By Ambassadors Téo & Alex

December 3rd is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. We are Manitoba Possible ambassadors, Téo and Alex, two Manitobans with a lived experience of disability. One day where the world joins in and notices the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities across all cultures is a start, but we should strive for better. Access, inclusion, and stigma are daily life for many people with disabilities, visible or not.

The theme of this year’s IDPD is ‘leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world.’ Even before our roles as the ambassadors for Manitoba Possible, we have taken the initiative to advocate for access and human rights and to be seen not as different, or sub-human, but as people deserving of a full life as everyone else. We sit on committees, write letters, and make our own spaces - but - we shouldn’t have to. 

We are calling on Manitobans to work with us to make our society one full of possibilities for everyone. We all need to break down disability misconceptions and work with, rather than against or without, persons with disabilities. You may believe that people with disabilities live an eternal struggle, but we aren’t here for your pity or inspiration for persevering. We invite you to educate yourself on disability issues and culture - you’ll find out those beliefs aren’t quite true.

As we look forward to taking off our COVID-19 masks, let’s also take off our misconceptions about persons with disabilities and truly work toward an inclusive and accessible society. One where rights and well-being aren’t something we need to advocate for.