A Round of Applause
Happy 2017!
Members of the Diversability community are off to a strong start this year. In 2016, individuals have been honored for their advocacy and social entrepreneurial ventures, fundraising goals have been surpassed, and progress continues to amount. We are pleased to share this progress and encourage all to continue onward in the pursuit of further successes.
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ArtLifting recognized on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the Social Entrepreneurs category.
Liz and Spencer Powers. Credit: artlifting.com
Co-founded by Liz Powers and her brother, Spencer, ArtLifting empowers artists living with homelessness or disabilities through the celebration and sale of their artwork. ArtLifting affords artists the chance to earn income through the sale of their original paintings, prints and other products. Artists earn 55% from the profit of each sale, 1% goes to strengthening community partners and the remaining 44% furthers the ArtLifting mission. Since 2013, ArtLifting has grown from 4 to 72 artists across 1 1 states.
Ava in the Consumer Technology Category!
Thibault Duchemin, Pieter Doevendans and Skinner Cheng. Credit: forbes.com
Ava, founded by Thibault Duchemin, Pieter Doevendans and Skinner Cheng, is a mobile tool used to convert conversations into text for hearing-impaired individuals. The app takes conversations through a phone's microphone and transcribes it into text that can be read. CEO Duchemin grew up as the only hearing individual in an all-deaf family and has been bridging communication gaps ever since.
If you're compelled to get more involved, they are hiring!
Xian Horn Featured in Forbes
Xian Horn. Credit: Ken Pao
“My parents always told me anything was possible, and in my life I always treated my disability as a practical consideration.”
Xian Horn, founder of Give Beauty Wings and Changeblazer was interviewed by Forbes to highlight the often "underrepresented minority" of individuals with disabilities. The joy with which she embraces life is evident in her interview with Paolo Gaudiano and Ellen Hunt of Forbes. While she understands that everyone engages one another differently, Xian makes herself "physically and emotionally available" to have interactions with others on the street. She understands that fear often prevents people from communicating, so with openness and a smile she combats that barrier each day. Read the entire article here.
SHONA Congo achieves AIRSS Resettlement Goal
A featured product from SHONA Congo. Credit: shonacongostore.com
SHONA Congo is composed of five female artisans, Dawn, Argentine, Mapendo, Riziki, and Solange, who create handmade pieces to provide for themselves and their children. Argentine, Mapendo and their families, including 3 disabled adults and 6 children, fled Congo in February of 2016 and have been living as refugees. They support themselves entirely through their SHONA Congo sewing. The AIRSS has submitted applications to sponsor these families for resettlement in Canada but $58,000 would be required to support the family for their first year. As of this month, the goal has been surpassed, totaling $58,500! To support these artisans on their journey, visit SHONA Congo.
AbleThrive Surpasses Fundraising Goal
AbleThrive, a one-stop platform for people with disabilities and their families to access curated resources from around the world, had a momentous 2016. They surpassed their fundraising goal with $20,296 dollars raised. Throughout the year, 60,000 visitors visited their website and their ally network grew to 140 organizations. They welcomed a new city director and gained significant media exposure as well. Bravo!
To participate in their #ThisIsHowI challenges, visit the AbleThrive Facebook page.
Actress Anita Hollander Performs in Three Roles at the Goodman Theatre
Anita Hollander on the cover of the Chicago Tribune.
Actress Anita Hollander was featured on the cover of the Chicago Tribune for three roles she portrayed at the fabulous Goodman Theatre. Anita, who lost her leg to cancer, gives disability the attention it is too often denied in her art.
Founder, Tiffany Yu, participates in Ford Foundation's #InequalityIs
Tiffany was selected to participate in Ford Foundation's #InequalityIs series alongside Elton John, Gloria Steinem, Richard Branson, and others. If you have not seen it yet, check it out below.
“Inequality is exclusion. Exclusion is disabling.”