Show Your Involvement!

By Gillian Lynne-Davies

So often, opportunity knocks at our door and, with it, change arrives to touch our lives. Change can be exciting -- and intimidating. But the truth is that change often leads to personal growth and, in turn, the growth of our communities.

As members of the disability community, we have a shared agenda. Both as individuals and organizations we are striving to make our world a better place for people with disabilities to live in. Hence, people with disabilities must be the leaders in obtaining this goal!

A key component of personal development is being able to remain open to communication with others. Through being receptive to what others have to say, we can network, share information and become more informed about issues that concern us and other individuals. Communication produces knowledge, and knowledge enables us to make decisions and choices in our lives. The benefits we derive from listening to others and sharing experiences allow us to grow stronger as individuals, and as a community.

The days of caregivers and professionals telling people with disabilities what they need, want and "must have" are numbered -- if not over. This is the new generation of people with disabilities --the "me" generation and the "now" generation all wrapped up into one! Institutions are closing down across the country. Demonstrations are growing in participation and are having meaningful impact. People are fighting for their rights, and winning! More and more buildings are becoming accessible. Employers are striving to include and use people with disabilities in the workplace. Companies are recognizing the potential of this group and developing quality products and services. This magazine was conceived solely to inspire, empower, enroll and enlighten people with disabilities. And exhibitions for consumers -- such as People In Motion held annually in Toronto -- are growing in size.

In this generation, change has been happening all over the place! But it’s not time to slow down. It’s not time to accept the status quo and remain as we are.

For all that has been achieved by people with disabilities, hearty congratulations are in order. But as with any minority group, the fight still continues. We will continue to grow strong as we fight.

Where do we begin? Opportunities are surrounding us. Yet when faced with emancipation, not surprisingly, some people are overwhelmed and bewildered. Sometimes it is this confusion that leads to apathy, which can attack even the strongest people in the community. In order to combat apathy, each of us needs to focus on our goal of a better world for people with disabilities.

Organizations help to focus our efforts. Organizations have goals and objectives to make change and create awareness. The areas of concern of the organizations might be anything from specific disabilities to advocacy to employment to barrier-free design. There are many organizations for many specific topics. The key is to find one that appeals to you and to which you feel you have something to offer.

Another way of involving yourself is by participating in exhibitions. Each year, exhibitions are held across Canada that are specifically targeted towards people with disabilities as consumers. It seems fitting now that people with disabilities take the lead and explain to the manufacturers, dealers and customer service representatives what exactly is desirable or undesirable about their goods and services.

Canada’s largest exhibit of products, mobility aids, services and technology for people with disabilities and seniors is the People In Motion show. More than 5,000 people visited over 200 exhibits and displays during the show’s two-day run last year. This show is a great experience both for the exhibitor and the visitor!

A show should not be perceived as merely a targeted shopping extravaganza. This is an opportunity to share information. Products can be tested; opinions shared; state-of-the-art equipment examined; ideas expressed. Company representatives often spend 10 hours or more in their booths daily, waiting to hear what you have to say about their products and services, because not only are you the buyer, you are the expert! You know how to make their product and/or service a success! And, as we all know, successful products and services lead to greater independence for everyone. The communication process between product and service providers and people with disabilities leads to our empowerment as a community.

Ian Mellor and chiropractor Dr. David Abbott are the founders of People In Motion. Mr. Mellor explains, "In 1988, Dr. Abbott had a patient whose daughter had a disability. He was explaining the difficulties of finding quality products and services for people with disabilities. This urged Dr. Abbott to investigate other shows of this kind in the United States and Europe. Dr. Abbott found the process of gathering the information slow, but the information he found evolved into a show with the magnitude of People In Motion. This show, held on the first weekend in June each year during National Access Awareness Week, is the largest of its kind in Canada!"

Organizations, too, have a role to play in this empowerment process. We can make the most out of trade shows in our communities if we all focus on their success. By working together with the exhibition co-ordinators, organizations have the opportunity truly to benefit from what the show has to offer. By scheduling meetings in conjunction with an exhibition, the organizations can offer their delegates the most up-to-date information on products and services. There is also the chance to meet people with similar interests, to research equal-opportunity employers, to obtain brochures and pamphlets for future use, and generally to become more informed about disability issues. The more organizations that collaborate with the exhibition, the greater the opportunity to share information, learn and obtain knowledge. The more people -- the more power!

"The continued success of People In Motion," says Dr. David Abbott, "is due to manufacturers and dealers who develop and demonstrate the many products, as well as the visitors who attend the show and provide input."

Once consumers within the community are involved, approach your friends, your family and your employers to participate. Anyone who was fortunate enough to attend Independence 92 in Vancouver, B.C. knows the sheer rush of so many people together focused on the same goal. So many people left that exhibition with a true sense of empowerment -- it was a refreshing, uplifting experience!

As a community, we cannot afford to wait another lifetime for such an event. We need to make this opportunity happen, and that takes involvement from every one of us. Carpe diem!

(Gillian Lynne-Davies is an ABILITIES staff writer.)