Disability Rights are Civil Rights

For 30 years, I’ve been an ally to people with disabilities and their families. Through volunteering, organizing, and serving I have worked for true inclusion and empowerment.

When I learned that the Boy Scouts of America did not have an accessible program for scouts with Autism, I started the nation’s first Cub Scout Pack specifically created for scouts with Autism. When I heard parents at my children’ school had questions on developing individualized educational plans (IEPs), I joined the ISD 196 Special Education Advisory Council to mentor parents like me. When I learned that families were struggling to find resources in their community; I organized an annual event called the S.E.E.K and Find (Special Education Enrichment for Kids) Fair with local businesses, Parks and Recreation programs, and county services.

While in the Legislature, I chaired the Disability Working Group and authored many bills focused on improving the lives of people in the disability community. One of these bills was the 4-hour parking allowance for individuals who had disability parking placards in Minneapolis. I authored legislation that requires school districts to allow students with disabilities to participate in their high school graduations, regardless of the completion of a transition program.

I spearheaded legislation that removed barriers to fully investigating complaints at state facilities by The Office of Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities. This bill allowed for the investigation of the use of restraints at a state facility that led to The Jensen Settlement, which established Minnesota’s Olmstead Plan.

Minnesota’s Olmstead Plan helps state agencies set and meet inclusive goals to better the lives of people in the disability community. I served as the Director of the Olmstead Implementation Office, which manages the Minnesota Olmstead Plan. Working alongside the disability community, I established public work groups to drive policy innovation that would influence state agency leaders.

My lived experiences have shaped the way that I am a part of our community. Every decision I make is centered around the inclusion and the empowerment of all people. Disability pride isn’t about one month of awareness, it’s about daily action to promote inclusion and accessibility for all residents to be able to participate equally in our community. Let’s remember: disability rights are civil rights.

Our campaign is about inclusion, and it is about Minneapolis. I hope to represent you on the Minneapolis City Council to be an advocate for all citizens in our community.

Image: Disability Advocate Nikki Villavicencio and I at ACT’s Disability Pride Festival this year.