Last week, something happened that hasn’t happened in years.
I had to ask a specialist to speak to me, not my personal assistant.
It’s the first time I’ve had to say that —four or five years, easily.
It caught me off guard. Not because I was surprised, but because it reminded me how far things have come… and how easily they can slide back.
Most professionals these days are brilliant. They look me in the eye, speak directly, assume competence, and navigate access needs without skipping a beat. It’s easy to forget that wasn’t always the norm.
But this moment reminded me: the work isn’t done. Respect and agency can’t be assumed—they must be continually cultivated.
It only took a sentence to correct the situation. But it took years to get to a place where that sentence felt unusual.
I’m holding onto that progress. And I’ll keep speaking up when I need to.
If you’re a professional working with disabled people, here’s a gentle nudge: speak to us, not about us — and definitely not around us.
Read more about why communication matters in inclusion here:
Kanohi ki te Kanohi kōrero — the power of direct connection