Knox Finds Purpose and Meaning in Advocacy

"About Us" is a series of interviews with accomplished self-advocates in Florida.

LeQuina Knox has spent her life educating to others about inclusion and advocacy.

Born and raised in St. Petersburg, she is an alumna of the University of South Florida, where she earned a master's degree in liberal arts.

Among her other accomplishments, she is the first recipient of the Ms. Wheelchair Florida Influencer Award and a recent graduate of the Partners in Policymaking program. She is the newest member of the City of St. Petersburg's Committee Advocating for Persons with Impairments and is an ambassador for ABLE United.

Recently, her advocacy journey has led her to create her own platform, BlackGirlRolling, where she interviews advocates and shares insights into her daily life as a black woman living with cerebral palsy.

Florida Self-Advocacy Central recently interviewed LeQuina to learn more about her self-advocacy journey.

When did you start to identify as a self-advocate and why?

I was never shy about vocalizing my needs. Looking back, I think I always considered myself a self-advocate, even when I didn't have pride in my disability. When I was younger, my grandparents would take me to physical therapy. One day, we were getting ready to drive home from one of my appointments and we somehow began discussing the word "handicapped."  That was the first time I admitted I didn’t like to be called handicapped, and they listened to me. At the time, I did not understand what self-advocacy meant. But I knew the words I used to describe myself had power. 

What advocacy related issue is the most significant to you?

LeQuina Knox

Although many advocacy-related issues are important to me, supported employment for people with disabilities remains a significant concern. Many employers require five or more years of experience to be considered for a position. Job applications can be time-consuming if you don’t have access to assistive technology or someone willing to help you type your information, and some applications even use ableist language to exclude candidates with disabilities. These are just a few of the barriers I've encountered in my own job search and when speaking to other people with disabilities about their experiences. Advocating for more extensive training for employers and employees, as well as more resources for small business owners, would help bridge the employment gap. 

Describe a time when you had to overcome an obstacle related to your disability.

One challenge I have faced while learning to navigate the world on my own is knowing when to hire new support staff. While hiring a new personal care assistant is one thing, changing my Medicaid Waiver Support Coordinator is a different matter altogether. The process was difficult because I had to hire a new support team. During this time, I didn’t have a personal care assistant, and I relied on family members to pick up the slack, which meant I often had to rearrange my schedule to ensure I was free during the times they were available to help me. I am a creature of habit, so having my routine disrupted made me feel frustrated. But it also taught me what to look for when hiring potential staff, and that I have the right to speak up when my needs aren’t being met. 

What did you find helpful in overcoming that obstacle?

I’m a huge believer in research, especially when making decisions that could impact your quality of life. Although the process was tedious, I am glad I took the time to research different providers until I found one that could meet my needs. Additionally, interviewing potential providers forced me to pay attention to their body language, and how they spoke to me helped me decide whether they would be a good fit for my support team. It also showed me I could train someone and teach them the daily aspects of my care. 

How has your advocacy affected your career and personal life?

Advocacy is a significant part of my life. I find purpose and meaning in disability advocacy. No matter what your abilities are, you can advocate in multiple ways.  You can present at conferences, write an article or story based on your experiences. You can even compose a piece of music. Becoming an advocate has allowed me to teach beyond the classroom. It has allowed me to create long-lasting friendships and taught me how to look past my own experiences. More importantly, I’ve been put in a position where I can be the mentor I needed when I was a kid. 

What advice would you give to someone struggling to accept their disability?

I would tell them to remember that everyone's story is different. Acceptance comes with time and experience. As long as you're creating the life you want for yourself, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. If your family or friends don’t support your vision for yourself, find people who see your greatness.

In 10 years, what would you most like to see changed in the lives of people with disabilities?

In 10 years, I want people with disabilities to have more equality, and we will not have to fight for the same opportunities that everyone else has. Ideally, I would like people with disabilities to be fully integrated in the workplace. This means individuals who receive Social Security benefits would have the ability to work as much as they want without losing the support they need.

Another thing I want to see is more accessible transportation. People with disabilities should have the ability to use multiple modes of transportation. We shouldn’t have to exert ourselves every time we want to go somewhere.

Describe a time when you had to advocate on the spur of the moment.

While visiting my local library, I had difficulty using the restroom with my wheelchair. The stall was cramped, and there wasn’t enough space for me to close the door. Before I left to go home, I discussed my concerns with the librarian, who was working the front desk. He suggested I file a complaint with the ADA coordinator’s office. I did end up filing a complaint. When I followed up a week later, I was told the restroom met ADA standards. In this case, my advocacy efforts did not have the desired outcome. 

If you could pick one song as a theme song, what would it be?

My theme song would be "Unpretty" by TLC.

The FSACentral staff would like to thank LeQuina for taking the time to participate in the interview. Let us know what you think about "About Us" on Facebook. If you know an accomplished self-advocate in Florida you think we should showcase in "About Us," contact us here or via Facebook.