Community Organizer. Protester. Promoter of Social Change.
Who is Anita Cameron?
Anita Cameron has been involved in community organizing for over thirty years. She began her career working for the Chicago Transit Authority as a Transit Information Agent. In this position, she experienced firsthand how transportation issues affect members of the disability community. She saw the accessibility issues and the lack of accommodations, and she noticed those issues were dissuading individuals from taking public transit. Her job at the Chicago Transit Authority kick-started her career as an activist.
Anita Cameron, Photo from the Disability
Visibility Project
Transportation Accessibility Activism Spreads
After Anita realized there was a problem with Chicago transit access, she posited there were problems with public transportation systems in other U.S. cities. She went on to work with individuals in multiple states to address transportation issues. In Indiana, she assisted in training facilitation for riders with disabilities. She has since served on committees in New York, Colorado, and Washington D.C. regarding transportation accessibility for individuals with disabilities. She even worked with the American Association of People with Disabilities on "Get Out The Vote" efforts and went on to work in other fields of activism.
Encouraging Social Change for People with Disabilities
In 1986, Anita joined ADAPT, a grassroots disability rights organization. Members of ADAPT participate in civil disobedience and nonviolent action to bring awareness to the issues faced by the disability community. Anita has been a member for thirty-three years and has participated in numerous demonstrations, for some of which she chained herself to the gates of the White House.
Anita Cameron's work is a reminder that we can all do more to better the world for all people. For more information about Anita, check out her personal blog biography and this feature on ADAPT's website.
Be More Like Anita!
Minnesota has many grassroots groups and resources for individuals who want to become more involved in advocating for disability rights. The Arc Minnesota has many great resources listed on their website. Their Public Policy page outlines how you can take action and lists other information about the current legislative session.
The Best Life Alliance is a coalition comprised of over 130 organizations and individuals. It was founded in 2014 and aims to advocate for home and community-based services in the state of Minnesota. You can find information about the Best Life Alliance and how to get involved on this page.
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