The War on Disabled People & Disability Rights: A Short Essay & Poem

by Rohit Doel ​for The 44 North

Guest Writer

Rohit is a poet & disability justice activist. Connect with him on Instagram, here.

Rohit, wearing a galaxy-patterned long-sleeve top, holding a guitar painted with Vincent Van Gogh’s “Starry Night."

"Always look for the light when trapped in the Darkness" —Rohit

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“We all need equal access and opportunity, and that includes disabled people! If it doesn’t, none of us will succeed in this life. None of us will be free. Disabled people deserve their own independence and the life they dream about living, without being vilified for their existence and needs.”

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Spoiler…I’m terrified…

As a disabled person, I’m worried for the future of disabled people, particularly speaking as a disabled Person of Colour (POC).

In this essay & poem, we'll be discussing what:

• Disability justice is and what our rights are

• Cuts to services and important things we need to survive

• Increased hatred, i.e racism, ableism, etc.

• What we can do to combat these issues

What is Disability Justice?

Essentially, disability justice centres the most vulnerable and marginalized people in our society: autistic/disabled POC and 2SLGTBQIA+ People. Disability justice also includes discussing important issues like racism, ableism, and transphobia, as well as facing oppression and stigma in everyday society.

Some of the rights disabled people have, which should always be upheld, are:

• Equal access to education and extra support.

• The right to not be disadvantaged from opportunities compared to non-disabled people because of disability.

• Access to important services through work, PIP over here in the U.K., Medicare & Social Security in the U.S., the Canada Disability Benefit, Health Services, the Human Rights Act, and the Equality Act. 

• The ability to access supports to help us navigate everyday life, such as mobility aids, wheelchairs, or hearing aids.

Cuts to Important Services

Over the past few months, I’ve noticed an ever-increasing surge of potential cuts to disability funding and important services. PIP in the U.K. is being cut, alongside Medicare in the U.S. with the government shutdown. The RCMP Disability Pension Program in Canada is also facing cuts alongside NHS cuts here in the U.K., forcing people back into work they cannot do due to poor health or inaccessible work environments that don’t meet the needs of disabled people.

This needs to be discussed and stopped because all over the world—including Sweden, France, Germany and other countries—cuts to health programs and disability resources (which disabled people specifically rely on to survive) are vital. These supports help make life easier, more viable, and independent. Cutting these services only puts disabled people—like me—in poverty and in turn, kills us. It’s important to maintain access to these public services for the sake of disabled people and their livelihoods.

Increased Hatred

I’ve noticed, as a disabled POC, that I’ve been receiving a lot of racist abuse, ableism (internally from my own community and externally), and have been excluded from key opportunities because I’m autistic and need vital support services like home heating. 

Much of this is sprouting from the hateful language we’re seeing in the media, specifically about immigrants, describing disabled people as “scroungers,” “handicapped,” or the R-slur (and much more).

The sad thing, to me, is that our governments and specific people in power are enabling this language and stirring up waves of hate against others which, to be plain, is unacceptable. So many people have accused me of “not being disabled enough” or told me to “go back to my own country.” I’ve heard racist jabs from others as well as folks in the disabled community. This reminds me of how deeply we’ve internalised ableism/racism. It still exists. Hatred to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community still exists. Transphobia and Homophobia are rising rapidly. Too many have the power to limit our rights and dehumanise us. Which is not okay. Let’s take it back!

What can we do to combat this?

• Call on your government and policymakers to express kindness not hate

• Stand up to the anti-disability hate and anti-immigration sentiments when you hear, see, or read them in person and online

• Educate others on important issues happening in your community, because they’re often connected to disability rights and justice

• Don’t accidentally support cuts to vital services—disabled people like me rely on them for survival! 

• Be empathetic and spread the message that disabled people matter

• Don’t encourage forcing people into work—focus on ways to support disabled people with their condition/access requirements to work how and when they’re ready

• Educate people in your circle about disability justice

These may be hopeful, wishful thoughts, but let’s be real together: everyone should be pro-disability!

Conclusion

To conclude, we need to engage in disability justice together to combat racism, ableism, hate, and discrimination. Equally externally and internally, cuts to important services cannot continue. We all need equal access and opportunity, and that includes disabled people! If it doesn’t, none of us will succeed in this life. None of us will be free. Disabled people deserve their own independence and the life they dream about living, without being vilified for their existence and needs. 

