Disability Justice and Violence Prevention Spotlight: Catherine Titzer
Image description: I am Asian (Filipino) and Caucasian. I have dark brown hair and brown skin. In the image, I am wearing a tied shirt with a geometric, black, green, orange, and blue pattern with a black tank top, white shorts, and silver jewelry. I am standing at a beach in California with the ocean in the background.
Although I am not a person with a disability, I have become interested in advocating for victims of abuse who are. After completing a series of research projects over sexual assault legislation in the United States my freshman and sophomore year, I became aware of the higher rates at which individuals with disabilities experience assault. This pushed me to pursue studying this area, so for my International Baccalaureate Extended Essay, a 21-page research essay on a topic of my choice, I researched how bias and stereotypes concerning individuals with disabilities affect the rates of sexual assault they experience. Through this, I was able to meet Dr. Nora Baladerian, who has helped me better understand the need to educate both teachers and guardians of individuals with disabilities on how to deal with sexual assault. As a senior in high school, I have not had the opportunity to publish formal research; however, this is something I hope to do in the future. In addition to writing this research paper, I have also began other initiatives to bring attention to sexual assault and violence in my community. I am a co-founder and host of a podcast, “A Pinch of Prevention,” where we discuss domestic violence and other women’ issues with professionals and those knowledge in the field. I also organize events, write blogs for, and am a member of the Prevention Youth Council in Evansville, Indiana, a youth-led organization that advocates for healthy interpersonal relationships among teens and in the wider community. I have co-founded a committee at my high school whose mission is to ensure that our campus is safe and comfortable for victims of assault; we arrange fundraisers and spirit weeks and get feedback from students on how our school can work to reduce sexual harassment.
What do you do for fun?
In addition to my passion for advocacy work, I also adore dance and have trained in classical ballet for almost my whole life. I have performed in numerous productions with Evansville Ballet and am honored to be dancing the role of Dewdrop Fairy in this year’s production of the Nutcracker! (https://www.evansvilleballet.co)
What does disability justice mean to you as you practice primary prevention?
To me, disability justice means continually educating myself and those around me about the network of laws, stereotypes, and other frameworks that discriminate against and oppress individuals with disabilities. Disability justice revolves around inclusion and ensuring that every person has a voice and is heard.
Does anything about primary prevention need to change to bring disability justice to the world?
Dr. Nora Baladerian’s approach to preparing for an assault through having parents, caretakers, and individuals with disabilities take clear steps to acknowledge and understanding how to deal with sexual abuse has impacted my prevention work. I believe her strategies should be widely implemented.
What are some resources that you have created or that you just love that you want to share (articles, toolkits, etc.)?
I would love to share my research on how bias and stereotypes impact the rates of sexual assault that individuals with disabilities experience. Also, although these resources are not directly towards individuals with disabilities specifically, I would love to share links to my podcast and the Prevention Youth Council’s blog, where teens in my community share their ideas about domestic violence, sexual abuse, and other issues they are passionate about. Listening to “A Pinch of Prevention” at https://open.spotify.com/show/5IMgsfoB6ZuOrQg2vyOTnj?si=VV5NSugKQx-1nSXUhUX5hw and reading blogs at https://preventionyouthcouncil.wordpress.com uplifts the voices of young adults in my community!
The Fireweed Collective along with the Spoonie Collective out of Los Angeles presented a webinar titled Disability Justice 101. The Fireweed Collective offers mental health education and mutual aid to help change the harm of abuse and oppression created by the mental health system. They are working with the Spoonie Collective which is a group of LGBTQIA+ individuals with disabilities, neurodiversity, and chronic illnesses. The Spoonie Collective offers in-person and virtual workshops and panels on the intersection of race, gender, disability justice (DJ), feminist theory, and more. This webinar covers basic terminology, disability theory, disability justice vs disability rights, disability movers and shakers, disability justice in the time of COVID-19 and becoming a DJ accomplice and is hosted by Tasha Fierce and Laurent Corralez.
Tasha describes themselves as queer, Black, disabled, nonbinary femme who is a writer, artist, crisis doula, facilitator and mystic. Their website is tashafierce.com. Laurent describes himself as a physically disabled, trans, latinx community organizer and zinester.
