A couple of days ago I wrote on here that the disability rights movement does not appear to have a figurehead. I still think that’s true, but what it does have s various leading lights: there appear to be various charismatic figures in our community who have the ability and authority to speak for the rest of us. While it appears to be something of a fashion to brand yourself with a title like ‘disability consultant’ and try to persuade people you are some kind of expert on disability issues, the true leading lights of our community do not overtly seek such positions. They get to where they are through their actions, and because what they have to say is true.

I have two such individuals in mind. There will, of course, be a great many more, but these are the two I know in person. The first is Clair Lewis, known also by the name Dennis Queen. Lewis is quite a formidable person – one of the old guard of DAN activists, or at least one of those who has her metaphysical roots in that old guard. She is eloquent and persuasive and not afraid of a good fight. I met her briefly on Saturday, and was proud to introduce Lyn to her. She probably just thinks herself a normal crip, doing what she has to do to fight injustice,, but to me, her passion for our cause coupled with her vast knowledge and understanding make her one of the prime figureheads for the disability rights movement.

Another person for whom I now have great respect is Darryl Sellwood. I used to think of Darryl just as an average crip and a good friend, but earlier today I came across a video of his keynote address for AGOSCI, an Australian organisation concerned with AAC. It blew me away, so much so that I began to feel a little ashamed of myself: Darryl’s knowledge and eloquence, not to mention his skills as a presenter, make him an ideal spokesperson for communication aid users. I also think Darryl is one of those people adept at presenting the struggles people with disabilities face to non-disabled people, making him a perfect ambassador. Anyway, part one of his excellent presentation can be found here, part two here and part three here.

These are people I have great respect for, as, in completely different ways, they are helping improve the lives of their fellow disabled people. I know there will be many more such people, like Alan Holdsworth, who documents our struggles through his music. Above all, they are the ones out there, in their own ways making the world a better place by allowing their lights to shine. The disability rights movement may not need leaders per se, but the more leading lights there are, the brighter the world will become for disabled people.