Thread by @JHMarble

Amen! Non-disabled often see disabled people simply as individuals with individual conditions. In reality, we’re people with shared history, language, culture & consensus. We’re a person, yes, but also a people.

Via @ThinkingAutism Cc: @PivotDiversity

tsl.news/opinion-disabi…

Most programs or services which work with disabled populations get this wrong. That’s understandable, but must change to ensure success. This is crucial. It will not only ensure better individual outcomes, but will grow the impact and influence of the group. It’s also fun to do.

I’ve noticed when disabled professionals and advocates make a point about disability, they’re often countered with “Well, this other disabled person thinks this.” Whenever that’s said, that tells me the person does not get this crucial aspect of disability.

That person most often is well-intentioned, but it’s also used by those with privilege, wealth, and power (which disabled people disproportionately do not have), to dismiss input from the populations they purport to serve or speak for. It’s an easy-out to dismiss disabled input.

It’s similar to someone saying “some of my best friends are black,” or “Well, I have gay friends and they disagree.” Individuals disagree, of course. However, individuals are parts of larger communities and when you work w/ a particular community listen to *them*, not one person.

This is one aspect (just one) of why tokenism fails. I’ve repeatedly seen disabled people join the boards/staff of a disability group where they’re the only disabled person. They offer advice and consensus from their community, but it’s often dismissed. “Well...others disagree.”

In those cases, those dismissing the person (and really, the entire community of disabled people with that disability) are not malicious. They’re good people. They want to do right. However, there’s a disconnect where they struggle to understand disability in this larger context.

However, back to the author’s point (Who, btw, is @gosuperdonnie! I didn’t realize. 😊), understanding this frame and working from it helps an individual THRIVE. They begin to see the normalcy of disability, connect with those like them, and more deeply understand themselves.

That leads to improved outcomes, improved mental health, a deeper sense of belonging and self-value, and greater confidence. That then leads to better integration with the non-disabled community as well.

I understand why some parents say things like “autism (/any other disability) doesn’t define my child.” However, that can often block the magic that happens when you no longer feel isolated and misunderstood, but instead feel more agency, connected, and empowered.

No one trait defines us. However, all of our traits do. I don’t go around saying “Hi! I’m John and I’m autistic.” I’m a Californian, an artist, a strategist, a horrible singer, autistic, a hiker, a writer, and more. I’m still autistic. I’m still those other things.

Connecting with others with those identities has provided me similar benefits to the ones @gosuperdonnie frames here. That’s understood as crucial to mental health and personal success (however one defines it). So, why do we isolated disability that way? Let’s not. 😊

I understand that this may be a bit of a difficult bridge for some parents to travel. Let’s be encouraging & patient because MANY of us as disabled people traveled this same bridge. It took us time. However, w/ disability groups, we should be blunt. This is about us, after all.

I often joke with friends that “I’m way more autistic on Twitter than in real life,”. What I mean by that is that all my other identities intersect in the real world. One particular one is not always on the forefront of my mind.

However, I talk about autism more on Twitter because this has become a platform for #ActuallyAutistic people to connect, to build culture, language, support, and empowerment. So, because of my work, I talk about autism to contribute to that.

It’s a bit ironic that focusing on building disabled culture and community is what allows disabled people to better integrate with their larger culture and community. When someone insists the disability of an individual “does not define them,” it ends up doing so.

It’s hard to tell tone in written communication, but I’m not angry here. Not at all! I’m joyous. I’m excited. What @gosuperdonnie says here is key to building a better world for disabled people. It’s key to helping us thrive. More people need to say it. More people are. #GoTeam!