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“Nothing about us without us is for us,” Belfastology, Allan Leonard
Charity to people with disabilities goes back to Biblical times, but philanthropy involving meaningful input from those served is a recent phenomenon. The demand for “nothing about us without us” is core to the ethos of the disability rights movement. Major civil rights legislation for the one-in-five of us with disabilities—the Americans with Disabilities Act—is only 30 years old. When thinking about accessibility, we’re starting to consider more than ramps and bathrooms, like information access and attitudes like who should be at the board table.
Here’s a checklist for you to consider with reference to your favorite nonprofit organization and its board, followed by suggestions and reflections on attempting to “do good” better. I offer them from the perspective of a white cisgender aging woman with disabilities who has been a volunteer and a board member for several nonprofits.
Is Your Organization and its Board Access Able?
- Are your facilities accessible?
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- Wheelchair access throughout the facility?
- Website, newsletters, emails, etc. usable with screen readers?
- Are your customers, volunteers, staff, and board representative of all people?
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- 20% have disabilities
- Do your board and staff receive training about disability as diversity and ableism?
- Is disability part of [...]