You’re the Community Outreach Coordinator at the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State (SANYS). Can you tell us more about your work with SANYS and why self-advocacy is so important?
SANYS is a nonprofit organization founded in 1986 by and for people with developmental disabilities. I’ve been working with SANYS in various capacities since 2006. I started as a regional organizer, and I organized Capital Region events. Then, I took on the role of co-policy director. I did a lot of legislative testimony and listening to policymakers about policies that affected people with disabilities. Now, I’m the community outreach coordinator.
I think self-advocacy is important, because I think people need to know that the disability community knows what we want and how we want it. But a lot of times we’re not asked, so we need to tell them. Whether it’s the people that support you, your family, or your community, we need to be out there telling people what we need, whether they’re asking or not.
You’re also the NY State Coordinator for Ms. Wheelchair New York. Can you share more about your involvement and why it’s such an important program?
Ms. Wheelchair New York is an advocacy and empowerment program for women who use wheelchairs. It’s important to share our stories but women with disabilities are not always given that platform. Yes, it comes with a crown and a sash, but it gets us through the door to talk with people.
I got involved with Ms. Wheelchair back in 2004. The state coordinator of the program at the time was a very fierce advocate who we unfortunately lost recently, Denise DiNoto. After many conversations, she convinced me to be a contestant. At the time, I was college student, and I had to do a lot of oral presentations, which I absolutely hated. I told Denise I hated public speaking and I’m never going to do public speaking. Well, somebody else had a different plan than that, because public speaking is my life. And that first year that I competed, I came in third in the state. And then the following year, after many talks with Denise, I competed and won.
Now, I get to do what Denise did for me, giving women with disabilities a platform and empowering them and see them flourishing through this program.
As we celebrate Disability Pride Month, what advice do you have for people with disabilities about embracing their identity and sharing their story?
I always say that it’s very easy for us as people with disabilities to focus on the things that we can’t do, but there are things that everybody can’t do. I won’t let what I can’t do get in the way of what I can, because we all can do something. We can all use our voice to speak up for something that’s important to us. We all have a story, and all of our stories are important. There’s somebody in the world that wants to hear your story because they are feeling that they’re the only one that is dealing with whatever they’re dealing with.
What disability rights issue is your biggest advocacy priority right now?
Right now, the biggest thing is transportation and travel. There was a portion of my life where I lived in an inaccessible apartment, so I could not move around as freely as I do now. And yes, travel comes with lots of challenges, especially if you’re a person with a disability. But I try very hard not to let those challenges ruin the fact that I love to travel, and I love to see the world, and I love to meet people from all over. I can’t let the challenges of life stop me from living my life. I believe that I was put on this earth to enjoy my life. I think we should all enjoy our lives.
Also, people with disabilities should have access to be at whatever table they want to be at. And if you’re not invited to the table, then build your own table and invite other people.
Thinking ahead, what’s next on your exciting journey?
I’m connecting with others and sharing what I’ve learned in my own life and the lessons that I’ve learned through the challenges. In the self-advocacy world, we’re getting ready for our statewide conference in the fall, which is our biggest event. And of course, continuing to support the ladies of Ms. Wheelchair and everything that they’re advocating for and being out there and promoting.