The 2025 D-30 Disability Impact List
Honoring People with Disabilities Globally Who Are Making A Difference.
Nominations for 2025 are now open through Monday, May 19, 2025.
Call for Global Nominations for the 2025 D-30 Disability Impact List
We are excited to share that nominations are now open for the 2025 D-30 Disability Impact List #D30DisList. The list will honor the unique accomplishments of our most impactful disabled community members through a nomination and selection process.
Now in its sixth year, Diversability’s D-30 Disability Impact List was launched in 2020. Over the years, we’ve received more than 1,100 nominations and honored more than 150 of the world’s most impactful disabled leaders.
“I am overjoyed and deeply honored for being selected as a D-30 Disability List Honoree. Advocating for inclusion is my passion and creating awareness in the community has always been full of challenges and obstacles however, I’ve never let me this bring me down. Moments like these, where my hard work is recognized, keeps me motivated and further fuels my passion.”
Eligibility and Timeline
Nominators
Anyone (disabled or non-disabled) can nominate an individual to the list as long as the prospective nominee meets the eligibility outlined below. Given our emphasis on the power of community and interdependence, self-nominations are not accepted. Please ask someone to nominate you if you would like to be considered.
You will receive a confirmation of your nomination via email from Google Forms.
Nominee Eligibility
Any individual with a disability can be nominated to the list. Disabilities are apparent and non-apparent, including mental health conditions and chronic illnesses. Nominees can be any age, from any part of the world (note: this opportunity is not limited to U.S. citizens or residents), and from any demographic background. You only need to be nominated once (note that multiple nominations will not have an impact on whether or not you are selected as an honoree).
If you have been selected as a D-30 Honoree in a past year, you cannot be selected again.
Timeline & Process (Subject to Change)
Nominations opened on Sunday, April 13, 2025, and close on Monday, May 19, 2025. Once an individual is nominated, after the nominations close, they will receive a form by email requesting supplemental information and consent to be considered for this opportunity. Once the nominee completes the form, that individual will be considered by the selection committee to be one of the honorees.
All nominees will be notified in July whether they were selected as an honoree or not. Not all nominees will be selected for the D-30 Disability Impact List. Both forms, from the nominator and the nominee, must be received in order to be considered.
How to Nominate
To nominate a disability leader, please follow the “Nominate A Disability Leader” button below and complete the Google Form (also embedded at the bottom of this page). Only nominations submitted through the form and in English will be considered. For questions or access needs when filling out the form, email us at hello@mydiversability.com.
Help us share the call for nominations by amplifying these posts on Substack, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
Meet Our D-30 Selection Committee
While we know that our Selection Committee is not a full representation of the diversity of the disability community, including but not limited to older and younger leaders and leaders from other parts of the world, we curated this group of community members who possess a range of professional, personal, and intersectional experiences.
D-30 Selection Committee Members
(in order of first name)
Akii Ngo (They/Them), Consultant, Keynoter, Trainer, Educator, Human Rights Advocate & Survivor-Activist of DFSViolence. Lead - Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging | Australia
Bakhtawar Barzan Abdalla (He/Him), University Lecturer | Iraq
Kavya Mukhija (She/Her), COO, Chronic Pain India; Researcher, Writer, Disability Rights Advocate | India
Michael Thompson Showunmi (He/Him), Executive Director, Raising Star Africa | Nigeria
Monica Wiley (She/Her), Voter Engagement Specialist | United States
Pauline Castres (She/Her), Climate Policy Researcher | United Kingdom
Wil A. Alveno (He/Him), Database Administrator | United States
D-30 Selection Committee Member Bios
Image description: Headshot of Akii - they are an Asian person with curled long bright pink, blue and purple hair. They are sitting in their powered wheelchair, smiling at the camera against a light blue backdrop. They have a chocolate mini sausage dog (assistance animal) named Arriettuy on their lap. They’re wearing various pins, a black blazer, white top and pink slacks.
Akii Ngo (They/Them)
Consultant, Keynoter, Trainer, Educator, Human Rights Advocate & Survivor-Activist of DFSViolence. Lead - Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging | Australia
2021 D-30 Disability Impact List Honoree
Akii (they/them) is a proud intersectional and passionate feminist, gender equity advocate & violence survivor-activist, trainer and educator who is dedicated to and deeply passionate about human rights, accessibility, intersectionality, inclusion, advocacy, non-tokenistic representation and all aspects of co-design.
They are a multiply-disabled, complex chronically ill, multiply-neurodivergent (Autistic, ADHD & C-PTSD) transgender non-binary LGBTIQA+ person of colour from a refugee, culturally and racially marginalised diverse background. Akii is also a fierce survivor activist of all forms of violence, especially since one of their disabilities (spinal injury) is at a direct result of intimate partner violence. Akii lives with constant debilitating pain and works passionately in accessibility, DEIB and is an inclusive leader who is an international multi-award-winning disability advocate. Akii was one of the Diversability D-30 Honourees in 2021.
Akii is dedicated to creating positive sustainable systemic reforms, policies and procedures for marginalised and disadvantaged communities, especially those who are multiply-marginalised such as themselves. They are also an internationally published & represented model pushing to improve disabled, LGBTIQA+, mobility aid, POC and intersectional representation in the media, beauty and fashion industries.
