Rights? What Rights?

(Part Four: Disability and Civil Rights)

[SARN Memo for December 9, 2009]

We are people—people with rights. Many of our rights are listed in the ADA. We also have human rights. These are listed in the United Nations treaty on the rights for people with disabilities (2007).

Here are a few of these rights:

• Dignity – We will not accept labels. We are people.
• Self-determination – We decide about our lives.
• Leadership – We must be the leaders in the movement for our rights.

The rights are in place. Let’s use them.

1. Group Activity: Declaration of Rights
2. Resource

• Respond to this memo!

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1. Group Activity: Declaration of Rights

Practice and prepare a “Group Declaration of Rights.” Look at the book We Have Human Rights (free download). Read aloud—and list on poster paper—the rights named in the book or other source (one or two words per right). Have each member choose one right. Then practice speaking out, having each person in turn declare his or her right in a strong voice (e.g. “We have the right to privacy” or “We have the right of equal access”).

The performance goes like this: Find an object to serve as a “talking stick.” (When someone holds the stick, it’s his or her turn to talk.) Give the stick to whoever wants to go first. Begin with the entire group saying all together, “We have human rights!” Then pass the stick around the circle, with each person in turn declaring aloud his or her particular right. End with the entire group again saying all together, “We have human rights!”

Practice a few times from start to finish. Then find a community event at which you can perform this “group declaration.”

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2. Resource

We Have Human Rights
(28 pp, full color)
Today’s memo is based on a dynamite new book for people with developmental disabilities. You can use it to learn about your rights. You can also use it to talk with others about your rights. It even has great exercises for your group. It’s written for self-advocates around the world.

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