Disability Lead

There is still time to register for "Beyond Resilience: Using Film as a Catalyst for Stuttering and Disability Communities" at Northwestern University on April 9. Plus, registration is now open for the post-event reception:??https://lnkd.in/gVAU3Zwp?

Join us in congratulating Disability Lead Member, accessibility activist, and innovator Michele L. on recently being appointed to not one but two boards! ?? Michele has joined the Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) Advisory Board, the nation’s leading nonprofit disability rights legal centers, working to advance equal rights and opportunity for people with all types of disabilities. DRA partners with local and national organizations to identify and dismantle barriers to accessibility. Michele was also recently appointed to the Consumer Technology Association Foundation Board of Trustees, an organization dedicated to linking seniors and people with disabilities with life-enhancing technologies. “As a proud Disability Lead Member, it’s a privilege to use my platform to drive accessibility forward. It’s an honor to have recently joined two different organizations, Disability Rights Advocates’ formative Advisory Board and the Consumer Technology Association Foundation’s accomplished Board of Trustees. I’m excited to combine my passion for accessibility, technology, and advocacy in a meaningful way. In these uncertain times, I am proud to use my voice to continue to advocate for positive change, ensuring that accessibility remains a priority.” – Michele Lee. Please join us in congratulating Michele on these exciting appointments, where she will continue to lead with her influence to implement meaningful change. #WeAreDislead #PositiveDisruptors #AdvisoryBoard #Disability #Inclusion #Leadership #BoardMember #Innovator #Community #Technology

What if everything — your home, security, and independence — vanished in the blink of an eye? ?For 2 million neurodivergent adults under conservatorship, this isn’t just a fear; it’s reality. Join Disability Lead Member, Safiya Eshe Gyasi and Blaq Gurl Fya for, “What You Know About: Advocating for Neurodivergent Housing Rights?” This powerful and action–driven virtual workshop, happening this Thursday, March 27 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. C.T will focus on housing justice for neurodivergents. Learn about the #NeurodivergentsDeserveHousing petition, craft impactful video messages, and join a social media campaign to amplify the movement. More information can be found below. ?? Date: March 27, 2025 ? Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM CT ?? Virtual Event ???Event Link: https://lnkd.in/gwKscrRM Who Should Attend? ? Neurodivergent individuals navigating housing challenges ? Lawyers & legal advocates working on housing rights ? Neurodivergent organizations amplifying accessibility efforts ? Allies and community leaders dedicated to fostering inclusion What to Expect? ?? Breakdown of the petition — why it matters and how you can help. ?? Guidance on storytelling — how to create powerful video messages. ?? Social media activation — launch a campaign to demand change. ?? Community building — connect with advocates and allies. #Neurodivergents #WeAreDisLead #Disability #PositiveDisruptors #VirtualEvent #Housing #Advocacy #DisabilityJustice #NeurodivergentsDeserveHousing

Today is #EqualPayDay, and the economic cost of gender disparities in the U.S. is staggering. In 2022 alone, working women lost more than $1.6 trillion due to the gender wage gap—6.3% of the U.S. GDP. This isn’t just a “women’s issue”—it’s a challenge to our nation’s strength. If our society keeps sidelining half the workforce, we’re settling for less—slower growth, weaker businesses, and wasted potential. This isn’t the way to get there if the goal is prosperity. The United States doesn’t have a century to wait. Challenges and opportunities are everywhere. And young women and girls are ready now. Download our Young Women and Girls' Aspiration Report and learn how you can be part of the change: sheisnotafootnote.org #SheIsNotAFootnote #WomensHistoryMonth

?? Only A FEW Hours Left to Register! ?? This is your final chance to register for the Disability Power Series event featuring Vesper Moore TOMORROW, Tuesday, March 25, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. CT. Don’t miss out on this free virtual event that will provide valuable insights, knowledge, and tools on how to shift from mental health awareness to mental health advocacy. After Vesper’s presentation, stick around for an informative Q&A session, moderated by Sadaf Ajani, Global Social Impact Consultant. Both Vesper and Sadaf will help guide your next steps in advocating for mental health and changing the stigma tied to it. Event Details: ?? Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2025 ? Time: 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. CT (Presentation) | 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. CT (Meet and Greet for Members) ?? Price: FREE ?? Platform: Zoom ?? Register here: https://lnkd.in/gz5iCigP #DisabilityPowerSeries #MentalHealthAdvocacy #LastChance #VirtualEvent #MentalHealthAwareness #Programs #Education #DisabilityJustice #Advocacy

