I have recently attended two meetings to advocate against the reduction of a service provided to people with disabilities. I am writing this to share my perspective as a disability professional working in the accessibility space and to offer advice to local organizations that serve and support the disability community.
I hope that such decisions do not become a normal response.
To give some context, these meetings were held to receive feedback and gather insights after a snap decision to reduce services to the minimum legal requirements, after “going above and beyond” for more than 20 years. It is important to note that the disability community and support organizations were not involved in the decision-making process until it was apparently too late.
Dozens of families and local leaders contacted me and attended these meetings to defend and oppose this decision, as it will prevent people with disabilities from engaging and participating in everyday activities such as health, school and work.
My opinion is that the organization is not fully realizing how significant an impact this decision has on the people who have used this service over the last 20 years, the local organizations that look to them as leaders and the community as a whole.
Something that affects people with disabilities will have a significant impact on the whole community, especially from an economic and financial point of view. If people can’t work, shop, attend events, go to class or vote, the community will feel those effects, as we’re talking about nearly a quarter of the population living with a disability.
Not only that, but families, friends and colleagues of the disability community will also be affected by having to step up and help fill these new gaps.
The whole delivery of this change has felt very sudden, non-negotiable and rushed.
For any organization serving and supporting the disability community that is feeling the economic effects right now, here are some tips to consider before making a drastic decision:
- If the decision affects people with disabilities, include people with disabilities in the discussion and decision-making. Never assume you know what is best for a community you are not a part of. Once you identify a problem, involve the communities that may be affected.
- If you are going to hold public meetings, give enough notice to allow people with disabilities to coordinate and participate. Not everyone can jump in their car and drive across town on 24 hours notice. Also, clearly communicate where the meetings are held.
- If your leadership team doesn’t include representation from the disability community, you could be missing the mark without even realizing it. Get people in decision-making roles who represent the same community it serves and supports.
- When you are asked questions or collect feedback, do not ignore or underestimate the situation. For most of us, we’re just as uncomfortable with these conversations as you are, and being given a time limit or hearing “thank you” in response to a question isn’t productive or meaningful.
- Consider all your options before reducing to only what is required by law.
- Involve your partners. Include them in the conversation and let them know as soon as possible so they can adjust to the changes.
- Consider your reputation. Statistically speaking, the disability community makes up more than a quarter of the population and word of mouth is powerful.
- If you are seen as a leader and are turning to the minimum required for financial reasons, you are likely to contribute to others making a similar decision. They are likely to follow suit and scale back, resulting in movement in the wrong direction away from an accessible and inclusive future.
- Don’t be afraid of collaboration to drive innovation. People with disabilities are adapting, innovating and finding new solutions all the time. Asking for help or support is not a bad thing. It may even end up better than where it started.
I’ll stop here as I understand that every business is focused on their bottom line, but pulling the rug out from under a community that has had to fight for a similar, non-equal experience doesn’t seem like the first choice. Hopefully, my advice will help prevent other organizations from following this approach and moving the needle back.
If you find yourself in a tight spot and aren’t sure where to start, who to ask, or how to get people involved, just contact me at james@jameswarnken.com. I am always here, ready and happy to help in any way I can.
James L. Warnken, a Stark County resident who was diagnosed with genetic retinal dystrophy at age 9, is a digital marketing and digital accessibility specialist with Apex Communications Network.
