Negotiation is more than a legal or professional tactic—it's a means for disabled women to assert our rights, advocate for accommodations, be fairly compensated for our work, and break down barriers. From education to employment to healthcare and more, negotiating serves as a powerful tool that can have a transformative impact in all areas of our lives.
Here are a few tips to get you started in negotiating in different situations for your own life.
Know Your Worth and Needs:
Before entering any negotiation, you must have a clear understanding of your worth, your wants, and your needs to set the foundation for effective negotiation. Confidence in articulating your wants and needs is key to achieving meaningful outcomes.
For example, if you want your partner to contribute more around the house, you first need to recognize the value of everything you’re already doing as well as the value of your time. Do not undervalue your contributions. Then make a list of things that you want your partner to do and the things you need them to do (remember that wants and needs are different). Having all of this prepared in advance will help you to have a productive conversation with your partner and hopefully a positive outcome!
Educate Yourself on Rights and Accommodations:
A well-informed negotiator is a powerful one. Familiarize yourself with disability rights laws and how they apply to your particular situation. Understanding your rights and different reasonable accommodations available in various settings will equip you to advocate effectively, whether in the workplace, educational institutions, or healthcare settings.
As an example, my fertility clinic is in an old mansion. Some of the exam rooms are much smaller than others and some have beds that are harder for me to transfer onto. After checking out each exam room and bed, I told the staff which rooms would work best for me and requested that my visits always be in those rooms. I was kind when I explained why this was important to me, and they immediately agreed.