I will leave us here with a little poem that speaks volumes to what's happening right now, and how I feel:

Illuminous rainbows

Fainting Daisies

Why must my existence 

 curve with sorrow

Long waiting times at the hospital

feeling bruises all over

my body feels brittle

exhausted fighting for justice

Rainbows full of colour

signal disability pride

This is our hour, our euphoria

yet my chest feels so sour

Why the hate

when I’ve been your mate 

in identity, culture, origin 

we can’t erase 

Just like you 

can’t erase an existence

I’m disabled and I’m proud 

and will continue to be 

always, lovingly forever

Combatting a Rise in Harmful Language Use in Schools: Harmony Movement’s Campaign

By Abbigale Kernya for The 44 North

Managing Editor

Students studying with papers and a laptop

"How can you address your own biases? What are the conversations you might be having at home that might be influencing your child? Or what are you ignoring that your child might be saying or doing and they think it's okay?” ​​​​

In the chaos of school hallways and online chat rooms, words are increasingly weaponized in the classroom. More and more frequently, young students use harmful and hateful language; words echoed online find their way into schools, causing harm far deeper than many of their users understand. In an effort to transform the conversation around harmful language into an opportunity for intervention and education, Harmony Movement’s Words Matter Campaign works closely with schools and communities to initiate dialogue on the power of words. 

Harmony Movement’s Program Managers Justine Hicks and Taraneh Vejdani work closely on this initiative, designed to intervene and educate classrooms about the importance of language—born out of the urgent need to address harm in our schools. With a restorative justice approach, Hicks and Vejdani sat down with The 44 North to discuss what it means to take the pledge in community building, reeducation, commitment to inclusive spaces, and understanding why words matter. 

Vajdani began crafting the campaign last year, where she worked closely with the Inclusive School Action Network, which kick-started the idea for Words Matter. The goal was to create more inclusive spaces in our schools to address and combat the rising concerns of harmful language used by students at an alarming rate. 

“That started the brainstorming and discussion within that group to figure out what is happening on the ground, but also what is the solution?” she said.

The result was a restorative justice approach to understanding why schools are becoming a breeding ground for harmful language, noting that in some cases, students are completely unaware that the language they’re repeating is hurtful and discriminatory. Workshops were created to collaborate with the school and parents to discuss the impact and address the language being used, alongside determining next steps in education and intervention: engage everyone in the conversation around safe spaces in our schools and community.

“The reality is we've seen a significant increase in the use of harmful language, and specifically, slurs have become much more common. Unfortunately, we're seeing it across different age groups, even as young as grade two, where students are using it. We are trying to understand and theorize, really, where it's coming from, or how the spike happened,” Vejdani said on the importance of the Words Matter Campaign.

Harmony Movement provides resources to schools committed to the goals of building the Words Matter campaign, such as workshops, school-specific lesson plans, modules, and webinars—tools to guide students, educators, and parents through appropriate conversations and approaches to combatting harmful language. In addition, Vejdani stressed her appreciation for the amazing community partners working closely with Harmony Movement that helped create content for different identities—targeting complacency around harmful rhetoric in classrooms. 

"With a focus on the unique approach the campaign uses to combat harmful rhetoric, Vejdani said that the reason behind their approach was the simple reality that traditional punishments, suspensions, and detentions aren’t working."

​Crucial, Vejdani said, was the communication between families and educators through social media or letters, which keeps conversations about next-steps and additional concerns constantly available. 

“We've hosted check-in sessions: I would meet up with schools to help them think through what the campaign could look like for their specific schools. We have evaluation tools that they can access, too, for us to see how the campaign is going, but also for them to see where they're at and how the campaign has impacted them,” she said.

Hicks added that with the rise of social media and unrestricted access to the internet, young children are being introduced to language without knowing the history or weight behind the words they then repeat in the classroom. 

“Now we're [...] focusing on specifically addressing that. So we'll be meeting with some students—we've already had some consultations with some of our partners—and we want to make sure we're including all voices—bringing all voices to the table—to make sure that we are doing this with students in mind. For students by students,” she said.

