-
Inclusive Mental Health Symposium Preview: Accessing Democracy, Presented by Monica Wiley
Nutley Family Service Bureau (NFSB) will host our first “Inclusive Mental Health Symposium: Enhancing Provider Understanding of Mental Health for Persons with Disabilities,” a virtual event, on Thursday, April 24 from 9:30 am – 5:30 pm.” The event is funded by the New Jersey Division of Disability Services through the Inclusive Healthy Communities initiative. This article is part of a series of previews of symposium presentations.
When Monica Wiley was 9 years old, she was traveling in a tractor trailer driven by her stepfather with her mother and 3-month-old sister. Tired from the long ride, Monica decided to take a nap. When she woke up, she knew something wasn’t right.
“It was very dark,” Monica recalled. “I couldn’t move my head from left to right and I didn’t hear my family. It turned out that we were hit by a drunk driver. Our truck plunged over a bridge, falling 150 feet into a power plant.”
Monica’s mother, stepfather, and sister were killed instantly. Monica miraculously survived but suffered a severe spinal cord injury and was paralyzed from the waist down. After four surgeries in one night and extensive rehabilitation, she began to learn to walk again. Today, she walks with a cane and uses a travel scooter.
This tragedy motivated Monica to spend her life advocating for people living with disabilities, particularly in the areas of social justice and voting rights. These efforts earned Monica the prestigious Presidential Service Award in 2023 from President Biden and the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024.
“They said I was chosen because I’m the epitome of a relentless, tenacious advocate,” Monica said. “I don’t allow any barrier or stigma to limit my ability to support, elevate, and amplify the voices of people with disabilities. I’m currently in the process of advocating for the passage of curbside voting in Maryland, and I was one of the architects for getting curbside voting passed in Virginial.”
Curbside voting allows individuals with disabilities to vote independently from the comforts of their vehicle or respective method of transportation. Monica currently serves as a voter engagement specialist for the National Disability Rights Network and a consultant for the National League of Cities. She previously served as the Virginia liaison to the White House Disability Group under President Obama and was appointed by Virginia Governor McAuliffe as a Disability Advisor on Community Integration.
About the Presentation
Monica travels the East Coast interviewing voters with disabilities. She asks about the barriers they face, from accessing everyday conveniences that many people take for granted, to receiving the services required to work and be a part of the community. Accessing Democracy explores how politicians have left behind one of the largest minority groups in the United States, and what disabled voters want from their next commander in chief. This short documentary was produced by the National Disability Rights Network and directed by Jack Rosen.
“Democracy, again, is on the line in our current political climate,” Monica said. “It’s important to have a diversity of voices reflecting on why democracy should be protected and accessible for everyone. Accessibility is about human rights and civil rights for every citizen. We advocate for laws and policies that support the betterment of communities because when one prospers, all should be able to prosper.”
Mental health disorders are one of many types of barriers that affect how people spend their day, whether working, attending school, interacting with loved ones, contributing to their community, or voting. Access Democracy is intended to make sure all voices are heard and all lived experiences are understood.
“Not every disability is the same so accommodations will be different,” Monica said. “Listening to the experiences endured by people merely trying to exercise their right to vote was shocking. For example, are voting machines accessible for both the blind and deaf? What about people in a wheelchair or scooter? Do poll workers and volunteers know how to assist people who have anxiety or autism? I look forward to presenting Accessing Democracy to service providers at the symposium and bringing more attention to these issues.”
To learn more about symposium presentations, download the symposium schedule, and purchase tickets, visit the Inclusive Mental Health Symposium page on our website.
