Wiley’s Walk
Join the journey. Walk the path.
Writing by Kerry Ann Wiley about disability, adaptation, participation, and the difference between access and inclusion.
New on Wiley’s Walk
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From Visibility to Empowerment: Building Authentic Inclusion
In discussions about inclusion, visibility often takes center stage. While being seen is undeniably important, it represents only the first step. True empowerment goes beyond visibility—it means giving individuals the tools, confidence, and support they need to advocate for themselves and actively…
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The Dance of Perception: Embracing True Inclusion
Was it the dress or the stares that made her feel so distant? Quinn couldn’t tell. She smoothed the hem of her off-shoulder floral dress, her fingers brushing the fabric in a rhythmic attempt to still her thoughts. Laughter and conversation buzzed…
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Spaces That See You: Rethinking Accessibility Beyond the Basics
In recent years, accessibility has evolved beyond physical modifications like ramps or wider doorways. It now encompasses creating spaces that are not only easy to navigate but also comfortable and welcoming for everyone. While structural elements are important, true accessibility goes beyond…
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Between Visibility and Doubt: The Complexities of Passing with a Disability
Quinn grips the rubber handles of her walking poles, the wind tugging at loose strands of her hair. She feels it again—the lingering glances. As people pass by, their eyes flick between her poles and her posture, silently questioning: “Why does she…
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Where Voices Find Space: Redefining Inclusion Through Self-Advocacy
Quinn stood at the edge of the café’s bustling patio, listening to the hum of conversation and the clink of dishes. The uneven floor beneath her posed a challenge as she scanned the tightly packed tables, finally spotting friends in the distance.…
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Beyond Adaptation: Re-imagining Inclusive Spaces
The bookstore was quiet that afternoon, with only the soft rustle of pages turning and the occasional sound of footsteps on the wooden floor. Quinn had been coming here for years, finding comfort in the predictability of the space. She always gravitates…
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When Silence Lingers: Finding Strength in Stillness
I found it by accident, tucked between the pages of an old notebook from my twenties. Back then, I was driven by ambition and a desire for adventure. Among the notes and plans, I stumbled across a poem I had written—a poem…
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Living in the Gaze: An Everyday Experience of Otherness
The café buzzed with life, packed shoulder-to-shoulder on a warm Saturday morning. At a small table by the window, Quinn sat alone. Her pencil moved in quiet strokes as she sketched the strangers drifting by outside. This corner was hers—her refuge—where she…
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Seen But Not Known: Quinn’s Experience of ‘Otherness’
Quinn entered the restaurant, her crutches clicking in a rhythm she had long since become accustomed to. This cozy place had become her Saturday ritual, a comforting escape from the chaos of the world. As she neared her usual table, she noticed…
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The Untold Struggles of Women with Disabilities
Inclusion for women with disabilities is often discussed but still feels more like an aspiration than a present reality. Policies may be in place, but they often fail to address the day-to-day challenges women with disabilities face from systems and environments that…