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Our Stories

Rooted in Rights tells authentic, accessible stories to challenge stigma and redefine narratives around disability, mental health and chronic illness.

The author and her husband, two smiling white individuals, hug each other in front of a lake. Sarah, who has straight, medium-length brown hair and is wearing a black and white floral dress, speaks into his ear. Her husband, who has wavy, close-cropped dark blonde hair, and is wearing a gray shirt and black suit jacket, bends his head, as if to listen.

Sundance TV’s “This Close” Strengthened My Marriage

“You have to learn to cue,” I gruffly tell my husband after backing our car into a spot outside my nephew’s birthday party at a noisy, monster-themed sports facility. I am referring to Cued Speech, a visual communication mode made…
A blanket of snow covers an open space; a sidewalk buried underneath a sheet of icy packed snow.

Victory! Seattle Emphasizes the Importance of Clearing Sidewalks in Snow Emergencies

As we get ready for snow, we're really glad to see the City of Seattle emphasize the importance of keeping sidewalks accessible!
Photo of an accessible parking space

Stop Assuming I’m Not Disabled Just Because I Don’t “Look Disabled”

I park my car in a parking space reserved for those with disabilities. My door is barely open before I’m confronted by a woman who demands to see my handicap parking placard. Her mother is disabled, and she needs the…
Rachel watches a DO-IT Scholar edit a video on an iPad.

Rooted in Rights Team Highlights from 2019

We’re brimming with stories to share! Help Rooted in Rights make real change by centering the voices and experiences of people with disabilities.
People in the rain on sidewalk with person in orange WSDOT vest

Celebrating 2019 Transportation Wins – and Looking Towards 2020

Disabled Pedestrian Safety With the Moving All Seattle Sustainably (MASS) Coalition, we won legislation calling for the City of Seattle to adopt a new comprehensive signals policy that would include more time to cross the street and give  pedestrians …
A Look Back at the Words and Wisdom of the Rooted in Rights Blog in 2019. (background is a faded image of multicolored English letters in random patterns)

A Look Back at the Words and Wisdom of the Rooted in Rights Blog in 2019

At the end of 2016, I was entrusted with the privilege of being Editor in Chief of the Rooted in Rights Blog. It’s truly amazing that as the New Year is upon us, the blog is still going strong.…
Vanessa and Anna accept award from Puget Sound Sage

Rooted in Rights Wins Three Community Awards for Authentic Advocacy

This year, Rooted in Rights received three awards in recognition for our groundbreaking storytelling on transportation and access. See what these community organizations are saying about our work!
A blanket of snow covers an open space; a sidewalk buried underneath a sheet of icy packed snow.

Don’t Snow Us In

4 days. 7 days. 3 weeks. That’s how long it was before Bruce, Laura, and Neve could safely leave their respective homes after last year’s snowstorms.
Two people ride Lime scooters and are overlaid with green checkmarks.

Scoot Smart!

The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) teamed up with Disability Rights Oregon, Rooted in Rights, and Lime to release a new e-scooter safety video