Meet Marta. This summer our team put out a call to inviting the community to share stories that relate to disability, disability history, and disability activism in Seattle. We received a bundle of ideas — you all are a treasure trove of experiences and memories! One submission came from Marta who wrote to us about her evolving experience receiving help crossing the street as she navigates using a white cane. Department of Neighborhoods’ Senior Public Relations Specialist, Susie Philipsen reached out to learn more.
“I met Marta at her home in First Hill on a sunny, warm day in August and we decided to go for a little walk around the neighborhood so I could get to know her and learn about her experience as a blind person in Seattle. I decided to make an illustrated interview of my walk and talk with Marta, fully knowing that Marta would not be able to see the drawing herself. When I told her my plan, we both laughed pretty about the irony. The truth is I wanted something with compelling imagery that we could share on social media and even though Marta would not be able to see the drawing, she acknowledged that she was excited to hear about the final product it with the sighted folks in her community.
When I finished the work, I called Marta to thank her, describe the drawings, and read the interview to her. As a visual designer, this experience with Marta allowed me to practice a new technique—narrating my work in a way that makes it available to folks who cannot experience it through their sense of sight. Marta was excited about how things had turned out, too.”
Collecting and sharing stories from the disability community has helped our team understand better ways to collaborate and provide accessibility support. We are so grateful for these partnerships! These conversations and relationships will continue to shape the way we tell stories and produce content at the Department of Neighborhoods as we strive to meet people where they are and uplift community members that have been harmed by ableism.
Below is a description of Susie’s illustration of her interview with Marta and the text that is included on the drawing.
ALT TEXT: This is a cartoon-style drawing. In the center is a portrait of Marta smiling, swearing a lilac-colored shirt with a white lacy detail. Her hair light brown and slightly windblown. This portrait sits on a light blue background with white stripes entering the corner that give a feeling of a crosswalk. Also in the background is a big, leafy tree and a title that reads, “Meet Marta.”
The text on the drawing reads: Meet Marta. My name is Marta. I am visually impaired. I’m a mental health counselor, specializing in cross-cultural counseling. I work with low-income and homeless people. I really enjoy my work. I’ve lived here for 20 years. I moved to First Hill to be close to more people. Also, there is good public transportation (holla @KCMetroBus) and good sidewalks (holla @seattleDOT). My favorite coffee shop is Diva Espresso. My favorite thing to do in Seattle is to walk around. I DO need help crossing if streets are busy. People used to just grab my arm. Now, they are more courteous and don’t assume I need help. They walk up and ask if I would like some help and I say, “Oh yes please, if I could take your arm, that would be great.” It’s always like that now. Read more stories from and about folks with disabilities in Seattle (your neighbors) on the Front Porch Blog. Link in Bio.
Illustrations by Susie Philipsen.
