This thought-provoking discussion will explore the challenges and opportunities faced by individuals with disabilities leading the way in politics. You’ll hear about the importance of representation, accessibility, the experiences of those in leadership positions, the current state of disability rights, solidarity, and more.
Featured Panelists:
- Sarah Blahovec: Co-Founder, Co-Director, & President at Disability Victory
- Jess Moore Matthews: Founder & Chief Good Troublemaker at Backbone Digital Leaders
- Dom Kelly: Founder, President & CEO at New Disabled South
- Dessa Cosma: Executive Director at Detroit Disability Power
- Stephanie Deible: Disability Advocate & School Board Member
- Jalyn Radziminski: Director of Engagement at the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
Panelist Bios:
Sarah Blahovec: I am a disability community organizer, speaker, and political consultant who is passionate about bringing underrepresented groups to the table and giving them the tools to engage in our democracy.
My work spans the civic engagement spectrum, but I am particularly passionate about protecting access to voting rights, ensuring that voter education is accessible, and encouraging disabled leaders to run for elected office.
Among my work, I was the Civic Engagement and Voting Rights Director at the National Council on Independent Living from 2016 to 2022, where I developed and co-created Elevate: Campaign Training for People with Disabilities, the first campaign training that empowered disabled people to run for elected office through an accessible, online training program. I am a subject matter expert on the barriers that disabled candidates face in running for office, and this work has been covered in outlets including TIME Magazine and Teen Vogue. In addition, I created the first guide on disability inclusion on political campaigns: Including People with Disabilities in Your Political Campaign: A Guide for Campaign Staff.
As a policy and advocacy expert on voting rights and accessibility, I have worked with organizations in the disability rights, civil rights, and progressive spaces to fight for privacy and independence in the voting process, accessible voter information, and voter engagement. I was a recipient of the American Association of People with Disabilities Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leader Award in 2019 for my work on disability civic engagement. In addition, I authored “Achieving Election Accessibility for Election Websites and Sample Ballots,” which was awarded a 2019 Clearinghouse Award by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission for Improving Accessibility for Voters with Disabilities.
I hold a B.A. in International Studies from American University, and live in Northern Virginia with two geriatric schnauzers. More information about my work, as well as my contact information, are available on this website.
Jess Moore Matthews: As the founder and Chief Good Troublemaker at Backbone Digital Leaders, Jess’ expertise in digital marketing and organizing comes from her leadership on several presidential and down-ballot campaigns, as well as in industries from tech to state and local government. A digital coach with the National Democratic Training Committee and a mentor to many, her activism has always empowered underestimated leaders to claim their seat at the table.
Dom Kelly: Dom Kelly is the Co-Founder, President & CEO of New Disabled South, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and New Disabled South Rising, its 501(c)(4) arm. Until November 2022, he served as both the Georgia Fundraising Director and the Senior Advisor for Disability for Stacey Abrams’ campaign for governor of Georgia. Previously, he was Senior Fundraising Manager and a Strategic Advisor for Disability at Fair Fight Action, the voting rights organization founded by Stacey Abrams, where he also created and led the organization’s Disability Council composed of prominent disability advocates and policy experts from across the country.
Dom is one of a set of triplets born with Cerebral Palsy and has been a disability advocate since he was four years old. Starting when he was a young teenager, Dom and his brothers played around the world with their rock band, touring and collaborating with artists like Indigo Girls, Joan Baez, Toad the Wet Sprocket, The Bangles and more and releasing 6 records over 15+ years. He is retired from music, but with a decade of additional experience in digital and editorial strategy, nonprofit development, and community building, he has devoted his life to disability justice advocacy, progressive policy, and nonprofit leadership.
He received a Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership degree from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice where he also received the Excellence in Social Impact award. Additionally, he holds a bachelor’s degree in music production, a master’s degree in journalism, an executive certificate in social impact strategy, and a graduate certificate in interdisciplinary disability studies. He was a 2021 New Leaders Council fellow, serves as a board member for The Kelsey, Society for Disability Studies, Neighborhood Access, Disability Victory, and University of Pennsylvania’s Nonprofit Leadership Alumni Association, and is a member of the NationSwell Council. Dom currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife Catie, their daughter Mahalia, and their dog Vivi.
Dessa Cosma: Dessa Cosma is the founding director of Detroit Disability Power. She is a long-time social justice organizer, fortunate to spend her career working for reproductive, racial, economic and disability justice. She is committed to bridging the gap between disability inclusion work and other social justice efforts in order to build big, powerful movements that dismantle interlocking systems of oppression. In addition to organizing, Dessa also enjoys facilitating workshops, gardening, traveling and reading. She lives in Detroit with her partner, their cat, and copious plants.
Stephanie Deible: Stephanie Deible has over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector as well as in disability services. Her work is deeply rooted in creating and elevating pathways to equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility.
Stephanie is currently serving as a school board member in the state of Michigan. Her previous work includes serving as the Community Inclusion Specialist for Disability Network West Michigan where she led initiatives to eliminate barriers and expand access for individuals with disabilities. Additionally, as the former Executive Director of Ms. Wheelchair America, Inc., she spearheaded efforts to empower individuals with disabilities, enhancing their leadership and advocacy skills.
A proud alumnus of Grand Valley State University, Stephanie holds dual degrees – a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, and a Master’s in Education focusing on Student Affairs and Leadership. Outside her professional sphere, Stephanie is an avid adventurer and sports enthusiast. She finds joy in traveling, swimming, skiing, and spending quality time with her loved ones. Her creative interests extend to writing and enjoying music. Furthermore, Stephanie loves uplifting others, consistently seeking ways to encourage those in her orbit.
Jalyn Radziminski: Jalyn Radziminski is a Black and Japanese activist from Fort Wayne, Indiana who advocates for disability and racial justice, especially in the intersection of mental health. Jalyn is dedicated to breaking down barriers for BIPOC disability communities, including voting and civic engagement, and to lifting up community-based and anti-carceral solutions. Jalyn’s work is informed by their lived experience as a student and young professional with mental and physical disabilities, navigating voter suppression, and over eight years of experience doing advocacy at the intersection of race, mental health, and mass incarceration.
Jalyn is the Founder of Count US IN, the first Indiana based non-partisan nonprofit led by BIPOC and disability community members that not only increases but intentionally diversifies voter turnout and broader civic engagement through education and empowerment of community members. Radziminski is also an elected Commissioner and Vice Chair for Indiana Disability Rights’ Protection and Advocacy Services.
At the national level, Jalyn has served as the Director of Engagement at the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, through which they help lead community coalitions, call-to-action campaigns, and grassroots organizing. Internationally, Jalyn has studied and worked in Japan, Germany, and the Netherlands to advocate for and learn about human rights. Jalyn graduated from Emory University and is pursuing their J.D. as an evening student at Fordham University School of Law.
Most recently, Jalyn was named the 2023 public interest student of the year and Crowley Scholar in International Human Rights at Fordham Law. Jalyn has also spoken at the White House several times regarding issues surrounding disability, voting, racial Justice, and mass incarceration.
