Disabled and non-disabled: allied together to change the system

Issue title: Disability Empowerment

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Wallace, Joseph F.^; | Gilson, Beth Bader

Affiliations: Virginia Assistive Technology System, Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services, Richmond, VA 23288, USA | Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia USA

Note: [] Corresponding author. Tel.: + 1 804 6629990; Fax: + 1 804 6629478.

Abstract: There is an ongoing debate as to what should be the role of the non-disabled in disability policy formulation and implementation, service delivery, program evaluation, and the promotion of the rights of people with disabilities. Ally is a term that can be used to describe non-disabled people or those with non-disclosed, invisible disabilities who actively work to change the system in order to create an environment so that self-determination by people with disabilities can occur. This article presents a case example of an allied relationship which has supported the political and programmatic successes of the Virginia Council on Assistive Technology. Within this discussion is an acknowledgment of the natural tensions which exist when allies within a bureaucracy promote self-determination of its consumers.

Keywords: Ally, Disabled, Non-disabled allies, Assistive technology

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-1997-9110

Journal: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 73-80, 1997