See Me as Your Friend

As March comes to an end so does Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month but that doesn’t mean that advocates, family members and service providers stop demanding to be seen all year long. Demanding inclusion across every area of life is something that needs to happen everyday. It is true significant strides have been made since the first proclamation declaring March as Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month was put forth. It is no secret that there is still much work and advocacy to do in order to really achieve equality. The last week of IDD Awareness Month is SEE ME AS YOUR FRIEND and whereas the last three weeks have been dedicated to education, employment and community living this week is miscellaneous which I have taken to mean that I get to choose what I think See Me As Your Friend could include. The first thing that comes to mind is if you are a friend then see me, your friend, as a human being with basic human and civil rights that should be afforded to everyone.

Equality is about having the right to choose. It is about self-determination and fighting back against injustices that diminish ones quality of life and ability to fully participate in all aspects of it. Recognizing the need to increase awareness about systemic injustices that, in some cases, strip people of their basic rights or the ability to choose, The Spectrum Institute has created a thought-provoking documentary called The Pursuit of Justice that highlights the need for reforms in conservatorship and guardianship laws across the U.S. This month was dedicated to SEE ME so take the time to see, see what needs to change and why we can’t look the other way. To view the documentary visit: http://www.pursuitofjusticefilm.com

Teresa Anderson, Policy Director, The Arc of California