As we stated in last month’s blog, while the policy decisions that elected officials make impact everyone’s lives, these decisions often directly affect people with disabilities who are more likely to be dependent on government systems for health care, social services, employment, and other needs.

According to The Center for American Progress, “With 1 in 4 people in the United States having a disability, politicians should be looking to this population to help determine what a future America looks like.”

And yet, people with disabilities and their needs are still often left out of important discussions about policy and even lawmakers with the best of intentions may not think about the needs of people with disabilities when making decisions.

Adult male in a wheelchair smiling and holding a cell phone. The man is dressed in business professional clothing.

There are many reasons for this. For one, most elected leaders are not people with disabilities and have the same unconscious biases that so many others without disabilities have. Some may have knowledge about or experience with only a specific type of disability. While others may even believe harmful stereotypes or have negative views about disability. Another reason is that elected leaders with experience addressing disability issues often serve for a set period of time before leaving office due to term limits, losing reelection, or seeking another position. A newly elected person stepping into their shoes will not have the benefit of their experience and institutional knowledge.

This is why disability advocacy is an ongoing process and why it is so important. In order to achieve a world that is accessible and inclusive, it is necessary to continually educate our elected leaders.

While the needs and goals of the disability community do not change based on who wins an election, different approaches to advocacy may be necessary to effectively reach elected leaders.

One of the most common approaches to disability advocacy is to introduce yourself and share your story. Hearing first-hand from a person with a disability is remarkably effective. A person with lived experience has valuable knowledge and an authority to speak on the subject.

Image of a woman with pink hair sitting at a table and writing a note with pen and paper.

Before reaching out to an elected official, educate yourself about who they are and where they stand on issues of disability rights. Come prepared with the the elected official’s name and title (i.e. State Representative Jane Smith or City Councilmember John Doe), the year they were elected and how long they have been in office, any prior offices they have held, and, if available, a record of their previous votes on bills, decisions, and public comments related to disability issues.

Ways to communicate with your elected officials include email, telephone, writing and mailing a letter or in person at a public meeting, public event, or the official’s office (members of Congress also have an office in D.C.). Disability advocacy groups, such as Disability Network Michigan (DNM), also have coordinated events that you can participate in. Your local Center for Independent Living is also a great resource if you’re looking for help finding and contacting your elected officials.

Remember that listening to constituents is part of an elected official's job. Ideally, they will welcome hearing from you and appreciate you taking the time to let them know who you are, what you need, and what issues are important to you. Advancing policies that make our world more accessible and inclusive requires both education and persistence. Together we can remove the barriers that stand in our way.