5 Things Accessibility Should Always Be
As a person living with disability, accessibility is always at the forefront of my mind. Not just considering my own disabilities, but also the disabilities of other individuals as well. I can’t help but look at the world through new eyes since being struck by a car traveling 48mph while crossing the street in downtown Phoenix in 2017. I look at sidewalks and entrances, signs and noise levels. I take it all in and quite honestly, it makes me sad that many people are excluded from being able to fully participate in the world. I’m one of those people and I am not alone. In the United States alone, 1 in 4 persons is living with at least one disability (I’ve got a few-good times!😂)
I’ve created a list of five things that accessibility should always be, and I hope that we (globally) move in this direction.
ACCESSIBILITY SHOULD BE…
A Consideration at the Onset
During my speaking engagement at the National Space Society’s International Space Development Conference, I spoke about making space settlements accessible for all citizens. Space settlements are an opportunity for us to create environments that are accessible for everyone at the onset, during their creation, which is much easier than trying to retrofit and work backwards to make things work for all individuals. The same should apply to Earth. Just like other marginalized voices, disabled persons should be a part of the conversations at the beginning, rather than making us have to raise a stink about it after the fact. 😜 I did an additional talk about Disabilities as Superpowers. Disabled persons are creative, our disabilities can offer unique strengths, and even advantages. Why not use that as a resource at the onset in planning and implantation across all sectors?
Inclusive of All Peoples
Deaf, blind, black, jewish, indigenous, asian, queer, religious, wheelchair-bound, brain injury, psychological, neurodivergent, limb difference…it may seem impossible to try to accommodate everyone & their various experiences as disabled persons…but that doesn’t mean we can’t try! In the words of Dr. Seuss, “a person’s a person, no matter how small.” No one should bet left out. An important thing to keep in mind is that when you create accessibility for one group, it often benefits several others, even those without disabilities! For instance, with brain injury, we experience visual disturbances, balance issues, sensory sensitivities, and more. Visual disturbance accommodations for brain injury survivors also help those who have low vision. Accommodations for our balance issues can benefit those who use wheelchairs or have limb differences. Accessibility considerations for our sensory sensitivities can benefit those who are neurodivergent. (As a brain injury survivor, I love a good “Quiet Room”!)
*Note: I don’t really care for the word “accommodations” because if we had been considered in the first place, we wouldn’t have to be “accommodated” after the fact. 🤷🏽♀️ “Accommodations” can imply that it’s special treatment when what we’re asking for is actually just equal treatment.
Accepted by All
In order for accessibility to really work, everyone has to be on board with it. That is why if you are someone who is not living with a disability, it’s important to avail yourself of the numerous resources that are available in order to help you better understand the disability experience and how to be an effective ally. We can’t do it alone, so we need our non-disabled brothers and sisters to get on board with making sure everyone is considered.
Not Made the Responsibility of Disabled Persons
Disabled persons should not have to bear the weight of fighting for an accessible world by themselves. We are tired, y’all. Even those of us who are advocates get frustrated at the lack of empathy and having to try to convince everyone that we deserve to be considered and to have the same rights and to be able to enjoy life the same way that people without disabilities do. We need your help.
Not Taken Personally
Rights are not pie. Giving rights and considerations to somebody else doesn’t mean less for you. There’s enough accessibility pie to go around for everyone, trust me. Disabled persons asking for things to be made accessible is not a personal attack against you, and should never be taken as such. (That’s not an excuse for people to be rude to you though, disabled or not.) You may not always get it right. Even as a disabled person myself, I certainly don’t, but if you do get corrected, don’t take it personally. My mom recently helped me reframe this situation as being a positive because in being corrected, you gave someone the opportunity to find and use their voice, and especially for disabled persons who are often marginalized, that is so important. So don’t take the fight for accessibility personally, pull up your sleeves and come alongside us, babe. We need you.
Join us for the next virtual meeting of Resilient Roots Support Group for Parents Living with Brain Injury!
©2024 Cazoshay Marie. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cazoshay Marie with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
D.I.D. with Cazoshay and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. All material on this blog is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health related program.
From Wreckage to Resilience: Celebrating Another Year of Overcoming and Embracing Life's Second Chance
They say that surviving a near-death experience changes you, and it couldn't be truer. Today marks the six-year anniversary since I emerged from the wreckage of a traumatic car accident, being struck by a car at 48mph while crossing the street in downtown Phoenix in 2017, and as I sit here, reflecting on the past year, I can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude and resilience. Join me on this journey as I share my thoughts on this significant milestone and the lessons I've learned along the way.
