Disability Lead

Disability Lead Disability Lead is a network of people with disabilities who use our power to create an equitable and inclusive society.

VISION: People with disabilities will lead with power and influence for full participation and equal opportunity as a vital part of the civic fabric in the Chicago region. MISSION: To increase civic engagement and diverse leadership in the Chicago region by developing and building a network of leaders with disabilities — consistent with the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Disability

Lead pursues its vision with a voracious belief that creating a more equitable and inclusive society matters and is an obligation of everyone. Disability is a natural part of the human experience. Disability exists in every facet of society including in immigrant communities, in Black and Brown communities, in LGBTQIA+ communities, in Indigenous Communities and every community in between. While the Americans with Disabilities Act affirmed the rights of people with disabilities, we work with the understanding that we will only be an equitable and inclusive society when we achieve true disability justice. Disability justice is a cross-disability and cross-social justice movement that centers intersectional identities led by those who have been most impacted by systemic oppression. It insists that our worth is inherent and tied to the liberation of all people. In 2015, over 200 Chicagoland groups convened by The Chicago Community Trust celebrated and leveraged the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. ADA 25 Chicago identified the pressing need to address the lack of disability representation at the region’s tables of power and influence. A Leadership Institute was created to build a deeper bench of leaders with disabilities to serve on task forces, boards, commissions, and other roles. After a successful pilot, the initiative evolved into ADA 25 Advancing Leadership initially incubated at The Chicago Community Trust. In 2019, ADA 25 Advancing Leadership was established as an independent 501c3 and in 2021 rebranded to Disability Lead.

Meet the Storyteller: Timotheus “TJ” Gordon Jr.TJ is a researcher-activist and co-founder of Chicagoland Disabled People...
06/18/2026

Meet the Storyteller: Timotheus “TJ” Gordon Jr.

TJ is a researcher-activist and co-founder of Chicagoland Disabled People of Color Coalition, advancing disability justice in communities of color.

Be there to hear his story—register now for "Our Stories", our popular Member storytelling event, and join us: https://www.disabilitylead.org/events/our-stories-june2026

We believe we are most powerful when we are represented and championed by an intersectional disability voice. A big cong...
06/16/2026

We believe we are most powerful when we are represented and championed by an intersectional disability voice. A big congratulations to Joyce Ozeh, Governor JB Pritzker announced that she will be serving as a Member of the Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes.

Joyce is bringing a wealth of experience to this commission, from her current role as Supervising Attorney in the Office of the Illinois Attorney General’s Civil Rights Bureau to her time as a staff attorney at Equip for Equality. Her appointment followed confirmation by the Illinois Senate.

To find out more about her appointment you can read this release on Governor Pritzker’s website. https://gov-pritzker-newsroom.prezly.com/gov-pritzker-announces-one-appointment-to-boards-and-commissions-gj5w32.

Meet the Storyteller: Liliana SchillerLiliana previously worked for the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and is now the P...
06/11/2026

Meet the Storyteller: Liliana Schiller

Liliana previously worked for the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and is now the Program Manager in the Training and Development Unit at the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) in Chicago. She is passionate about shaping policy that drives systems-level change.

Be there to hear his story—register now for "Our Stories", our popular Member storytelling event, and join us: https://www.disabilitylead.org/events/our-stories-june2026

Meet the Storyteller: Jon HavenJon is the Founder and CEO of the Interfaith Access Project, helping religious institutio...
06/09/2026

Meet the Storyteller: Jon Haven

Jon is the Founder and CEO of the Interfaith Access Project, helping religious institutions improve accessibility for people with disabilities.

Be there to hear his story—register now for "Our Stories", our popular Member storytelling event, and join us on June 25: https://www.disabilitylead.org/events/our-stories-june2026

Happy Pride Month!  In 1970, the first grassroots Pride marches were held in cities across the U.S. to commemorate the S...
06/05/2026

Happy Pride Month!

In 1970, the first grassroots Pride marches were held in cities across the U.S. to commemorate the Stonewall Uprising, a series of spontaneous riots and demonstrations against a police raid of the Stonewall Inn in New York. Decades later, President Clinton officially designated the month, acknowledging the history, culture, and contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community. At Disability Lead we are proud to support a network of leaders with disabilities, which includes a beautiful community of LGBTQIA+ identifying folks. These leaders are positive disruptors who are working to achieve an equitable, just, and inclusive society.

This June, Disability Lead continues to raise awareness and honor the diversity of disabilities within the disability co...
06/01/2026

This June, Disability Lead continues to raise awareness and honor the diversity of disabilities within the disability community. Together, we are working towards a more inclusive future that embraces diversity, equity, accessibility, and the collective power of our community.



Graphic Alt Text: Note: All slides have a peach background with the Disability logo at the top in center alignment.

