Monica Wiley is a Voter Engagement Specialist at the National Disability Rights Network, a nonprofit that provides legal advocacy services to improve the lives and protect the rights of all people with disabilities.
As a person with a physical disability, this cause is personal to Monica. She has dedicated her career to making sure people with disabilities are included in conversations regarding inclusion.
“My responsibility is to do all of the external-facing coalition building among social justice organizations and civil rights organizations to talk about the importance of making sure that their programming intersects with people with disabilities, in particular Black women and the BIPOC community within the disability community,” she shares.
When she was nine years old, Monica was the only survivor of a car accident involving her family’s vehicle and a drunk driver. This accident left her with an incomplete spinal cord injury. While she was not supposed to be able to walk again, Monica persevered and gained the use of her legs with the support of a cane and a motorized scooter when needed.
Growing up, Monica’s friends and family members didn’t treat her any differently due to her disability. It wasn’t until she began her career pursuits when she noticed barriers.
“When I graduated from college, I did not realize how much discrimination, employment barriers, and other negative connotations and perceptions society had about people with disabilities,” she shares.
She applied to countless jobs, but couldn’t get her foot in the door. However, she never gave up.
“I come from a lineage of strong women,” she shares. “I don’t know how to do anything but hustle and have that tenacity and strength.”
Around the time Monica was applying for jobs, she attended a town hall meeting where the candidates didn’t have any plans to support or advance the ADA (The Americans with Disabilities Act). This experience, along with her life-long interest in government and history, made her realize she wanted to work in politics.
She reached out to late Congressman Donald McEachin, a mentor she had grown up with who was one of the lawyer’s on her family’s case after her accident. Listening to his advice on how to get involved in politics, Monica proceeded to spend the next several years working with multiple organizations including the Virginia Organizing campaign and the Democratic Party of Virginia. While under his guidance, Monica asked Congressman McEachin not to share with others in the political establishment he had known Monica since she was a little girl. She didn’t want his popularity as a State Senator (at the time) to overshadow who she was as a person and as a professional. “I wanted my abilities and skill sets to reflect me and not who I was connected to. He asked me if I was sure and I said, ‘yes!’ He agreed and I was able to begin making a name for myself as a disability rights advocate and policy maker.”
Using Her Voice to Advocate for Disability Rights
Throughout her career, Monica has served as a disability advocate and disability campaign advisor for many elected officials and organizations.
“I used my story as a platform to make effective changes for disability rights. I’m one of the architects that is responsible for curbside voting in the Commonwealth of Virginia. I’m very proud of that,” she shares.
While she considered running for public office herself, she realized that she wanted to shift to the nonprofit world. So, when an opportunity arose at the National Disability Rights Network, she decided to apply and got the job.
“I love the work that I do. I travel a lot. We just finished creating a documentary about accessing democracy, where I interview voters up and down the East Coast about the challenges and barriers that impact them and what they expect the next commander-in-chief and elected officials will do on behalf of people with disabilities,” she says.
Her Advice? Exude Confidence and Believe in Yourself
Despite facing discrimination due to her disability, Monica has never doubted herself. She knows the power of believing in yourself and she wants young people to always stand firm in who they are. With her favorite quote “A winner is a dreamer who never gives up.“ (Nelson Mandela) and her favorite scripture “All things are possible if you believe.” (Mark 9:23) guiding her, Monica advises others to “Believe in yourself. If you want others to believe in you, you have to exude that confidence.”
Monica has worked hard and devoted her career to fighting for change. She plans to continue this advocacy work and, eventually, write a book about her experiences.
“Keep believing in what you’re trying to accomplish, because if you can see it in your mind, then it’s meant for you to achieve it.”