On Why Disability Justice is Important & How to Start Taking Action
At Kindman & Co., we are working towards building a society that recognizes and addresses the diverse needs of all individuals. Today, we want to shed light on an often overlooked but important aspect of social justice: Disability Justice. Disability Justice encompasses both understanding and advocacy for the rights, needs, and dignity of disabled people. It is a movement that sparks conversations around inclusivity, accessibility, and equality for people of all abilities.
At its core, Disability Justice challenges traditional approaches to disability, moving away from a solely medical or individualistic perspective. Instead, it emphasizes the necessity of considering broader social, cultural, and systemic factors that contribute to inequality and discrimination faced by individuals with disabilities, especially for disabled BIPOC, queer, and trans folks, as well as the collective struggle of living under capitalism and grind culture. The goal is to promote autonomy, respect, and full participation in society in ways that align with each person's unique experiences, supports and honors many diverse intersections of identities, and resists capitalistic norms by highlighting ableism and re-prioritizing our interdependence. (Not sure what “ableism” means exactly? Check out this quick & handy Ableism 101 guide from Chicago’s Access Living!)
Before continuing on, we want to honor and recognize that the work of Sins Invalid has been essential to creating a framework for defining Disability Justice and what action-taking can look like, and we encourage you to read more here.
One of the key principles of Disability Justice is intersectionality. Recognizing that disability does not exist in a vacuum, this principle originated by Kimberlé Crenshaw, acknowledges that individuals have multiple identities and experiences that shape their lives. It highlights how disability intersects with race, gender, socioeconomic status, sexuality, and other dimensions of identity, influencing the barriers and discrimination faced by disabled people from marginalized communities. Disability Justice seeks to address these intersecting forms of oppression through collaborative and inclusive activism and policy change.
Moreover, Disability Justice advocates for accessible and inclusive environments. This includes not only physical accessibility but also inclusive design, accessible communication, and equal opportunities. Disability Justice embodies the belief that accessibility is a right, and it is society's responsibility to remove barriers that prevent disabled individuals from fully participating in various domains of life, rather than a disabled person’s responsibility to conform or adapt to society’s current, ableist norms. This is true in all areas of daily life including education, employment, healthcare, public transportation, and social activities.
Additionally, Disability Justice calls for an empowering and inclusive representation of disability in the media, arts, and popular culture. By challenging stereotypes and normative ideas, promoting diverse narratives, and amplifying disabled voices, Disability Justice seeks to counteract harmful, ableist biases and cultivate a more equitable society. This particular area is where the work of Sins Invalid really shines, as the organization is a “performance project” whose work (among many other avenues) “explores the themes of sexuality, embodiment and the disabled body, developing provocative work where paradigms of ‘normal’ and ‘sexy’ are challenged, offering instead a vision of beauty and sexuality inclusive of all bodies and communities.”
To achieve its goals, Disability Justice values grassroots activism, collaboration, and the voices and leadership of disabled individuals themselves. Disabled people, particularly those from marginalized communities, are at the forefront of this movement, as their perspectives are crucial in understanding and addressing the unique challenges they face. Disability Justice encourages mutual aid networks, community organizing, and coalition building to advocate for societal transformation and build collective power.
As a society, we must embrace the principles of Disability Justice to create more inclusive and just communities that not only better support disabled folks, but each and everyone of us. To advance disability justice, it is crucial to have access to a wide range of resources that provide advocacy, support, and empowerment for individuals with disabilities. Check out the below organizations to get better acquainted with some of the groups doing work to further disability justice and provide essential education and supports.
Disability Justice Organizations & Resources
organizations for disability rights & advocacy
Disability Intersectionality Summit: A biennial national conference that “aims to create dialogue on how our society must address systemic oppressions using an intersectional approach. The conference centers the experiences and knowledge of multiply marginalized disabled people such as, queer disabled people of color, undocumented transgender disabled people, or formerly incarcerated disabled people among others.”
National Disability Rights Network (NDRN): NDRN is a non-profit organization that promotes and protects the rights of individuals with disabilities across the United States. They provide legal advocacy, training, and support to individuals facing discrimination or barriers to accessibility.
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF): DREDF is dedicated to protecting and advancing the civil rights of individuals with disabilities. They offer resources, litigation support, education, and policy advocacy to fight for inclusive and equitable opportunities.
Disability is Diversity Campaign: Advocacy group raising the profile of disability, especially focusing on increasing disability inclusion in DEI strategies within the Entertainment Industry.
disability Online Platforms & Publications
Disability Visibility Project: Disability Visibility Project is both an online platform and an advocacy project “dedicated to creating, sharing, and amplifying disability media and culture.”
Disabled Writers: Disabled Writers is an online database that connects writers with disabilities to editors, publishers, and organizations seeking diverse voices. It aims to amplify the voices and perspectives of disabled writers, creating more inclusive narratives in media and publishing.
Rooted in Rights: Rooted in Rights is a digital platform that utilizes storytelling, videos, and social media campaigns to advocate for disability justice. They collaborate with individuals and organizations to create engaging and thought-provoking content, raising awareness about disability rights and issues.
disability Empowerment & Support
Diversability: Elevating Disability Pride. “We believe that disability is diversity and that disability is diverse and we want to showcase that in everything we do.”
Center for Disability Rights (CDR): CDR is a community-based organization that empowers individuals with disabilities through education, advocacy, and peer support. They offer a wide range of resources and programs that focus on independent living, accessibility, and disability justice.
Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN): ASAN is a self-advocacy organization run by and for individuals on the autism spectrum. They work to “advance the principles of the disability rights movement with regard to autism” by promoting inclusion, acceptance, and self-determination through community-building, policy advocacy, and resources for individuals and families.
Disability Legal Resources
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) National Network: The ADA National Network provides information and guidance on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ensuring accessibility and equal opportunity for people
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund: Advancing rights of individuals with disabilities through legal advocacy, education, and policy
National Disability Rights Network: Protection & Advocacy for People with Disabilities
Disability & Access Legal Support Links: Links for legal information and support for disabled individuals in California to better understand their rights
Kaitlin Kindman, is a co-founder of Kindman & Co., is disabled, an activist, and a feminist. Her purpose is to help her clients come to believe that they are not alone, they belong, AND they inspire—they have the power to bring about change. She works with her clients to feel more connected, so that they take actions that improve their relationships and the world.
Kaitlin is deeply committed to providing socially just and anti-oppressive therapy. She really loves working with couples to improve their relationships and deepen intimacy, with other therapists and healers, as well as entrepreneurs and other business owners. Kaitlin finds true enjoyment in cuddling with animals, a just-right temperature cup of tea, feeling the sun on her face, and dancing in supermarket aisles.
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