Forcing the Doors of Diversity Wide Open: The People Who Inspire Series: Vilissa K. Thompson

Notes from an Aspiring Humanitarian‘s “The People Who Inspire series” highlights individuals from a variety of backgrounds and occupations who are seeking to impact the lives of others in a positive way. Through Truth-Telling: the honest sharing of their own experiences, they teach us a little about themselves, hopefully enabling us to be able to learn a little about ourselves through their stories.

Today’s post features Disability Rights Consultant, Writer, and Advocate Vilissa K. Thompson, LMSW. 

Could you tell us a little about your background and what led you to your current work?

I grew up in a small town in South Carolina, and was raised by my wonderful, fearless Grandmother (who I call “Big V” on my personal blog because I have part of her first name) who loves me unconditionally.  I was born with a congenital disorder called Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), or brittle bone disease. 

OI did not stop me from being an inquisitive, independent, smart child, and an exceptional student.  I excelled in every subject; making the honor roll and Superintendent honor from kindergarten to twelfth grade, and graduating as Valedictorian of my high school class in 2004. 

My Grandmother, and my teachers, instilled the importance of education in me.  I knew early on that I was judged by others for my triple minority status – female, African American, and disabled.  Excelling academically was the way I was able to make a name for myself, and earn the respect of others. 

I was usually the only disabled student in my mainstream classes, yet my able-bodied classmates never bullied or treated me differently – I felt included and accepted.  Having this acceptance snowballed into being confident about who I was and how I lived my life.

I knew that I wanted to help people, which is why I obtained a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Psychology, and later, a Master’s degree in Social Work from my alma mater, Winthrop University.  My hopes were to make a positive impact on the lives of others, as well as use my own life experiences to motivate people to not let seemingly “disadvantages” determine what they achieve in life.

What moved you to start Ramp Your Voice?

While in undergraduate and graduate school, I met several people with disabilities who had the same kind of determination as myself – we did not allow our disabilities to slow us down, or prevent us from fulfilling our destinies.  Though I had enjoyed the kindred connections I made with my peers, I did notice one thing – where were the minorities with disabilities? 

Within the disability community, most of the advocates and images you see of people with disabilities were those of the majority – white males and females.  If you did see a person of color with a disability, they were usually severely disabled, and played into the frail, extreme stereotypes of people with disabilities.  Though I know that disabilities do range from mild to profound when it comes to the severity of one’s medical condition, I, however, desired to hear the stories and see images of people of color with disabilities who were movers and shakers like myself. 

The voices of minorities with disabilities are grossly invisible within the disability rights movement, and I wanted to change that.  Creating more diversity within the disability community is what compelled me to create Ramp Your Voice!

What would you like to accomplish through your advocacy?

I have 3 distinct purposes for Ramp Your Voice!:

1)  Be the hub where minorities with disabilities, especially women of color, share their stories, and are visible within the disability rights movement. 

The unique experiences of being a person of color and disabled has to be told to not only empower adults who are of color and disabled, but also provide role models to tweens and teenagers as well.  Representation is important in order to debunk myths about a certain group; create a sense of confidence of one’s identities; and forces the door of diversity wide open. 

2)  Share my own experiences as a woman of color with a disability, as well as brand myself as a Disability Rights Consultant, Writer, and Advocate. 

I want to use my education and experiences to educate other disabled advocates, allies, politicians, and the general public about what people with disabilities truly endure in this world.  There is an ardent misconception that disability rights have “arrived” in the United States because we have the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other key pieces of legislation that are supposed to make the playing field equal for all abilities. 

Though these policies have greatly impacted the livelihood of people with disabilities, there is tremendous work left to be completed.  We are still fighting for equalities and justices that go beyond having ramps built or enabling closed captioning on our television screens. 

3)  Bring something “different” to the disability rights movement. 

There are a plethora of disability rights organizations that exist that are big in numbers, but small in action.  By that, I mean they have the manpower and funding to create a huge impact, but why has the movement remained stagnant and unable to stop destructive funding cuts that affect the well-being of those with disabilities in America, and abroad? 

I want Ramp Your Voice! to be seen as a true game-changer; I do not want to just “talk the talk” – I want to “roll the roll.”  I want Ramp Your Voice! to be viewed as the organization that holds no bars when it comes to making our legislators and program directors accountable when they support decisions that will disadvantage people with disabilities, and fail to empower or strengthen our abilities to become self-sufficient and respected members in society.

What is an overarching message that you would like to convey through your work?

I want people with disabilities, particularly people of color, to feel comfortable speaking for themselves, and not allow organizations to do it for them.  With the advances in technology, from blogs, social media platforms, and applications (apps), the barriers of communication for people with disabilities are slowly crumbling. 

We no longer have to “wait” our turn to be heard or recognized; our messages or outrage can go viral by simply writing a blog post, creating a video, leaving a comment, or snapping a photograph. 

We are the largest minority group in the world with over one billion strong, yet we are grossly underrepresented, marginalized, oppressed, and stigmatized throughout the world, even in America.  If we want to improve our life statuses, we have to RAMP OUR VOICES, and refuse to be ignored any longer. 

Since creating Ramp Your Voice!, I have connected with several other passionate disability advocates like myself, particularly those within my generation (the Millennials/Gen Y), and we are unapologetic in creating a place and a space for our voices. 

It is that kind of fearlessness that I, and countless others, possess that will lead the charge in establishing the necessary social and economic progression that will make the world more accessible, understanding, and acceptable for people with disabilities.  

Do you have any other issues that your interested in working on or working with others in terms of social justice/equity?

I have political aspirations – I would like to hold a public seat in office within the next five years or so.  My dream political position:  become the first African American female Senator with a disability for the state of South Carolina. 

