H. What Is The Best Example Of Advocacy?
Below are the stories of some people with disability advocating in the field of disability:
Dr. Victor Pineda
“In 2003 he launched World Enabled (also called the Pineda Foundation). It combines the efforts of disabled persons’ organizations and intergovernmental agencies from across the world, to help build inclusive societies and promote the rights of people with disabilities.
He has studied business, politics and urban development, and has a Batchelor of Art, Batchelor of Science, Masters and PhD. He has consulted with and advised more than 500 influential companies and organisations, as well as government, on developing disability-friendly policies and inclusive design.
He’s an honorary president of the Global Alliance for Accessible Technologies and Environments, an international organisation aimed at encouraging accessibility in the built and virtual worlds. He was also the youngest person to participate in the drafting of the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.” (Able, 2021)
Alice Wong
“Alice Wong, who has spinal muscular atrophy, is a research consultant and disability rights activist based in San Francisco. In 2014, on the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, she founded the Disability Visibility Project. It works to ‘create, share and amplify disability media and culture’ by collecting historical recordings of interviews with disabled people in the United States.
Alice has a Masters of Science in medical sociology and worked as a researcher at a university for 10 years. During that time she was involved in a number of disability-related research projects and co-wrote numerous research papers.
She has been recognised for her work in activism with a number of awards, including a Beacon Award in 2010 for leadership on behalf of disabled people. In the same year, she received a Disability Service Award for her using her research to advance access and accommodation for disabled people.” (Able, 2021)
Simon Stevens
“Coventry-based Simon Stevens, who has cerebral palsy, mild bipolar, asthma and acute neuropathy, has been an outspoken activist for a number of years. He set up his own business, Enable Enterprises, through which he works as a disability consultant, trainer and advocate.
He’s worked with a variety of national and international organisations, including Scope, National Housing Federation and the Department of Health. He’s also a trustee of Skills for Life, which aims to build a skilled social care workforce. He was given the Enterprising Young Brits award in 2004 for his work to date.” (Able, 2021)