As disability rights activist Emily Ladau writes in her book Demystifying Disability: “More than one billion people around the world are disabled. In fact, we’re the world’s largest minority.“ Disabilities have always been part of the human experience and yet, people with disabilities still face barriers and exclusion.
Meet the passionate speakers and activists who share their personal stories and equip organizations for inclusion and allyship during Disability Pride Month in July and all year round.
Emily Ladau: Disability rights activist, writer, and speaker
Emily Ladau is an internationally celebrated disability rights activist and author of Demystifying Disability. Ladau engages with organizations of all sizes and across all industries about how they can help make the world more accessible and inclusive. She empowers audiences to practice informed and thoughtful allyship, recognize ableism, speak respectfully, and break patterns of discrimination toward disabled people.
Lachi: Award-winning recording artist, disability rights activist, and founder of RAMPD
Born legally blind, Lachi uses her platform in music, storytelling, and fashion to amplify identity pride and disability culture to the mainstream narrative. Named “Woman of the Year” by USA Today, a “new champion in advocacy” by Billboard, and a “foot soldier for Disability Pride” by Forbes, she brings her passionate and entertaining keynotes on disability culture, workplace inclusivity, and identity to brands, organizations, and college campuses.
Sara Hendren: Design researcher and author of What Can A Body Do?
How accessible is your organization really? That is a question that design researcher and artist, Sara Hendren helps organizations answer. She examines the lack of accommodation in current tools, furniture, and our environment, and helps companies and communities bridge the gap between the built world around us and our actual physical abilities.
John Hendrickson: Staff Writer for The Atlantic, author of Life on Delay
In 2019, John Hendrickson, wrote a groundbreaking story for The Atlantic about a disability that affects nearly 70 million people in the world, including himself: stuttering. The article was read by millions and inspired Hendrickson to tell his personal story in his memoir Life on Delay: Making Peace With a Stutter. Hendrickson talks candidly about overcoming the resentment that his stutter caused and inspires audiences to be more inclusive towards disabilities and differences.
Tara Moss: Bestselling Author and Human Rights Activist
Tara Moss is an internationally bestselling author whose crime novels have been published in 19 countries and 13 languages. As a disabled woman and ambulatory wheelchair user living with chronic pain, she is committed to addressing the stigma and stereotypes surrounding disability, and talks about why true diversity must include disability. Tara Moss has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2007 and is making significant contributions to discussions around women’s and children’s rights.
Maya-Camille Broussard: Netflix’s Bake Squad star and Owner of Justice of the Pies
Maya-Camille Broussard is one of the stars of Netflix’s Bake Squad, a community activist, and owner of the Chicago-based bakery Justice of the Pies. Being hearing impaired, she wants to encourage others with the story of her struggles and successes. In her engaging talks, Broussard shares how she uses her bakery and role as a small business owner to advocate for people living with disabilities. She hopes that her presence as a Black woman living with a disability on the series will show others that anything is possible.