I strongly believe that if you want to create empowering and effective policies for your particular group, you need representation on the local, state, and federal government levels to do so.  At this point in time, I am the Secretary for my county’s Democratic Party, and this position has afforded me the opportunity to meet state and federal legislators who represent the Palmetto state, as well as discuss the current disability rights climate in South Carolina. 

I also have ambitions of obtaining a law degree, and becoming a disability rights lawyer.  Acquiring a law degree will further my abilities to advocate for progressive social and economic policies and programs for people with disabilities.  These two foci will profoundly carry the present work that I am spearheading into new heights.  

What are the parts of your work that you find most enjoyable?

The best part of my work as a Disability Rights Consultant, Writer, and Advocate is meeting other disability advocates.  When I receive validation from other advocates about my work, it builds my confidence even more. 

Receiving support from my fellow social workers uplifts me as well.  When social workers like yourself, Relando, reach out to me and allow me to share my story or give me wonderful words of encouragement, I know that the work I am doing is important to the profession.

Receiving that kind of respect and acceptable from your colleagues, especially when you are a one-woman show, drives my desire to educate social workers, regardless of whether they are macro or micro focused, about my work, and how they can become proactive advocates within their agencies, and their communities.  .  

What aspects do you find challenging?

With Ramp Your Voice! being so new, the greatest challenge is learning how to build the organization from the ground up.  I do not have a business background, but I am fortunate to find (free) resources, and obtain invaluable advice from those whom are more experienced in this area than I. 

Every day is truly a learning experience, and I am eager to see how and where Ramp Your Voice! grows over the next few years.  One thing I have to remember is to pace myself – I cannot rush the development because I want this platform to be successful.  Patience is definitely something I am working on as I find my way when it comes to the business side.  At the end of the day, I know that everything will come together, one step (or roll) at a time.

Do you have any words of advice or encouragement for anyone who might want to share their thoughts, tell their stories, or work for social justice in terms of transforming their ideas into actions? 

Be truthful about what is important to you, and do not change your vision because some may not agree or fully understand your unique interest.  I know that there may be some individuals who will not understand why I want to focus on people of color with disabilities; why I decided to become a disability rights advocate; or even why I created Ramp Your Voice!

When there are hundreds of other disability organizations that currently exist.  I could do one of two things:  allow their opinions to keep me from living my life, or dare to stand out and create the kind of noise that fits who and what I am.  As you can see… I decided to do the latter because when I become old, I do not want to look back on my life and say, “I should have created that movement instead of playing it safe.” 

Do not play it safe; be bold.  Remain firm in your stance that is uniquely yours, whether it is popular or not.  

Do you have any special projects that you’ve been working on lately that you’d like to share about? 

At this stage, I have several product ideas that I will be working on after my presentation takes place at the Spring Symposium for the SC chapter of National Association of Social Workers in early March.  (My presentation will discuss the creation of Ramp Your Voice!, and how social workers can become proactive allies within the disability rights movement.) 

I have a great empowerment book idea I want to write for parents of children and adults with disabilities, and I have begun reaching out to several people within my personal and professional circles to find parents who would be willing to share their stories. 

I have a few other products I would like to develop for parents with school-aged children with disabilities that I hope to release in the fall. 

I also want to do something special to recognize Ramp Your Voice!’s first year, which will be in July. 

These are just a few ideas that I have up my sleeve that I am eager to bring into being.  

What/Who Inspires You?

My Grandmother inspires me greatly.  Her strong work ethic, treating people with respect, being resilient through life’s hardships, and the unconditional love she bestowed upon me from the moment she knew of my existence has had a tremendous impact on how I love those I know, and my determination to make my dreams come true. 

The humbling beginnings and incredible successes of Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Maya Angelou, and First Lady Michelle Obama also drives me to achieve my destiny.  Seeing these African American women break glass ceilings within their respective fields, and become respected by millions all around the world shows me that I can truly do anything that I put my mind to.  They are the role models I lean on as I travel on this disability rights and advocacy journey. 

What have been the keys to your success so far?

Keeping God first in all that I do has been the cornerstone of my success.  The Bible verse that I meditate on each day comes from Philippians 4:13 (KJV):  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. I know that nothing is impossible to God, and that He has it all figured out.  My main job is to trust in Him, and His Will over my life. 

Having the support of my family, friends, former professors, sorority sisters (I am a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.), fellow social workers, and those within the disability community I have met over the past year have truly been blessings that I do not take for granted.  It is impossible to succeed in life without a strong supporting foundation. 

And lastly, believing in the work that I am doing.  I know what I am establishing is important and aligns with my life’s purpose.  As long as I remain steadfast about my vision, things will fall into place exactly how they ought to. 

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

At the end of the day, Ramp Your Voice! is for you – every disability advocate in America and across the globe. I want to share those stories with the world, and I need to voices of advocates to make that happen. If you want to ramp your voice, check out the “Calling All Self-Advocates and Allies” tab on the website, or email me at Vilissa@rampyourvoice.com.  Let’s make 2014 the year of the disability advocates!!! 

I urge everyone to subscribe to the email list so that you can receive every empowering article that is published on the Ramp Your Voice! blog.  Also, if you are interested in requesting my consultation services, being a guest blogger, having me present at a conference/symposium/training, or just want to learn more about myself, contact me on the website, or at my email address.  Every opportunity I have to meet new people are learning experiences that I enjoy.  

To learn more about Vilissa and her work, you can follow Ramp Your Voice on Facebook, on Twitter @RampYourVoice, and on tumblr, pinterest, and linkedin as well. Visit Vilissa’s website and blog at rampyourvoice.com.

If you know any People Who Inspire that you would like to be featured in the series, contact me here.

Ubuntu,

From Aspiring Humanitarian, Relando Thompkins, MSW, LLMSW

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