Why exclusion continues....

Exclusion exists because the majority of people act in ways to sustain it.

We are facing a time of great energy in the disability community. Many of us are aware that as our voices clamor to be heard , there is a backlash. This comes in the form of labeling disability advocates as troublemakers. We are accused of having a sense of entitlement when we point out injustices . We are told that we should be happy for what we already have in a threatening tone that implies even that can be taken away.

None of this matters. It is simply chatter, the type of noise that comes from a balloon as you deflate it - the dying cry of outdated beliefs and prejudices toward people with disabilities.

It is time to shake off our naïve belief that society is going to open its doors to us if we simply knock. What we are facing is not a matter of "showing up in life", although that is certainly a necessary ingredient toward a solution. We deal with something much larger at work-societal beliefs and attitudes that are negative toward our state of being disabled. These negative beliefs could disempower us.

But they don’t, because those of us with disabilities are able dealers, resourceful as a matter of necessity as we have had to adapt to a world that gives us unequal treatment in areas ranging from its architecture to its social programs .

By setting and maintaining seemingly insurmountable obstacles, our society has instilled in us the very traits we need to face the discrimination it is so reluctant to admit. We are resilient, strong and courageous.

Now is not the time to back off. Those of us who have accessible homes and jobs should never forget that those rights were achieved by people with disabilities who were courageous and fought for them. There is much more to accomplish, because those of us who have these things are few and far apart.

We must wade our way through the current waters of change, always keeping in mind the greater common good for our next generation. This means keeping an open mind not only toward the issues at hand, but toward each other.

Much of the problem lies in the objectification of people with disabilities. We are seen as not having the same needs and desires as others. This is a far cry from being included in society.

When our presence is simply tolerated, it implies that it is at the largess of others, i.e. the able-bodied world . This is not inclusion, which provides an equal opportunity to participate.

The assumptions, beliefs and practices of our society have to change. We do not want to be treated as the "other", but to be called by name. We do not want to be seen as a problem, but as an asset.

Let us continue to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and to open new doors .