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capri0mniThis last Monday (December 4, 2011) ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
haddayr posted this link to "The Invisible Backpack of Able-Bodied Privilege Checklist" over at the B-tch on Wheels blog:
http://exposingableism.wordpress.com/2009/10/12/the-invisible-backpack-of-able-bodied-privilege-checklist/
I, personally, think it's a fabulous list, and everything on it is true... And you should read it, and think about it, and remember it.
But: a) Its focus is very specific to mobility-based disability (so it misses issues that come up for people with invisible, sensory, or intellectual disabilities) so if I had my druthers, I'd rename it to something like "ambulatory privilege" or "bipedal privilege; and b) while every privilege she lists is important and true, I think that some of the privileges she lists are not quite as important as others (at least, to me).
So, using her list as a template, and keeping the list the same length, here's my take, behind the cut (some of the items on the list are essentially the same, but put into my own words, for clarity, and a few items have been swapped out):
1. If I am invited to someone's private home, I can expect to be as welcome to use the bathrooms, should I need to (with privacy and dignity), as I am welcome to share in the food and drink.
2. If I find myself in an uncomfortable place (either because of the physical environment or the people around me) I can leave easily, without calling extra attention to myself and my vulnerability.
3. If I need to find new housing, I can expect to be able to move to any house and any neighborhood I choose, and not have to worry about whether I will have to spend my life in that house trapped to a single room or set of rooms, dependent on others for daily survival needs (such as bathing and cooking). I do not have to consider moving into permanent residency in a nursing home or hospital.
4. When I enter a store, restaurant, or other commercial establishment, I can expect to be treated as a valued customer, and potential source for future income, instead of an inconvenience or impediment to others.
5. If a stranger asks me a personal, intimate, question about my body, medical history, or way of life, I can refuse to answer without being labeled "rude" or "bitter."
6. If I am moving from one place to another, I can expect to get to my destination eventually without someone physically grabbing me to "hurry me along," or pulling me in another direction.
7. I have progressed / am progressing through my education without having to prove to anyone that I deserve, or can benefit from, said education.
8. I can choose to enter any career that fits my interests and skills, without being seen as a "special burden" to potential employers, before I even attempt the job; hiring me will not be perceived as an act of "Charity."
9. If I ask a question of anyone, it's assumed I will understand the answer, unless and until I, myself, express confusion.
10. People will believe me, for the most part, when I tell them I can, or cannot, do something; no one assumes I am lying or cheating my way through life.
11. I do not have to fear being assaulted because of my ability level. If am abused by a partner I will have a safe place to go if I wish to leave. [Yeah. That one's unchanged]
12. When I approach a building, I can expect to be allowed to enter through the front door; I can expect to be allowed into any building without bringing my own escort or chaperone.
13. If I am teased or bullied because of my body or mannerisms, that is considered the fault of the bully, not me. I am never asked to change my ways or appearance to avoid social or physical violence. I am not considered weird if I am happy with my life and my body.
14. When speaking with medical professionals, can expect them to understand how my body works, to answer my questions, and respect my decisions. [Another one I'm leaving as is]
15. I can choose to travel by any means available that I can afford; I do not have to fear the long-term loss of my independence or safety at journey's end as a consequence of someone's ignorance or negligence.
16. My mere presence in a public space is not considered a danger to others. If there is a safety emergency (such as a fire, earthquake, or terrorist attack), I can reasonably expect that rescue professionals will know what to do to help me escape to safety, and that they will not hesitate to do so.
17. If I am traveling under my own power through a public space open to pedestrians, I can expect open access throughout the route. If I am struck by a motorist, or otherwise injured due to poorly maintained facilities, that will be considered the fault of the motorist, or maintenance crew, and not be held up as an example of how it is unsafe for me-- and people like me-- to be out in public.
18. Once I grow to adulthood, I can expect to be treated as an adult, and that people will speak to directly to me, and will hear and respect the answers I give in response.
19. I will be respected as the expert on my own experience and feelings. Decisions affecting my "quality of life" will not be made based more on the feelings of family or strangers than on my own experience.
20. If I offer help to someone, it is assumed that I am, in fact, capable of helping. I am seen as capable of being charitable as well as receiving charity.
