This is an English version of an interview conducted in Spanish. Find the Spanish version on our Facebook.
I first ran for elections in 2007, but I was an activist long before that. I started my disability activism at university, but after I travelled to Canada – a life-changing experience – I became very active.
In Canada, I found a more accessible society, a more accessible public space. I understood what Spain could do better. When I came back, I became the president of my university’s Association of Students with Disabilities, where I campaigned for a more accessible university. They had, and still have, a lot of work to do to create welcoming environments for students – especially regarding physical accessibility and providing reasonable accommodation. The Association was very active, and our work regularly appeared in the press. We even organised the first National Congress of Students with Disabilities in Spain!
Another defining moment was when I went on Erasmus in 2005 to Metz in France. I was one of only 2 students doing Erasmus from my entire university, and it gave me another opportunity to advocate for disability rights – even though that was not part of the initial plan! In fact, I kept a sort of online journal called “Erasmus Sobre Ruedas” (“Erasmus on Wheels”) where I talked about my experience. It became so popular that the regional press wrote about it.
These activities contributed to my being approached to be a municipal councillor in my city, Alicante. I was approached by the Socialist Party – PSOE – to become a candidate for the “Ayuntamiento” in 2007, the first and only candidate with disabilities on the list – and the first disability activist to be elected in the history of Alicante!
My political philosophy is “Disability Visibility”, showing that it applies to more than the traditional “disability issues”. When I was a municipal councillor, I brought my perspective and my lived experience to all issues under my portfolio – social affairs – and tried to make a change, even as part of the opposition. For example, I have been leading the fight against a bill that sanctions people sleeping in the streets and sex workers. For me, it’s a shame to penalise vulnerable and marginalised people.
But I also cooperated with the majority. One of my biggest wins was to ensure better accessibility of the “Plaza de Toros”, our main venue for spectacles and of the city council’s building.
It was really worth it. I always got motivated by my constituents with disabilities, who even stopped me in the street to thank me for representing them.
I believe I did a good job as a councillor, and the party also thought so because they asked me to run for the Regional Parliament, where now I am the vice-chair of one of the Committees. I work in different areas now, and this matches my sincere belief that persons with disabilities should work and bring their lived experience to all areas of politics.
My advice for those who are considering running is simple: “The only opportunity you lose is the one you don’t take”. Make sure you collaborate with the party and ensure your goals, and theirs are aligned. For me, having a clear goal helped: I wanted to show how accessibility must be taken into account in all departments and portfolios, not only social services.
Accessibility of the election campaign
Being a candidate with disabilities comes with its own challenges. One is the attitude of people. I had people asking my father if he “thought I could do it.” My father just said, “It’s not me that has to think if she can, it’s her!”.
I knew I could do it, but I still face issues with accessibility – and when that happens, you need to stick to your principles. For example, one of my first campaign events was going to be in a restaurant. When I asked, “Is it accessible?” they said, “No” because it had steps. So, I said I am not going. They were very surprised – they were not used to this – but all the following events were accessible.
Running as a woman with disabilities
Being a woman with disabilities brings an additional layer of invisibility, and I have the perfect story to illustrate this.
A female MP had to stop working on the committee that I am vice-chair of in our Regional Parliament. When she left, she said she was sad because the only women remaining were representatives from a certain party that could be considered anti-feminist. She said this while I was in the room. Me, not only a woman that was not from the anti-feminist party, but also the vice-chair of the Committee! At that moment, I told her, “No, I am still here, and I am a woman.” She completely “forgot” I am a woman.
The future
I want to witness more candidates running for office and more; I would like to see an international network of candidates and lawmakers with disabilities where we can come together to share experiences and support each other. I also think we should establish quotas for candidates with disabilities.
And for those who are considering running, I say: “Work with the parties and insist because parties need you.”