Image description: Bakhtawar's Official Photo
Bakhtawar Barzan Abdalla (He/Him)
University Lecturer | Iraq
2023 D-30 Disability Impact List Honoree
Mr. Bakhatwar Barzan Abdalla is a distinguished university lecturer, disability rights activist, and technology entrepreneur. As the first Chevening Scholar with a disability from Kurdistan and Iraq (2023-2024), he holds an MSc in Advanced Computer Science from Swansea University, complementing his BSc and Diploma in Database Technology from Sulaimani Polytechnic University.
Abdalla was elected as a Student with Disability Officer with total of 792 votes. Abdalla co-founded Khal Tech, a group of disabled professionals with expertise in 3D printing, IT solutions and etc, in Halabja.
He has a wide range of influence, including organising events through the Bakhtawary Group, leading technological advancements through the Disability and Technology Community in Kurdistan, and teaching guest lectures on "Introduction to Disability Studies" at the American University of Iraq Sulaimani. Abdalla keeps closing the gap between technology and accessibility by helping the next generation of diverse students learn through his work and volunteer work.
Image description: A headshot of Kavya sitting in her wheelchair wearing a pink top. Behind her is a wall with affirmations like I am Able, I am hardworking, etc. Kavya is smiling.
Kavya Mukhija (She/Her)
COO, Chronic Pain India; Researcher, Writer, Disability Rights Advocate | India
2024 D-30 Disability Impact List Honoree
2024 Diana Award Recipient, Kavya Mukhija is a disability rights advocate, Chevening Scholar, and content creator committed to building a more inclusive world. She is currently pursuing an MSc in Disability, Design, and Innovation at University College London. A wheelchair user with lived experience of Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita and scoliosis, Kavya brings a unique perspective to her work. She is the founder of Namastey Disability, a peer-led network, and the Chief Operating Officer at Chronic Pain India. Her advocacy spans global platforms including the UN, C20 Summit, and the Global Disability Summit. Kavya is known for using creative storytelling—memes, poetry, and articles—to raise awareness about disability, with her work featured in leading media outlets and amplified by public figures. Her efforts have led to tangible change, from revised disability guidelines to accessible infrastructure. Recipient of the Rare Star Award, she continues to champion access, representation, and dignity for disabled communities.
Image description: Wear suit on a white shirt without a tie.
Michael Thompson Showunmi (He/Him)
Executive Director, Raising Star Africa | Nigeria
2024 D-30 Disability Impact List Honoree
Michael is a social entrepreneur and teacher dedicated to driving inclusion, integration, and corporate sustainability through strategic education, innovation, and skill empowerment initiatives. As a DEI expert, he leverages his expertise at the intersection of leadership, education, and inclusion to foster positive change globally.
A 2023 Mandela Washington Fellow at the University of Georgia, USA, and an Education delegate speaker at One Young World Summit in Belfast, UK, where he spoke to over 2000 delegates from 190+ countries, Michael is recognized for his impactful work. He is the visionary founder of Raising Star Africa, a non-profit organization that has reached over 10,000 persons with all abilities and significantly impacted the lives of over 8,000 children and young persons with disabilities across Nigeria.
Image description: Golden brown locs with a suede tan hat, with a crème ribbon trim, caramel-brown glasses with an amber tint, leopard scarf around my neck with some bright red lipstick
Monica Wiley (She/Her)
Voter Engagement Specialist | United States
2024 D-30 Disability Impact List Honoree
Monica Wiley is a dedicated public servant who doesn’t mind getting into “good trouble. Policy, advocacy and activism is the fabric of who she is. She’s a tenacious, passionate leader who advocates for voting rights and social justice for people with disabilities. One of her favorite quotes is by Nelson Mandela, “A winner is a dreamer who never gives up!” It is her desire to be a model of greatness and a source of inspiration for her community. Ms. Monica Wiley puts the “M” in motivation. She is known as “Ms. Mo the Motivator”.
Image description: A photo of a white woman with brown hair and brown eyes. She is smiling and is wearing a red t-shirt
Pauline Castres (She/Her)
Climate Policy Researcher | United Kingdom
2021 D-30 Disability Impact List Honoree
Pauline has spent over a decade working in advocacy and policy, with a focus on climate change and public health policies, both for international organisations and as a freelancer. She is also an illustrator and fiction writer, and she is passionate about helping people with limited communication abilities engage in creative pursuits of their choice. Pauline is autistic and has ADHD, and has recently started using a powerchair, all of which have given her the opportunity to engage with new communities.
Image description: Wil dressed on a blue shirt and green and blue motive tie.
Wil A. Alveno (He/Him)
Database Administrator | United States
2020 D-30 Disability Impact List Honoree
Wil is a person living with Albinism and has an extensive background and experience in Internet Technologies, telecommunications, database solutions, training, and project management. He has been helping nonprofit customers learn how to effectively and efficiently implement technology solutions for over 30 years. Wil holds several technical certifications and has also traveled in an active consulting capacity with projects focusing on emerging technologies in different parts of the world. Wil is fluent in both English and Spanish and he is based in the Washington, DC area. Wil and his family have been volunteers and activists with several nonprofit organizations in the DC since their arrival to the area in 1985 from El Salvador.