SelfAdvocateNet.com in 2015 – A New Chapter, A Global Voice

By 2015, SelfAdvocateNet.com (SAN) had embraced a new direction, refocusing itself as a Self-Advocate Blog—a space where self-advocates could share their stories, insights, and leadership with the world. Blogging had become a powerful force in online communication, shaping media, politics, and social movements. For SAN, this shift meant connecting with even more self-advocates, supporters, and allies globally, ensuring that voices that once went unheard were now amplified and celebrated.

A key part of this evolution was supporting the growing movement for language change. In 2012, a lone voice sparked a campaign to shift the conversation from “Disability” to “DiversAbility”, focusing on ability, strength, and inclusion rather than limitation. At first, it seemed like a long shot, but SAN recognized the power of this idea and got behind the movement. To amplify the message, SelfAdvocateNet.com launched a spinoff site, DiversAbility.ca, providing a dedicated space for stories, advocacy, and resources that reflected this new way of thinking.

What started as a bold idea became a transformative shift in the self-advocacy world. Ten years later, the term “Disability” has been largely replaced with “DiversAbility”, reshaping the way society sees, respects, and includes people with different abilities. SAN stood at the forefront of this change, proving once again that when self-advocates lead, real change follows.

The fight for Woodlands compensation remained a core mission of the site, but now Bryce wasn’t fighting alone. He had been joined by Joe Rickly, a young man with an unstoppable spirit who never let being in a wheelchair slow him down. In fact, Joe’s chair had been modified for speed, and it was not uncommon to see Bryce jogging to keep up with him!

Beyond being an advocate, Joe was a DJ, and his love for music transformed the annual self-advocate retreats into vibrant celebrations. What had once been a place for leadership and strategy now carried a joyful, party-like atmosphere, with Joe providing the tunes and making sure everyone felt included.

That year, SAN also launched an RSS feed, expanding its reach to self-advocates worldwide, even those with limited access to the internet. This innovation broke barriers, ensuring that people from all walks of life could stay informed and engaged.

Meanwhile, Joe and Bryce began dreaming bigger—they called it their “Global Journey”, sharing self-advocacy stories far and wide. Their passion for empowerment and inclusion made them regular speakers at Inclusion BC’s annual conferences, where they inspired countless others to find their voice and take action.

On the policy front, the pressure on the BC government was mounting. By 2015, the push for full compensation for all who had lived in institutions like Woodlands—not just those institutionalized after 1974—was stronger than ever. Survivors, self-advocates, and allies were determined to make things right, and SelfAdvocateNet.com was at the heart of the movement.

2015 was a year of transformation, momentum, and celebration, proving that self-advocacy was about more than just fighting for justice—it was about living fully, lifting each other up, and making sure that no one was left behind.

The Disability Movement in 2015 – A Year of Progress and Advocacy

The year 2015 was a pivotal time for disability rights, accessibility, and self-advocacy worldwide. With growing recognition of disability rights as human rights, governments, activists, and organizations pushed for stronger policies, better representation, and greater inclusion.

1. The Fight for Full Woodlands Compensation in British Columbia

• In 2015, pressure was mounting on the BC government to compensate all former residents of institutions like Woodlands, not just those who were there after 1974.
• Self-advocates, survivors, and allies continued demanding justice for those who had suffered abuse, neglect, and institutionalization.
• SelfAdvocateNet.com played a key role in spreading awareness and keeping the pressure on decision-makers.

2. Canada Begins Work on the Accessible Canada Act

• 2015 marked a turning point for accessibility laws in Canada, with the federal government announcing plans to develop the Accessible Canada Act (ACA)—legislation that would set national accessibility standards for employment, transportation, and digital access.
• The ACA would eventually be passed in 2019, but 2015 was the year when self-advocates, disability groups, and policy makers began shaping the framework.

3. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Include Disability Rights

• In September 2015, the United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a global blueprint for reducing inequality, ending poverty, and improving access to education and healthcare.
• For the first time in history, disability rights were explicitly included in the goals, emphasizing the importance of inclusion, accessibility, and full participation in society.
• This was a huge victory for global disability activists, ensuring that disability issues would be prioritized in international development efforts.

4. The Disability Rights Movement in the U.S. and Abroad

• In the U.S., the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) celebrated its 25th anniversary, with major events recognizing its impact. However, disability activists continued pushing for stronger employment protections and healthcare access.
• In the UK, disability activists protested government austerity measures, which disproportionately impacted people with disabilities by cutting social services and benefits.
• The European Union expanded efforts to improve accessible transportation, employment protections, and independent living initiatives.

5. The Rise of Digital Accessibility and Assistive Technology

• Tech companies expanded accessibility tools, with Apple, Google, and Microsoft integrating screen readers, voice commands, and alternative navigation methods into their devices.
• Social media became a powerful tool for self-advocacy, with activists using platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube to share personal experiences, challenge stereotypes, and fight for policy changes.
• The #CripTheVote movement was launched in 2015, encouraging people with disabilities to engage in political discussions and push for disability-inclusive policies.

6. Disability Representation in Media and Culture

• The film “The Theory of Everything” (2014-2015), starring Eddie Redmayne as Stephen Hawking, won awards but also sparked debate about representation and whether disabled actors should play disabled roles.
• Disability activists continued calling for more authentic storytelling and opportunities for disabled actors, writers, and creators.
• The Paralympic movement continued gaining recognition, building anticipation for the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

7. Continued Shift Toward Independent Living

• Countries worldwide continued closing institutions and supporting community-based living, but challenges remained in funding, accessibility, and employment support.
• Disability organizations continued fighting for equal pay, accessible housing, and inclusive education.

Conclusion

2015 was a year of momentum, activism, and global progress. From the fight for full Woodlands compensation in British Columbia to the UN recognizing disability rights in global development, the disability movement gained strength and visibility. Advances in technology, policy, and self-advocacy ensured that voices of people with disabilities were being heard louder than ever before.