1. Copyright Ann D. Kirkwood 2005 Access and Inclusion: People with Disabilities in Public Participation Ann D. Kirkwood, MA

2. Copyright Ann D. Kirkwood 2005 Public Participation Defined “Any process that includes the public in problem-solving and uses the public input to make decisions.” International Assn. of Public Participation

3. Copyright Ann D. Kirkwood 2005 Are Wheelchair Ramps Enough? To involve people with disabilities in public participation we must make our processes both accessible and inclusive.

4. Copyright Ann D. Kirkwood 2005 What is a Disability? ► A disability is a condition that limits a person’s ability to function fully in everyday life.  48 million in the United States  Est 500 million worldwide  All racial, ethnic, cultural, socio-economic and geographic groups.  May be physical, mental, cognitive, developmental, related to aging  May be hidden, such as mental illnesses and brain injuries

5. Copyright Ann D. Kirkwood 2005 Accessible & Inclusive Accessibility means that a person with a disability can physically access our processes. Inclusive means that a person with a disability can participate meaningfully.

6. Copyright Ann D. Kirkwood 2005 Legal requirements for participation ► In the US, government-funded and some private projects must adhere to the Americans With Disabilities Act. ► Laws in other countries vary. ► The United Nations Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (General Assembly resolution 48/96 of December 20, 1993) provides guidelines for inclusion.

7. Copyright Ann D. Kirkwood 2005 What is Community Integration? ► Grew out of the U.S. civil rights movement of the 1960’s ► Right to live in mainstream of community ► Full rights of citizenship ► “Nothing About Us Without Us”

8. Copyright Ann D. Kirkwood 2005 How do we ensure all voices are heard? ► Involvement in mainstream participatory processes are essential in two ways:  The needs and interests of people with disabilities are represented with disabilities are represented in decision-making; and in decision-making; and  All members of the community benefit from living, working and benefit from living, working and participating with people with participating with people with disabilities. disabilities. In short, we enrich each other’s lives.

9. Copyright Ann D. Kirkwood 2005 Personal Attributes… ► IAP2’s listing of personal qualities for public participation professionals includes reference to “core personal attributes.” ► These attributes affect how we think and act. Our attitudes toward people with disabilities affect how we behave (G.H. Mead, 1934). ► Examine your attitudes and language to ensure positive attributes toward people with disabilities.

10. Copyright Ann D. Kirkwood 2005 Standards for Etiquette ► Ask if you’re unsure ► Offer assistance but wait until it’s accepted to act ► Talk to people with disabilities (not to others around them) ► Get on eye level as much as possible ► Talk in terms of abilities, not disabilities!

11. Copyright Ann D. Kirkwood 2005 Etiquette, continued ► Don’t emphasize differences by marginalizing, exemplifying, making jokes or calling uninvited attention to people with disabilities ► People with disabilities are just like everyone.  They have hopes and dreams  They have good moods and bad moods bad moods  They are interested in the same things as everyone: recreation, things as everyone: recreation, family, health care, a home, etc. family, health care, a home, etc.

12. Copyright Ann D. Kirkwood 2005 Planning… ► In planning a public involvement process, we include an analysis of stakeholders we include an analysis of stakeholders ► Stakeholders are those who will be interested (at some level) in the decision to be made. ► A full outline for providing a Stakeholder Analysis is available through the IAP2 certificate training program. ► The process outlined assumes an understanding of the IAP2 guidelines and is designed to supplement them.

13. Copyright Ann D. Kirkwood 2005 Activity Scenario ► You are planning a public participation process for a transportation corridor improvement (including mass transit and freeway construction). In conducting your stakeholder analysis, how might you consider involving people with disabilities?

14. Copyright Ann D. Kirkwood 2005 Planning Worksheet DisabilityNature of Interest AccessibleInclusionAccommodation Sight Hearing Mental illness Developmen- tal Disability Other Physical Other: _________

15. Copyright Ann D. Kirkwood 2005 A Note About Accommodations ► Making accommodations for people with disabilities means providing services or materials that help them participate in a meaningful way.  Communications  Facilitation  Facilities  …and more

16. Copyright Ann D. Kirkwood 2005 We all benefit when… We must banish the patronizing mind-set that disabled people are unable. In fact, they have enormous talent, and America cannot afford to waste an ounce of it.” Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) New York Times, June 17, 1999