Partner Feature: Jo Tolley and ijot
We are so proud to announce our partnership with Jo Tolley, disability activist and founder of ijot (website coming soon).
Person with short brown hair sits smiling wearing a dark blue shirt.
Back in December 2020, an email dropped in my inbox; The Nora Project (TNP) was seeking a collaborator. Little did we know then, that this would transpire to be a truly serendipitous and wholly transformative partnership.
As someone with lived experience of disability, or in my case; 'experience of how to wing it on wheels', I felt I was up for the challenge of advising on the Disability 101 unit. At the core of this module is the evolution of our community's rights; from the historic days where 'abnormal' people were neither seen nor heard, to the present day where inclusivity is promoted and strived for. In my mind, this journey is one that should be in education systems, but that wasn’t what initially ignited my interest. Far more than a whistle-stop tour of 'disability through the ages,' Disability 101 teaches children and young people about why they should celebrate the beauty of diversity and how this can be achieved when we collectively create an equitable society.
How does the latter help to demystify disability? It is a crucial life lesson that continues to shift paradigms. The notions of equity and diversity are at the heart of TNP, and by extension, Disability 101. Their motto of building friendships based on empathy and respect is accessible to everyone. However, its essence requires time and education to be instilled within society in order for an Ability Inclusive Mindset to reimagine the definition of 'being disabled'. It is here where the stars align for what promises to be an utterly magical adventure.
So, who am I – other than a hippie chick who talks about stars aligning? Well, I am an avid tea-drinker, a lover of good people and a self-professed obsessive when it comes to animals of all kinds . Beyond that, I am an advocate for disability, equity, and diversity. To say, or even type; "disability advocacy" in relation to anything I do, feels like an alien concept. Throughout the first 25 years of my life, I ran (badly) for the hills anytime someone dared suggest that my wonky legs and wheels could be an aspect of me. Disability didn’t define me nor should it define anyone.
My mindset altered when futile attempts of ditching my disability in search of 'normality' left me with no other sustainable option…I had to feel the fear and do it anyway. 'Doing it anyway' led me into some wild and wonderful conversations about how we, as activists, connect disabled and non-disabled communities. It became evident that societally we have to know the difference between 'equality' and 'equity'; the difference between what we have a right to do and what we need to do to be the best versions of ourselves. For me, once this is distinguished, people (disabled or otherwise) can unstoppably dance in vibrancy of diversity.
Feeling the fear doesn’t usually result in a TED Talk but where there is room to dance, convention is disregarded. To unashamedly quote Brené Brown, the experience can only be described as my "breakdown/spiritual awakening"; it is a beautiful trauma like no other. Here, I'll let my debut on the TEDxBrayfordPool stage speak for itself but without a doubt, the red dot – renowned for its ideas worth sharing – was where the vision for ijot sparked.
ijot empowers people with disabilities to connect to a world which embraces equity and diversity. Through designing platforms that promote effective holistic communication within disabled communities, we endeavour to change perspectives of what 'disability' means. In doing so, we'll shine a light on accurate representation and create an inclusive society which is not defined by mythical labels or limitations of stereotypes.
Naturally then, the relationship between TNP and ijot was bound to grow past Disability 101. With the invaluable support of Creative Rebel CIC and 3° of Innovation, we are joining forces to enable children and young people to harness the freedoms that flourish when we realise the power of autonomy, self-worth and inner-advocacy. Centring a mentoring programme upon the connections that lie within role models and friendships, we'll champion those who feel trapped by the tagline of 'being disabled' as they demystify disability. Watch this space…Our wholehearted mission is to share inclusivity, equity and diversity with the world.
This mentoring opportunity with our partners at ijot will be available for High School students participating in our Lifecycle Programs. Learn more about those programs and more on our website!