A personal reflection on the ongoing fight for disability rights and the loss of key advocates.
As someone who has directly benefited from the hard-won disability rights, I find myself grappling with a complex emotion when it comes to celebrating these rights. How can we truly celebrate the progress made, knowing that many of the individuals who fought tirelessly to guarantee them are no longer with us?
The passing of these key advocates and leaders in the disability rights movement has left a void that is felt deeply. These individuals not only fought for legislative changes but also worked to shift societal attitudes toward disability. Their passing raises questions about the future of these rights and how we can continue their important work.
While there is still much to be done in terms of equality, accessibility, and full inclusion for disabled people, it’s clear that the legacy of these trailblazers lives on. However, their absence forces us to confront the challenge of how to carry this legacy forward without them.
Celebrating these rights can feel bittersweet, as we honour the accomplishments of those who paved the way, while also acknowledging the need to keep pushing for progress in their absence.
