A recemt post on brokenclay.org/journal sent me off on an intellectual tangent. This is not something I consider to be one of my strengths. Nonetheless, this was an underlying itch that I just had to scratch.

There is much deserved discussion of late regarding societies understanding and perception of disability. Most of it is negative with an overwhelming consensus that AB society is way off of the mark. That it needs to adjust its sights for a better understanding that will ultimately lead toward social change. You can go to almost any Dis-blog and find discussions on this topic.

I certainly agree that the target has not yet been hit. It may not even be in range yet. Yet it does make me wonder if the same misunderstandings and mis perceptions exist within the disability segments of society.

Disability is a large and diverse world. There is commonality in it but only in the larger sense. In its most granular state the differences are great. Disability becomes disabilities with each having specific goals, agendas, nuances, and cultures that set it apart.

We expect to change society, to gain equity and achieve sincere inclusion by way of awareness and buy in from those on the outside of disability. But have we bought into each others disability? Do the individual segments that make up the disabilities community understand each other? Are they willing to? Do the amputees understand the Deaf? Do those with dyslexia understand the spinal cord injured? Can these groups see past their own cultures and agendas and find a larger commonality on which to hold hands. Are we willing to give ground so that we may all stand on common ground? After all, in our present society change is about numbers and noise. Large unified numbers yelling with one voice is still a powerful weapon for change.

ADA happened because of an oddity. Groundswell across a great number of disability platforms finally came together on an issue in numbers large enough and voices loud enough to create change. That was many years ago. I don’t think we have seen this type of unity since then. Why not?