Gratitude: Surviving a traumatic accident has taught me the true value of life. It's easy to take our existence for granted, but when faced with the fragility of our mortality, gratitude becomes an essential part of our daily lives. Every sunrise, every laugh, and every embrace takes on a newfound significance. I am grateful for the simple joys and the chance to experience them once more.
Resilience: The journey to recovery has been challenging, both physically and emotionally. But through the pain and the obstacles, I've discovered an inner strength that I never knew existed. The human spirit is remarkably resilient, and it's during our darkest moments that we find the courage to persevere. I've learned to face adversity head-on, embracing the challenges and transforming them into opportunities for growth with the help of God, my family and friends.
Perspective: Surviving a traumatic car accident has gifted me with a fresh perspective on life. The trivial worries that once consumed my thoughts have faded away, replaced by a profound appreciation for what truly matters. Relationships, love, personal growth, and making a positive impact in the world have taken center stage. I've learned to let go of the insignificant and embrace the beauty of the present moment.
Healing: Physical and emotional healing takes time, and it's a journey unique to each individual. As I reflect on my healing journey, I'm proud of the progress I've made, both physically and emotionally. Healing is not linear, and there have been many setbacks along the way. But with determination and the support of loved ones, I've learned to navigate through the ups and downs, celebrating each milestone as a victory.
Empathy and Connection: Having experienced the trauma of a traumatic pedestrian-car accident, I've developed a deeper sense of empathy and compassion for others. I now understand the importance of reaching out and supporting those who may be facing their own struggles. Connecting with others who have gone through similar experiences has been invaluable, reminding me that I am not alone and that together, we can find strength in our shared stories. I am blessed to now be a speaker, content creator and disability advocate, sharing my experience and advocating for the disability community.
Surviving a traumatic car accident has forever changed me. Today, as I commemorate the six-year anniversary of that life-altering event, I am filled with a mix of emotions. Gratitude, resilience, perspective, healing, and empathy have become my guiding forces. The journey has been challenging, but it has also been transformative, reminding me of the incredible power of the human spirit. I look forward to the future with renewed determination and a deep appreciation for the precious gift of life.
©Cazoshay Marie, 2023. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cazoshay Marie with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
D.I.D. with Cazoshay and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. All material on this blog is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health related program.
National Distracted Drivers Month
Trigger Warning: Photos of facial trauma and injury after pedestrian-auto accident are shown in this post.
April is National Distracted Drivers Month, with the last week (April 23-29) being National Victims of Crimes Week. I couldn’t let this month end without sharing my personal experience with both of those traumatic subjects.
On May 19th, 2017 I was struck by a car traveling 48mph by a distracted driver who claimed to not have seen me as I crossed the street in a pedestrian crosswalk in downtown Phoenix.
The above photo shows what I looked like in the hospital after one of the top plastic surgeons in the state of Arizona spent two hours sewing my face back together. I sustained numerous injuries from the accident which have also resulted in several disabilities, including a traumatic brain injury, nerve damage and chronic pain-the effects of these conditions I deal with every single day.
Fast forward to 2023. Although my “invisible disabilities” still severely limit my activity, God has truly blessed me. I am grateful that I survived the accident at all, even though I must live with the negative effects of it every single day. The same night that I was hit, a man on a bicycle was also struck by a car but unfortunately he did not survive. So even though it’s difficult, I count myself blessed. Especially as a single mother, living with disabilities is not easy, but through my faith, family and friends I am able to endure.
Although I am unable to work due to my disabilities, when I am able to, I do speaking engagements and disability advocacy with the goals of not only educating the world about what the disability community faces (and how to make the world more accessible for us), but also about overcoming any kinds of adversities someone may be dealing with. The advice applies even to able-bodied persons. And I show you how to move forward with elegance and sparkle of course because that’s what makes all the difference, right? 😉
You can see the Events page for my upcoming speaking engagements, including the Rays of Hope Conference in Phoenix, Arizona and the International Space Development Conference in Frisco, Texas. Feel free to reach out to me and be sure to join me on my social media outlets where I share more lifestyle and disability content. Keep growing and glowing, friends!✨
©Cazoshay Marie, 2023. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cazoshay Marie with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
D.I.D. with Cazoshay and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. All material on this blog is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health related program.