“Healed to me is not a PLACE. We are all on some level on our journey of healing — ON, not toward. As we journey, we learn through trial, error and grace... Nothing I’ve ever been through, no matter how painful, has ever been wasted because without fail, I’ll meet someone who will benefit from my personal experience.”
2023 was relatively low-key here, which could be considered a mild success by disabled standards. By mainstream productivity or financial standards though, it would be more of a wash.
“As a person who is highly passionate about advocating for social justice, I am particularly motivated to create more visibility for black and POC femmes who are disabled and/or neurodivergent.”
“I believe that if all of our basic needs were met and our communities were more connected, that would be the most accessible world. I dream of a world where all people are accepted and we are more connected with everyone and everything around us.”
2022 was the first year Affect operated without grants or sponsorships. Instead, we ran on a barebones $4,687 budget, funded solely by individual and org donations...
“At this point, I have gathered a decent amount of documentaries in American Sign Language. I soon plan to release references for ASL documentaries through a series of Video Podcasts in American Sign Language. I plan to keep developing more ASL programming until all media is equally accessible to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing [HoH] community.”
When we asked for nominations last month, your response helped us give $500 awards to 6 Black and Indigenous community organizers and carers. Our first-ever Community Care awardees include LaQuida Landford, Leila Haile, Natasha Marin, and Simona Bearcub.
“Having deafness and diabetes makes me feel unique and more vital than ever; I make sure I keep myself positive and healthy. With this mindset, it changed my art from hidden politics into beauty. I see beauty in everything, and I share that with my art.”
“The most important thing I want people to understand about disability and accessibility is the fact that we only want to live an easier life just like everyone else. It’s not crazy to believe everyone wants a simple and enjoyable life free from frustration.”
“...art and writing became a way for me to process the things I couldn’t or didn’t know how to talk about, and now I use it to imagine what futures without oppression might feel like. If ableism, racism and transphobia didn’t exist—how might we get there together?”