Disability Quote by A.J. Withers
““Another myth that is firmly upheld is that disabled people are dependent and non-disabled people are independent. No one is actually independent. This is a myth perpetuated by disablism and driven by capitalism - we are all actually interdependent. Chances are, disabled or not, you don’t grow all of your food. Chances are, you didn’t build the car, bike, wheelchair, subway, shoes, or bus that transports you. Chances are you didn’t construct your home. Chances are you didn’t sew your clothing (or make the fabric and thread used to sew it). The difference between the needs that many disabled people have and the needs of people who are not labelled as disabled is that non-disabled people have had their dependencies normalized. The world has been built to accommodate certain needs and call the people who need those things independent, while other needs are considered exceptional. Each of us relies on others every day. We all rely on one another for support, resources, and to meet our needs. We are all interdependent. This interdependence is not weakness; rather, it is a part of our humanity.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Disability rights lecture, 2022
It argues that independence is a myth; everyone depends on others, and interdependence is a human reality.
In simple terms: No one is truly independent; we all rely on each other.
Key Takeaway
Embrace interdependence as a strength.
Themes
interdependence
social justice
capitalism critique
Mood
thoughtful
inspirational
Type
philosophical
activist
When to use this quote
- policy making
- community building
- inclusive design
- advocacy
- education
Key Concepts
humanity
dependency
social structures
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies better recognize mutual reliance?
- What policies support interdependent living?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on independence can ignore systemic inequities.
