When I started working as a community organizer at Planned Parenthood, one of the first
events I attended was the 2020 Women’s March in downtown Chicago. There are a lot of things
I love about being an organizer… rallies, marches, and other large and loud events are not on
that list. I, of course, understand the importance of large, public demonstrations. Historically,
these demonstrations have literally changed the world. However for someone who is
claustrophobic and easily overwhelmed by loud noises, large public demonstrations are
incredibly overwhelming.
Image Description: A large group of people march through downtown Chicago wearing winter
coats and hats. Three women hold a large pink sign that says “Together We Fight for All” in
white text. Other people hold smaller pink signs. Image Source: DailyHerald, Submitted by Syed Ullah
When George Floyd was murdered, I so badly wanted to participate in the demonstrations all
over the city but just the thought of the crowd would cause my chest to tighten. I felt
unbelievably useless and helpless and almost like I was a part of the problem for not taking
action.
At this point I had recently started my journey as a disability advocate and the pandemic was
beginning to change how we viewed the world and public gathering. I was able to come to terms
with the fact that I should not go to rallies. It does no one any good and I cannot be a good
activist if I am putting myself under that amount of stress. I also realized that there are people
who have a different barrier when it comes to rallies. They have the energy, passion, and desire
to be a part of a large public demonstration; however, these events are not made accessible to
them.
On October 6th Planned Parenthood Illinois Action hosted a rally in Daley Plaza to protest the
passage of SB 8 in Texas which implemented a six week abortion ban. I worked with other
disability advocates to create a checklist of things that every rally should have to improve
accessibility. I then worked down the list to make sure we had what we needed to make our
space more accessible to disabled folks. For the first time, one of our rallies had ASL
interpreters, screens and a CART provider, a designated area near the stage with seating, and
our stage had a ramp.
In organizing we often talk about “multiplying our impact”. An example of this is asking friends to
vote. If you vote, that’s great! But if you bring three friends to the poll with you? That is even
better! I do not think I will ever be a person who can attend rallies or marches comfortably, as
much as I may want to. If I must attend one for work you will find me off to the side enjoying
from a distance. However, I hope that by sharing my accessibility guide below, my impact will be
multiplied. The guide includes a checklist as well as a list of vendors in the Chicagoland area.
So to those of you who like to march and rally? Have an amazing time! I will be here planning
and writing and advocating in meetings. As Maxine Waters said “Everyone has a part to play.
We have the power.”
Photo Credit: Jo Greep
Image Description: Me standing with my two friends at a rally. We are all wearing masks and
posing with a megaphone.
Checklist
Accessible seating near stage
Chairs (Include chairs that fit 350+ lbs)
Room for wheelchairs
ASL interpreter
Provide any lyrics/words to poems 48 hours in advance
Arrive 15 minutes prior to event
Space for interpreter on or near stage
CART Services
Table and chair
Plug for laptop
Screen
Ability to connect to CART laptop
Ramped Stage
Not all ramps are ADA compliant… make sure slope is not too steep
Break space
Bathroom access
Inside nearby or porta potty
Accessibility assistants
2 for accessibility area
1 for crowd
Service animal space
Water dish
Vendor List
● CART
○ Cathy Armburst Rajcan
○ Email: efficiencycryptg@cs.com
● ASL Interpreter
○ Reba Pope - Access Living
■ (note: Reba is Access Living’s in house interpreter but she has many
connections)
○ rpope@accessliving.org
● Screens
○ Ryan Nice - Sound Investment AV
○ Email: rnice@soundinvestmentav.com
