Activating Change: Fighting Ableism and Building Accessible Nonprofits

Episode: Ep 223: Activating Change: Fighting Ableism and Building Accessible Nonprofits
Release Date: March 1, 2025
Host: Glenda Testone
Guest: Nancy Smith, Executive Director of Activating Change

1. Introduction to Nancy Smith and Activating Change

Glenda Testone kicks off the episode by introducing Nancy Smith, the Executive Director of Activating Change, a national nonprofit focused on ending widespread victimization and mass incarceration among people with disabilities and deaf individuals. Nancy's extensive background, including her role at the Vera Institute of Justice and her academic credentials in Women's Studies and Feminist Policy Studies, positions her as a key voice in bridging gaps between marginalized communities and nonprofit services.

2. Nancy's Journey into Advocacy for People with Disabilities

Nancy shares her personal journey into the realm of disability advocacy. After graduating from Ohio State University, she worked at the YWCA in Cincinnati, leading a project to prevent family violence. A pivotal moment occurred during her collaboration with Suzanne from the Center for Independent Living, where Nancy realized the profound lack of support for people with disabilities who had experienced abuse.

Nancy Smith [05:26]: “I had been doing work to end violence, and I had not thought before about people with disabilities. It was a real aha moment where I understood kind of my own privilege…”

This realization motivated her to dedicate her career to ensuring that nonprofit efforts inclusively address the needs of disabled and deaf communities.

3. Understanding Ableism in Nonprofit Work

Glenda and Nancy delve into the pervasive stereotypes and misperceptions that hinder the effectiveness of nonprofits in serving people with disabilities. Nancy highlights how societal ableism— the belief in the superiority of non-disabled individuals—seeps into nonprofit operations, often unconsciously marginalizing those they intend to help.

Nancy Smith [11:55]: “We grow up in a society that is very ableist... and we breathe that in like smog.”

She identifies common misconceptions, such as the belief that disabilities are always visible and that disabled individuals are inherently dependent. These stereotypes can lead to overlooking individuals with invisible disabilities and fostering a “savior complex” within organizations.

4. Debunking Myths About Disabilities

Nancy emphasizes that disability is not a niche issue but rather a widespread aspect of the population, affecting over 60 million Americans. She urges nonprofits to recognize that individuals with disabilities are integral members of all communities and share many common interests and needs with non-disabled individuals.

Nancy Smith [17:23]: “Disability is incredibly ordinary. More than 60 million people in the United States have a disability.”

5. Practical Steps for Building Accessible Nonprofits

Nancy provides actionable strategies for nonprofit leaders to make their organizations more inclusive:

• Conduct Accessibility Audits: Evaluate both physical spaces and digital platforms to identify and remove barriers.

  Nancy Smith [19:22]: “One of them is to conduct an accessibility audit of your organization.”

• Utilize Tools: Implement resources like the Accessibility Checker (www.accessibilitychecker.org) and ADA checklists to systematically improve accessibility.

• Involve People with Disabilities: Engage individuals with disabilities in the review process to gain authentic insights and creative solutions.

• Compensate for Lived Experience: Recognize the expertise of disabled individuals by compensating them for their contributions, ensuring their involvement is both valued and equitable.

  Nancy Smith [40:10]: “We need to see the value of lived experience. And we need to see that as expertise.”

6. The Importance of Language and Intersectionality

Nancy discusses the significance of language in representing diverse communities accurately. She explains the distinct identity of the deaf community, which often intersects with other marginalized groups such as people of color and LGBT individuals.

Nancy Smith [23:05]: “By specifically naming deaf communities, it says to the community, hey, you understand something about me.”

Understanding and respecting these distinctions ensures that nonprofits address the multifaceted identities of the individuals they serve, promoting a more holistic and inclusive approach.

7. Leadership and Inclusive Practices

Nancy reflects on her leadership approach, emphasizing collaboration, shared decision-making, and continuous self-assessment to mitigate her lack of lived experience as a non-disabled and hearing individual. She advocates for open communication, accountability, and a willingness to learn from mistakes.

Nancy Smith [28:33]: “I am incredibly collaborative. I very much am committed to sharing power and sharing decision making with the many people on my staff who do have disabilities and who are deaf.”

Her leadership style fosters an environment where inclusivity is prioritized, and all team members feel empowered to contribute authentically.

8. Addressing Accessibility Beyond Captions

A key discussion point revolves around the limitations of captions in serving the deaf community. Nancy explains that while captions aid those who are deaf, deaf individuals primarily communicate through sign language, which requires additional accommodations like sign language interpreters.

Nancy Smith [33:17]: “For many people who are deaf, written English is a second language... sign language is a primary language.”

She suggests implementing picture-in-picture interpretation and hiring live interpreters to ensure that content is fully accessible and engaging for deaf participants.

9. Embracing Imperfection and Continuous Learning

Nancy encourages nonprofits to embrace the learning process, recognizing that making mistakes is part of becoming more inclusive. She stresses the importance of being open, apologizing when errors occur, and committing to ongoing improvement.

Nancy Smith [37:09]: “Being open and being willing to account for a mistake and to learn from it is far more important, and it goes much longer of a way than not doing anything because we're afraid to do something wrong.”

This mindset fosters a culture of growth and resilience, essential for meaningful progress in accessibility and inclusion.

10. Final Thoughts and Call to Action

In concluding the episode, Nancy reiterates the importance of involving people with disabilities in all aspects of nonprofit work and compensating them for their valuable contributions. She emphasizes that true inclusivity requires intentional effort and a willingness to adapt continuously.

Nancy Smith [36:56]: “You cannot do this work without doing it alongside people with disabilities and deaf people.”

Glenda echoes Nancy's sentiments, encouraging listeners to step out of their comfort zones, make concerted efforts to be inclusive, and learn from the inevitable challenges that arise in this journey.

Conclusion

This episode of Nonprofits Are Messy offers profound insights into the intersection of disability advocacy and nonprofit leadership. Nancy Smith’s experiences and practical advice serve as a guiding framework for organizations striving to become more inclusive and accessible. By addressing underlying stereotypes, implementing tangible accessibility measures, and fostering collaborative leadership, nonprofits can better serve all members of their communities and drive meaningful, equitable change.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Nancy Smith [05:26]: “I had been doing work to end violence, and I had not thought before about people with disabilities…”
• Nancy Smith [11:55]: “We grow up in a society that is very ableist…”
• Nancy Smith [17:23]: “Disability is incredibly ordinary. More than 60 million people in the United States have a disability.”
• Nancy Smith [19:22]: “One of them is to conduct an accessibility audit of your organization.”
• Nancy Smith [23:05]: “By specifically naming deaf communities, it says to the community, hey, you understand something about me.”
• Nancy Smith [28:33]: “I am incredibly collaborative. I very much am committed to sharing power…”
• Nancy Smith [33:17]: “For many people who are deaf, written English is a second language…”
• Nancy Smith [37:09]: “Being open and being willing to account for a mistake and to learn from it is far more important…”
• Nancy Smith [36:56]: “You cannot do this work without doing it alongside people with disabilities and deaf people.”

Resources Mentioned

• Accessibility Checker: www.accessibilitychecker.org
• ADA Checklist for Existing Facilities: Available online through various resources.

For more insights and expert advice on leading accessible and inclusive nonprofits, visit joengary.com/podcast.