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Independent Living News & Policy from the National Council on Independent Living

NCIL Statement on Activism

The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) is saddened and angry that, just over two weeks after releasing a statement on police violence, the country is once again mourning the murder of another victim, George Floyd.

NCIL recognizes that, in the midst of so much inequity and injustice that has only been further revealed by Mr. Floyd’s murder, more people than ever – including those of with disabilities – are looking for ways to make their voices heard in the interest of both breaking the cycle of police violence and effecting systemic change. NCIL acknowledges that, although virtual and other means of non-in person activism have often been dismissed as “less than” within the disability community, all modes of advocacy have merit and, in many instances, actions taken via social media have resulted in positive outcomes, not just for people with disabilities, but for all.

With that in mind, NCIL’s Taskforce on Anti-Racism and Equity would like to amplify the resources and guides already in existence that are intended to support individuals with disabilities with in engaging in activism from both home and in-person, including the following.

Sins Invalid:

Echolalia Chamber:

Andrew Pulrang via Rooted in Rights:

Amnesty International USA and Teen Vogue:

URGE:

That said, we know that engaging in systems advocacy from home can still present challenges and isn’t necessarily universally inclusive: not everyone has the means to make financial contributions to causes and organizations they care about and access to technology that facilitates social media activism is a privilege that excludes many.

Ultimately, how, when, and why a person chooses to speak out during this pivotal time in human history is a personal decision. We applaud all efforts from the disability community to participate in creating a society that protects and respects the lives of Black people, no matter the modality.

NCIL logo - National Council on Independent Living

Comments

  1. Sarah King says

    I am sure people who suffer from depression and illnesses no visual, are also amounts this group. People such as Women used as playtoys, bashed, working conditions, captured, murdered etc. People who suffered institutional abuse and those who ate afraid to go outside. Grandparents who have lost there children, rights taken away and left alone to die. Religious domination and women’s and other rights in schools and universities. Sport is also a domaneering state in its self.

  2. Sarah King says

    Add Global Warming and the rights of all life to exist. I believe is we have a respect and understanding of the EART and all living things around us, we need to be inclusive. Extinction is about us doing just this, the messages about our lives have always been about humans and money. Not about life in general or the suvival of our World as we do not know it. Sustainability is misused and targeted to industries who destroy Sustainability. Words are also disabled. Advertising is corrupt. So our visual needs in general can be returned to a better understanding of where we are all going. The foods we eat and ate tied to, coffee etc industries have been drsyroyingbhuge places on our . We have to be away if what we serve to eat. We’re it comes from and who is missing out. Especially the Environment, forests and the animal and under water communities. Unless we get this right, we will always be pushing the wrong barrow.