Essay: Intersectionality That Forgets People with Disabilities

Un-inclusive inclusion: intersectionality that forgets people with disabilities

BY ISADORA RODRIGUEZ-LEGENDRE

I was born in Puerto Rico and grew up in the Bronx, NY. In New York City, I was exposed to diverse cultures and languages on a daily basis. However, I saw very few people with disabilities in my community, at cultural events or riding the buses and subways when I was growing up, because these weren’t generally accessible. Thankfully, in the past few decades, there have been significant changes such as adding curb cuts, entrance ramps to buildings, lifts in buses and elevators at subway stations. This has increased the accessibility for people with disabilities to engage in their communities and participate in cultural events and activities in NYC.

When I moved to New Hampshire, it was harder to find “my” people. There is far less cultural and linguistic diversity visible in our state, so I had to intentionally seek out spaces where there were people celebrating their cultures and identities. The Concord multicultural festival is one of my favorite events for this reason. Concord is also very accessible thanks to advocacy and action that made Main Street more inclusive for people with walking disabilities.

Concord is also where I work. At the NH Council on Developmental Disabilities, we are dedicated to dignity, full rights of citizenship,

cultural diversity, equal opportunities and full participation for all New Hampshire citizens with developmental disabilities. Working at a disability justice organization has contributed to a more broad and deliberate vision of diversity, equity and inclusion for me. Through my work, I know that individuals who experience an intersection of racial and cultural diversity and a difference in ability are more marginalized than either group on its own. It adds layers of exclusion when culturally and linguistically diverse spaces are not accessible, or when accessible spaces do not intentionally include people of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

In the disability community we talk about these same ideals (diversity, equity and inclusion) for authentic community, educational and workplace integration of people who may need some type of support or services due to a disability. New Hampshire must increase efforts to genuinely incorporate people with disabilities in all aspects of community life. As we advocate for inclusion, we need to bridge the divides that exist between the disability community and all other groups of diverse people. We cannot forget that people with disabilities are also experiencing discrimination and exclusion.

We all want to belong. We need to remember that disability rights are human rights; that the fight for social justice and equality means that everyone is included. We have to be more intentional in our inclusion of people with disabilities because “all means all.” As a Latino person in long-term recovery who also lives with depression and anxiety,

I recognize that it’s hard for people to understand the needs of those with invisible disabilities. However, my multiple identities are all important to me, and I should not have to disclose any of them to feel a sense of welcoming and belonging in any space in NH.

We all have multiple identities. People talk about “intersectionality,”or the way our multiple identities create layers of disadvantage, but seldom do I see true and intentional equity-based inclusion of people with disabilities in spaces where racial, ethnic and linguistic diversities are being championed. Disability touches every demographic and is a natural part of the human experience. At some point each of us has been, or will be, impacted by disability

in some way. However, removing obstacles and barriers to inclusion for people who experience disabilities seems to have fallen behind in the broader discussions about diversity, equity and inclusion.

It was difficult to adjust to a place where differences are not celebrated in the same way as where I grew up. Because of this difficulty, however, I have found strength and purpose in advocating for the elimination of silos in conversations about diversity. Those with disabilities should not be excluded from these discussions. People with disabilities are represented in every community and identity, so let’s be more deliberate about making sure they know they belong and are welcome. 603