Birth Justice

Module 6

An important part of your journey as a birth worker is addressing and confronting your assumptions. One aspect of this is considering how your assumptions about the spectrum of ability and disability may block you from working authentically with clients.

In the United States, over 58 million people – or nearly 20 percent of the population above the age of 5 – identify themselves as having disabilities.

Globally, there is a population of 1.3 billion people with disabilities, constituting an emerging market the size of China. (myblindspot.org)

You will probably work with someone who has a disability, if you haven’t already. Close your eyes and imagine, or recall, a client who is interviewing you or has signed a contract with you discloses their disability. Or someone who wants to take your class, or is already in your class. What do you do next?

If they are in your class already and are talking about their disability, follow their lead. They may want to share more, and they may not. It is ok to not know the answer if they are asking something specific. Outside of class time, or before you meet, if you are unfamiliar with the disability disclosed, your first step may be to do some research on your own.

With a doula client, if you are unfamiliar with the disability disclosed, your first step may be to do some research on your own, or to ask your client how or if they anticipate their disability will impact their pregnancy, labor, and birth.

In your research, remember:

• “Nothing about us, without us”- pay attention to content created by and for Disabled people.

• Your client/Disabled people are the experts of their own experiences. Trust them.

• Because of institutionalized and internalized ableism, your client may ask for or the situation may demand more advocacy in certain settings. Be honest with yourself about your ability and skill in this area.

Review the following resources:

Stella Young TED Talk (9 mins)

Accessibility and Inclusive Language

Disability 101

Doulaing with a Disability

What are some small steps you can take to provide better accessibility, even before engaging with a client who has a disability?

Consider these small steps:

• Caption and visually describe images on your business social media and website.

• Add physical access notes when meeting clients (“The coffee shop has a ramp entrance but not an accessible bathroom”) or your home (“I am up five stairs and there is a narrow gate entrance on the street”).

• Add spaces on your intake forms for clients to note their preferred communication method (text, voice note, phone call) or share any accommodations they may need.

• Be honest about your own access needs: Do you need a low scent environment? Do you prefer meeting somewhere with an elevator?

• What else can you think of?

Journal Prompts:

In what ways have you already adapted your practice to accommodate a spectrum of abilities?

What is the next step you are going to take, right now, to lean further into this work?