?? Last Chance to Register! ?? There’s only 5 DAYS left to register for the Disability Power Series featuring Vesper Moore. This impactful event, focused on turning mental health awareness into action, will take place March 25 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. CT. Register soon to reserve your virtual spot! Who is Vesper Moore? Vesper Moore is a recognized leader in mental health advocacy with extensive national and international experience. As a United Nations consultant, board member for The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, and Chief Operating Officer of Kiva Centers, Vesper’s work has created change within the mental health sector and surrounding disability justice. What should I expect? Vesper will combine their own personal stories and leadership strategies to show how they fight for mental health rights daily. Attendees will gain practical tools for advancing advocacy and creating systemic change in their communities. After Vesper’s presentation, there will be a Question-and-Answer session moderated by Disability Lead Member and Global Social Impact Consultant Sadaf Ajani. ?Exclusive Members-Only Meet and Greet: ? Following the session, there will be an exclusive Meet and Greet with Vesper Moore for Disability Lead Members from 5:00 to 5:30 p.m. CT. Event Details: ?? Date: March 25, 2025 ? Time: 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. CT (Presentation) | 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. CT (Meet and Greet for Members) ?? Price: FREE ?? Platform: Zoom ?? Register here: https://lnkd.in/gz5iCigP We can’t wait to have you join us for this important conversation on mental health and advocacy!

Congratulations to Disability Lead Member Tayler J. Mathews, PhD on her newly appointed role as a Public Policy Fellow for The National Disability Institute (NDI)! NDI is the nation’s first nonprofit dedicated to financial education and empowerment for people with disabilities and their families. In her new role, Tayler will help assist with groundbreaking research to better understand the financial status, banking behaviors, and financial needs of individuals with disabilities. Tayler will work in partnership with advocates and organizations across issue areas including employment, healthcare, and housing. Her work will directly impact policy and program development, ensuring the unique needs of the disability community are addressed. Tayler’s leadership and dedication to supporting the disability community is paving the way for real change across the country. We’re excited to see the continued impact Tayler will have within NDI. Join us in celebrating this milestone in Tayler’s advocacy journey! ???? #PositiveDisruptors #PublicPolicy #DisabilityLead #Community #ChicagoLeaders #Inclusion #Leadership #Disability #WeAreDisLead Image Description: A split graphic with a photo of Tayler J. Mathews on the left and a fuchsia and purple box with white text on the right. The box to the right reads, "Congrats, Tayler J. Mathews." A squiggly purple line underlines "Mathews.” Under this is the text, " Congratulations on your newly appointed role as a Public Policy Fellow at the National Disability Institute!" The Disability Lead logo is underneath the text. To the right is a picture of Tayler J. Mathews. She is a young Black woman with a navy headscarf wrapped around her head. She wears dark pink lipstick and smiles at the camera. She wears a navy top with a blue and silver beaded necklace and gold earrings.

?? Neurodiversity Celebration Week is here… but what’s there to celebrate when neurodivergents are still fighting for a place to live? Last month, we uncovered the real state of housing accessibility in Chicago. The truth? It’s not what they claim it to be. People are being left behind. This week, we’re not just talking—we’re taking action. And we’d love for you to be part of it. ?? Read the full article & see how you can help: [below] ?? Join us on March 18 to push for real change. Sign the petition. Donate. Let’s build a movement together. ?? Register here: [https://lnkd.in/gwKscrRM] Tagging our community of change-makers! ?? Keith Jones, London Wolfe, Threewalls NFP, Disability Lead, Aspiritech Tara May Troy Pryor Risa Jaz Rifkind Gizelle Clemens Chris Foltz Andrea J. Andre Adams Mr. Stacey Ellis—your voice and support matter. Let’s do this, together! #BlaqGurlFya #NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek #NeurodivergentHousing #TogetherWeRise #AccessForAll

?? Register now for our Disability Power Series event! ?? In less than two weeks, Vesper Moore, an Indigenous queer activist, will guide us through the intersections of mental health, disability justice, and challenging mental health stigmas. Vesper will share personal insights and offer actionable tools to move beyond awareness and create real, systemic change within your community. ?? Date: March 25, 2025 ? Time: 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. CT (Presentation) | 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. CT (Meet and Greet for Disability Lead Members) ?? Price: FREE ?? Platform: Zoom ?As a special treat, Disability Lead Member Sadaf Ajani will moderate a Question-and-Answer session with Vepser following Vesper’s presentation. ? Save your virtual seat today and gain insights into how society can rewrite the narrative surrounding mental health. ?? Register here: https://lnkd.in/gz5iCigP #DisabilityJustice #MentalHealthAwareness #Advocacy #PowerInfluenceChange#DisabilityPowerSeries #Webinar #Programs #Education #MentalHealth

#DYK Today is the 35th anniversary of the Capitol Crawl. On March 12, 1990, disability advocates called for immediate action by Congress on passing the Americans with Disabilities Act, by climbing the U.S. Capitol's inaccessible west side steps. #ADAHistory https://lnkd.in/e_-kruM3