Melissa Myers
Accessibility Advisor for the Halifax Regional Municipality
Melissa Myers has spent most of her life as an advocate for individuals with disabilities. She graduated from Dalhousie University with a Masters’ in Social Work in 2013. Her social work practice experience has been based in a hospital setting, as well as with not-for- profit. Melissa is a woman with a (dis)Ability who is a wheelchair user. She has been a strong advocate for (dis)Ability rights and is also highly involved in researching theoretical and practical issues surrounding (dis)Ability, including policy and social work intervention. Her advocacy work led to the implementation of the Workplace Attendant Support program through the Department of Community Services, which began in September 2014. She is currently continuing her advocacy through her position as Accessibility Advisor in the Office of Diversity & Inclusion within the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM).
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What are you most proud of professionally? And who or why?
Although I often avoid highlighting my accomplishments and prefer to be humble in my advocacy, I can say that I am most proud of the fact that as a woman with a (dis)Ability, I've had the strength and resilience to overcome barriers in my life. Facing these obstacles and working through them has led me to my current career. It gives me purpose in my life to know that I go to work and have the opportunity to make positive changes for other individuals with (dis)Abilities. It is also important to note that I am extremely proud of the friends, family, and colleagues who have supported me through my journey. I could not have gotten this far without them.
What’s your vision for Atlantic Canada in 10 years? What’s our biggest opportunity now?
My vision for Atlantic Canada is to take active steps to eliminate systematic barriers that individuals with (dis)Abilities face on a day-to-day basis. Some of these steps have already been taken, such as the province of Nova Scotia's Accessibility legislation passed in 2017, but there is always more work to be done. Accessibility shouldn't be seen as a cost issue; it is a human rights issue. No one should have to plan out their day to see whether they are going to physically be able to enter a space, or whether they will have to overcome (dis)Ability related barriers to receive an education. I think our biggest opportunity is to recognize this now and become a leader for all provinces across Canada.
What was your greatest stage of growth? What made it a shift for you?
It’s difficult for me to choose one stage of growth. For many individuals with (dis)Abilities, myself included, spontaneity is rarely an option. Because of this, I rarely get the opportunity to live in the present because I am always planning for the future in a way that many others don’t need to. For example, even four years prior to obtaining my Masters degree, I was thinking about how I would be able to hire an assistant in the workplace after graduation. This required me to advocate for a workplace assistant program with the provincial government, including writing a proposal and meeting with the Province numerous times, in addition to all of the work that goes into a Masters degree.
What’s your deepest learning from this past year? How did/will you apply it?
My guiding principle in life has always been to advocate for the (dis)Ability community. Within the past year, I have moved into this new job position, which has allowed me to follow this principle more strongly than before. Throughout this position I have continued to learn about the (dis)Ability community and accessibility, and I strive to use the knowledge and skills that I have learned to be a better advocate and make a difference in society.
Who’s inspired you, directly or indirectly? How have they inspired you?
I am inspired by the work that my colleagues do every day in this position. Noticing the passion that goes into their work and the positive changes that come from it reminds me that change is possible, even if it isn’t always easy.
What would you have done differently?
Everything that I have done has led me where I am today, and has shaped me to become the person I am. I wouldn't change anything.
What were your priorities and how did they help you overcome some of the struggles you’ve faced?
There is a societal perception of individuals with (dis)Abilities as being limited in what they can accomplish. My priority has always been to show people that individuals with (dis)Abilities can be just as successful as able-bodied individuals. I’ve always believed in not allowing my (dis)Ability to stop me from pursuing my goals, and not letting anyone tell me that I cannot do something because of my (dis)Ability. You are the only person who knows your abilities. I also live by the idea that "the squeaky wheel gets the grease"- the only way to perpetuate social justice is if someone makes a stand. This is incredibly important considering that not everyone has the opportunity to speak. This is why I try to advocate whenever I can - not everyone has the option to or the want. I also encourage others to learn about and advocate for individuals with (dis)Abilities. Creating a fully accessible society benefits everyone.
Like many other individuals with disabilities, I have had to learn creative ways to navigate societal ableist barriers that are imposed upon individuals with disabilities. In writing (dis)Ability this way, I am recognizing my abilities and emphasizing the “ability” in disability, while still maintaining my identity as an individual with a disability.
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Social justice advocate, policy maker, family & friends, country music lover