you feel well informed about services, parks and recreation, and access? Do you have unanswered questions? Make the ask! We need to be a united voice to teach policymakers that we are allowed access, inclusion, and, just as importantly, a voice!

Patricia Simmons
Bradenton