CAB Category: Proud Advocacy Moments

  • Tae’s Advocacy Story

    A woman named Tae with long curly black hair, wearing a white ruffled top and a cross necklace, sits outdoors in a sunlit garden, surrounded by greenery and flowers, ready to share her story of advocacy.

    One of the most impactful acts of advocacy I’ve been involved in—and the one that continues to stand out—was running as the first disabled candidate for mayor of Charlotte, NC. That moment wasn’t just about politics; it was about visibility, representation, and breaking barriers for people with disabilities, especially in leadership roles where we are often overlooked or underestimated.

  • Justin’s Advocacy Story

    Justin’s advocacy story shines as he smiles in his wheelchair beside a young girl, both enjoying a sunny day outdoors with green grass and trees in the background.

    One of my most proud moments of advocacy occurred while a senior at NC State University, where I fought to change the accessible student ticketing policies and parking arrangements for football and basketball.

  • Vance’s Advocacy Story

    A man named Vance in a wheelchair is being interviewed by a reporter holding a microphone labeled 19. Wearing a black polo shirt, Vance shares his advocacy story as bottled water is stacked in the background.

    When I think about my work, one of the things I’m most proud of is the cultural shift we’ve created within emergency management. For too long, the needs of people with disabilities weren’t fully understood, identified, or integrated into disaster planning.

  • Michele’s Advocacy Story

    Michele, known for her strong advocacy, speaks at a podium in a red blazer during an outdoor event, surrounded by seated people and construction workers in safety vests and helmets. A crowd watches from the foreground.

    Sometimes advocacy feels like a marathon. The days are long, and the process can be slow. But every now and then, a project comes to life that reminds me why I put in the work.

  • Paul’s Advocacy Story

    A man in a wheelchair speaks into a microphone at Comic-Con International, with a Comic-Con logo backdrop behind him. Paul's Advocacy shines as a camera in the foreground records the scene, showing his image on its screen.

    I didn’t set out to be an advocate at all. It wasn’t anything I ever thought about or wanted to do. I was kind of reserved and didn’t really want to talk about my disability that much.

  • Jen’s Advocacy Story

    Three people, one seated in adaptive ski equipment, pose outdoors in the snow with ski gear and a golden retriever beside them—capturing a moment from Jen's Advocacy story. A modern building and other skiers are visible in the background.

    I’ve done quite a bit of advocacy on behalf of those with disabilities, like my son, over the years, both statewide and nationally and primarily with large advocacy organizations for the purpose of legislative change. My favorite experience advocating, however, was on our own, just my son and me, in New Orleans when the city…

  • Josh’s Advocacy Story

    Two men in wheelchairs, both wearing Vanderbilt sports attire and caps, smile at the camera in a stadium filled with cheering fans—capturing a moment from Josh's Advocacy Story during an exciting football game.

    The Domino Effect: Changing Lives, Changing Policies Josh’s Story Two families. Two states. One problem worth changing. In Rhode Island and Tennessee, families reached out with the same heartbreaking dilemma: a loved one with a disability wanted to build a career and share a life with the person they love, yet doing either risked losing…

  • Kent’s Advocacy Story

    Two men in power wheelchairs engage in conversation in a hallway, highlighting Kent's Advocacy. An American flag and a man on the phone are visible in the background, suggesting this advocacy story unfolds inside a public or government building.

    There are thousands of advocacy stories I could tell, but one that really was most impactful on my life came very early in my career from my boss. I was maybe 20 years old and had completed an internship in Washington working for my local congressman. He had then hired me part time back in…