United Voice describes itself as a "society of persons with learning disabilities" (same as intellectual disabilities). That simple statement perfectly describes this self-advocacy organization. Its membership and board consist entirely of persons with learning disabilities. When I first visited United Voice in 2008 I met Swee Lan, a non-disabled staff member. She was hired by the board and can be fired by the Board. I fished around for the right term to describe her relation to UV staff members, neither "coach" nor "mentor" was right. She referred to her co-workers as "partners," which captures the equal voices (or united voice) that staff members and UV members have.
On Friday I went on a return visit to United Voice. It owns its own office building - what a difference from the crowded facility I visited two years ago. Downstairs it has a gift shop, workroom, and bakery. Note that the bakers have face masks, hair nets, and gloves. Our timing was perfect – they were baking chocolate chip cookies. The cookies were great. We did not stop at tasting one - we left with a boxful to eat with our coffee. We reminded ourselves of all the great food, and multiple calories, we have eaten throughout the trip resisted the urge to try the cheese tarts - plus we didn't want to eat up the profits. We had coffee at a nearby food court where the owner allows UV to set up a stall to sell its cookies and tarts.
The art gallery is the newest enterprise – the artists get 70% of the profits and UV 30%. Several of the artists have developed an international reputation. Corporate buyers have bought paintings for their holiday cards or annual calendars. The art gallery illustrates UV's business model that financially recognizes the contributions of its artists. (For example, the tee-shirt designers receive a commission for each shirt sold.)Although the art gallery has high appeal, it is the other projects - including cookies, greeting cards, weaving - that employees more members.
I recently read a research paper by Swee Lan on her study of self-advocacy in UK schools. She noted that the teachers tended to stress responsibilities, i.e., "don't do bad things," over rights. As we chatted she pointed out that self advocacy was more than pressing for rights. Rather self-advocacy involves assuring that persons with learning disabilities are present in the community - that they are visable, full participants. Recently UV was invited to go to Australia to give a presentation. The UV members told their staff partners that they (the UV members) pointed that that they perfectly capable of going without their partners and they are! What a testiment to the success of UV's empowering its members.
I have often mentioned UV to people since my first visit there. They really expand one's definition of what it means to be inclusive.
On Friday I went on a return visit to United Voice. It owns its own office building - what a difference from the crowded facility I visited two years ago. Downstairs it has a gift shop, workroom, and bakery. Note that the bakers have face masks, hair nets, and gloves. Our timing was perfect – they were baking chocolate chip cookies. The cookies were great. We did not stop at tasting one - we left with a boxful to eat with our coffee. We reminded ourselves of all the great food, and multiple calories, we have eaten throughout the trip resisted the urge to try the cheese tarts - plus we didn't want to eat up the profits. We had coffee at a nearby food court where the owner allows UV to set up a stall to sell its cookies and tarts.
The art gallery is the newest enterprise – the artists get 70% of the profits and UV 30%. Several of the artists have developed an international reputation. Corporate buyers have bought paintings for their holiday cards or annual calendars. The art gallery illustrates UV's business model that financially recognizes the contributions of its artists. (For example, the tee-shirt designers receive a commission for each shirt sold.)Although the art gallery has high appeal, it is the other projects - including cookies, greeting cards, weaving - that employees more members.
I recently read a research paper by Swee Lan on her study of self-advocacy in UK schools. She noted that the teachers tended to stress responsibilities, i.e., "don't do bad things," over rights. As we chatted she pointed out that self advocacy was more than pressing for rights. Rather self-advocacy involves assuring that persons with learning disabilities are present in the community - that they are visable, full participants. Recently UV was invited to go to Australia to give a presentation. The UV members told their staff partners that they (the UV members) pointed that that they perfectly capable of going without their partners and they are! What a testiment to the success of UV's empowering its members.
I have often mentioned UV to people since my first visit there. They really expand one's definition of what it means to be inclusive.
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