Definitions
The first item discussed was defining Disability Justice and what it looks like. A picture was shown to define DJ. It had the following words: intersectionality, leadership of those most impacted, anti-capitalism, cross-movement organizing, wholeness, sustainability, cross-disability solidarity, interdependence, collective access and collective liberation. Sins Invalid states that DJ looks like valuing each body and the power it yields. It holds that each body is unique, essential, has strengths and needs that must be met. Bodies are powerful because of our complexities not despite them. Finally, DJ recognizes that all bodies are confined by ability, race, gender, sexuality, class, nation state, religion, and more, and we cannot separate them.
The next few terms that were defined included ableism, disability and invisible disability. The Center for Disability Rights defines ableism as a set of beliefs or practices that devalue and discriminate against people with disabilities. It assumes that people with disabilities need to be “fixed.” The definition of disability is taken from Sins Invalid. It states, “We define disability broadly to include people with physical impairments, people who belong to a sensory minority, people with emotional disabilities, people with cognitive challenges, and those with chronic/severe illness.” Some disabilities are considered invisible since they are not overtly obvious. They are defined by The Center for Disability Rights as, “a physical, mental or neurological condition that limits a person’s movements, senses, or activities that is invisible to the onlooker.”
The final 3 terms defined were chronic illness, neurodiversity and trigger. A chronic illness usually refers to a health condition or disease that has persistent effects, comes with time, and lasts more than three months. Psychology Today defines neurodiversity as the idea that neurological differences like autism and ADHD are the result of normal, natural variation in the human genome. This is not a universally accepted definition but is gaining support from science. Finally, a trigger is a stimulus that causes feelings of past trauma. It may illicit feeling of overwhelming sadness, anxiety, panic, or flashbacks.
Disability Theories
After these definitions were explained, several disability theories were shared. These theories attempt to illustrate how a disability can affect different aspects of life such as energy, stress, and vulnerabilities. The two theories that stood out were Spoon Theory and Fork Theory.
Spoon Theory was developed by Christine Miserandino to explain how disability or chronic illness can reduce mental and physical energy. According to this theory, a person wakes up with a certain amount of spoons for the day. Each task performed, as well as pain and fatigue, takes away a spoon. When all the spoons are used, a person’s energy is gone. The idea is that the pain, fatigue, or daily struggles can use spoons (energy) that ordinarily could be used on other tasks.
The Fork theory is a corollary to the Spoon Theory meant to help neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals explain how stressors affect their disability. In this theory, a fork is any stressor that is stabbed into an individual. Stressors can be big or small. An individual’s fork limit is different each day. When the limit is reached, the next stick no matter how big or small will set the person off. This explains why a little annoyance can evoke a disproportionate reaction.
Disability Rights vs Disability Justice
It is important to understand the difference between Disability Rights and Disability Justice. Disability Rights has to do with working within the legal system to ensure personal rights. To be able to access these rights the person with the disability must know that they are entitled to the mandated right and may have to fight for them. The claim to fame of the Disability Rights movement is the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, of 1990.
While the ADA is a legal solution, it does not address societal attitudes towards people with disabilities. Collaborators of DJ movements understand the ableist supremacy and white privilege that has been created with respect to other systems of oppression. It is commonly acknowledged that people with disabilities are treated as disposable. The machine perpetuating these attitudes must be dismantled. This is where Disability Justice comes in as it seeks to honor people’s access needs and is not performative. DJ seeks equity in all areas of life and society.
Movers and Shakers
There are many movers and shakers that have played a part in the Disability Rights and Disability Justice movements. Here are a few that the presenters shared. First up was Sins Invalid. This project grows and features artists with disabilities centering on artists of color and LGBTQ/gender-variant who have been historically marginalized. They work to shift the paradigm of what is “sexy” and “normal.” The second Organization mentioned is Disability Justice Culture Club. It is a house in East Oakland where persons with disabilities who belong to the BIPOC community hold events, meetings and meals.
The Disability Visibility Project was the third organization mentioned. This online community creates, shares, and amplifies disability media and culture. They believe narratives from people with disabilities matter and have created media from oral histories if those with disabilities. They also publish items from the perspective of people with disabilities that have to do with ableism, intersectionality, culture, media and politics. Next to be mentioned was the Deaf Queer Resource Center founded by Drago Renteria who is a Deaf queer/trans activist. It went live on the web September 1, 1995.
The Kindred Southern Healing Collective was established by people of color in the southern United State after hurricane Katrina. It was in response to trauma, violence and social conditions in the south. Members created Good Medicine, a recording of interviews with southern healers and activists.
