The View from Where I Sit

Tag: disability justice

  • The 10 Principles of Disability Justice

    Disabiity Justice is an intersectional social justice movement that seeks to dismantle systemic oppression affecting people with disabilities, centering those most marginalized.

    We need our principles of disability justice now more than ever. In both the original version and the Plain Language version, our principles give us power and political clarity. They reflect the wisdom of our survival: that disabled people are whole, that we depend on one another, and that no one, absolutely no one, should be left behind!

    The 10 Principles at a Glance:
    1. Intersectionality: We are many things at once.
    2. Leadership of the Most Impacted: We are leaders.
    3. Anti-Capitalism: Our Existence is Resistance
    4. Cross-Movement Organizing: We support each other.
    5. Wholeness: We love ourselves exactly as we are.
    6. Sustainability: We want a future.
    7. Cross-Disability Solidarity: We are a community.
    8. Interdependence: We depend on each other.
    9. Collective Access: We meet each other’s needs.
    10. Collective Liberation: We make the world better, together.

  • The Center for Race and Disability Justice

    The Center for Race and Disability Justice is promoting justice for people of color, people with disabilities, and individuals at the intersection of race and disability. The intersection of race and disability highlights the unique challenges faced by individuals who belong to both marginalized groups, necessitating an intersectional approach to address systemic barriers and discrimination.


    Understanding Intersectionality
    Intersectionality, a term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, refers to how various social identities, such as race and disability, intersect and create unique experiences of discrimination and marginalization. Individuals who belong to multiple marginalized groups often face compounded challenges that are not fully understood when considering each identity in isolation.


    Unique Challenges Faced
    Health Disparities: People with disabilities who are also racial or ethnic minorities often experience significant health disparities. They may face barriers to accessing healthcare, resulting in poorer health outcomes compared to their peers. The lack of data on these intersections contributes to ongoing disparities in health services and outcomes.

    Employment Discrimination: Employment opportunities are significantly affected by the intersection of race and disability. Studies show that racial minorities with disabilities encounter greater challenges in securing jobs, often receiving fewer callbacks and job offers compared to their white counterparts without disabilities. This systemic discrimination limits their economic opportunities and social inclusion.

    Social Marginalization: Individuals at this intersection often experience “triple jeopardy,” facing discrimination based on race, disability, and gender. For example, disabled Black women may encounter unique barriers that are not addressed by policies focusing solely on race or disability.


    Access to Services: Many disabled individuals from racial minority backgrounds report a lack of access to services that meet their specific needs. This can include inadequate support in educational settings, healthcare, and community resources.

    The Need for an Intersectional Approach
    Addressing the intersection of race and disability requires a comprehensive understanding of how these identities interact. Policies and advocacy efforts must consider the unique experiences of individuals who belong to both groups to effectively combat discrimination and promote equity. This includes fostering inclusive environments in workplaces, healthcare, and educational institutions, as well as ensuring that the voices of those affected are prioritized in decision-making processes.

    In conclusion, recognizing and addressing the intersection of race and disability is crucial for creating equitable systems that support all individuals, particularly those who face multiple layers of marginalization. By adopting an intersectional lens, we can better understand and respond to the complex challenges faced by these communities.

    https://www.crdjustice.org/

  • Changing the Narrative

    The religious model of disability.
    It doesn’t just belong to one faith. But it continues to do real harm across many.
    In Western contexts, Christianity has been especially influential, framing disabled people as cursed, sinful, or sent to “teach others” something. We’re turned into metaphors. Our lives become spiritual object lessons.


    But this model appears in other traditions too.


    In some interpretations of Islam, disability is seen as a test from Allah, a reason to be patient or a way to bring others closer to faith. Compassion is encouraged, but pity still lurks.


    In Hinduism, karma is sometimes used to explain disability as a consequence of past-life actions, fueling stigma and shame, even when combined with stories of divine difference.


    Buddhist views can also frame disability as a karmic result or a path toward detachment, encouraging compassion but still casting us as passive or burdensome.


    Judaism has both exclusionary laws and powerful teachings about justice and dignity, some texts limit full participation, but modern re-readings challenge that.


    Even in Indigenous and global faiths, disabled people might be seen as sacred in one context and shunned in another. Culture and theology shape how our bodies are read.
    So it’s not just about belief. It’s about power.


    When religion teaches that some bodies are purer, more sacred, or closer to enlightenment than others, it makes it easier to ignore injustice. It’s not enough to preach compassion while voting for cuts. Or pray for healing instead of fighting for access.


    But I respect the many people of faith who build real community, who fight inequality, and who welcome difference without trying to fix it. That solidarity matters.


    But we have to name the harm too.
    We don’t need to be healed.
    We need to be heard.