Advocacy Spotlight: Laura Akers

Laura Akers is a self-advocate from Everett who manages multiple jobs while advocating for herself and others.

“I keep busy. I have three jobs. I’ve been working at Lumen Field since 2015, Angel of the Winds Arena since 2018, and just started at Climate Pledge Arena in October 2021. I work at guest services, as a ticket-taker, or as an usher, depending on the day. I’m able to make my own schedule, so I’m able choose when and where I work. It takes a lot of planning, though. I have to ride the light rail and multiple buses to get to work, so I have to make sure I have plenty of time to get there.”

Laura was able to find these employment opportunities on her own and used her job coach to help her apply to each one.

“I found the Lumen Field job online and my job coach helped me with the application. I heard about the Angel of the Winds job through word of mouth, and Climate Pledge was also online. My job coach helped me with all the applications, but I arrange everything myself now.”

Laura’s work experience has helped with her own self-advocacy, helping her advocate for herself, and in doing so, helping her advocate for others.

“I advocate for myself and others with accessibility. I need a chair for certain things and making sure I have that is advocacy. Now, I advocate for accessibility for others. I advocate to make sure medical equipment is accessible and make sure everyone can participate.”

Beyond her personal advocacy, Laura is also actively involved in local groups for self-advocates, including People First of Snohomish County and The Arc’s Women’s Group.

“I have a lot of ideas that I’m always suggesting. I have lot of staycation ideas.”

In March of 2022, Laura began serving on the Citizens Accessibility Advisory Committee for Sound Transit.

“It was really important to me to get on that board. They really wanted somebody with disabilities to speak about accessibility for the light rail expansion. They don’t think about location a lot, and I can tell them a location won’t work because of traffic. Like, they wanted a stop on Casino Road [in Everett], and I told them that is a very dangerous place to cross and, hopefully, they’ll be moving it.”

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Originally published in The Arc of Snohomish County: Leadership Collective Newsletter, Issue 2 - 2022. Written by Jake Murray, Parent/Family Coalition Coordinator.

Self-Advocacy Report: A Focus on Accessible Transportation

On May 25th, 2022, the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) hosted an online listening session to discuss transportation issues around the country and what plans are being put forward to address them. The ultimate goal of the DOT is to find where the most services are needed and address those issues in alignment with President Biden’s goal to promote and ensure equity.

One of the goals discussed was to grant more funding to smaller, underserved communities to support small businesses, bringing them to various communities, as well as creating ways for people to get to them. This will give everyone who is underserved in their communities a chance to participate equally. DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated: “Everyone is deserving [of equity] in their lives,” and that equal access, particularly to transit, helps change lives.

Secretary Buttigieg continued to discuss how the original intent of public transportation was to be equal and how it needs to work to provide equal access to everyone for connection to work, medical care, and life, in general.

Deputy Secretary of Transportation Polly Trottenberg spoke specifically about supporting [the Americans with Disabilities Act] and that $22 billion would allow for more accessibility with emphasis on building safer streets. This would include easier sidewalk access, accessible transit stations, and better access to Amtrak and other rail solutions.

Due to a higher cost of living in a lot of areas, more people are moving from metropolitan regions to more rural locations. Discussions have focused on increasing paratransit access to rural areas to help with the influx of more people to these communities. Secretary Buttigieg has discussed increasing funding by up to 44% for rural paratransit expansion. This would greatly help rural areas by creating more inclusion and providing affordable transportation options to more people in more areas.

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Originally published in The Arc of Snohomish County: Leadership Collective Newsletter, Issue 2 - 2022.

Leigh Spruce is a Self-Advocacy Coordinator at The Arc of Snohomish County. In this role, she supports engagement activities and leadership and advocacy training for adults with disabilities in Snohomish County and across the Puget Sound region. She serves on numerous community boards and committees and is an engaged activist for disability rights. Contact Leigh Spruce at leigh@arcsno.org.

JUST RELEASED: Leadership Collective Newsletter — Spring 2022

The Arc of Snohomish County published the Spring 2022 e-newsletter — recently re-branded as the “LEADERSHIP COLLECTIVE” quarterly publication — on July 5th.

