Anastasia Ford
A person with a disability should NEVER BE INVISIBLE.
Disability Advocate | Homeschooling Parent
Disability Rights, Inclusion, and Why Advocacy Must Continue
Anastasia Ford
Anastasia Ford is a disability and human rights advocate, activist, parent, and homeschooling parent who calls for disability rights to be recognized as human rights. Her story focuses on community inclusion, sustained support for disability advocacy, and the responsibility to keep advocating for future generations.
IN HER OWN WORDS
Thank you SCPDO, family, friends, fellow advocates, and lawmakers.
Before we begin... for anyone in the audience who is blind or has low vision, I will describe myself and Donovan.
Again, my name is Anastasia Ford. I am a wife, mother of 3, and a disability and human rights community advocate and activist. For 8 years, this has been my life's work and there is no stopping it now.
Disability Rights
Disability rights are human rights.
If 1 in 4 individuals have a disability, I ask of you, our South Carolina legislators, that if you have not visited this statistic, I HIGHLY encourage you to do so.
This means 1 in 4 of your citizens that you serve have a disability.
A disability by definition is a physical or mental condition that affects one's ability to perform or engage in their movement, senses, and/or activities. One's disability may be visible, and some are non-visible.
But one thing is for certain, a person with a disability should NEVER BE INVISIBLE.
Having disability rights are not only Democratic issues. Having disability rights are not only Independent issues. Having disability rights are not only Republican issues.
Having disability rights are HUMAN RIGHTS AND A UNIVERSAL ISSUE, and dare I say can and will affect each and every one of us at some point in our lives.
Protection and advocacy is what I stand for.
We must uphold the American Disabilities Act that advocates and activists have fought tirelessly for years to get achieved.
People with disabilities do not want a hand out. They want to be seen, heard, and valued like any other voter that arrives to cast their ballot for you.
Community Integration
Community integration for someone with a disability means the right, the acceptance, and contribution one brings without being judged by their condition.
The right to be included at work.
The right to be included at school.
The right to be included in places of worship.
The right to be included in the media.
The right to be included in decision making.
The right to be included... EVERYWHERE.
Requests to Legislators
I am requesting to you, our legislators, please uphold funding for the appropriate advocacy agencies and organizations that continue to provide for citizens with disabilities and their families.
This funding ensures individuals and families can and will receive the proper support they need.
MANY families are torn between independence and institutions not only in South Carolina, but other states across our country.
Please take into consideration that by upholding funding, it can provide supportive preventative measures enhancing community integration... not to be used as a means of cleaning up the aftermath.
Why We Should Continue
Advocates... we should continue to advocate because our younger generation needs to know that we did not give up on their future.
Advocating is not pretty and it takes perseverance.
Keep preparing to show up for the results you want to see done.
And parents... most importantly, do not give up on your children.
Thank you!
