Why I work to remove access barriers for students with disabilities | Haben Girma | TEDxBaltimore

Summary

Haben Girma, a lawyer and Skadden Fellow at Disability Rights Advocates, challenges negative stereotypes of lawyers by highlighting the diverse roles they play in advocating for marginalized communities. Drawing from her personal experiences as a deafblind individual, Girma emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and accessibility, recounting her struggles with cafeteria menus at college. She discusses the transformative power of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in promoting equality and accessibility. Through her work, she aims to inspire others to make their communities inclusive and accessible for everyone, showcasing how individuals can effect positive change.

Takeaways

• 😀 Haben Girma is a Skadden Fellow at Disability Rights Advocates and advocates for marginalized communities.
• 💼 Negative stereotypes of lawyers often overshadow the diverse roles they play, especially in public service.
• 🌍 Personal experiences with challenges, such as disabilities, can motivate individuals to become advocates for social justice.
• 👩‍⚖️ Public service lawyers are reshaping the perception of what it means to be a lawyer by actively supporting their communities.
• 📜 The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is crucial in ensuring accessibility and legal rights for individuals with disabilities.
• 🍽️ Haben's experience with inaccessible menus in college led her to advocate for better accommodations, highlighting the importance of self-advocacy.
• 🔍 Civil rights organizations like Disability Rights Advocates offer legal services without charging clients, emphasizing the need for accessible civil rights.
• 🤝 Class action litigation can be a powerful tool for collective advocacy and improving accessibility in education and other sectors.
• 💡 Education about disability rights and legal obligations can transform organizational attitudes toward accessibility.
• 🚀 Haben encourages professionals in various fields to learn about accessibility guidelines to create inclusive communities.

Q & A

What is the main theme of Haben Girma's speech?

The main theme of Haben Girma's speech is the importance of advocating for disability rights and changing perceptions about lawyers, particularly public service lawyers who work to improve access and equality for marginalized communities.

How does Haben Girma describe common stereotypes about lawyers?

Haben Girma describes common stereotypes of lawyers as negative, portraying them as people who do not provide straightforward answers, are only interested in money, or are dehumanized to the extent of being called 'sharks.'

What personal experiences influenced Girma's journey to becoming a lawyer?

Girma's experiences as a deafblind individual and her struggles with accessibility in college motivated her to advocate for herself and others, ultimately leading her to pursue a career in law.

What specific challenges did Girma face in the cafeteria at her college?

Girma faced challenges in accessing the cafeteria menu due to her blindness, as the staff often forgot to email the menu in a format she could read, which limited her choices and created frustration.

What action did Girma take when her needs were not met in the cafeteria?

When her needs were not met, Girma decided to advocate for herself by educating the cafeteria manager about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the requirement for reasonable accommodations.

What is the significance of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in Girma's story?

The ADA is significant in Girma's story as it provides legal protections for people with disabilities, allowing her to assert her rights and demand accessibility in her college cafeteria.

How did Girma's advocacy efforts impact the cafeteria's approach to accessibility?

Girma's advocacy efforts led to a change in the cafeteria's approach, resulting in staff consistently providing menus to students with disabilities, thereby improving access and service.

What role do public service lawyers play according to Girma?

According to Girma, public service lawyers play a vital role in advocating for the rights of marginalized communities, using their personal experiences to drive change and promote equality.

What example of successful advocacy work did Girma share regarding UC Berkeley?

Girma shared an example where Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) helped students with print reading disabilities at UC Berkeley gain timely access to course materials, resulting in new policies that improve accessibility for all students.

What message does Girma convey about the power of individuals in their communities?

Girma conveys that individuals, particularly those who have faced challenges, have the power to advocate for accessibility and make their communities more inclusive, whether as lawyers or other advocates.