2023 Disability Advocacy Conference Plenary Session

DRNC's Virginia Knowlton Marcus interviews NDRN's Marlene Sallo at the 2023 Disability Advocacy Conference.
Plenary Speaker: Marlene Sallo, recognized as the first woman, first Latina, and first person with a disability appointed as Executive Director to lead the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN). She believes that amplifying where disability intersects with other identities such as LGBTQIA+, non-native English speakers, and Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color is critical component of successful advocacy.

[@dorothykozlowski5124]

These groups exist. They hold conferences to make it all look good. I have spoken at these conferences. In reality, getting a lawyer or disability rights group to ACTUALLY PROVIDE ACTUAL TANGIBLE ASSISTANCE is nearly impossible.

[@mentalmammabearmentalawareness]

I ASKED DRNC TO HELP ME ADVOCATE FOR MY AFRICAN-AMERICAN DISABLED 26-YEAR OLD SCHIZOPHRENIC SON WHO WAS GROSSLY MISTREATED BY A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL/CLINIC, AND I WAS TURNED DOWN ON THREE OCCASIONS. SO, THIS VIDEO IS IN STARK CONTRAST TO WHAT I WAS TOLD AS TO WHY THEY COULD NOT HELP ME HELP MY SON. STRONGER TOGETHER?? UNSEEN?? UNHEARD?? WE SHOULD HAVE OUR VOICES HEARD??? AMPLIFY EVERYONE'S VOICES?? ADVOCATE FOR EVERYONE??? SIDE BY SIDE?? YET, DRNC CLOSED MY CASE TO HELP ME HELP MY SON!!