Disability Advocacy in North Dakota: Why Awareness and Inclusion Matter

As part of our commitment to disability advocacy in North Dakota, The Arc is honored to feature guest voices who are helping build more inclusive communities across our state.

This week’s guest blogger is Kendra Vander Wal, Executive Director of Designer Genes of North Dakota, an organization dedicated to supporting individuals with Down syndrome and their families. As both a mother and an advocate, Kendra brings a powerful personal perspective on why disability awareness and inclusion matter for individuals, families, and communities.

Kendra Vander Wal, Executive Director of Designer Genes

Why Disability Awareness Matters to Me-Kendra Vander Wal

Disability awareness and inclusion matter deeply to me both as a mother and as an advocate in our community.

Becoming a mom to my son has reshaped the way I see the world. My son has Down syndrome, and like any parent, I want him to grow up in a community where he is welcomed, valued, and given opportunities to learn, grow, and belong. I want him to have teachers who believe in his abilities, peers who include him, neighbors who see his potential before they see his diagnosis, and coaches who are willing to give him a chance.

But disability awareness isn’t just about my son, it’s about the kind of community we all want to build for our children and for generations to come.

Through my role as Executive Director of Designer Genes of North Dakota, I have the privilege of working with individuals with Down syndrome and their families across our state. I see the incredible strengths, talents, humor, and determination that individuals with Down syndrome bring to their families, schools, workplaces, and communities. I also see the barriers that still exist. Barriers that include misunderstandings, low expectations, and systems that were not originally designed with inclusion in mind.

Disability awareness helps break down those barriers. It creates opportunities for people with disabilities and their families to have a seat at the table. It helps allow for opportunities to share experiences, perspectives, and ideas about how we can build communities where everyone belongs.

Often, advocacy often begins with sharing a story. When families share their experiences, they help shape decisions that impact not only one child or one family, but entire communities. As both a mother and an advocate, I believe awareness and advocacy are the first steps toward meaningful change. When we listen to the voices and experiences of people with disabilities and their families, we begin to build systems and communities that truly reflect the value of every individual.

When people understand disability, they begin to see ability first. They start to recognize that inclusion benefits everyone, and not just individuals with disabilities. Inclusive classrooms teach empathy, creativity, and connection. Inclusive workplaces strengthen teams, broaden perspectives, and challenge new policies. Inclusive communities become places where everyone feels valued, respected, and that they belong.

The beauty of inclusion is that it can come in many different ways. Sometimes inclusion looks like big policy changes or advocacy at the state and federal level. But often, it’s found in small, everyday moments across our communities. It’s inviting a child to play at recess. It’s making space at the table for someone who communicates differently. It’s inviting a coworker out for coffee or supporting accessible transportation so people can move independently within their community. It’s believing that every person deserves the opportunity to participate fully in the world around them.

My hope for my son, and for every person with a disability, is simple. I hope they grow up in a world where they are not defined by limitations or a diagnosis, but recognized for their contributions and ideas. A world where inclusion is not seen as an extra effort, but as the natural way our communities operate.

Disability Awareness Month reminds me that inclusion is not just about one group of people, but it’s about creating communities where everyone belongs. To me, that is something worth advocating for.

Warmly, Kendra Vander Wal