Leadership principle: Nothing about us without us
“Don’t be afraid to speak up. The more of us that do the easier it will be for others.”
WWDA member
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Have you heard the phrase ‘nothing about us without us’?
If you’ve spent time in advocacy or disability spaces, you may already be familiar with it. The phrase speaks to the importance of having a say in the issues that impact your life. It’s about diverse participation in decision-making to make sure that the people who will be affected by those decisions are part of the process.
Advocacy
Nothing about us without us is a call to action!
For example, how would we know what a person needs if we don’t ask them? While we could make informed guesses, nothing is going to replace the perspective and knowledge gained through valuing someone’s lived experience. And that’s exactly what ‘nothing about us without us’ is saying. We need to value listening to those with first-hand experience to shape decisions for the best outcome.
Listening to people with lived experience is a must when making programs, laws and policies, as it ensures that outcomes are more likely to be fair and effective.
It’s also a right! Human rights law says that Governments need to make sure people with disabilities are involved in decisions that affect their lives. It is also important that Governments listen to a range of different people with disabilities about their experiences. Sometimes Governments focus on hearing from people who are easier to reach. This means that programs, laws and policies don’t always meet everyone’s needs. This needs to change.
The phrase and principle ‘nothing about us without us’ is essential to many different groups in the community, especially where decisions affect groups whose voices aren’t always heard.
Here are a few examples of groups that strive to voice the importance of ‘nothing about us without us’:
First Nations rights
People within First Nations communities often advocate for their right to a voice and participation in decisions that affect themselves, their traditional lands and their cultures.
Gender equality
People advocating for gender equality often push for equal representation and involvement in policy-making processes, for women, girls and gender diverse people.
Youth activism
Those within the youth activism space are equally invested in the need for youth input and participation in decisions that will not only affect them now, but also in the future.
Disability Rights
People with disabilities often advocate for inclusive laws and Government decisions, and to make sure that Government consultation includes people with all disabilities and support needs.
Can you think of some other areas where this is important?
Outside of advocacy, there are many parts of life that can benefit from the spirit of ‘nothing about us without us.’
Here are some examples:
Community groups
Local residents are often involved in the planning and developments within their communities.
Social groups
Social groups are regularly guided by suggestions and opinions from all participating members.
Workplaces
Many employees advocate to have a say about workplace policies that affect them, like policies about the ability to work from home or accommodating part-time work.
Schools
Parents and students often have input into the policies and management decisions of their school, for example, uniforms, bullying policies or rules around technology.
Policies
Sometimes people take surveys or talk about their lived experience, to tell the Government what they need. This helps to make changes to Government policies.
While ‘nothing about us without us’ is important for decision-making, the benefits don’t end there. As we looked at in previous principles, making sure people have a say in the decisions affecting them is empowering and leads to better outcomes. When diverse voices are included, decisions are more creative, we foster stronger feelings of understanding and connection to self and community, and have services that work better for us.
Leadership
‘Nothing about us without us’ is also important in leadership. A leader who makes decisions with input from those affected is a leader who is inclusive and respectful. This goes hand in hand with ‘challenging and transforming traditional views of leadership’ and ‘valuing diversity and lived experience’.
When leaders involve others in the decision-making process, they create solutions that truly work for everyone involved. Those involved will also be invested in making these solutions work, since they have been included in the creation process. It builds trust because people feel heard, appreciated and understood. In the end, ‘nothing about us without us’ leads to better, more sustainable results, and a more united and positive environment for all.
What can I do to share its importance?
Wondering how you might already be using this principle, or how you can do it more? Here’s a few ideas!
- Educate yourself – Learn about others. The more you learn, the better you will be able to see the many perspectives around you.
- Involve yourself where and when you can.
- Lead by example – advocate for yourself, and those around you.
- Share your story – nobody knows your situation better than you. You are the expert in your own experience of disability and the aspects of your own life.
- Support and encourage others to advocate.