⁷The recent controversy surrounding the anti-immigration mural in Moygashel has prompted much discussion across Northern Ireland. While people will hold different views on immigration and public policy, it has also made me reflect on my own experiences of diversity, inclusion and community over the years.
As a disabled person and disability rights activist, I have spent much of my adult life working alongside people from a wide range of backgrounds. One of the biggest misconceptions about diversity is that it is something that exists outside our own communities. In reality, diversity exists everywhere, including within the disabled community itself.
Disabled people are not one group with one voice. We come from different cultures, religions, political traditions, social classes and ethnic backgrounds. We are young and old. We are local and international. We have different life experiences, different needs and different perspectives.
Through my involvement with disability organisations, community groups and human rights campaigns, I have had the privilege of meeting people from across these diverse communities. My work with CRAIC NI introduced me to people from many different cultures and faiths who had chosen to make Northern Ireland their home. Those conversations helped break down stereotypes and replace assumptions with understanding.
I have also been fortunate to represent disability issues far beyond Northern Ireland.
In Dublin, I worked alongside disabled activists from across Ireland and Europe, each bringing their own experiences of barriers, discrimination and social exclusion. Despite our different backgrounds, there was a common desire for equality, independence and dignity.
In London, whether attending conferences, campaigns or meetings, I encountered disabled people from every imaginable background. Some were born and raised in Britain, while others had arrived from different parts of the world. What united them was not nationality or ethnicity, but a determination to create a more inclusive society.
Perhaps one of the most powerful experiences came when I travelled to Geneva, Switzerland, to engage with the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. There I met disabled people from countries across the globe. Different languages were spoken. Different cultures were represented. Yet the conversations were remarkably familiar.
People spoke about inaccessible transport, discrimination, poverty, independent living, education and employment. The details varied from country to country, but the desire for human rights, equality and respect was universal.
These experiences taught me something important.
When we take the time to meet people, listen to their stories and understand their experiences, fear begins to fade. It becomes much harder to see someone as “other” when you have sat beside them, shared a meal with them, worked with them or campaigned alongside them.
That does not mean people cannot have concerns about immigration, public services or the challenges facing their communities. Those are legitimate issues that deserve discussion. However, there is a difference between debating policy and sending messages that make people feel unwelcome because of who they are or where they come from.
As someone who has spent decades challenging barriers faced by disabled people, I know what it feels like to be judged before people get to know you. I know what it feels like when assumptions are made about your value or your place in society.
That is why I believe every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.
My experiences in Northern Ireland, Dublin, London and Geneva have shown me that diversity is not a threat. It is a reality of modern society and, when embraced with openness and understanding, it can make our communities stronger.
The strongest communities are not built by deciding who belongs and who does not. They are built by recognising our shared humanity, respecting our differences and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to contribute and belong.