1. United States
2. Letter

The rallying cry "Nothing about us without us" underscores the critical need for disabled individuals to have a voice in shaping the policies that govern their lives. Without authentic representation in decision-making spaces, the distinct challenges and barriers faced by the disabled community risk going unaddressed. From accessibility issues in housing and transportation to inequities in healthcare and education, disabled perspectives offer invaluable first-hand insight into how existing systems fall short and what reforms are required. By elevating disabled voices to the policy table, real solutions can be crafted that directly respond to the lived realities and needs of this historically marginalized group. Genuine inclusion is the antidote to well-intentioned but misguided top-down approaches that too often fail to capture the nuances and complexities of disability experiences. Embracing the "Nothing about us without us" ethos is a vital step towards realizing substantive and lasting change that empowers rather than overlooks the disabled community.