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Eleanor Lisney, on being a disabled human rights activist
《Eleanor Lisney，殘疾人權倡議者》
殘疾人驕傲月（Disability Pride Month）對我來說是一個新概念。我發現這概念源自美國，與1990年代的美國殘疾人法案（American Disability Act，ADA）同時出現，但當時並不廣為人所知。英國在2002年有殘疾人歧視法（Disability Discrimination Act，DDA）。當我在德州奧斯汀得知這件事時，我獨自慶祝過。我當時想，該回英國了。這法案後來被2010年平等法（Equality Act 2010）取代。即使時至今天，仍有人會說某個場所符合 DDA 標準！
但這對我來說有什麼意義呢？這應該是讓殘疾人有機會聚在一起，慶祝活得自在和多元，並提高大家對我們每天所面對的挑戰和障礙的意識。然而，我並不覺得我需要一個特別的月份來做到這些。就像我有些朋友對黑人歷史月（Black History Month）或國際婦女節（International Women’s Day）的感覺一樣。
作為少數群體，我們每天面對不同的歧視，而殘疾只是其中之一。作為一名東亞及東南亞（East and South East Asian，ESEA）殘疾女性，我還會被其他ESEA人因為殘疾而歧視。當你在一個場合中意識到你自己因為被認為不值得交往，而被自己社區的人忽視的時候，那是最令人沮喪的。
然而，我很高興地說，隨著ESEA社區壯大，我現在與那些更具包容性和意識到包容性重要性的人有聯繫。所以我為自己作為一名活躍分子而自豪，作為一名可見的且推動社會意識的殘疾活躍分子而自豪。以前我在殘疾倡議工作主要聚焦在人權、無障礙合規審查，以及殘疾權利和婦女權利這些方面。我現在意識到，我有多重身份互相交織，而當中許多都是被邊緣化的身份。
現在，隨著巴黎奧運會的到來，我想起了2012年我當火炬手的回憶。一位年輕的泰國女孩在考文垂（Coventry）市場上前來找我，說她很高興看到我，因為我是唯一的ESEA代表。我想，我媽媽也會是這樣想。她從不知道我作為殘疾平權活躍分子所做的事（她當時在馬來西亞），但她知道甚麼是倫敦奧運會，她還特意飛過來參加那次盛事。
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EVR（全稱 End Violence and Racism Against ESEA Communities）是一間提供反對種族主義心理健康服務的機構，透過免費治療、社區活動、為其他服務提供者和公司提供文化能力（cultural competence）培訓，以及為國際留學生提供友伴計劃，去支援東亞和東南亞（East and South East Asian，ESEA）社區。EVR 也是「On Your Side」項目的九個合作夥伴之一！
「除了在 EVR 和 Disability Arts Online 董事會的職責外，Eleanor Lisney（she/they，她/他們）還是一位倡議者、公開演說家、無障礙顧問，以及兩個非常出眾的組織 —— Sisters of Frida 和 Culture Access 的聯合創辦人/總監。然而，他們（這裡英語原文的 they 是用作描述非二元性別的單數用法）首先更會描述自己為一名人權倡議者。」
Eleanor Lisney, on being a disabled human rights activist
Disability Pride Month is a new concept for me. I found out that it came from the USA – coinciding with the American Disability Act (ADA) in the 1990’s – but it was not well known. The UK had the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) in 2002. I remember celebrating on my own in Austin, Texas when I found out about it. Time to return to the UK, I had thought. This was replaced by the Equality Act 2010. There are people who would still say a venue is DDA compliant to this day!
But what meaning does it hold for me? It is meant to be a chance for disabled people to come together and celebrate being ourselves, in our diversity, and raise awareness of the challenges and barriers we face every day. However, I do not feel I need a special month to do this. Just like my friends with Black History Month. Or International Women’s Day.
As minoritised communities, we face different discriminations daily – and disability adds to the list. As an ESEA disabled woman, I get discriminated against by other ESEA people for being disabled. There is nothing more disheartening than being in a room to network, when you realise that you’re being ignored by your own community because they do not see you as worthy of networking with.
However, I am glad to say, as ESEA communities get stronger, I am now in touch with those who are more inclusive and aware of the importance of being inclusive. So if nothing else, I am proud of being an activist – and a visibly disabled activist – who helps that journey towards awareness. My main focus in disability work previously has really been in human rights, and access compliance, and things like disability rights and women’s rights. I now realise I have multiple identities that intersect with one another, and many of those are marginalised identities as well.
In this current time, with the Olympics in Paris, I suppose I’m reminded of the time I was a torch bearer in 2012. A young Thai girl approached me in Coventry Market, saying how pleased she was for me there because I was the only ESEA representative. I think that goes for my mum too. She never knew what I did as a disability equality activist (she was back in Malaysia) but she knew about the Olympics, and she flew over for the event.
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EVR is an anti-racist mental health service provider supporting the East and South East Asian (ESEA) communities through free therapies, community events, cultural competence training for service providers and companies, and a Befriending programme for international students. EVR is also one of the nine consortium partners who keep On Your Side alive and running!”
Beyond her duties on the Boards of EVR and Disability Arts Online, Eleanor Lisney (she/they) is a campaigner, public speaker, access advisor, and co-founder/director of two incredible organisations – Sisters of Frida, and Culture Access. First and foremost however, they describe themselves as a human rights activist.
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