I recently attended a Zoom panel discussion hosted by our colleague Lindsey T.H. Jackson featuring Avery Church, Teddy Cosmo, and Rach Burton on the multifaceted experiences of people with disabilities. Some of the accessibility practices they put in place for the event included having a sign interpreter, each person describing themselves at the beginning, and saying their names before speaking.
Avery Church, a Black autistic educator and content creator, explored the intersectionality of disability and race, emphasizing how society often uses disability culture for inspiration while not valuing the people living with disabilities. He drew parallels to the way Black culture is often celebrated while Black individuals are marginalized. Avery shared the challenges of having an invisible disability, noting how his behavior, which may not conform to societal norms, often leads to misunderstandings and social disengagement.
Teddy Cosmo, a White disabled musician with cerebral palsy who uses a wheelchair, and Rach Burton, a White deaf and neurodivergent digital creator, echoed Avery's sentiments. Teddy spoke about the challenges he faces accessing spaces in a wheelchair and Rach highlighted the benefits of universal design for everyone. For example, haptics on phones was originally designed for deaf users but are now widely adopted by everyone.
The panelists criticized performative inclusivity that prioritizes aesthetics over genuine accessibility. They discussed how people with disabilities are often seen as asking for too much or seeking attention, a notion tied to White supremacist culture that benefits from not addressing the needs of marginalized groups. Rach, for example, shared how deaf people are often told that hiring a sign interpreter isn't worth it for "just one person" and encouraged organizations to budget for accessibility.
The discussion touched on our society's internalized ableism that leads disabled individuals to feel like burdens and the societal infantilization of people with disabilities. The panelists highlighted the spectrum of disability, noting that conditions like autism can present differently and are often stereotyped. They criticized cultural depictions of disabilities as negative or villainous, such as characters like Captain Hook or Freddy Krueger.
The panelists encouraged all of us to recognize and challenge the ableist lens through which we view the world, advocating for a society that genuinely values and includes people with disabilities.
Watch the hour long panel yourself on youtube.