Disability Pride Recap: Pathways Forward

LOCAL EXPERTS JOIN YWCA SPOKANE TO delve into intersectionality of disability & LGBTQ+ identities

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I am grateful Erin and Misha of Inland Northwest Disability Experience shared their time, expertise, and experiences with us for our July Pathways Forward event that focused on the intersectionality of disability and LGBTQ+ identities. It’s become increasingly important to have accessibility at the front of my mind regarding the work I do at YWCA Spokane as the Equity Coordinator. INDEx has given my team a great starting point to make sure accessibility comes through the different pieces of our work – whether it’s website updates, hosting events, or ensuring building accommodations.

It is equally important that, as a community, we continue these conversations and celebrations outside of holidays and other designated windows of time. The topic of disability shows again in our Racial Justice Challenge (formerly known as the Equity Challenge) happening in early September, so please consider signing up for this year’s Challenge here. Learn more about past Equity Challenges here.

Disability Pride is a movement that celebrates individuals with disabilities and encourages them to take pride in their whole self while advocating for a more inclusive future for all. This month provides us with an opportunity to challenge stereotypes and educate society about the importance of accessibility.

How can you effect change?

• Stay in solidarity with the disability community. These are real people that can and should make decisions about their own lives and the products and services they want.
• Ask Black and Indigenous people with disabilities what they need and what we can do in the moment instead of making assumptions. 
• Understand that disability IS diversity.

Upcoming Events

• July 17 – July 24: INDEx Youth Art Walk @ Saranac Building (lobby); more information found on the Facebook event page here.
• Saturday, July 29: Americans with Disabilities Act Celebration @ Riverfront Park, downtown Spokane. More information and registration found here.

Resources

Below are resources mentioned in the Pathways Forward discussion.

Inland Northwest Disability Experience (a program of Disability Action Center) | dacnw.org/index

The Arc of Spokane Community Center| arc-spokane.org/communitycenter

National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color Network | nqttcn.com

Northeast Family Youth System Partner Round Table (NE FYSPRT) | fysprtnortheast.org

Odyssey Youth Movement | odysseyyouth.org

Office of Behavioral Health Advocacy (OBHA) | obhadvocacy.org

Spectrum Spokane’s 2SLGBTQIA+ Affirming Health Practitioner Database | spectrumcenterspokane.org/2slgbtqia

Washington State Centers for Independent Living | wasilc.org

Senate Bill 5599 | Supporting youth and young adults seeking protected health care services

Anti-trans Bill Tracker | translegislation.com

Crip Camp, A Disability Revolution [documentary] cripcamp.com