Is the non-disabled eco-world worth saving if only the privileged can survive and thrive?

Leitrim Disabled Persons Org. (DPO) was delighted to be invited to deliver a morning’s talk and inter-active workshop with Managers, staff & volunteers at Rossinver Fermanagh/Leitrim border located Organic Centre.

ILMI’s Peter Kearns designed the Disability Equality Training (DET) session to include time to identify the growing recognition by world-wide disabled activists and their DPOs of the concerning nature of Eco-Ableism.

Peter - ECO | ILMI

Eco-Ableism is simply another form of Ableism connected with the contemporary lived experience of disabled people. ILMI’s Peter and Leitrim Organic Centre DET organising staff were keen that Eco-Ableism concerns were part of the well attended workshop at the beautifully laid-out Organic Centre garden. The group-workshop based morning explored how Eco-Ableism has shown evidence of ignoring of the voice of DPOs and enabling of discrimination of disabled people. DPO activists are somewhat concerned that Eco-Ableism doesn’t include the lived experiences of disabled people and favours an eco-led world of non-disabled people. 

Eco-Ableism could be seen to force on disabled people a non-disabled persons eco-only-moral argument led world that has been designed to erase the genuine requirements and existence of disabled people, such as the indiscriminate banning of plastic-straws across Europe. Those who encounter the evolving discrimination of Eco-Ableism are reminded by inaccessible buildings, restrictions in private/public transport or loss of simple household objects. 

The world of Eco-Ableism, as designed by non-disabled people, ignores the concerns raised by disabled activist and their DPOs. Just like sexism and racism, Eco-Ableism could have the affect of marginalising a significant group of citizens and creating a second class citizenry of disabled people. The “eco” in Eco-Ableism comes from non-disabled people, and usually first-world white middle class environmental activists, who, through attempting to save the environment, don’t take into account those with less privilege than themselves. It points to a larger issue within the environmentalist movement – Disabled people are very good at lobbying for change & transformation of a disabling Society and prove that there needs to be more diversity in the voices of environmental leaders.  DPO responses to Eco-Ableism, such as ILMI’s campaign against the sudden banning of access tools like plastic-straws, have shown that non-disabled environmentalists must listen to those who have felt overlooked or even ‘disabled’ by environmental national or European environmental policies. 

If non-disabled led environment activism isn’t social model intersectional proofed by DPOs such as ILMI, which means it ignores access requirements or class or gender or ethnic backgrounds, then Eco-Ableism becomes another disabling systematic barrier created by the State and EU policies.  

ILMI’s workshop with Leitrim Organic Centre Management, staff & volunteers created a local space for activists to explore how Eco-Ableism might create parallel problems for disabled people while attempting to solve genuine general eco-concerns. Peter Kearns, from Leitrim DPO, posed the gathering question of is the non-disabled eco pure world worth saving if only the privileged can survive and thrive? The workshop was only a genuine beginning in how ILMI and Leitrim DPO members can support the Organic Centre with their fantastic work in promoting real local environmental solutions to global eco-concerns with the lived experiences of disabled people. Leitrim DPO members look forward to visiting the Organic Centre’s accessible large new polytunnels and raised gardens. 

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Boakai Abu Nyehn, Jr

Community Development Worker

Boakai Abu Nyehn, Jr joined ILMI in September 2024 as community development worker on the Disability Participation Awareness Fund (DPAF) funding project “Engaging Disabled People in Direct Provision” . He is a passionate advocate for disability rights, social inclusion, and development, with extensive experience in working to promote the rights and full participation of disabled people in Liberia. Boakai has served as a consultant on disability and social inclusion for numerous national and international agencies. He has also worked as a Research Assistant on multiple projects with organisations such as Leonard Cheshire Disability and Inclusive Development Centre at University College London, Talking Drum Studio, AIFO-Liberia, and UNMIL, ensuring that disabled people’s needs and perspectives are integrated into their programs.

As a disabled person, Boakai’s lived experience informs his leadership as Assistant Director for disabled people in Liberia. His role focuses on advocating for the inclusion of disabled people at all levels of society, promoting accessible development, and advancing the rights of the community. Boakai holds certifications in International Law and related fields and is a skilled Administrator and Assistive Technology Specialist, committed to using his expertise to create a more inclusive society for all.