“Nothing about us without us” is a slogan and principle emphasizing that policies and decisions affecting a group should involve that group’s direct participation and input. It’s a core tenet of the disability rights movement, advocating for the inclusion of people with disabilities in decision-making processes that concern them.
The phrase “nothing about us without us” originated as a Latin phrase, “Nihil de nobis, sine nobis,” and has been used for centuries to emphasize that policies and programs affecting certain people and groups should fully involve them in the decision-making process.
It became a slogan of the disability rights movement, popularized by James Charlton’s book of the same name in the 1990s.
The principle asserts that people with disabilities know what is best for them and should have a say in laws, guidelines, and accommodations that affect their lives.
“Nothing about us without us” promotes empowerment and self-determination for people with disabilities, encouraging them to be active participants rather than passive recipients of services.
The motto is based on the principle of participation, which can contribute to the development of inclusive societies.
- The 2004 United Nations’ International Day of Persons with Disabilities
- The 2008 Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- Advocacy for better treatment and care in hospitals
- Advocacy for better education reform
- Advocacy for better employment protectionsBeyond Disability:
While rooted in the disability rights movement, the principle can be applied to other marginalized groups and communities, emphasizing the importance of their voices and participation in decision-making processes that affect them
