Photo: Borealis Philanthropy
In July, we honor Disability Pride Month, a time to reflect on the contributions and experiences of individuals with disabilities. July was chosen to commemorate the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990, a pivotal law that protects the rights of individuals with disabilities.
This month, we invite you to explore The Foundation’s 2023 State of Women and Girls with Disabilities in New York report, which sheds light on the challenges and triumphs faced by women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals with disabilities in New York. It highlights both the progress made and the areas needing urgent attention. When we advance disability justice, we have the opportunity to address a range of intersectional issues, including:
Economic Inequality: Women and girls with disabilities in New York often face economic disparities, including higher rates of unemployment and lower wages compared to their non-disabled counterparts.
Healthcare Disparities: Access to healthcare remains a significant issue, with many facing barriers to quality care and support services tailored to their needs.
Educational Opportunities: While progress has been made in inclusive education, challenges persist in ensuring equal access to educational opportunities and resources.
Racial & Gender Disparities: The intersectionality of race, gender, and disability exacerbates disparities, with women and girls of color with disabilities facing compounded barriers.
Disability justice is a pillar of The Foundation’s mission, and we are honored to work alongside our community partners who are centering disability justice to create a future where every woman, girl, and gender-expansive individual thrives.
While Disability Pride Month is a good time to reflect on our report and the work that lies ahead, it is also an opportunity to celebrate diversity, embrace our collective power, and strive for a more inclusive society where everyone can thrive.
Disability Champions Mentoring Network
The Disability Champions Mentoring Network aims to enhance special education transition programs for underserved youth with disabilities by creating a fun and supportive network. This initiative brings together young individuals in wheelchairs and diverse mentors, using resources to support both student and mentor champions, fostering an inclusive community.
Disability & Civil Rights Clinic, Brooklyn Law School
At Brooklyn Law School’s Disability and Civil Rights Clinic, students provide free legal services, tackling housing, healthcare, and discrimination issues. It is one of the only law school clinics in the country specializing in this area.
Borealis Philanthropy’s Disability Inclusion Fund
The Disability Inclusion Fund (DIF) at Borealis Philanthropy supports U.S. groups led by people with disabilities to drive transformational change and combat ableism. It prioritizes funding for disability-led organizations, especially those run by BIPOC, queer, gender non-conforming individuals, and women, and uses a participatory grantmaking model to ensure the community’s involvement in decision-making processes.
Fireweed Collective
Fireweed Collective cultivates community care and liberation through disability justice. They are a grassroots organization offering peer support, education, and resources for mental health and disability justice, fostering empowerment and collective healing.
Women Enabled International
They are dedicated to promoting the rights and empowerment of women and girls with disabilities worldwide. WEI leads the U.S. Gender and Disability Justice Alliance (USGDJA), a newly formed collective focused on disability justice, uniting women, nonbinary individuals, and gender minorities with disabilities nationwide to advocate and act on critical community issues.
When you support The Foundation, you are fueling our longstanding investment in community-led organizations creating a more accessible world for everyone. Join us in creating a future where all women, girls, and gender-expansive people thrive.
Advance Justice For Women
