Every March, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM) provides an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities and acknowledge the barriers to inclusion that still exist. This year’s theme, “We’re Here: Then, Now, Always,” reflects the reality that people with disabilities have always been a part of our communities. Through decades of advocacy, greater inclusion and recognition of people with disabilities exists today. Central to this ongoing movement are self-advocates like Brittney Lee, who Therap met last fall.
Brittney’s Self-Advocacy Journey
For Brittney, being “here” means more than just presence—it means using her voice to lead her own life and paving the way for others to follow. “[Being a] self-advocate is fighting for what you believe in and also teaching those who don’t have a voice to speak for [themselves,]” she says. “It’s important to have your own voice to be able to make decisions…I just think it’s really important to have my own voice and my own life.”
This sense of agency was something Brittney had to nurture. “I feel like I have grown to have [a voice],” she reflects. “At first I didn’t have one. I was shy, and didn’t want to speak up for myself. I had other people speak for me. But those people didn’t know me.” Joining advocacy groups helped Brittney become a confident self-advocate who knows her perspective is the most important one to consider when planning her life and supports.
Video as a Tool for Self-Advocacy in Documentation
To support Brittney’s desire to speak for herself, the residential program where she lives (ANCOR member Richmond Residential Services, Inc.) helped her record an “About Me” Video in Therap. In her video, Brittney speaks directly to the staff, telling them what is important to her and how she prefers to be supported.
Brittney emphasizes why tools like Therap’s “About Me” Video feature are so impactful: “Sometimes a lot of people with disabilities feel out of place. They feel like they don’t have a voice,” she says. “They should do their own video so people can get to know them, so they can shine, and so they can feel important.” Beyond sharing her own voice, Brittney sees the video as a way to inspire her peers. “Having a video with your voice sets an example for anyone,” she adds. “It shows them that they can have a voice also.”
Innovation Rooted in Empowerment
The theme “We’re Here: Then, Now, Always” is a commitment to the visibility and recognition of people with developmental disabilities. When individuals are given the tools to define their own lives and preferences, their presence is not only acknowledged, but deeply respected. At Therap, we are proud to support this effort by creating innovative documentation tools that help to amplify the voices of self-advocates like Brittney.
To listen to Brittney talk about her “About Me” Video experience, click here.
Michelle Saunders is the Associate Director of Business Development at Therap Services.
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