The realities of accessibility at direct actions
I see a lot of people with opinions on how to handle accessibility at direct actions and I feel that a lot of these opinions are completely out of touch with the reality of direct actions. While many of these ideas can apply at an ordinary protest (particularly one with money) many of these ideas range from difficult to impossible to implement at a direct action.
Hi, my name is Corvid and I'm a multiply disabled person who is knowledgeable about direct action. I wanted to share my takes on accessibility at direct actions. The scope of this post will be limited as the categories of "direct action" and "accessibility" are extremely broad and it's impossible to cover all of it in one post. I am going to write from my own personal experience as someone with a mobility disability and hearing loss (with residual hearing).
Direct action is not synonymous with protest. Direct actions may take the form of a protest but not all direct actions are your typical march or rally and not all marches and rallies are direct actions. Direct action specifically describes direct attacks on the source of the problem (hence direct action). Direct action tends to be higher risk than a typical protest as the nature of directly attacking the source of the problem attracts the attention of the state (especially when the target is the state).
Direct action is a wide category covering everything from firebombing to building occupations and beyond. It is impossible to discuss accessibility at all direct actions. Direct actions can range in size from one or a small handful of people to a large crowd. Direct actions are not always organized and when they are organized the organizers typically stay anonymous for protection. The invites to direct actions are not usually posted online and when they are they are typically masqueraded as other events on the flyer.
There are other, lower risk direct actions. This post isn't about them. People argue all the time about what "counts" as direct action- don't bring these arguments onto my post.
The risky nature of direct action means that openly citing where the direct action will take place can risk drawing the police to the location before anyone even arrives and/or having riot cops on standby waiting to kettle the action. Publicizing things like march routes can lead to preemptive "safety" measures like stationing cops along the route and setting up concrete barricades to block people in. I often see people suggesting that direct actions should publicize their march routes so people can prepare for accessibility challenges- this will not ever happen and should not ever happen. This might work for an above-the-ground protest (especially if it's a state-sanctioned parade like no kings) but it is just simply too risky to publicize locations for direct actions. Many direct actions do not even publicize their meeting locations until an hour before the actual action.
Many direct actions do take the route of holding a march to the location of the action or putting the location of the action along the march route. So what can be done? Mileage can easily be published without compromising the safety of the march. Barriers can be scouted ahead of time and communicated in the messages sent out about the action (whether that be messages in signal chats, inconspicuous flyers, or word of mouth). People who are trusted by the (behind the scenes) organizers can communicate their access needs for the action. (I would not recommend messaging someone you think is an organizer about details of a direct action if you are not trusted by that person).
A lot of increasing accessibility for your access needs at direct actions will come with building trust with the organizers. Unfortunately, this can only be done by meeting up with those people in person, and you may not know who they are. You can often find these people at lower risk protests and mutual aid...if you know where to look. When you are in organizing circles you get more control over the accessibility of the action.
It is exceptionally difficult to have a crowd that moves slowly. Moving slowly is a risk. People often have to move quickly. This does not apply to all direct actions- building occupations, for example, do not move quickly (though people should be prepared to get out quickly if the plan is not to get arrested there).
I see people suggest seating pretty frequently. This might work for an ordinary rally or march but it does not work well for a direct action. Bringing seating options gets your shit stolen and direct actionists generally do not have the money to replace camping chairs all the time. Many direct actions have to stay mobile for safety.
Remember that it is impossible to accommodate everybody, especially at a direct action where risks are high.
Some direct actions happen organically when the conditions are just right and people start to move together. It is impossible to control the accessibility of these as no planning goes into them.
I see a lot of people suggest interpreters for direct action. It is very, very hard to get this to work. When you are paying someone that inherently creates a paper trail tying them back to the direct action. Additionally, many direct actions do not center around speeches and chants. To have an interpreter present at a direct action you need to find someone who feels comfortable taking that role and will do it for either cash or free. Most direct actionists do not have a large amount of money to pay for an interpreter. A large percentage of direct actions do not have a planned end time. Interpreters are hired by the hour and are usually not interested in spending days in a building for an occupation.
Instead, it is best to travel with a group of people who can interpret the necessary information about what is happening around you. It is always a good idea to attend a direct action in a group. There is safety in numbers and it helps prevent you from getting grabbed on the way out. A majority of protest and direct action arrests happen as people are leaving, not while the protest or action is going on. Be prepared for quick movement, many direct actions do not stick around for long as staying after you have smashed windows is dangerous.
If you can't hear what is happening in the crowd then bring someone who can. Do not bring bluetooth enabled hearing aids or cochlear implants, especially if they have a "find my device" feature. Every single bluetooth device has a unique signature that can be traced back to you. By bringing your bluetooth-enabled hearing aids or cochlear implants you risk leaving a digital trail directly tying you to the action. Find another way to communicate.
Sometimes direct action is just not something you can do... that's ok
You don't have to do direct action. If you're reading this post and thinking "there's no way I can do that" then direct action might just not be for you. There are many disabled direct actionists (including direct actionists who use wheelchairs & powerchairs full time, are profoundly d/Deaf, etc.) but not everyone in those situations can make direct action possible for them. The circumstances surrounding direct actions make accommodations exceptionally difficult to manage.
