Leadership and Empowerment

Claudie Grant, Esq.
Program Manager
President's Committee on Employment of People With Disabilities

Abstract

This paper discusses the importance of leadership in the disability movement, especially as a pathway towards empowerment. Further, it explores some critical ingredients of good leaders and leadership. It also presents some useful suggestions to assist persons with disabilities, their families, and advocacy groups for such individuals.

Introduction

I was pleased and honored to have had the opportunity to participate in the "New Leadership For A New Era" Conference. I see leadership as an important component in the disability movement. Leadership is a pathway towards empowerment. I will explore some critical ingredients that I believe are necessary to help in the formation of good leaders and leadership. This article is intended to highlight a few "nuts and bolts" about leadership that may be useful to persons with disabilities, their families, and organizations advocating for such individuals.

I. What is a leader?

A leader is an individual who guides other people or organizations in a certain direction or on a charted course. A leader directs the operations or activities of a group of people. Leadership is critical in any organization, because without leadership, organizations and people tend to go astray. Now, more than ever, leadership abilities are essential skills that the disability community must nurture and fully utilize. The Americans with Disabilities Act {ADA} (PL 101-336) opens up opportunities for persons with disabilities to exercise the empowerment they are now afforded. Civil rights organizations serving people from minority groups, women, and other protected classes have been able to make significant strides because they have had persons within their ranks that were able to lead and advocate. It is essential that people with disabilities have persons within their ranks who can effectively project the new empowerment embodied in ADA.

II. Why be a leader and an advocate within the disability community?

It is important that persons from the disability community become leaders. Currently, there are too few individuals within the disability community who have taken on the mantle of leadership and it is critical that an increasing number of persons with disabilities take on leadership roles. With ADA, leaders are needed now more than ever to guarantee that the law is fully implemented. Leaders are continually needed to keep persons with disabilities informed and organized. Leaders must also advocate for the empowerment, rights, and privileges of persons with disabilities. Existing leaders and advocates are role models for other persons with disabilities. Being a leader can be both challenging and satisfying.

In addition, I would like to point out that there is a dearth of leaders within minority communities. We need leadership badly. Therefore, those of us who have gained some measure of success must work hard to assist others. Many minority individuals with disabilities lack the essential skills to advocate for themselves and we must work to correct that problem. Persons of color must be provided opportunities to demonstrate their leadership skills and they must take advantage of all opportunities to do so. For instance, the collaborative arrangement between the Howard University Research and Training Center (HURTC) and the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities (PCEPD) has been a major stepping stone towards developing multicultural leaders with disabilities. The PCEPD Disability and Employment Concerns (DEC) Standing Committee's Leadership 2000 project and Howard University's Bridges To Leadership 2000 project have greatly assisted in the empowerment of minority persons with disabilities.

III. What does leadership entail?

Leadership entails being a responsible, strong-willed, and strong-minded person. Leadership must show strength and yet be willing to compromise when necessary. Having good interpersonal and human relation skills is essential. Leaders must be able to persuade other people to rally for causes when necessary. Good leadership requires that persons be well informed about issues that impact on them and their constituents. Being a good leader also requires working in the trenches along with comrades. Good leaders must be motivators, negotiators, and consensus builders. Good leaders must always be concerned about the welfare of comrades. Effective leaders must always be able to communicate with comrades, government, the private sector, and political leaders.

Leaders must be knowledgeable about laws like ADA, and be politically astute as well. They should have the ability to effectively lobby for the rights of people with disabilities. Leaders within the disability community must be able to communicate with persons who have various disabilities. A leader must also possess diplomatic and advocacy skills.

IV. Can I be a leader and a follower?

One of the most frequent questions raised by persons with disabilities is, "Can I be a Leader?" Yes, you can be a leader and a follower, often at the same time. Too often, leaders make the critical mistake of not wanting to be followers. Good leaders are also good listeners. A good listener pays attention to the concerns of others, and a sensitive leader remains attuned to the needs of his/her constituents. Leaders emerge from the ranks of followers and often continue as followers of others. Every great leader must fall in line with others and work in the background. Every great leader has sought and acted upon advice from followers and has merged the roles of following and leading. Within the disability community, we must both lead and follow in order to become completely empowered and fully implement the ADA for all American citizens with disabilities. We cannot afford to be fragmented on the basis of our roles. Leaders at all levels must work together in a coordinated, cooperative effort just as we did in the campaign for the passage of the ADA.

