The Social Connection Series: Amy’s Story – WHO Commission on Social Connection

Dr. Amy Kavanagh on Loneliness and Connection

Dr. Amy Kavanagh, a disability activist in the United Kingdom, describes how hiding her blindness left her feeling ashamed and isolated. She reflects on how loneliness can be difficult to discuss, and how barriers to connection include both practical challenges and other people’s assumptions about disabled people’s lives.

Key Ideas and Approaches

• Make conversations accessible. Ask what support someone needs and what would make an experience accessible. Thoughtful, direct questions can help people connect.
• Challenge assumptions. Don’t presume that disabled people lack work, family, or social lives. Negative attitudes can make people feel unwelcome in a community.
• Create welcoming spaces. During the COVID-19 lockdown, Amy helped start The Staying Inn, an online community that grew to more than 2,000 people. Its regular calls included quizzes, craft activities, and informal conversation.
• Make room for people to participate. Consider who is missing from a gathering and what changes would help everyone take part.
• Connect beyond someone’s disability. Disabled people may want to share ordinary interests and experiences, rather than having every conversation focus on disability.

Presenter and Source

Dr. Amy Kavanagh; World Health Organization (WHO) and the WHO Commission on Social Connection.