Guest Post

Ed Roberts is a towering figure in the history of disability rights. His advocacy challenged perceptions and created opportunities for people with disabilities, particularly in higher education. Roberts, who contracted polio and was paralyzed from the neck down at 14, defied expectations to become the first wheelchair user to attend the University of California, Berkley. His efforts started a movement that continues to champion accessibility, inclusivity, and empowerment in higher education. Inspired by this kind of education activism, guest Baya Clare tells us about their debt to Ed’s work and their own disability advocacy.

MCD is continuing our celebration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities. In honor of our shared community, MCD is thrilled to share Brian’s story with you. Brian Muchiri shares his experience of traveling to the United States from Kenya and what it was like to have his wheelchair damaged by an airline. We are thankful for people like Brian, who are willing to share stories with our community.

Each year at the State Fair, the Minnesota Council on Disability brings members of the disability community and fairgoers together for questions, conversations, and fun. Among the many special guests who appear at our booth, we are proud to feature artists with disabilities. Poet Adina Burke is one of this year’s artists. We are happy to bring you a poem on the State Fair by Adina.

Artist Bart S. Bartholomew reflects on how the State Fair can both push them outside their comfort zone and be a place of inclusion and connection: “[T]he 150-year-old ‘Great Minnesota Get-Together’ is a fantastic showcase of the best butter sculptures, fare on-a-stick, seed art, DNR pond, 104-year-old blue-ribbon winning baker, and talent. Other states can’t compare. As much as my mind screamed, ‘NO!,’ deep down in my heart I wanted to enter the melee and soak up the experience. Why? Even though I knew my circuits would overload and the breaker would blow, I wanted to be a part of something bigger; moreover, like anyone else – most of all – I wanted to be included.

Poet Adina Burke reflects on the universal need for community and inclusion and how these things are exemplified at the fair: “The fair is a greater illustration of this due to the meshing of so many people and mixture of perspectives. I have the opportunity to learn about accessibility through watching others like me and unlike me navigate the fair and how it is they accomplish what they wish to during the delightful and sometimes disorienting event that is the state fair.”

July is Disability Pride Month, a month dedicated to promoting awareness, acceptance, and empowerment of people with disabilities. We also take this opportunity to recognize the societal attitudes and barriers that continue to limit their full participation. This month, MCD highlights the unique experiences and perspectives of people within our community. A guest blog post by MCD Council member Tammy Berberi.