Not Without Us
Not Without Us is working for equality for all kids and adults with all disabilities through civic change. The core of our strategy is deliberate democracy for disability empowerment – we must change our systems, politics, and culture to be more welcoming and inclusive of both disabled adults and children.
Our initial focus was on kids with disabilities – and they continue to be a priority. But in order to achieve equality for kids with disabilities, we must join together with disabled adults – they are both our partners and our children’s future.
The sky is the limit if we embrace…
- inclusion, not segregation,
- compassion, not condescension, &
- high expectations, not concern.
Anything is possible for kids with disabilities and the adults they may become, just as for their typical peers.
Disabled kids are too often divided by their diagnoses, and separated into segregated, unequal and inequitable learning environments.
Expectations for future independence and success are not high enough.
We do not condone these practices or the systems and mindsets that perpetuate them.
We are here to unite adults with disabilities, parents, families, teachers, advocates, and others who care about all disabled kids and know that they can do so much more if we just allow them the opportunity to show us their strengths!
Some disability rights have been asserted over the years through individual advocacy, but the issues our kids face are not personal, they are the result of broken and mismanaged systems and practices.
We are all in this together, and we’re dedicated to working toward better outcomes for ALL kids.