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“Nothing About Us, Without Us”

Justin Chappell, The RespectAbility Report
Justin Chappell, The RespectAbility Report

Des Moines, Nov. 14 – I’m Justin Chappell, The RespectAbility Report’s newest reporter. I’m covering the CBS Democratic debate this evening along with hundreds of other journalists from around the country. To my knowledge, I’m the only reporter here who uses a wheelchair – and glad to be keeping with our community’s motto of “nothing about us, without us.”

Justin Chappell navigates obstacles in his wheelchair
Justin Chappell navigates obstacles in his wheelchair

I’ll be based here in Des Moines for next couple of weeks for The RespectAbility Report, covering the presidential candidates and asking them about critical issues important to our community. Throughout the 2016 election season, I’ll be working with disability activists throughout the country to mobilize our community in the policial process.

As disability rights leader Justin Dart said, we must all “get into politics as if your life depends on it, because it does.”

Justin Chappell navigates obstacles in his wheelchair

In addition to covering the campaigns, I’ll provide insight into what it’s like to be a member of the press using a wheelchair. Already today, I’ve encoutered several obstacles from large media cables taped to the floor to a debate stage set built very narrowly. But the CBS and DNC crews have been helpful in assisting me in getting to where I need to be.

Published inDemocrats

4 Comments

  1. […] newest reporter. I spent the month of November with fellow disability community leaders traveling throughout Iowa, using my wheelchair in nearly nine inches of snow to interview almost every candidate for […]

  2. […] covering the candidates by spending the month of November with fellow disability community leaders traveling throughout Iowa, using my wheelchair in nearly nine inches of snow to interview almost every candidate for […]

  3. […] covering the candidates by spending the month of November with fellow disability community leaders traveling throughout Iowa, using my wheelchair in nearly nine inches of snow to interview almost every candidate for […]

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