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Disability EmpowHer Network

@disabilityempowhernetwork

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Empowering disabled young women to take control of their lives and have the confidence to lead.
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We have an exciting lineup of events heading your way this month. Check back later this month for more updates and information on these events, or visit our website calendar to sign up now. Which program/event are you most excited about? Comment below! ID: A graphic that reads November Upcoming Events Don’t Miss Out! The graphic contains information about the upcoming events this month. by @disabilityempowhernetwork
Thank you to @disabilityempowhernetwork for asking us to be one of the partners for this important initiative. ‌ What should happen when involuntary disability-related speech includes racial slurs, homophobic or transphobic language, sexist language, or other identity-based words that can cause harm? ‌ This project will intentionally resist framing this issue as a choice between intent and impact. ‌ What our executive director Keri Gray (@kerigray90 ) has to say about the project: “Marginalized people should not have to minimize their own experiences of harm in order to prove their commitment to disability inclusion. ‌ This work gives us an opportunity to listen carefully to both the people experiencing identity-based harm and the people experiencing involuntary tics, particularly those who live at the intersection of these communities, and develop practices rooted in dignity, care, and accountability.” ‌ If you are interested in participating, you can click the link in our bio, email hello@disabilityempowhernetwork.org, or scan the QR code. ‌ ‌ [Image description: An image split into two. A photo of a group of people having a discussion on the left and text on the right. ‌ The text reads: Disability EmpowHer Network, NAMED Advocates, P3 Technology, the National Council on Independent Living and the Tourette Association of America are partnering on a community-informed initiative ‌ What should happen when involuntary disability-related speech includes racial slurs, homophobic or transphobic language, sexist language, or other identity-based words that can cause harm? ‌ This project will intentionally resist framing this issue as a choice between intent and impact. Understanding that a tic is involuntary is essential. Understanding that another person may still experience the words as painful, distressing, or harmful is also essential. ‌ Individuals with relevant lived experience, organizations that have navigated these situations, researchers, advocates, and other community members can participate by filling out the form linked in our bio or emailing hello@disabilityempowhernetwork.org] ‌ ‌ #CommunityBasedInitiative #TourettesSyndrome #CommunityPartners by @disabilityempowhernetwork
Disability EmpowHer Network, NAMED Advocates, P3 Technology, the National Council on Independent Living, and the Tourette Association of America are collaborating on a community-informed initiative to address situations in which involuntary vocal tics associated with coprolalia, a symptom experienced by some people with Tourette Syndrome, include racial slurs, homophobic or transphobic language, sexism, or other identity-based words that may cause harm. The project recognizes that marginalized communities deserve to have their experiences of identity-based harm acknowledged and addressed, while people with Tourette Syndrome deserve to have their dignity, disability rights, and inclusion protected, recognizing that both realities matter even when no harm is intended. Through surveys, focus groups, interviews, and community participation, we will gather perspectives from people with lived experience, advocates, researchers, and organizations to develop practical guidance for preparing for, responding to, and following up on these complex situations. Rather than seeking a single universal solution, the initiative aims to create a practical playbook that balances access, accountability, and respect for all involved. The guidance is expected to be released in 2027, and individuals and organizations with relevant experiences or expertise are invited to contribute to its development. Interested in being involved? Fill out this form (it can also be found in our bio), or email us at hello@disabilityempowhernetwork.org Form link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfrpNazEbpbVRzGvHyGAIJg3l7jbUTUL69W4LN0wANt0G-VaA/viewform by @disabilityempowhernetwork
What an incredible night! 🎨 On October 16, approximately 70 people came together for our Painting for a Purpose fundraiser, and we couldn't be more grateful! One of the highlights of the evening was hearing directly from participants in our programs, who shared with the audience how Disability EmpowHer Network has positively impacted their lives. It's moments like these that remind us why we do what we do. Between the painting, an amazing raffle filled with fantastic prizes, and a room full of people who believe in our mission, it was truly a night to remember! Thank you to everyone who joined us, donated, and helped make the evening such a success. Your support allows us to continue empowering girls and women with disabilities, and we are so grateful to have you in our corner! 💜 by @disabilityempowhernetwork
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month! This month, we recognize and celebrate our friends, coworkers, community members, and neighbors with Down Syndrome. Katie, an actor, advocate, and volunteer, says: “Down Syndrome awareness means celebrating the ability over the disability, advocating for inclusion, and giving action to our community.” Image ID: On a yellow and blue background, yellow text reads “October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month! Down Syndrome awareness means celebrating the ability over the disability, advocating for inclusion, and giving action to our community.” On the right side is a photo of Katie, a white woman with Down Syndrome. She has brown hair and purple glasses and is wearing a blue and white shirt and a necklace. by @disabilityempowhernetwork
