Her work has improved access and the overall quality of life of people with disabilities.
That taught me to be persistent.
Its OK to face the unknown…youll pioneer your way, the activist toldToday.
However, something that happened when she was 19 gave her the final push to become an advocate.
It was frustrating, especially as a vegetarian, she toldThe Guardian.
Stop assuming were incompetent, the passionate activist asserts.
We are talented; we work hard.
Its just ableism, the assumption that people with disabilities are inferior, that gets in our way.
Now, Girma travels the world championing people with disabilities and pleading for inclusion, especially from employers.
Disability is not something an individual overcomes.
I’m still disabled.
I’m still Deafblind.
In 2015, she was honored by President Obama, with whom she discussed the importante of accesible technology.
This is a key topic for the advocate, who communicates via a special gear.
To her, disability drives innovation.
Given that15% of the world’s populationexperiences some form of disability, Girma’s labor is crucial.
All of our bodies change over time, Girma writes.
We all deserve dignity and access at every stage in our lives.
Disability is part of the human experience.
We all need to engage in the work to make our world accessible to everyone.
Inclusion is a choice.
Disability is not something an individual overcomes.
I’m still disabled.
I’m still Deafblind.
People with disabilities are successful when we develop alternative techniques and our communities choose inclusion.
