A community of blind and sighted members, Voir Ensemble is an organization working to increase opportunities for blind people throughout France and francophone Africa. I had the honor of meeting with them in their Paris office, discussing disability rights in the U.S. and France. A core tenet here is l’autonomie, which roughly translates to self-determination. It’s about having the right to make your own decisions, the tools to pursue your goals, and the freedom to live in your chosen communities. Voir Ensemble doesn’t just talk about l’autonomie—they practice it. Inside their conference room, the multiple plates of scrumptious pastries had Braille labels. Increasing Braille is just one of many ways for us to remove barriers, and I’m grateful for all the advocates moving us toward a world where disabled people fully enjoy l’autonomie.