21. All people like me are seen as living lives that are worth living. [Again, that one's unchanged from the original]
haddayr posted this link to "The Invisible Backpack of Able-Bodied Privilege Checklist" over at the B-tch on Wheels blog: http://exposingableism.wordpress.com/2009/10/12/the-invisible-backpack-of-able-bodied-privilege-checklist/
I, personally, think it's a fabulous list, and everything on it is true... And you should read it, and think about it, and remember it.
But: a) Its focus is very specific to mobility-based disability (so it misses issues that come up for people with invisible, sensory, or intellectual disabilities) so if I had my druthers, I'd rename it to something like "ambulatory privilege" or "bipedal privilege; and b) while every privilege she lists is important and true, I think that some of the privileges she lists are not quite as important as others (at least, to me).
So, using her list as a template, and keeping the list the same length, here's my take, behind the cut (some of the items on the list are essentially the same, but put into my own words, for clarity, and a few items have been swapped out):
1. If I am invited to someone's private home, I can expect to be as welcome to use the bathrooms, should I need to (with privacy and dignity), as I am welcome to share in the food and drink.
2. If I find myself in an uncomfortable place (either because of the physical environment or the people around me) I can leave easily, without calling extra attention to myself and my vulnerability.
3. If I need to find new housing, I can expect to be able to move to any house and any neighborhood I choose, and not have to worry about whether I will have to spend my life in that house trapped to a single room or set of rooms, dependent on others for daily survival needs (such as bathing and cooking). I do not have to consider moving into permanent residency in a nursing home or hospital.
4. When I enter a store, restaurant, or other commercial establishment, I can expect to be treated as a valued customer, and potential source for future income, instead of an inconvenience or impediment to others.
5. If a stranger asks me a personal, intimate, question about my body, medical history, or way of life, I can refuse to answer without being labeled "rude" or "bitter."
6. If I am moving from one place to another, I can expect to get to my destination eventually without someone physically grabbing me to "hurry me along," or pulling me in another direction.
7. I have progressed / am progressing through my education without having to prove to anyone that I deserve, or can benefit from, said education.
8. I can choose to enter any career that fits my interests and skills, without being seen as a "special burden" to potential employers, before I even attempt the job; hiring me will not be perceived as an act of "Charity."
9. If I ask a question of anyone, it's assumed I will understand the answer, unless and until I, myself, express confusion.
10. People will believe me, for the most part, when I tell them I can, or cannot, do something; no one assumes I am lying or cheating my way through life.
11. I do not have to fear being assaulted because of my ability level. If am abused by a partner I will have a safe place to go if I wish to leave. [Yeah. That one's unchanged]
12. When I approach a building, I can expect to be allowed to enter through the front door; I can expect to be allowed into any building without bringing my own escort or chaperone.
13. If I am teased or bullied because of my body or mannerisms, that is considered the fault of the bully, not me. I am never asked to change my ways or appearance to avoid social or physical violence. I am not considered weird if I am happy with my life and my body.
14. When speaking with medical professionals, can expect them to understand how my body works, to answer my questions, and respect my decisions. [Another one I'm leaving as is]
15. I can choose to travel by any means available that I can afford; I do not have to fear the long-term loss of my independence or safety at journey's end as a consequence of someone's ignorance or negligence.
16. My mere presence in a public space is not considered a danger to others. If there is a safety emergency (such as a fire, earthquake, or terrorist attack), I can reasonably expect that rescue professionals will know what to do to help me escape to safety, and that they will not hesitate to do so.
17. If I am traveling under my own power through a public space open to pedestrians, I can expect open access throughout the route. If I am struck by a motorist, or otherwise injured due to poorly maintained facilities, that will be considered the fault of the motorist, or maintenance crew, and not be held up as an example of how it is unsafe for me-- and people like me-- to be out in public.
18. Once I grow to adulthood, I can expect to be treated as an adult, and that people will speak to directly to me, and will hear and respect the answers I give in response.
19. I will be respected as the expert on my own experience and feelings. Decisions affecting my "quality of life" will not be made based more on the feelings of family or strangers than on my own experience.
20. If I offer help to someone, it is assumed that I am, in fact, capable of helping. I am seen as capable of being charitable as well as receiving charity.
21. All people like me are seen as living lives that are worth living. [Again, that one's unchanged from the original]
no subject
Date: 2011-12-10 10:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-12-10 10:47 pm (UTC)Thanks. It was that first one, especially, about "social events" and "accessibility" that struck me as particularly, and unhelpfully, vague (and mostly, it seemed, to avoid addressing the potentially embarrassing subject of going to the bathroom).