V. Do you need a large following to be considered a leader?

Contrary to what most people think, you do not need a large following to be a leader. Oftentimes, leaders that have small followings are quite effective. For instance, in the political arena, the precinct leaders and ward captains are extremely valuable because they help provide the glue that keeps the larger organization intact.

In order to make ADA effective for all persons with disabilities, leaders of large and small groups must work together. Persons with disabilities in every hamlet, village, town, county, city, and state will need dedicated leadership to work for the full implementation of ADA and the empowerment of their peers. Sharing the media spotlight is not a prerequisite for being a good leader. Not all leaders will receive the recognition that they believe is due them.

Just as there is a place for leaders of large constituents, there is also a place for leaders of small groups. It is imperative for existing leaders to create and develop new leaders within the disability community so that they work for the full implementation of ADA and the struggle for empowerment of such persons.

VI. How and where are leaders found?

1. Leaders within the disability community may be found in:

• a) Churches and in local and national church organizations
• b) Schools and colleges
• c) Community organizations such as Kiwanis, Lions, etc.
• d) Independent Living Centers
• e) Rehabilitation agencies
• f) Federal, state, and local government
• g) Advocacy groups

2. Leaders within the disability community may be recruited by:

• Other persons with disabilities
• Community people
• Friends and family
• Pastors, officers, and members of churches
• Teachers
• Human service professionals
• Legislators and other government officials

VII. How can I become involved and utilize my leadership skills?

You might ask yourself, "How can I get involved and use my leadership skills?" You can and should get involved to advocate for yourself and others. Here are a few suggested ways of getting involved:

1. Become involved in local community activities (e.g. neighborhood associations, citizens groups, public interest groups, consumer groups, etc.);
2. Volunteer for PTA's, school boards, civic library boards and other organizations to put the views of persons with disabilities views into accessibility plans;
3. Attend local community hearings and public meetings and speak out;
4. Attend Private Industry Council (PIC) meetings;
5. Join local organizations such as the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club, Lions Club, local professional organizations, etc.;
6. Attend legislative sessions at local, state, and national levels. For example, attend city council meetings, county council meetings, state legislative sessions, and national legislative sessions (United States House of Representatives and The United States Senate). Participate, to the extent possible, in the legislative process;
7. Attend and participate, to the extent possible, in the administrative process at the local, state, and national levels (e.g. housing and zoning appeals, transportation authority hearings and meetings);
8. Lobby local, state, and national governmental bodies and officials to introduce and promote the passage of legislation that will be beneficial to persons with disabilities;
9. Become active in local, regional, and national religious bodies and social organizations and advocate for change;
10. Join local disability groups and actively participate in them (e.g. organizations for persons with hearing and visual impairments, persons with various disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Polio, etc., and local independent living centers). Initiate new ideas for change that will be advantageous to persons with disabilities. Organize groups and organizations, if necessary;
11. Seek appointments to serve on local private, state, and national governmental boards and councils (e.g. school boards, neighborhood advisory councils, advisory boards for persons with disabilities, industrial boards and commissions, zoning boards, transportation committees, etc.);
12. Persons with disabilities should exercise their rights to vote in local state and national elections;
13. Seek elective offices if you desire to do so; and
14. Write letters to editors of newspapers, magazines, and television and radio stations concerning issues relating to persons with disabilities.

The aforementioned are only a few suggestions of how you can become involved. You should think of as many ways as possible to become involved and attempt to effectuate change for the empowerment and betterment of people with disabilities.

YOU CAN BE A LEADER, JUST GET INVOLVED.
ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

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Hypertext formatting performed by Megan Dodson
Page last updated on March 20, 1997 by Mary Kaye Rubin