Did you know that October is Disability Employment Awareness Month? This year’s theme is “Celebrating Value and Talent,” and for that we don’t have to look far at all. Recent high school graduate Giana has value and talent in spades, and she has just entered the workforce. Giana loves “being a part of something that’s helping people,” and we are so proud of her for landing her recent internship. Way to go, Giana! Image ID: on a pink and white striped background, black and purple text reads: “Disability Employment Awareness Month” “Hey, Giana! As a disabled person, why is working important to you?” “I want to build skills for independence and get out into the community.” Giana, a teen with dark hair and a white shirt and black pants smiles softly from her power chair. by @disabilityempowhernetwork
There’s still time to register for the leadership retreat! The countdown to the 2027 Disability EmpowHer Network Leadership Retreat has begun! Join us March 5-7, 2027 in Rochester, NY for a weekend of leadership, community, connection, and rest as we explore this year’s theme: 🛣️ No One Travels Alone: Leadership, Community, and Collective Power This retreat is intentionally designed to be intimate, which means we have space for just 50 disabled women and feminine-aligned nonbinary people. Every year, the connections formed at this retreat become friendships, collaborations, mentorships, and reminders that none of us has to navigate this journey alone. If you’ve been thinking about joining us, don’t wait. Once those 50 spots are filled, registration will close. Prices: $550 - Retreat and Hotel $375 - Retreat only 📣 Help us spread the word! Share this post, tag someone who should know about the retreat, and encourage the disabled leaders in your life to apply. We can’t wait to welcome both familiar faces and first-time attendees for another unforgettable weekend. 🔗 Register today! by @disabilityempowhernetwork
With Halloween approaching, we’re throwing it back to our spooktacular event earlier this month —the EmpowHer ROC+ Costume Boat Party! Looking for more events like this? Visit our website or email rocplus@disabilityempowhernetwork.org to join our mailing list and be in the loop about our upcoming events and programs! Image 1: a group of diverse EmpowHer Roc+ women smiling in front of the charter boat before boarding. With the Rochester skyline and Genesee river visible in the background. Image 2: a group of diverse EmpowHer Roc+ women turned to look at the camera smiling at the front of the charter boat. With the Genesee river, fall foliage and the Rochester skyline visible in the background. Image 3: four EmpowHer Roc+ women at a table turned to look at the camera smiling in the cabin of the charter boat. With the banks of the Erie canal visible through the boats wooden windows. Image 4: a large group of diverse EmpowHer Roc+ women sitting with menus at a long table in a restaurant with red, green and purple neon mood lighting. by @disabilityempowhernetwork
Our participants are what make our programs great. Today, we’d like to highlight DJ, who has been with EmpowHer Capital since its first meetup in September 2025. DJ says “EmpowHer has helped me keep in contact with disabled women, and I think that the group has a positive outlook on making sure disabled women have the same rights as other people.” EmpowHer Capital is for women and feminine aligned non-binary people located in and around Albany, NY. Want to learn more? Visit out website: https://www.disabilityempowhernetwork.org/empowher-capital ID: A light purple graphic with picture of DJ in the corner wearing a pink shirt and smiling. Her quote is next to her picture. by @disabilityempowhernetwork
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)! This month, we celebrate the contributions of workers with disabilities and recognize the importance of creating inclusive workplaces where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We’re highlighting Empowered Futures by Disability EmpowHer Network, a program providing Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) to help students with disabilities ages 14–22 explore careers, develop professional skills, and prepare for life after high school. As we look toward 2027, changes to Medicaid may affect access to healthcare and essential support services that help some people with disabilities pursue education and maintain employment. Disability inclusion means creating opportunities, removing barriers, and ensuring people with disabilities have the support they need to thrive. ID in captions. by @disabilityempowhernetwork
This past summer, EmpowHer Camp young leaders experienced incredible growth through friendship, skill-building, and empowerment. Discover their achievements in our latest impact reports, featuring highlights from the Class of 2026 and our newest Class of 2027 leaders, with full reports available on our website: https://www.disabilityempowhernetwork.org/empowher-camp-impact Class of 2026: 100% of young leaders indicated growth in at least one leadership skill including communication, problem solving, confidence and adaptability. One young leader shared, “Since joining EmpowHer Camp, I have learned the importance of standing up for what is right for yourself .” Class of 2027: 100% of young leaders improved at least one leadership skill including firebuilding, camping or navigation. One young leader shared “I’ve grown by being able to make new friends and I have learned that I don’t need to apologize for existing and that I can do hard things.” Image description: two photos of a large group of disabled women and nonbinary people standing and sitting outside while wearing purple shirts and sweatshirts. by @disabilityempowhernetwork
October is LGBTQ+ History Month, where we take all month long to observe and learn about queer history. Here are for queer disabled women who made LGBTQ+ History. ID: Panel One: Purple Text reading LGBTQ+ History Month, 4 Queer Disabled People Who Made History Panel Two: Barbara Jordan, Civil Rights Movement leader and First Black woman elected to Congress from the south Panel Three: Marsha P. Johnson, Trans activist and founder of Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) Panel Four: Audre Lorde, Writer professor and Civil Rights Activist Panel Five: Connie Panzarino, Disabled rights activist who helped to pass Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. by @disabilityempowhernetwork

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