I've been invited to people's houses for parties, before and they've all assured me that they'll make their homes "accessible" by helping me through the door and making a space for me at the table. And while I recognize the generosity of spirit and genuine desire to include me within their circle of friends, the prospect of a several-hour party with food and beverage and laughter, but without the ability to deal with the consequences of food, beverage, and laughter just fills me with dread and foreboding.
And #5, too: while the lack of "people like me" in my chosen genres of entertainment, while important, is not quite as important as the expectation that I should act as the "infotainment" for random strangers...
but I suspect doing so will just make me have permanent sadface
*sigh.* That is the risk...
no subject
Date: 2011-12-10 10:58 pm (UTC)I notice, too, that the "accessibility" of peoples' homes and social events thing also tends to avoid things like...needing to lie or sit down comfortably if there is a sudden lack of pain/fatigue-related spoons?
is not quite as important as the expectation that I should act as the "infotainment" for random strangers...
YEP.
no subject
Date: 2011-12-10 11:19 pm (UTC)It's almost as if... oh, I dunno, we're looked on like fictional characters. You can read through an entire novel and never see anyone going to the bathroom, or sleeping, or brushing their teeth. So it's like those things don't exist, or aren't actual needs. Our existence only goes as deep as far as others see us, in public. We're almost like paper dolls, or something.
"Infotainment"
Yep to that YEP.
no subject
Date: 2011-12-11 04:13 am (UTC)There's an inchoate issue I'm struggling with, which may only be relevant to folks with mental health issues. Basically, it's OK to be upset. Expressing strong emotions does not take away my adulthood license.
Do you get what I'm groping towards?
no subject
Date: 2011-12-11 04:38 am (UTC)I think so (I think I may be groping toward it from a different direction). If I'm not mistaken, I think it may be related to #19: that the inherent value of our lives is judged, not based on our own experiences, but the good opinions of those around us, and that our right to participate in life is not dependent on someone else's judgement that we are "worthy" (also related to #7, the education one).
no subject
Date: 2011-12-11 05:41 am (UTC)Ugh, this. I also hate it that the fact that I'm sitting is often taken as a sign that I don't want to be included in conversations - very often none of the stand-around-ers bother to sit with me (or offer to sit with me) to socialise. To the point that … most places where people aren't close friends (so I haven't had The Conversation about this stuff), I now tote a book. Or don't go in the first place.
no subject
Date: 2011-12-11 06:04 am (UTC)Definitely something that is a huge thing for those of us with mental health issues, but is also a big thing for those of us with developmental disabilities, and just disabilities in general. Ie a term used here in Australia that just has me hopping with rage is "behavioural problems" used particularly towards people with disabilities who have been institutionalised. Their justified anger and distress as being treated as less than human with little control over their lives is seen as a behavoural problem rather than an indication that they are not being treated with respect. I keep telling people that if ABs were expected to live the way these people are THEY'D have behavioural problems too.
no subject
Date: 2011-12-11 06:11 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-12-11 06:25 am (UTC)This is something I've seen most often in the treatment of kids with CP (mostly because I happen to have CP, and was thus there to witness these particular instances); they don't have any mental health issues, or cognitive impairments, but every time they try to assert themselves, and protest, that's taken as "Proof" that they are 'retarded' (which was the term of choice by professionals, when I was growing up).
It's enough to make one weep.
no subject
Date: 2011-12-11 06:28 am (UTC)That's what I meant when I included "Rescue professionals ... will not hesitate to [help me to safety]"
no subject
Date: 2011-12-11 06:35 am (UTC)And then, after declining a certain number of invitations, people start to assume I don't want to be friendly or neighborly...
no subject
Date: 2011-12-11 09:23 pm (UTC)I am able to express strong feelings (anger, distress, love, sexuality) without them being discounted as symptoms.
post post tip of tongue syndrome
Date: 2011-12-11 09:26 pm (UTC)Re: post post tip of tongue syndrome
Date: 2011-12-12 12:27 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-12-13 06:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-12-13 08:19 pm (UTC)Still behind on "Plato's nightmare," though -- should really be writing my next entry, but instead, I'm faffing about fiddling with Monster Teddy Designs (I've had New Thoughts about this in the last year and a half...)
no subject
Date: 2011-12-14 04:20 am (UTC)Thank you -- there's a lot to read and think about here.
no subject
Date: 2011-12-14 05:44 am (UTC)