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Image description: white graphic with black text that reads "#CripTheVote Twitter Chat: Making Activism Accessible, May 20, 2018, 4 pm Pacific/ 7 pm Eastern, Guest host: @autselfadvocacy, For more: http://cripthevote.blogspot.com/. On the left is the icon for Twitter, a bird in black and on the right is a graphic in black of a website with text.
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How can activism become more accessible? How are people with cognitive disabilities left out of activism and political participation? Join the co-partners of #CripTheVote in a discussion about these issues with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN).
From ASAN: People with cognitive disabilities think and learn differently. Down syndrome and autism are examples of cognitive disabilities. We might need more support to learn something new. Using simple, common words to explain things helps us understand.
Welcome to the #CripTheVote chat on making activism accessible! We are delighted to have guest host @autselfadvocacy join us. Please note: accessibility is a broad topic and today’s chat will focus on accessibility for people w/ cognitive disabilities.
How to Participate
Follow @GreggBeratan @AndrewPulrang @DisVisibility @autselfadvocacy. When it’s time, search #CripTheVote on Twitter for the series of live tweets under the ‘Latest’ tab for the full conversation.
If you don’t use Twitter, you can follow along in real time here: http://twubs.com/CripTheVote If you might be overwhelmed by the amount of tweets and only want to see the chat’s questions so you can respond to them, check @DisVisibility’s account.
Check out this explanation of how to participate in a Twitter chat by Ruti Regan:
Check out this captioned ASL explanation of how to participate in a chat by @behearddc
Introductory Tweets and Questions for the Chat
Remember to use the #CripTheVote hashtag when you tweet. If you respond to a question such as Q1, your tweet should follow this format: “A1 [your message] #CripTheVote”
Q1 What does ‘accessible activism’ mean to you? What are some basic features of accessible activism that any activist, campaign, or organization should follow? #CripTheVote
Q2 Have you run into barriers to activism, including activism outside of the disability community? If so, please describe how they impacted you and how you responded #CripTheVote
Q3 Are some forms of direct action or in person activism inaccessible? Is that ok, given that people have different limits and abilities? Why or why not? #CripTheVote
Q4 On organizing events: What are the most important things people should know about making their events (meeting, rally, conference) accessible for people w/ cognitive disabilities? What are some dos and don’ts? #CripTheVote
Q5 On information and language: How can materials (printed, online, video, audio, social media) become more accessible for people w/ cognitive disabilities? What are some great examples you’ve seen? Resources?
Q6 Related to language: Why is it important for materials to be written in plain language? What are some other tips for making information as simple & easy to read as possible? #CripTheVote
Q7 We are big believers in ‘nothing about us, without us.’ What is your advice for how all organizations, including disability organizations, can include people with cognitive disabilities in their activities/campaigns? How can organizers avoid making people with cognitive disabilities into tokens? #CripTheVote
Definition: Tokens are people who get used by groups of people as a figure to show that the group is inclusive. Groups that use people as tokens do not listen to those people, or their community members. “Tokenizing” is making a person into a token. #CripTheVote
Q8 For people with disabilities who have other marginalized identities: how do we make sure everyone gets a ‘seat at the table’ when it comes to community organizing and activism?
Definition: Marginalized identities are groups that have less power in society. For example, people with disabilities, people of color, women, transgender people, or gay people. People can have more than one marginalized identity. #CripTheVote
Thank you for joining the #CripTheVote chat on making activism accessible for people w/ cognitive disabilities! A big thank you to our guest host @autselfadvocacy. Check out our blog for the latest: http://cripthevote.blogspot.com/