More specifically, Hicks mentioned the importance of holding space for marginalized students who are most affected by inappropriate language in schools, noting that their experiences are often centred out in classrooms. This emphasizes additional support needs for these students and their families. 

“How can we be supportive of Black families who might be navigating these issues with their children, experiencing daily racism in school? And resources for non-Black families? What can you do when you hear your child using these slurs? How can you address your own biases? What are the conversations you might be having at home that might be influencing your child? Or what are you ignoring that your child might be saying or doing and they think it's okay?” Hicks said on the next phase of the campaign. 

'Words Matter' aims to restore the relationship between marginalized students and their educators by creating a classroom environment where educators take steps to intervene when harmful language is used, rebuilding the trust and support needed for student safety and growth.

Intervention and education are among the Words Matter campaign’s top goals. While there is no overnight solution, Vejdani has received positive feedback and seen real change implemented by schools that pledged to create these vital spaces for students and educators. From an increase in intervention when harmful language is used, to student ownership in creating different initiatives like their own Words Matter school club, to seeing students feel empowered to stand up and change the culture of normalized harmful words  not only in the classroom, but in their community as well. 

Vejdani added that the third Wednesday in May was Words Matter Day—schools hosted art contests, assemblies, dances, and more to celebrate safe language and normalize inclusivity, supportive spaces, and speaking up when you hear something concerning at school. 

With a focus on the unique approach the campaign uses to combat harmful rhetoric, Vejdani said that the reason behind their approach was the simple reality that traditional punishments, suspensions, and detentions aren’t working. 

“It doesn't change the culture; it doesn't change the individual. So when we went about creating our intervention strategies or content, we really wanted to take a restorative justice approach and think about what needs to happen for the students who are using the language and the students who are harmed by that language, both to feel prepared or safe by the end of that process. So we say the key is always to intervene,” she said.

“Say something, even if you don't have the opportunity to do that education piece right away. The first thing is that you need to interrupt what is happening.”

Our words always matter, and Harmony Movement’s campaign reminds us never to take that lightly.​

Further Reading:

More about Harmony Movement at harmony.ca

Join the 'Words Matter' Campaign at: harmony.ca/words-matter/

Join the Inclusive School Action Network at: https://harmony.ca/isan/

Free educator resources here.

Thank you to our incredible community partners who made the Words Matter campaign possible.

Political Anxiety→ Live Podcast Recap

by Mikaela Brewer ​for The 44 North

From left to right, and from behind, a view of Kritika, Walied, Diana, and Brennan sitting at a long table in front of microphones. Photo taken by: @calcamposmedia / @calvin.campos

Key Event Insights To Remember & Guide You

*paraphrased from our

 Live Podcast Event: Political Anxiety–How to Take Action and Take Care of Yourself.  

Download this post as a PDF checklist!

How can we truly be informed during the rise of AI & social media’s influence on political discourse?

• Asante Haughton (A): The internet is juxtaposed with the real world. The internet never used to be real—we were told to go outside & talk to real people. Now, the internet is real. Have conversations with real people in our lives about misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories. We’re critical of the internet, but not everyone is. Reach them.

• Walied Khogali Ali (W): AI has changed everything. If it’s taught bias in data mining, bias becomes easy to spread. At a policy level, data is overcharged. Platforms are learning through bias, such as in health care & of racialized groups. Ask how this is impacting our shared understanding of facts. Be involved in how we collectively regulate this data. AI didn’t appear magically—bias is built into all technology & it’s people who build it. We feed it bias to learn from, only for it to share bias back to us. What are we telling AI?

• Brennan Jackson (B): Surround yourself with people who both do & don’t think like you. Facts don’t always align with beliefs, so put effort into fact-checking. Don’t take things at face value.

• Diana Yoon (D): Social media is a tool—we can use it to reach people. It can be a bridge to connect decision makers + politicians where in-person conversations are critically complementary. 

• D: We can’t ignore the rise & popularity of AI & the fact that people are searching for information through it. Ask: What is the bias of each platform & publication you’re engaging with. What sources are being mined? What are you being fed & who’s growing it?

• W: Ask why we would believe information not coming from a trusted source? Trust is a foundation of community. So if we don’t trust Google’s leadership, for example, why would we trust its AI as a source?

