Youths Today are Living In a Culture of Unfinished and Never-Realized Dreams

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The rights and freedoms young people have today been fought for by the old advocates, "We worked tirelessly to help create the change which you’re now taking for granted!”. As a young disability rights advocates, I have heard this statement a thousand times and probably you too, Every time we try to be innovative amidst our predecessors.

One of the great challenges facing the globe today is the aging population of old activists who do not want young people to take over and solve their unique challenges. The older generation hasn’t mastered the secret of coming an end with a sense of accomplishment, which is why youths today are living in a culture of unfinished, incomplete, and never-realized dreams. Because the old generation has not yet realized how to start something and end it well.

So, much as this article is a wakeup call for young people with disabilities, and the youths, its words offer something to the old generation, as well.

In a relay race, there is a critical moment when the baton must get passed from one runner to the next. It’s a short window of opportunity, if you run well and handle the baton to the next runner you may win as a team. But there are also lots of ways things can go wrong. For example, if you drop the baton, you will be disqualified. If you run out of your lane during the baton pass, you will be disqualified. If you run out of the takeover zone without changing the baton, you will be disqualified. if you cross the finish line without the baton, you will be disqualified. The old generation of activist must understand these rules.

There isn’t much room for error especially in this twenty first century where everything is changing first. Every step must be timed perfectly, and each move must synchronize perfectly with the other runners. The old generation must realize that there are some important things they need to pass on to the next generation of activists to carry on and build on the good work that they started.

Every era comes with its unique challenges, so much as the needs of human beings may be Universal, nonetheless they are not homogeneous when it comes to age. Yes, they may complement one another, But Society must realize that young and old people are two separate groups of people in society that differ in their behavior, their likes, dislikes, and their nature differ differently as they evolve.

My main concern is not to be segregate people by age. I believe it’s important for all ages to interact on a day-to-day basis. It gives everyone a much richer and broader experience and hopefully removes the labelling of people as ‘elderly’ or ‘past it’ and the self-fulfilling behaviors that are often generated by this.

Recently In my profession as a Disability inclusion Advisor undertaking an international fellowship in the city of Denver Colorado. I took time to visit the Atlantis Disability Museum and read about what the old generation of disability Advocates did  in time and explored some of the strategies they used to bring about the rights and freedoms that young people with disabilities enjoy as of today.

Many battles, many policies, and a lot of people who cared made all this possible in the early 1970. starting in the United States with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which had a very positive impact on millions of people with disabilities. However, it’s more common in relation to accessing a physical space. For example, a wheelchair ramp, large bathroom stalls with rails and alleviating negative perceptions towards PWDs.

This was all good for that time and it’s still appreciated. But since internet use is spreading like wildfire, young people especially those with disabilities are still understandably frustrated when they couldn’t access the content on the web. The fact is that their need for digital accessibility is growing and it’s not soon going away. And this need can only be solved by young people.

Young people are now looking forward to creating a world where the blind can snowboard and the deaf can “hear” music. Where a kid who can only move his thumb.  Can experience and navigate social media platforms, put an end to excess production of greenhouse gasses and put an end to segregation of minorities.

 Now is the time for forward-thinking young leaders to assess their digital assets and ask themselves if they want to be leading the charge to the future or scrambling to catch up. Don’t get left behind! Dear Youth Get up and soar high for a better tomorrow.

As Jesus handed the baton to His disciples, to run a good race. The same way should the old generation pass the baton to the next generation to solve their unique needs.


By : Godfrey Nanyenya

Disability Inclusion Specialist






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