Last year, City of Powell River Mayor Dave Formosa declared February 6 to be Diversability Day in Powell River. Almost a year and a half later, the campaign is still going strong—but has had a little trouble gaining traction.
“Diversability” is a term used to replace “disability.” The word was adopted by self-advocates, people with developmental disabilities who work for greater independence and acceptance within their communities.
The word diversability means “different, but able,” as opposed to the negative connotation of disability, which is associated with “unable,” explained Lorelei Reid, the self-advocate chosen to represent the movement at a presentation to city council last year.
Throughout the past year, the self-advocates, under the guidance of Christine Townley of Powell River Association for Community Living (PRACL), have worked to spread awareness of the term around the community. They have developed cards that are given out at information booths and events held by the self-advocates.
Reid created a sign to represent the campaign. The symbol has the word disabilities within a universal no sign. The words “I believe in diversabilities” are written around the outside of the circle.
The first anniversary of Diversability Day was celebrated by an event at Powell River Community Resource Centre. Self-advocates talked about what diversability meant to them, and the progress they had made. Two cakes were served, one in the shape of the symbol developed by Reid, and the other in the shape of a symbol designed by movement founder Shelley Decoste, a self-advocate in Kelowna, BC.
Reid also developed a poster that supporters hung in their cars the week of the event.
The self-advocates are planning to raise awareness once again at the annual Sea Fair parade, at which they will join with BC Special Olympics—Powell River for a float. They will be wearing special diversability T-shirts created by Reid and handing out informational cards to parade-goers.
Reid said that overall, the community has been very supportive of their cause. “I’m very happy with the progress that has been happening with the diversability campaign,” she explained. “When I’m working, I’ll tell people about it. One of my customers actually put one of the posters I made up in the front of her car to raise awareness.”
She admitted though, that too many people have no idea the word exists.
“What I want to do is I want to actually speak to the schools, maybe students in the schools,” said Reid. “I’d like to see people actually using the word diversability.”
Reid said usage of the word would empower the self-advocates. “Everybody has a diversability,” she explained, “so all the self-advocates would feel like we’re actually part of the community instead of a social outcast group.”
The next Diversability Day will be celebrated on February 6, 2014.
