Rogues’ Blog: Your Voice Matters, but Ours Matters More

Fictional satire. The Rogues’ Blog · Episode 6 · Companion to The Laminator Episode 14: We Know What You Need.

Leadership has announced a new listening policy after discovering that people attending consultation meetings occasionally expect to influence the outcome.

“Your voice matters,” he assured the room. “But ours has been through procurement.”

The policy was developed by a panel of experts in the needs of people who were not on the panel. An autistic person had been invited, but the invitation required a telephone call during working hours to request the form for requesting a written invitation.

“We offered every opportunity,” Leadership explained.

The panel’s first achievement was a ladder. A wheelchair user had asked for a ramp. Leadership felt a ladder demonstrated higher aspirations.

“A ramp gets you through the door,” he said. “A ladder takes you to the next level.”

The wheelchair user pointed out that the next level was a window.

Leadership thanked her for identifying an exciting alternative pathway.

Stan asked whether anyone had checked that she could use the ladder. Leadership explained that the supplier had excellent testimonials from people who could.

The discussion then moved to autism. A visitor asked for written instructions and an appointment away from the busiest hour.

Wellbeing offered a confidence workshop. It would take place at the busiest hour, with instructions delivered verbally.

“We mustn’t reinforce avoidance,” Leadership said.

“I’m trying to attend,” the visitor replied.

This was recorded as reluctance to engage with the proposed support.

Accountability asked what had happened to the request for written instructions.

“We heard it.”

“What changed?”

“The minutes.”

Leadership reassured the visitor that the panel understood autism. Between them, they had several degrees, two certificates and an in-service diary so full it required a second in-service diary.

The visitor explained that she understood what happened to her in a crowded waiting room.

Leadership asked whether that understanding had been accredited.

Her family described what helped before an appointment and what happened afterwards when the demands became too much. This was labelled anecdotal. The panel’s belief that she needed confidence was labelled professional judgement.

Stan wondered why the person living the experience had to provide more evidence than the people imagining it.

Leadership suggested a comfort break.

During the break, Accountability added a question to the consultation form: WHAT WILL CHANGE AS A RESULT OF WHAT THIS PERSON TELLS US?

The form was withdrawn pending a review of its tone.

The Laminator was asked to seal the new policy. He held it beside the old one: NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US.

“Are we keeping this?” he asked.

“Of course,” Leadership replied. “It’s central to our values.”

“Then where do they sit?”

Leadership pointed at the public gallery.

The wheelchair user asked again for a ramp. The autistic visitor asked again for written instructions. Neither requested a committee.

By the end of the meeting, Leadership confirmed that all voices had been heard equally. His would be used to decide what happened next.

The ladder remained outside. The ramp remained a request. The consultation was declared complete.

By Elaine Walsh · Autism & Me. All characters, events and dialogue in this piece are fictional. The satire targets decisions made about people without sharing power with them.