People with disabilities comprise about 29% of the United States population. Yet, if I were to reflect on my experiences of the past month, I have only seen a person with a visible disability 3 times. Keep in mind that I have visited large, ticketed events, restaurants, bars, malls, stores, and grocery stores. Where are the people with disabilities?
While it is true that there are many disabilities we cannot see, there is a large number of people with visible disabilities who simply aren’t represented equitability in my community. In the past (although not a distant enough past) individuals with significant disabilities were sent to institutions. But we know better. Yet, when was the last time you saw a child with a disability playing at the local park or on a splash pad? When did you last see an adolescent with disabilities at an arcade or youth sports? When was the last time you sat at a bar and saw a person with a disability sharing a drink with a friend?
As a child, I remember concentrating on the faces of children missing printed on milk cartons so I could identify them when I saw them. I never saw one of those children, and I feel much the same today as I look around me for representatives of my entire community, not just those with no disability or invisible disabilities.
To be honest, I also hate the phrase “invisible disability,” because it isn’t invisible to the person or those who love them. I wish I had better language and welcome suggestions to help me articulate clearly my desire to empower all people.
I do know that we no longer hide people away in an institution. But I also know we aren’t fully welcoming of all people and differences. I hope that in a small way, bringing to light who is missing will start a small ripple of change. The next time you are out, will you notice who is there but also who isn’t? Will you start to look for the members of our community with disabilities and opportunities to engage them as equals in your community? Will you advocate for accessible opportunities?
I hope so.
And to the self-advocates and their families, I offer you an opportunity to share how I can support you, welcome you, and empower you.