The Leadership Collective shares stories of leadership and advocacy, as well as upcoming events and educational opportunities for parents and family caregivers, self-advocates, professionals and disability rights activists and allies. The publication focuses on disability visibility, advocacy, leadership and knowledge.

This most recent edition is Issue 2 of the 2022 newsletter series. It features an “Advocacy Spotlight” article on Laura Akers, a local self-advocate and Arc Trained Leader. The newsletter also includes information about a variety of upcoming leadership and advocacy training opportunities.

View the complete newsletter at http://tiny.cc/2022leadershipNewsletter2.

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Whitney Stohr is the Leadership & Independent Living Program Manager at The Arc of Snohomish County. She is passionate about advocating for medically complex children and children with disabilities and their families. She is a mom and medical caregiver herself, who is energized by working closely with other parent/family caregivers. She lives with her spouse and their four-year-old son Malachi in Lynnwood. Connect with her on Instagram @rollin.w.spinabifida. Contact: whitney@arcsno.org.

Disability Pride Month 2022

In July, we recognize Disability Pride Month. This is the month when we celebrate disability and the disability community as a beautiful and integral part of our state and nation.

Disability Pride began as a day of celebration in 1990 — the same year the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law by then President George H. W. Bush. The first Disability Pride Day was held in Boston that year, and the celebration has since expanded nationwide and transformed into a month-long event. Today, cities across the country celebrate Disability Pride Month with parades, festivals, educational opportunities and other events.

As with all demographic groups, it is important to remember that the disability community is not a monolith. People with disabilities may hold dramatically different viewpoints and perspectives on topics, including the purpose, meaning and value of recognizing Disability Pride Month.

Shared below are various perspectives about Disability Pride Month from individuals with disabilities.

“The reason behind the month is a chance to share the joy and pride that disabled people can bring to their local and global communities. The disabled community is a vibrant part of society and makes up 15% of the population, and we are proud of that.” (Caroline Casey, writing for Forbes.com: “Disability Pride Month July — July 4, 2022)

“AmeriDisability describes Disability Pride as ‘accepting and honoring each person’s uniqueness and seeing it as a natural and beautiful part of human diversity’ and connects it to the larger movement for disability justice.” (Krystal Jagoo, writing for verywellmind.com: “Understanding Disability Pride Month” ­— July 23, 2021)

“Disability Pride, much like LGBTQ+ Pride, is all about celebrating and reclaiming our visibility in public because people with disabilities have historically been pushed out of public spaces.”  —Laken Brooks, University of Florida graduate student, writer and digital storyteller. (Krystal Jagoo, writing for verywellmind.com: “Understanding Disability Pride Month” ­— July 23, 2021)

“I think that there is an importance in Disability Pride due to the consistent shame around the topic of disability in the first place. Choosing to be forthright about having a disability is considered ‘brave’ because there is a very tangible fear of being treated either differently interpersonally, or blocked professionally.”  —Taneasha White, Black queer writer and activist with chronic pain, based in Richmond, VA. (Krystal Jagoo, writing for verywellmind.com: “Understanding Disability Pride Month” ­— July 23, 2021)

“We should also see this as a moment to understand some people may not feel comfortable disclosing [their disability or showing pride in their disability]. We must respect that we are all on our own personal journeys and at various stages. If having this month can allow others to feel seen and have the confidence to be open with their disability, that is good enough.” (Caroline Casey, writing for Forbes.com: “Disability Pride Month July” — July 4, 2022)

“For me this month is not only about celebrating disabilities but remembering there’s going to be days where you won’t always love your disability, and that’s OK too.”  —Rebecca Cokley, three-time Presidential appointee, activist and author. (Gabriela Miranda, writing for USAToday.com: “A Chance to ‘Amplify One Another’: What is Disability Pride Month?” — July 4, 2021)

However you choose to recognize Disability Pride Month, I hope this month of July is one of self-expression, self-confidence and self-love.

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Whitney Stohr is the Leadership & Independent Living Program Manager at The Arc of Snohomish County. She is passionate about advocating for medically complex children and children with disabilities and their families. She is a mom and medical caregiver herself, who is energized by working closely with other parent/family caregivers. She lives with her spouse and their four-year-old son Malachi in Lynnwood. Connect with her on Instagram @rollin.w.spinabifida. Contact: whitney@arcsno.org.