The final mover and shaker highlighted was The Los Angeles Spoonie Collective, a group of individuals with disabilities, neurodivergent and chronically ill LGBTQIA+ members. They have programs which supports this community. The Limitless Letters Pen Pal Program pairs incarcerated LGBTQIA+ individuals with pen pals. The collective’s Care Web website which tracks members needs and how members can help one another. They also provide workshops and panel discussions on the intersections of race, gender, and disability, disability justice, feminist theory, and more.
COVID-19 and Disability Justice
Disability Justice 101 concluded with the effects of COVID-19 on the disability community. The pandemic has brought to light systemic inequities including the brokenness of our healthcare system, a lack of support for the unemployed and the failure of the nuclear family. Officials and politicians have also called on the vulnerable to be sacrificed. People with disabilities have been deprioritized in triage, have been put last in line for ventilators, are disproportionately given DNR status, and have had their quality of life devalued. Throughout the country there have been letter writing campaigns to make healthcare institutions value and treat individuals with disabilities as they would an able-bodied person.
Historically, marginalized groups have helped themselves through mutual aid. This is a broad term that can involve mercenaries or anti-government establishments, but for disability justice’s purpose it is described as coming together to meet basic survival needs that the system cannot or will not provide. Mutual aid is a form of political participation to care for one another and change political conditions by building new social relations that are more survivable. There were three types of mutual aids given, promotion of self and community care and health prioritization, growing anti-capitalism, and care networks or webs.
Becoming a DJ Accomplice
Finally, there was a discussion on three ways to be a disability justice accomplice. The presenter acknowledged that this is not an exhaustive list. First, check your privilege and use it. This may look like standing up to discrimination (seen or implied) within your social group or place of employment. The second way to act is to evaluate and use the skills you have to empower or help someone with a disability. For example, if you are a lawyer, help or connect someone who can help a person navigate getting on disability. Lastly, build a mutual aid map. This is a visual representation of how different groups and individuals are helping each other.
People with disabilities face many challenges. Practicing and promoting disability justice is essential to empowerment and reducing marginalization of the community of people with disabilities. The Spoonie Collective did just that through their Disability Justice 101 webinar. They defined what disability is and the many kinds of disabilities. Several theories were explained to conceptualize disabilities and then a discussion of disability justice and disability rights. The webinar concluded with illustrating the disparity of those with disabilities during the COVID pandemic. Society needs more programs like this with greater visibility to de-marginalize people with disabilities.
Picture of Jennifer Milharcic wearing a pink top. She has an open smile and short brownish hair.
(Picture of Jennifer Milharcic wearing a pink top. She has an open smile and short brownish hair.) Jennifer Milharcic has Cerebral Palsy and is an independent contractor with the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Indiana Disability Justice. She loves to hang out with friends and her dog Becca.
Supporting Survivors with Cognitive and Developmental Disabilities
Haleigh Rigger looks straight into the camera with a slight smile. Haleigh is wearing a heather gray sweater, is wearing cat eye shaped glasses and has long violet hair.
On June 3rd I had the opportunity to present strategies for supporting survivors with cognitive and developmental disabilities thanks to a partnership between my agency, Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking (ICESAHT), and the Bureau of Quality Improvement Services (BQIS), a division of the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA). This training focused on how direct support professionals, case managers, and their leadership teams can best support survivors after they disclose. We also discussed strategies for building trust and rapport and navigating the tricky waters of maintaining a survivor’s privacy while also following state and agency mandates in reporting. Lastly, we invite disability service providers to review their protocols, engage self-advocates in conversations about sexual wellness and violence, and incorporate trauma-informed principles into their organizational culture. You can access the recorded training here and below.
As individuals with developmental disabilities are sexually assaulted at a rate 7x higher than folks without disabilities (NPR, 2018), it is crucial that we in the anti-violence movement partner with caregivers and disability service agencies in responding to and preventing violence against folks with disabilities. Even more important, those of us who are professionals in this movement must center people with disabilities in our anti-violence work and pass the mic to those who are most impacted. It takes multi-disciplinary teams, that are led by and for people with disabilities, to holistically serve survivors and prevent violence from happening in the first place. As my friends and colleagues at Indiana Disability Justice say, “Nothing about us, without us.”
A list of 17 webinars featuring centering disabled people and members of Indiana Disability Justice is available at this link.
October 15, 2020 was National White Cane Safety Day. We have a special message from Erica Cane, Mel’s orientation and mobility cane. Please see below for letter. May it increase your perspective.
