ACT: Back to its Roots
Jennifer Walton, executive director of Advocating Change Together (ACT), recently presented ACT’s transformation story at a meeting of ICI's Community Advisory Council.
Advocating Change Together (ACT) is having a moment. With a new commitment to disability justice that recalls its roots in the Disability Rights Movement, the Saint Paul-based organization is reigniting its legacy in self-advocacy and leadership development amid upheaval in national disability services administration.
Recently completing ACT Forward, a months-long strategic planning effort that involved staff members and outside stakeholders, the organization is working to secure state funding for self-advocacy and reinvigorate Self-Advocates Minnesota , which engages leaders with disabilities and allies across Greater Minnesota. A new logo, mission and vision statements, website, social and advocacy events , and a monthly newsletter have been added, along with several efforts to reach out to partners across the disability community. The Institute on Community Integration is a longtime partner.
The new mission statement vows to support the leadership of people with disabilities to fight ableism and build inclusive communities.
“Now is the time to double down and call out ableism and dismantle it as best we can,” said Jennifer Walton (pictured), who took the reins as executive director of ACT two years ago. “We’re listening, inviting people in, and looking for ways to work collaboratively. We need to come together to do more.”
Walton recently presented ACT’s transformation story at a meeting of the Community Advisory Council, a diverse group of disability community leaders who advise the Institute on its community engagement activities and evaluate the impact of its work. Walton is a member of the Council.
Some of the new energy was on display last month as an energetic crowd of advocates affiliated with ACT and other organizations filled the Minnesota State Capitol Rotunda on Disability Advocacy Day in Saint Paul. Several people with disabilities shared their thoughts with WCCO’s Good Question segment, which asked, “How Common Are Disabilities?”
The segment went on location to the advocacy event, asking people with disabilities how people without disabilities can be better allies and friends.
“Do not disregard disability, but don’t see them as just a person with disabilities,” said Rochelle Launer, an advocate and ACT board member. “See them as a person.”
Walton echoed Launer’s comments, urging community members to consider how today’s calls for disability justice personalize the hard-fought legislative and other gains of the Disability Rights Movement.
“She really nailed this generational pivot, telling people not to stare at her like she’s a museum exhibit, but to really see her, to see her individual point of view,” Walton said. “It’s an intentional shift and I think it’s the next step this new generation wants. It wants action.”
Meredith Kujala, program coordinator, noted that while ACT has always been a strong advocacy organization, Walton and the rest of the team have tapped into a new energy through the transformation process.
“I knew from the start that Jen is a fighter, which I was excited about,” Kujala said. “This team has become an amazing force and we’re not going to be quiet about what’s going on in the disability world. Maybe years ago we were advocating, but I use the word fighting now. It’s a much different energy.”
Walton agrees with the fighting analogy, but says the work ultimately comes down to love.
“We're celebrating interdependence and the fact that I need help, you need help, we all need help. We’re beyond ‘special needs.’ We all have the same fundamental needs and rights, and we support each other by sharing compassion and generosity and joy. And so, I think we have a unique opportunity with the work that we're doing and in partnerships with others to continuously call that out, because if we don't, then the dumpster fire around us is all that we’ll have.”