"Everyone will become disabled if they're lucky enough."
Maria Town, President & CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities, famously once said “Everyone will become disabled if they’re lucky enough.” Think about that statement. It provides insight into a more realistic perspective when it comes to disability; that most people are temporarily able-bodied. Disability isn’t a flaw in our experience as humans; it’s a natural part of it. In addition to aging, a person can become disabled due to illness, injury, or changes in mental health at any time. This doesn’t mean that disability is something to be afraid of, or a condition to be pitied. It is one experience that every human on the planet has or will experience at some point in their lifetime.
Understanding that disability isn’t rare or ‘other,’ but rather something that many of us will experience, allows the temporarily able-bodied to see things like access, accommodations, and respect in a new light. Curb-cuts, ramps, captions, adaptable work environments, and inclusive communication aren’t special privileges but the underlying structure of an equitable society. Instead of designing systems for some imagined ‘normal,’ we can champion universal design, compassionate policies, and inclusive communities where people of all abilities are supported and can thrive.
The Refrigerator Sniff Test
I went over to my Dad’s house a while back. After we had lunch and played some pool in his family room, Dad headed to the kitchen with me close behind. It was time for the Refrigerator Sniff Test. I know, it sounds a little odd, but my seventy-seven year-old father lost his sense of smell well over a decade ago, long before Covid was a thing. He can’t tell if food is or isn’t safe to eat, especially those things that tend to stay in the fridge for a while, like sour cream or the potato salad he bought a few weeks ago. Mom used to conduct the Refrigerator Sniff Test pretty regularly, but she passed away 18 months ago so the job has fallen to me. I have bad arthritis in both knees, so I used the rolling kitchen stool to lean into the fridge and put my nose to work. I performed the Sniff Test, we discarded a few things past their use-by date, then I left so Dad could get a nap in.
Let's re-read that first paragraph, shall we? Notice the language used - "Dad lost his sense of smell," and "bad arthritis in both knees." According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, a person with a disability is someone who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Not being able to tell if your food is likely to give you food poisoning is a substantially limited life activity. So is not being able to squat, stand, or walk for any length of time before you need to sit down so your knees can recover. Yet, if you asked either Dad or me if we were disabled, we would say no without even thinking about it. Why is that?
The Social Perspective of Disability
Because my Dad and I live in the United States and have been bombarded with messaging from practically everywhere that being disabled is a medical diagnosis, we have been programmed to see disability as a problem in need of fixing, curing, or eradicating, rather than a part of our identity. It's a negative connotation, one that permeates our culture and mental model of ourselves without us needing to even think about it. This despite the fact that according to the CDC, 1 in 4 adults in the US are people with disabilities, as are 2 in 5 of adults age 65 and over. There's a better way to look at the concept of disability - as a social issue, not a medical one. People with disabilities face hurdles in our society, from biased attitudes, stereotyped assumptions, and physical difficulties that make life hard to navigate. Those are the societal barriers that need to change in order for folks with disabilities to live their lives with dignity and self-determination.
It’s Disability Pride month. This is the time to recognize the contributions, culture, and strength of people with disabilities, and to challenge the stigma and systemic barriers we face. It’s not about pity, or overcoming adversity – frameworks that our society encompasses all too often – but about honoring the identity of disabled people and advocating for accessibility and inclusion. It’s about embracing the diversity of our bodies and minds as something to be celebrated. Disability Pride month invites us to imagine a world where all people, of all abilities, can live with autonomy, dignity, and joy. As a person with disabilities, that's the world I want to live in.
Accessibility at Timberland Regional Library
Timberland Regional Library is committed to providing equitable access to library services and resources for all community members. Since 2020, our building improvements throughout our five-county service area have focused on ADA compliance, updated signage, and improved accessibility. Many of our branches provide automated doors, self-checkout stations usable by folks with mobility devices like wheelchairs and walkers, and adjustable service desks people of all heights will find welcoming. Our multi-story buildings have elevators or wheelchair lifts, and at least one (or more!) accessible restrooms with changing tables. If a visitor is having trouble retrieving an item, our friendly staff are ready to provide assistance.
For people facing barriers getting to our physical locations, we provide offsite programming, pop-up library booths at community events, and we got rid of late fees for all materials in 2020. Our digital collections are robust and allow text to speech options, enlargeable type, and the convenience of having items returned automatically at the end of the loan period. Online resources provide opportunities to explore topics, learn a new skill, or enjoy streaming entertainment, all from the comfort and convenience of your own home. If you prefer the feel of a physical book, TRL offers a Books by Mail service for eligible borrowers and allows cardholders to designate another person to check out and pick up materials on their behalf.
Looking for more specific help with accessibility? Check out our Accessibility page! Discover a wide range of assistive devices you may borrow thanks to the Washington Assistive Technology Act Program (WATAP). Try out a variety of aids to help with dressing, cooking, and other activities of daily life to see what device works best for you or would be worth investing in. Discover accessible features at each individual library location, and if you have specific accommodation needs to attend a program or take advantage of a service, complete the Request for Accommodation Form and our staff will work with you to ensure you can take full advantage of the services available to you.
Celebrate Disability Pride Month with these reads for adults featuring disabled protagonists and stories!
Celebrate Disability Pride Month with these teen reads featuring disabled protagonists and stories!
Celebrate Disability Pride Month with a diverse selection of books for kids!
