Press Conference Statement

Delivered at Cindy Chavez’s press conference on the establishment of an Office of Disability Affairs, June 21, 2021 at the Santa Clara County Building.

Thank you for being here to learn about Supervisor Chavez’s referral to create an Office of Disability Affairs:

COVID‐19 has been the “perfect storm” as each person’s risk was compounded by systemic inequities. In this storm, people with disabilities were sidelined, not seen nor heard, and often not thought about.

The virus has caused great harm and many losses in our community. But COVID did not start the world of inequities for people with disabilities. It is not just the virus that is harming and killing disabled people. This virus has highlighted the existing systemic ableism… (the discrimination of and social prejudice against people with disabilities based on the belief that typical abilities are superior). Ableism is ingrained in our bodies and minds, and it was intensely compounded by the COVID pandemic.

• People with disabilities are one of the communities most at risk; we are the community least talked about, least talked to, least included, and least supported.
• Disabled people rely on a system of inadequate services. During the pandemic, people with disabilities struggled with access to food, personal protective equipment, transportation, COVID testing, school supports, and even had fears that the County may take away our vital equipment, like ventilators.
• We are considered less valuable, less productive, just less… We feared coercive Do Not Resuscitate orders, not having access to support people or placement in nursing homes and other congregate living settings. This stress was real and intense.
• Our family members, in-home workers, and other support staff also struggled.
• In California, people with disabilities are left out of data that drives policy. In other states, disabled people were four times more likely to contract COVID-19 and more likely to die from it, especially for Latino and Black community members.

The work to end ableism is a long road BUT this referral declares a start to our journey on this road. It starts a process to stop the disregard for our community.

This office means that we do not go back to “the normal” where disabled needs are too burdensome. These same routine needs that were implemented almost instantly for non-disabled people at the start of this pandemic have been historically delayed and denied to people with disabilities.

Aubrie Lee, an Asian American disabled person, asked: “How much do I and my disabled comrades have to educate, to struggle, to die before your ignorance counts as willful?” When does “I just didn’t know” become “I just didn’t care”?

Today, almost 31 years after the Americans with Disabilities Act became law, we begin to answer these questions. Approving this referral says that Santa Clara County cares about its disabled residents and their families. It starts the process to prioritize the needs of people with disabilities and learning how to confront the systemic ableism that harms all people.

Disability advocate and activist Michele Mashburn is the Director of the San José Peace and Justice Center. In addition to her work position, she is also an elected County Council Member of the Santa Clara County Green Party. She stays busy balancing life, work, and justice, living with her mother Mary and her comfort cat, Miss Kitty.
michele@sanjosepeace.org
408–297–2299