Politics has a huge effect on people with learning disabilities. Sara Pickard became deeply involved, which led to her involvement with the growing international self-advocacy movement
I am 34, have Down’s Syndrome and have worked for Mencap Cymru for over 10 years now. In that time, I have worked on a range of projects with people of all ages who have learning disabilities.
For the first of those projects – Partners in Politics – I visited schools and colleges throughout Wales to encourage those with learning disabilities to be more aware of the difference politics can make to their lives, and to encourage them vote.
I thought I ought to “practise what I preached” so I stood for election as an independent community councillor for my local area. I cannot believe that not only was I elected but also I am now in my third term of office, and still enjoy that responsibility.
I have always enjoyed speaking up about the things that are important to me and, in recent years, have had more opportunities to become involved with organisations as a self-advocate.
In particular, my role as the self-advocate council member for Europe for Inclusion International over the past few years has allowed me to meet and work with others who feel the same as me in many different countries.
Self-advocacy involves speaking up for yourself and speaking up for others, and there is now a growing network of groups right across the world who want to spread this vital message. This was clearly demonstrated at the Inclusion Europe Hear our Voices: Strong, Loud and Clear conference in Brussels at the end of last year.
Inclusion International council members were among the 70 delegates from 20 countries. Along with over 200 people with disabilities, we attended the fourth European Parliament of Persons with Disabilities in the parliament building. It was inspiring to see self-advocates from across Europe speaking on such a big stage. Two of the key messages coming from Brussels were:
- We don’t need help – we need support
- We must make sure that our voices are being heard stronger, louder and clearer.
Inclusion International has launched a major project called Empower Us, a global self-advocacy resource led by self-advocates, families, supporters and their organisations. A worldwide Empower Us action team will spread the global message and respond to calls for help on self-advocacy.
From 30 May to 1 June this year, Empower Us will be involved in a World Summit at the 17th World Congress of Inclusion International in the UK in Birmingham, which has as its theme “Learn, Inspire, Lead”. The congress will be the largest gathering of self-advocates, families, friends and supporters in the world.
If you have an interest in this work – in whatever capacity – why not join us and add your voice, share your experience, and be part of a movement for change?
Hope to see you there!
On International Women’s Day, Sara Pickard was named as one of the 100 most inspirational women in Wales by Wales Online.
Inclusion International: http://inclusion-international.org
World Congress of Inclusion International: www.worldcongress2018.com/
For information about Empower Us and becoming involved with the action team: http://selfadvocacyportal.com/
t @_EmpowerUs
http://tinyurl.com/yd2cx3wh
