Walking the Path of Advocacy: The Power of “We”

I sat at a table in a dressy black dress, the kind you wear when the evening calls for something more formal. We had just finished a meal, and the room had settled into that familiar quiet that follows shared conversation. Then the microphone was tapped, a small signal that the program was shifting, and the introduction to the award began.

I listened as my name was read, followed by a biography, a list of projects, and the work that had shaped my path. Then came the words “Advocate of the Year.” Hearing it was a shock—almost surreal—because the room was filled with people I admire: mentors, advocates, and colleagues whose example has guided me.

Seated at my table were the faces of those who have stood by me from the start—family, friends, and coworkers who have guided, supported, and mentored me throughout. And in that moment, I also felt the presence of those no longer here—those who paved the way, offered their encouragement, and shaped the values that continue to carry me forward.

The recognition was—and remains—a personal honor, but the significance extended far beyond me. It was a reflection of their contributions, support, and shared commitment. The recognition acknowledged that the work, the time, and the steady effort to help had been seen. I was deeply grateful for the moment and humbled by what it represented. It affirmed why the work matters—and why it must continue.

It is one thing to do the work because it feels necessary. It is another to realize that others have noticed not only the outcomes, but the steady focus the work required. They saw the hope behind that effort, the belief that it could lead to positive change, and the willingness to speak up when silence might have been easier. That acknowledgment carried weight. It reminded me that advocacy is not something done alone. It is shaped by every conversation, every challenge, and every person who shows up beside you.

The word advocacy may seem straightforward at first, but its depth becomes clearer when you consider what it truly involves: the ongoing effort, responsibility, and collaboration required to bring about meaningful change. At its core, advocacy is the act of seeing a gap or a harm or a need and refusing to look away.

It means stepping forward when something is not right and taking action that leads to meaningful, practical change. It grows out of intention and steady effort, not the hope of standing out. I am grateful for the honor I received, yet the work itself has always mattered most.

Self advocacy works alongside it, grounded in recognizing needs, asserting rights, and protecting wellbeing. Both matter. The advocacy that makes a difference shows up in our treatment of others, in the trust we form, and in how we respond when challenges deepen.

Effective advocates do not lead with ego. They lead with humility, aware that lasting change is built through collective effort. They listen before they speak. They learn from the people most affected. They speak up when something is wrong. They acknowledge when a problem exists and move to change it. And they also help contribute to whatever solution begins to take shape. Their focus stays on the benefit to others, not the credit they might receive.

There are traits that weaken advocacy as well. Some voices dominate rather than lift. Some chase visibility rather than progress. Some point to problems loudly yet avoid the slow, necessary work of repair. Advocacy shaped this way can do harm even when the words sound right.

This work has never been about personal recognition. From the beginning, it has been guided by a commitment to creating more inclusive schools, workplaces, and communities. My voice is just one among many, and as I accepted the award that carried my name, I was keenly aware of the countless others whose voices and efforts were present in that moment. They have shaped my thinking, supported my development, and helped make the path forward more accessible.

This work has never been mine alone. It has always been about those who come next—many of whom I will never know. My intention, both then and now, is that these efforts contribute to removing some of the barriers faced by people with disabilities and support the ongoing work of creating environments where disability neither limits potential nor determines outcomes. The goal has always been to contribute to meaningful progress—with purpose, with integrity, and with optimism.

My understanding of advocacy has always been grounded in a commitment to broader inclusion. Challenges rarely arise in isolation. If I encounter a barrier, others like Joe, Stephanie, and many more are likely confronting it as well. That is the essence of the collective “we,” the understanding that individual challenges often reflect shared experiences and call for responses that consider many, not just one. The goal is not to resolve an issue for a single person, but to change the conditions so that many can benefit.

The collective “we” calls us to look beyond the immediate and consider the ripple effects of our actions. Who else is living this? Whose experience mirrors mine? These questions invite us to expand our view and recognize the shared nature of struggle, hope and change. Reshaping the environment means creating conditions where more people feel a true sense of belonging and possibility. It means ensuring they are included, supported and understood, with the space to participate fully and to be recognized for their strengths.

Receiving the award was meaningful, yet it was not a finish line. It served as a reminder that advocacy is a practice—daily, deliberate, and grounded in the belief that change is possible. Titles do not define the work. Our choices do. The quiet moments when we name what is wrong and push for what is right are the moments that build the path ahead.

Advocacy begins with recognizing when something is not right, understanding how it affects others, and helping move solutions into place that extend beyond individual circumstances. The work ahead asks for continued dedication to the collective “we,” widening the path so that schools, workplaces, and communities become places where inclusion is not conditional or selective, but the standard that guides how people are welcomed and supported.

It is the ongoing effort to create a future where the expectation is inclusion, where opportunities are shaped by belonging rather than separation, where possibility replaces limitation, and where multiple ways forward are welcomed as part of how true inclusion takes shape.

My thanks to the nominators, the selection committee, and all who have supported and informed my work along the way. This recognition reflects the collective effort at the heart of advocacy, and it strengthens my commitment to continue working toward broader inclusion in our schools, workplaces, and communities. Advocacy is never the work of one alone—it is the strength of many, moving forward with purpose toward positive change.

—Kerry Wiley