If you read me, you know I promised to break down the new letter from Liberators4Justice asking all to sign a recommitment letter to the Independent Living Movement. I want to talk about the second part of the recommitment letter, Respect & Empathy

The big bullets are:

• Civil Rights & Disability Justice
• Disability Leadership and Staffing
• Choice, Control & Community Supported Self-Determination
• Advocacy
• Deinstitutionalization
• Non-Conflicted Services
• Financial Equity and Integration
• Respect & Empathy

Let’s talk about the Seventh bullet, Respect & Empathy

The letter says the following:
“As the only federally mandated movement that is disability-led and cross-disability, we understand the shared struggles in the fight for equity. Therefore, we commit to listening to and understanding our peers and avoiding triggering attacks within our community so we can focus on uplifting one another and, in turn, the Independent Living philosophy.”

Here, we’re focusing on how we show up for one another—not just outside our movement, but inside it too. Advocacy can get heated. Opinions and strategies can differ. But Independent Living only works if we lead with respect and empathy for our peers in the disability community.

Talking Points

• What Respect & Empathy Means in IL Work:
  • Listening to and understanding each other’s experiences, especially across different types of disability and lived realities.
  • Avoiding public attacks or internal fights that distract from the shared mission of disability rights and Independent Living.
  • Building a movement culture where leadership and participation are rooted in community care, not competition or gatekeeping.
• Why it Matters:
  • The disability community is diverse. Cross-disability means honoring all experiences, not prioritizing one group over another.
  • Internal conflict weakens advocacy efforts and can harm the very people IL organizations are meant to serve.
  • Leading with empathy strengthens relationships, partnerships, and public trust in the movement.
• How IL Organizations Can Show Respect & Empathy
  • Centering peer support, collaboration, and open dialogue within boards, staff teams, and community engagement.
  • Addressing disagreements through constructive conversation, not public shaming.
  • Ensuring organizational culture promotes psychological safety and respect for all participants and partners.

We can promote a more inclusive and equitable society where individuals with disabilities have the opportunity to live with dignity, autonomy, and full participation in their communities. And when I say we, I mean all of us. We are all responsible to make the world the best place for everyone in it. And remembering that equal rights for one group does NOT diminish the equal rights of another.

The letter to commit to standing behind and reigniting the Independent Living Movement is still taking sign-ons. You can find the full letter here and make the choice to sign on if you wish. Go to the letter and signature page of the IL Movement Recommitment Letter.

Want to talk about it? Reach out to The Information Tamer.