https://vimeo.com/942076886
Watch RespectAbility’s policy team and guest speakers have an exciting discussion about community activism and running for public office. Our speakers provided personal stories, sharing their wealth of experience in the political process.
Speaker Bios
Lydia X. Z. Brown is the Director of Public Policy at National Disability Institute. They bring nearly 15 years of experience as a committed advocate, community organizer and policy expert at the nexus of disability rights and disability justice. Lydia has spoken and consulted internationally and throughout the U.S. on a range of topics at the intersections of disability, race, class, gender, and sexuality, and has published in numerous scholarly and community publications.
Angel Ponce is the Director of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities in Houston, Texas. In this role, Angel orchestrates efforts to ensure the comprehensive participation and integration of all citizens. He advocates for the rights and necessities of residents with disabilities, acting as a crucial liaison between the City of Houston’s Mayor, city council, various city departments, and other public and private entities, particularly in matters pertaining to individuals with disabilities.
Rostom Dadian is the Senior Policy Associate at RespectAbility. Rostom leads RespectAbility’s Civic Engagement work, collaborating with the policy team on state and federal issues to enhance the lives of people with disabilities. He has run for local office in California and has contributed to numerous state and federal campaigns.
Stacy Cervenka is the Senior Director of Policy at RespectAbility. Stacy works with Congressional offices, federal agencies, state legislatures, and other disability rights organizations to create policies that provide equitable opportunities to people with disabilities in education, the workforce, civic engagement, and all areas of community life. She worked for five years for a U.S. Senator and has also worked on several presidential campaigns.