Caption: Erica Cane lounging with a good wheat ale, relaxing. #selfcare. Image description: An orientation and mobility cane is folded in an ninety degree angle and is sitting in a blue velvet chair with an orange furry-looking blanket draped over the back. Erica is red and white. To her right is a tall beer and to her left is a floor length window with sunlight coming through.
Hi Y’all,
I just wanted to wish you all a happy International White Cane Day!
If we have not had the pleasure of meeting, I’m Erica, Mel’s orientation and mobility cane. You have probably seen us together and mistook me for Halle Berry (which happens often). Since 2005 I have been Mel’s shepherd and shield, keeping him safe from trips, spills, slips, falls, barrel rolls, embarrassing face-plants, as well as the costly hospital and dental bills that come with them. I am the main reason his forehead is not cracked, that his nice teeth are unchipped and why his lips remain full and perky instead of busted and puffy. His nose, I’m sad to say, was like that before I met him.
It wasn’t easy for us at first. Our relationship got off to a rocky start. To be honest, Mel “couldn’t stand my narrow ass!” Those were his words, not mine. He hated how people stared at us, and he especially hated how I totally clashed with his style of vintage wardrobe that he calls, “Disco Pimp.” Mostly, he was ashamed and embarrassed of me, but I kept a stiff, upper tip. I know I had to persevere and prove myself.
Today, fifteen years later, me and the Blind OG are inseparable. I have a great life filled with people who know me personally and show me so much care and respect. One cherished memory is when Mel let me accompany our dear friend, Moses, to his grade school classroom for show-and-tell. Usually I’m no braggart but I have to say, for ten sparkly minutes, I was a freaking ROCK STAR! I am so proud of the work I do, and I couldn’t imagine a better family or life. Thank you all.
On this day, I also want to give a shout out to all of my hard working counterparts. Thank you crutches, walkers and wheelchairs. Thanks prostheses, hearing aids, eye glasses, and audio devices, and all other accessibility tools and assistive technologies out there working ceaselessly 24/7 helping folks live fuller, more independent lives. Let me take this opportunity to say I see you, I appreciate you, and your remarkable contributions to humanity have not gone unnoticed.
Wishing you all the best on this special day, and every day forward.
Erica Cane
Contributors:
Mel Anthony Phillips Pronouns: he/him/his Co-Director OAASIS: Oregon Abuse Advocates & Survivors in Service www.oaasisoregon.org
Image description: In the forefront, Mel Phillips (he/him pronouns) is pictured with Erica Cane. Mel has grey dreadlocks, dark tinted glasses, and a huge smile. In the background there is a set of stairs that go up and out of the field of the photo.
Mel Phillips is a folk/graffiti artist, writer and natural-born storyteller whose appetite for creativity and fierce love for humanity shapes and colors the unique perspectives he brings to the work. As a change agent, peacemaker, community activist, Victim’s Advocate and Co-Director of OAASIS (Oregon Abuse Advocates and Survivors in Service), Mel understands that silence is violence in today’s culture of rape, oppression, and violence. He speaks with and educates individuals and community groups about equity, interpersonal violence, disability rights and social justice whenever and wherever the chance is afforded. Since 2009 Mel has worked with the Oregon Attorney General’s Sexual Assault Task Force where he currently serves on its Steering Committee and is co-chair of its Men’s Engagement Subcommittee. Mel is a former member of the Just Beginnings Collaborative (a NoVo Foundation entity committed to ending child sex abuse in a generation) where his unique art-centered approach to CSA engagement intersected with other ideas and creative thought leaders. In his hometown of Portland, Mel is building community and partnerships via alliances with other local grassroots nonprofits.
Erica Cane Erica Cane is a certified foldable Orientation and Mobility white safety cane. Erica’s strong, lightweight graphite frame is durable and weatherproof, the perfect combination needed for the rigors of her daily work. Erica has spent her entire career in proud selfless service with blind and visually impaired communities, and finds her job humbling and rewarding. Ambling confidently through thick crowds with her reflective coating, rolling tip and classic rubber handgrip, indeed the flashy Ms. Cane cuts a fascinating figure that evokes awe and inspiration everywhere she goes. More than a dynamic manual navigation device, Erica Cane is also an anti-ableist activist and international ambassador firmly committed to the ideals of accessibility, empowerment, independence and the pursuit of happiness for all. She resides with her family in beautiful Portland, Oregon.
