My deepest passion as a disability rights advocate lies not in the act of “raising awareness,” but in promoting acceptance. Though this may sound like I’m being nitpicky about word choice, I have always strongly believed in the power of acceptance over awareness. To be merely aware of something just isn’t enough, and it isn’t always accompanied by acceptance.
This point is especially relevant considering today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – a day during which we honor the legacy of a man who fought for equality and acceptance of an entire race. Acceptance. Dr. King did not want to achieve “black awareness,” and I can guarantee that if anyone tried to campaign for black awareness, there would be more (rightfully) angry and offended people than you’ve ever seen in your life. Why doesn’t the same logic apply for disabilities? Just as being black is part of a person’s identity, so too is disability a part of a person’s identity.
Moreover, awareness seems to imply that disabled people aren’t really worth any true attention. In fact, it kind of makes me feel like I’m viewed as a problem rather than a person. For example, at my university, Disability Awareness Week used to be followed by Alcohol Awareness Week. Indeed, a heightened awareness of the dangers of alcohol should be reiterated as frequently as possible in an effort to prevent the horrifying consequences. But imagine feeling like your entire being is somehow equated to the trouble of alcoholism. Certainly, “alcoholism awareness” isn’t synonymous with “alcoholism acceptance.”
So, I am, and will continue to be, fully devoted to advocating not for awareness, but for acceptance. And today is another key step in the right direction towards true disability acceptance. It is the International Day of Acceptance, instituted by 3ELove – an amazing movement dedicated to changing how people perceive disability. It’s a movement that means a lot to me, and it’s one that the whole world needs to hear about. I discovered 3ELove soon after it was founded in 2004 and just as I was getting involved in advocacy efforts. Their message is one that resonates deeply with me. The more we focus on acceptance, and on encouraging shared connections and understanding among all people, the better off we’ll all be.
And this message of embracing diversity that is being celebrated today isn’t just about acceptance of others. It is also a reminder of how important it is to love and accept yourself just as you are. This just so happens to be right in line with my 2014 goal of self-acceptance. So as I focus mightily on loving and accepting myself exactly as I am, I’ll also be continuing my mission to advocate for acceptance of the disability community everywhere…because that’s how I roll.
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