I set these core beliefs in my coaching and consulting work not just for myself but for those looking to make change into action. There are also my guidelines when working with others.

I believe…

• We all have a right to a just, equitable, inclusive, and identity-affirming community, neighborhood, work, and education

• That I’m not perfect and hold myself accountable for any harm I can impose or cause

• Inclusion applies to all parts of life. All people deserve care, access, and support and we must do our part to ensure these exists in our communities

• Moving from ally to accomplice

• In honoring the humanity, well-being, dignity, and self-determination of every person

• Disability and disabled are NOT bad words. Disability is not a punishment. In the words of Ly Xīnzhèn Zhǎngsūn, “Disability is normal/natural and a cause/consequence of oppression”

• We all have something to learn and we must be willing to continue learning

• Intersectional inclusivity is disability accessibility

• Disabled people are more than their access needs/accommodations

• We all have the capacity to harm. We have a responsibility to try to reduce our capacity for harm and hold ourselves accountable for any harm, whether physical, emotional, mental, social, or otherwise that we cause regardless of intent

• Feelings of shame, guilt, and discomfort are opportunities for curiosity, self-reflection, and growth. It’s a strength to recognize and admit you or something is wrong and that you want to learn more to fix it.

• In creative noncompliance. We have the power to reimagine things in creative and divergent ways plus redesign to abolish barriers and inaccessibility.

• If you met one disabled person, you’ve met one disabled person

• There is nothing about us without us and no justice is “just us”

• In making accountability spaces rather than safe or brave spaces. As Elise Ahenkorah writes, “Accountability means being responsible for yourself, your intentions, words, and actions. It means entering a space with good intentions, but understanding that aligning your intent with action is the true test of commitment.”

• In restorative and transformative justice, healing, and accountability that isn’t rooted in punishment, police, or prisons

• It is not possible to address the problem of ableism without addressing the problems of white supremacy, anti-Blackness, capitalism, gender and sexual-based oppression, settler-colonialism, and other forms of systemic and structural violence, oppression, and domination

In my work I will ask my clients to develop their own core beliefs to guide their goals and their growth.