Disability justice in the fight for racial equity

Join us for a transformative multisession, multiday, forum centering in-depth, action-oriented conversations on the intersections of racial equity and 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.

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.

This four-part series cements the connection between racial equity and disability justice. Local and nationally recognized social justice activists will share their stories, strategies, and hopes for the future. Following each panel discussion and presentation, we invite you to join breakout groups that will be facilitated by Advancing Leadership Members:

• Adam Ballard, Access Living
• Timotheus Gordon Jr., University of Illinois at Chicago
• Angel Miles, Access Living
• Anne Nash, Google
• Jewel Holly Ware, Jewels of Success

Registration for each day is required and separate. Though we encourage you to attend the entire forum, you can attend however your schedule allows as they can be standalone discussions.

Who should participate?

We believe we should all be active in antiracism and disability justice work. This forum is for:

• Social justice activists
• Nonprofit leaders and staff
• Philanthropy leaders and staff
• Government workers
• Emerging leaders in any sector
• Private sector leaders
• Those who want to be part of change

The forum is developed in partnership with Andraéa LaVant

Andraéa LaVant is founder and president of LaVant Consulting, Inc. (LCI), a social impact communications firm that offers cutting-edge corporate development and content marketing for brands and nonprofits. LCI's specialty is helping brands "speak disability with confidence." As a communications consultant and inclusion specialist, Andraéa has over a decade of experience working with programs that support youth and adults with disabilities and other underserved populations. Her professional roles and personal advocacy have presented her with a variety of notable opportunities to share messages and prompt change for people with disabilities across the globe. She currently serves as the impact producer for Netflix’s feature-length documentary, Crip Camp, where she is charged with leading the campaign’s efforts to promote understanding of disability as a social justice issue and build across lines of difference. Andraéa is a strong advocate for exploring disability from an intersectional lens and offers a unique perspective on the initiatives that she supports.

Andraéa LaVant

From access to liberation: race and disability, racism and ableism

Courageous Conversation
September 29, 4-5:30pm CST
—This event has passed—

Speaking authentically about race and disability requires courage and intention. Presented by Chicago ROAR, the first session explores the strong connection and history of race, disability, and the intersectional justice movements that have advanced the rights of people of color and people with disabilities. This groundwork will provide a common understanding for the rest of the series.

ASL and CART captioning provided.

Presenters

• Derrick Dawson, Chicago ROAR
• Jared Sprowls, Chicago ROAR

Breakout conversation: How is racism and ableism experienced in our communities, policymaking, and social systems?

Recap, video, and transcript

From Access to Liberation recap

From Access to Liberation video

From Access to Liberation transcript