To the non-disabled people in the room: what would you change if you knew you'd be disabled tomorrow?
The truth is while some people are born disabled, anyone can become disabled at any moment. We forget that all it takes is one incident, sickness, change, or traumatic experience before getting a diagnosis that changes everything.
In a society steeped in ableism, it's not hard to look around and realize how much of your day-to-day would have to change if you became disabled. How many literal and metaphorical spaces you'd no longer feel safe in or be able to access.
And yet, there are disabled people today that already experience that lack of safety or accessibility every single day. Buildings are built, policies are put in place, and laws are passed - many without any consideration for the disabled population. Creating accessible spaces is viewed as a bonus, not a requirement.
This month is Disability Pride Month, and while it is a time to celebrate the accomplishments and resiliency of people with disabilities, let it also be a reminder to challenge your internalized ableism and make changes in your behaviours and surroundings to make the world a more accessible place.
You might just need it one day.