Fighting For Accessibility - It Ain't Just Me Anymore
- 27 Jun 07, 12:12 AM
I am really cranky with the world today - OK, I've been rather ornery for the last few weeks. I've been reading and writing a lot about disability rights and feminism, and I'm toeing the line between being a passionate fighter for civil rights or a bitter shrieking harpy. Today, the bee in my bonnet is the lack of accessible spaces.
I'm planning to hit a local gay bar downtown to do karaoke with my friends tonight. I invited my disabled friends to come along. One of them drives a power wheelchair. This bar has a wheelchair lift, but I have no idea whether it works or not, and if I need a key, and who holds the key, etc. I've called them several times and emailed them once and no one has gotten back to me. I don't want my friend to come all the way downtown if she's not able to get upstairs to the bar.
I'm also politely arguing with a local Pagan group over holding accessible rituals. When I wrote to the list saying that every ritual should be fully accessible, several people wrote back replying that if I want accessible ritual space, I can always volunteer to organize a ritual. There are so many things wrong with that. I won't get into all of here, because I've already gone into detail on my blog, but I'm pretty steamed. I probably will organize a future ritual, because I'm perfectly capable of doing it, but I shouldn't have to in order to have access to one. All I have to say is - and forgive me if you're not Pagan or otherwise informed and don't get the joke - there will be no in my ritual!!!
Haven't we been fighting this fight for decades now? It's amazing that people I like and respect Just Don't Get It.
You know, once upon a time, I wouldn't have said anything. Actually, last year I wouldn't have said anything. I would have figured that since I was probably the only group member with accessibility issues, it wasn't worth raising a fuss over. After all, the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, right?
But since connecting with a diverse group of disability bloggers from all over the world, I finally realize that it's not just my problem. Even if I am the only disabled member of a particular group, the fight for accessibility is still worth fighting. I'm not just fighting for myself; I'm fighting for my friends, their friends, future PWDs, parents of PWDs, children of PWDs, the elderly, people with disabilities all over the world.
I'm really glad that I don't feel alone anymore. It's nice to be fighting in solidarity for a cause that unites many, instead of fighting alone, or suffering in silence.
• Visit
*May contain adult content*
Comments
I totally hear you! I've been involved in various "alternative" scenes, as well as other "activist groups" (organized or not). I've found out time and again that it simply isn't true that you will be provided better accommodations or experience greater inclusion among others simply because they identify with something(s) outside of the status quo, or because they are advocating for another marginalized group. The amount of ignorance and intolerance is pretty much the same as the population at large, sadly. Only difference is the added hypocrisy!
Yep, no more spiral dances.
Local pagan group meets in a nice old pub, beams and roaring fireplace, up two flights of very old narrow steps, sigh.
Ritual location other end of a jolly steep slope and steps, in the dark, sigh.
Just as well I'm happy being a solitary, it would be nice to get out occasionally though.
I face this all the time. Social exclusion is so lowering. Can't come to our party/bbq/holiday/ritual? Organise your own.
Do it separately. Do it your way, rather than us including your way in our way. Which what inclusive society should be all about.