• B: AI is not always correct. It’s often blatantly wrong. Use critical thinking!

• D: Ask what we lose in moments where we talk to a machine instead of a friend, neighbour, or family member. Can we lean on our list of contacts? Who might need us, too?

What does a politically safe & just future look like? What are we building towards?

• W: When basic human rights are respected, and our framework is focused on this. We must work to see the warning signs & consequences of not listening to one another. Build strong safety nets. This future is possible when it’s a matter of choice: who we vote for, elect, volunteer with, donate to, and speak up alongside. Exercise the power we have! We need to trust each other & work together. Appreciate the shared values we have. Calls to action cannot be seen as an inconvenience!

• B: Everyone’s perspectives have to be heard. This offers a better chance for understanding & therefore, the changing of minds. Reduce censorship. 

• D: Back to basics: a society where we genuinely care for each other.

What are some frames/wisdom to know and/or lead communication with, in the most empathetic, resourceful way?

• W: Know that this is more than a series of thoughts—this is a collective feeling.

• W: Powerful people don’t want change, and use forms of intimidation to halt discussion of a system that’s harmful. It’s helpful to know that social media divisions have worked. We’re influenced. Research on AI shows effectiveness at convincing people to change their minds. 

• W: Know that the public narrative is not always factually correct.

• W: Attacks on people & rights are not subtle. Laws are being changed & programs dismantled. 

• B: Re: Faith and the Christian community: Trump pedestalled his platform on “Christian values.” If you’re a part of a Christian community and don’t subscribe to his ideologies, do some extra research. What does faith look like in a political climate where it’s weaponized? 

• B: Know that inducing fear sponsors hate & blame, which aren’t effective in change. 

• D: Try not to feel intimidated. We can influence the decisions that impact our lives.

• D: Fear & concern are always valid & needed with the rise of fascism & international conflict. 

• D: Being in a state of powerless fear is not motivating. Organize in a way that tackles anxiety as urgency in a productive way. And reframe urgency: everything feels harder when we’re burning out. If we want to fight the good fight for the rest of our lives, we need healthy rest & stamina.

• D: Know that Instagram blocks news, which changes how folks get information on the landscape of social media. 

• D: We’re losing the ability to gather information, form communication channels, and take action. It is harder to share information, so continue finding & building new ways. 

• W: Past “progressive coalitions” are showing cracks. 

How can advocacy evolve to not only resist political anxiety but also get it back on track?

• W: Solidarity. Evil prevails when good people remain silent. 

• W: Find common alignment & understanding of what our shared, true threat is.

• W: Do not take for granted voices disenfranchised from the process—we must do intentional work to build alliances. Build, don’t sit idle, and don’t assume things are going to get better.

• D: Ask what we can do to influence change: talk to city councillors, MPs, escalate when tactics don’t work, fill out surveys & petitions. 

• B: Be okay with angering people, but without pushing them away through anger. Come from a place of empathy. Not everyone has the same upbringing or access to information/perspectives.

• W: There are no shortcuts. Our best communication form is face-to-face, 1:1. This builds a foundation of trust. We’re kept busy intentionally—exhausted from work, partying on weekends to cope, and then have no idea what’s happening. Some level of privilege—to take time off work for example—is required to join spaces. We need to challenge this fundamentally: how can spaces function if people can’t meaningfully participate in them?

• W: We can’t just show up to town hall now—it’s security-focused & feels unwelcome. Challenge the status quo. Make spaces accessible. Integrate intergenerational conversations to understand how we got here. Not showing up & not caring is the desired outcome by those in power. Sheep can be manipulated & controlled. Take back these institutions & make them democratic. 

• B: Look to leaders who are truly empathetic to the people they’re hoping to serve. Ex. those who are willing to take public transit or spend time living with the houseless community. 

• D: Find mutual aid work & community development outside of government support for local, tangible impact. 

• W & D: Understand who influences the political process. Convince people to participate. Run for office or support someone who truly reflects & represents the community & their needs. Build coalitions that coalesce. Be consistent, work hard, and lead with a vision. 

• A: People will join you, because they agree, but only if you start!

• D: Know that everyone thinks they’re doing the right thing. What is motivating them? Who are they listening to?

• A: Sometimes people are in government because the folks who voted for them are the loudest. Let’s be loud!