Black Disabled History 2010

Background: In February of 1994, a National Summit organized by concerned federal stakeholders and key disability rights advocates was convened in Washington, DC to review the facts as disability pertained to people of color and propose national action strategies. The need for a national non-profit advocacy organization arose as an obvious strategy for mobilizing the legions of citizens who believe that the full inclusion of persons with disabilities is also based upon an unwavering commitment to the inclusion of racial and ethnic minority people with disabilities.

 

The National Minorities with Disabilities Coalition like many local and state minority disability organizations was born out of frustration with the persistent and pervasive disenfranchisement of minority individuals with disabilities and their families.  Despite the significant gains made by some groups within the disability rights movement, in 2010, we still cannot  ignore:

  • Lack of cultural competence among service providers and policy makers, leading to their disrespect for beliefs other than their own
  • The absence of significant numbers of minority persons with disabilities among senior professionals and policy makers
  • The over representation of minority group youth in the most restricted special education programs, leading them nowhere
  • The lack of sustained and meaningful vocational rehabilitation services and entrepreneurial opportunities which continue to perpetuate poverty and hopelessness
  • The absence of advocacy training and support for minority parents and self advocates whose under-tapped talents could enrich all communities
  • Little or no meaningful outreach from federally-subsidized mainstream disability rights organizations and parent groups, despite the clarity in disability advocacy law 
  • The erroneous perception that cultural diversity is a fad in our nation and that the mainstream disability advocacy community is immune from having to be accountable

 

 

Seattle National Family for the Advancement of Minorities with Disabilities