Disability Justice Commitment Statement

 

DIRT is committed to working towards disability justice for all disabled folks while transforming current hiring practices and employment settings to provide equitable opportunities for all people within the workplace. We believe that disabled rights cannot be addressed unless we are addressing rights for all marginalized identities. Disability does not discriminate and can be experienced by any person at any time in their lives. Because disability can be experienced by any one person, we must work toward a collective community and champion justice for all disabled folks.  

In doing so, we will continue to dismantle ableism at the internalized, interpersonal, institutional, and ideological levels. As we continue to further disability justice within our community, we are committed to furthering our learning around marginalized experiences and centering the voices of those with lived experiences. We recognize there is always work to be done within ourselves and our organization, and we are committed to our continued learning. 

The Disability Rights Movement has evolved over time and now works to recognize the intersectional identities of disabled people. The most current ideals within the Disability Justice movement were developed by Mia Mingus, Stacey Milburn, and Patty Berne. With justice at the roots of the current movement, the framework acknowledges and actively works to provide interdependence and collective liberation for all disabled people.  

According to Sins Invalid, “disability justice framework understands that: 

  1. All bodies are unique and essential. 

  2. All bodies have strength and needs that must be met. 

  3. We are powerful, not despite the complexities of our bodies, but because of them. 

  4. All bodies are confined by ability, race, gender, sexuality, class, nation-state, religion, and more, and we cannot separate them.”

Our Vision

To cultivate intentional workspaces for neurodivergent people to gain meaningful, integrated, and equitable employment.  

Short–Term Goals 

  1. We will strive to build meaningful partnerships with at least 10 organizations that are working with under-resourced/under-served communities in 2022. 

  2. Continuing to represent intersecting identities within all of our media and resources. 

  3. Dedicated time during every monthly staff meeting to have trainings and conversations on how we can continue identifying power, privilege, and oppression in relation to intersectional identities. 

Long-Term Goals 

  1. Transform hiring practices through role modeling and our Inclusive Workforce Employer Program.

  2. Reduce un/underemployment for neurodivergent folks directly through our Inclusive Employment Internship Program.

  3. Dismantle ableism within our community with Dirt on the Road partnerships and events.