Image 1 reads, "At the top in center alignment is the Disability Lead logo with the tagline “Power. Influence. Change.” Beneath it is the text Disability Awareness Month and Days June Twenty Twenty-Six. The bottom portion of the graphic features people of various races and disabilities.”

(All of the following graphics list disability awareness days and months in between partial graphics of a wall calendar coming from the top right and bottom left corners.)

Image 2 lists “Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APS) Awareness Month, Aphasia Awareness Month, and Cataract Awareness Month.”

Image 3 lists “Dravet Syndrome Awareness Month, National Migraine and Headaches Awareness Month, PTSD Awareness Month, and Tourettes Awareness Month.”

Image 4 lists “National Cancer Survivors Day-June 7, Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day-June 7, World Brain Tumor Day-June 8, and Transverse Myelitis Awareness Day-June 9.”

Image 5 lists “International Albinism Awareness Day-June 13, CDKL5 Awareness Day-June 17, Autistic Pride Day-June 18, and World Sickle Cell Day-June 19.”

Image 6 lists “Global Day of Recognition of ALS/MND-June 21, Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day-June 23, World Vitiligo Awareness Day-June 25, Helen Keller Day-June 27, and PTSD Awareness Day-June 27.”

Image 7 lists “World Scleroderma Awareness Day-June 29, and Arthrogryposis Awareness Day-June 30.”

Interested in applying for the Disability Lead Institute?The Institute is the only leadership program in the nation spec...
05/28/2026

Interested in applying for the Disability Lead Institute?

The Institute is the only leadership program in the nation specifically for leaders with disabilities, and that makes connections to opportunities for civic engagement and leadership. The Institute is a year-long fellowship that centers disability identity to explore leadership skills, civic engagement, and understanding of self and others.

Join us for an upcoming informational webinar where we’ll talk about the 2027 Institute. Our Director of Programs, Clare Killy, will discuss what to expect about the fellowship experience, the application and selection processes, and answer questions live.

📅 Thursday, June 11
⏰ 11:30 AM–12:30 PM CT
📍 Zoom

A recording will be shared with those registered and on YouTube.

🔗 Register today and learn more about the Institute. https://www.disabilitylead.org/events/institute-webinar

Applications are now open for the 2027 Institute! The Institute is the only leadership program in the nation specificall...
05/19/2026

Applications are now open for the 2027 Institute!

The Institute is the only leadership program in the nation specifically for leaders with disabilities, and that makes connections to opportunities for civic engagement and leadership. The Institute is a year-long fellowship that centers disability identity to explore leadership skills, civic engagement, and understanding of self and others.

What you need to apply.
1️⃣ Live in Chicagoland or Southwestern Pennsylvania
2️⃣Part one and two of the application
3️⃣Answer the (3) essay questions in part two of the application
4️⃣A completed nomination form

Application deadlines
☀️ Early Bird – Wednesday, July 1, 2026*
🗓️ Final – Wednesday, September 9, 2026

*Applicants who submit their application by the early bird deadline are guaranteed an interview.

Are you ready for a transformative leadership development experience? Apply today. www.disabilitylead.org/apply

Join us for Our Stories, a virtual storytelling event featuring Members from our Network of 300+ positive disruptors.Sto...
05/15/2026

Join us for Our Stories, a virtual storytelling event featuring Members from our Network of 300+ positive disruptors.

Storytelling has the power to challenge assumptions, deepen understanding, and build stronger, more inclusive communities.

✨ Featuring:
1️⃣Jon Haven (Fellow, 2025)
2️⃣Liliana Schiller (Fellow, 2025)
3️⃣Timotheus “TJ” Gordon Jr. (Fellow, 2022)

Event Details:

🗓 Date: June 25, 2026
⏰ Time: 12:00–1:00 PM CT
💻 Location: Zoom Webinar

When we elevate authentic stories, we build deeper understanding and real connection.

✅ ASL interpretation and live captioning will be provided.
📩 Additional accommodations available upon request.
We hope you’ll join us for this meaningful conversation— register today!

Register here: https://www.disabilitylead.org//events/our-stories-june2026

Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month! In 1977, Jeanie Jew advocated for this observance to honor her g...
05/12/2026

Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month!

In 1977, Jeanie Jew advocated for this observance to honor her grandfather’s legacy. In 1990, a congressional resolution established "Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month" to commemorate the arrival of the first Japanese immigrant and the completion of the transcontinental railroad, and acknowledge the history, diverse cultures, and contributions of AAPI communities. At Disability Lead we are proud to support a network of leaders with disabilities, which includes a beautiful community of Asian American and Pacific Islander folks. These leaders are positive disruptors who are working to achieve an equitable, just, and inclusive society.

Address

1449 S Michigan Avenue Ste 13159
Chicago, IL
60605

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