WHYY’s Bridging Blocks tackles ableism and accessibility in latest community conversation

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In the United States, 13.6%, or almost 45 million, adults have some type of disability, according to the Census Bureau.

In Philadelphia, 18.4% of adults, or more than 280,000 people, identify as having some type of disability. That’s the highest rate of any large city in the nation.

The latest Bridging Blocks community conversation focused on the problems this group of Philadelphians faces daily, chiefly accessibility, ableism and not being heard.

The Bridging Blocks series, hosted by WHYY in partnership with the Free Library of Philadelphia, is an effort to bring people together in conversation so they can humanize each other and learn from one another’s experiences. Tuesday’s gathering was the second session focused specifically on accessibility and ableism.

“I just need to learn more. I’m interested in learning everything I can,” Bridgette Brown, an attendee, said as her reason for coming to the event.

Some, like Jay Barrett, a library regular, decided to stop by the event to “see what the organization is about.” Barrett also talked about difficulties people have experienced trying to access public transit in Philadelphia. “It can be hard at times,” he said.

Tuesday’s event started with the viewing of a TEDTalk by Alycia Anderson, who was born with sacral agenesis, causing her spinal cord to be underdeveloped, leaving her unable to walk.

In the video, Anderson talked about her experiences with ableism, from taunts thrown at her by her peers to almost being segregated in school because of her disability. Most importantly, she talks about overcoming discrimination, embracing her disability and how people can be educated to combat ableism.

The video kickstarted the conversation and provided a thorough introduction to issues surrounding accessibility and ableism.

Anderson’s talk sparked tough but important conversations. The group of about 15 had a lively discussion.

In all of the topics brought up by the group, a striking theme emerged: they were not being listened to.

Some talked about not getting help navigating public transit, while others pointed to public officials who don’t know how to best serve their constituents and don’t take suggestions from the people most impacted by their policy decisions. Attendees also talked about how not enough people, especially those in power, listen to people with disabilities.

The group recalled anecdotes where caseworkers or the people supposed to support those with disabilities didn’t know basic information, such as the waiver the person with a disability had.

Some of the group thought the lack of help from caseworkers and other people designated to assist people with disabilities was caused by a lack of experience in those positions. Others brought up the low pay these workers receive, making it hard to justify a long-term career in the position.

One last idea discussed centered around the question of what qualifies and marks someone as having a disability. The group discussed how it can be hard to deal with people who believe them to be faking their disability when it is not something obvious, and is not visually identifiable.

You can access resources related to ableism and accessibility online.

The next Bridging Blocks event will be held July 8 at the Parkway Library with a focus on public safety in Philadelphia.