Round Tables with APRIL "LEAD On" Collaborative Participants
Session Overview:
Participants in the 2023 APRIL “Lead On” Collaborative, APRIL’s Leadership Program for disabled youth and young adults, will lead Youth Conference attendees in discussions around issues important to them including (but not limited to) education, disability representation in the media, advocacy, and disability history.
Additional Session Materials:
About Your Presenters:
Ash Alunan
Ash Alunan is a hard of hearing, disabled, queer, non-binary, Filipinx badass nerd. They graduated with a BA in Biology.
Holding disability justice and disability rights close to their heart, they love all things: accessibility, collective healing, and intersectionality. They worked as a disability advocate at a CIL in Cleveland and learned more about global disability rights through their internship with Mobility International USA.
Ash was previously a Native-centered crisis counselor to support people during the pandemic. They grew up on Nisenan/Miwok land in the Sacramento area. In their free time, they enjoy singing, fencing, watching k-dramas, and sauntering in nature.
Cecile Atimango
Cecile Atimango, 22 years of age, was born in the Congo and is now living in Idaho working for LINC, Southwest Idaho's Center for Independent Living, as an Independent Living Peer Specialist.
Rachel Baca
My name is Rachel Baca. I am 26 years-old and live in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I am Autistic and have anxiety and a math learning disability. I graduated from Santa Fe Community College in 2021 with a certificate in Early Childhood Education. While attending college, I participated in the Student Ambassador program where I learned leadership skills by helping my campus’ events including the Halloween carnivals, graduations, and student Welcome Back Days. Through Student Ambassadors I have attended Friday meetings planning for events and participating in conferences and workshops while doing team building activities with my peers. I also have learned job skills with the Student Ambassadors by working the Office of Student Development front desk while planning events and answering the phone. After I graduated from Santa Fe High School in 2015, I worked for 3 summers as a recreational assistant at a program for children with disabilities called Extended School Year (ESY) where I helped children in different grade levels with schoolwork, games, and arts and crafts activities.
This is my first year attending APRIL’s “Lead On” Collaborative program and APRIL conference that is taking place in Anaheim, California. I am learning so much about disability history, career development, and communication styles. These skills that I am learning from “Lead On” will help me become an advocate for myself and others with disabilities. In my spare time, I enjoy going to Zumba at Santa Fe Community’s fitness center. I also enjoy making bracelets, watching movies, listening to music, playing with my three dogs and one cat, and spending time with my family and friends.
Shikha Desai
My name is Shikha Desai, and I am excited to attend the conference again where I won the Linda Gonzales Award during the 2021 virtual conference. I am grateful for receiving this award!
I started losing my vision in high school, but shortly after graduating from high school, I moved to attend the Louisiana Center for the Blind (LCB) in August 2012. I participated in a nine-month structured discovery training center program and everyone had to wear sleep shades. Each day I participated in classes; activities of daily living for cooking, Braille, technology, cane travel, and wood shop to build confidence. I lived in an apartment and had to keep it clean.
In December of 2012 a car ran over my ankle while I was crossing the street in Louisiana. Following surgery, I went back home to receive physical therapy. I didn’t let this injury stop me. I was determined to go back to Louisiana to complete my training. I worked hard and completed physical therapy in three months, returned to Louisiana and completed my vigorous training in August 2013.
Following the training program, I began classes at Gwinnett Technical College and started searching for different majors. The counselor at the disability resource office mentioned I could transfer my credits to Georgia State University. So, with the support of my parents and sister I moved to Georgia Sate University and began my social work program. I graduated with my bachelor’s in social work in 2018 and my master’s in social work in 2019. I am still invited by my professor to speak in the classes each year.
I serve on the board for the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of Georgia and won the state NFB scholarship in 2013. I have completed multiple internships including American Association for People with Disability (AAPD), Center for Leadership and Disability, Atlanta Regional Commission, and disABILITY LINK.
In April 2020, I was hired by disABILITY LINK, a center for independent living in Tucker, Georgia as a member of the COVID-19 team and Independent Care Waver Program (ICWP) team. In May 2021 I got promoted to the COVID-19 Supervisor, in that same month I received the quarter award for working hard. In October 2022 the grant changed so I am no longer the supervisor. My new job title is Independent Care Waiver Program Case Manager and Community Health Independent Living Specialist. I enjoy visiting my consumers in the community. I enjoy being a case manager and supporting others with accomplishing their goals. I enjoy traveling and spending time with my family and friends.
Ryan Geddie
Ryan Geddie is a congenital amputee and Government Relations Specialist at the Amputee Coalition. He received a B.A. in Government from The University of Texas at Austin in the spring of 2022.
Alicity Golston
Hello, my name is Alicity! I am a lover of all things innovation, connections, and resources. Fueling inspiration, one brilliant mind at a time! Advocating for my disability, race, equality, justice, and positive change is an integral part of my identity. Through education, reflection, and open discussions, I strive to make a positive impact and contribute to a better society for all. #T1D #NetworkingNinja #InspirationJunkie
Jordan Hayes
Jordan is a 26 year old woman who grew up in South Carolina. She graduated from Winthrop University with a Bachelors in Social Work in 2021. Previously, she worked as a self-advocate for York CAN and now works for a Center for Independent Living, Disability Rights & Resources, in Charlotte, North Carolina as a Peer Mentor. Jordan is passionate about being in community with individuals with disabilities, offering support to folks envisioning their future, and helping individuals navigate local resources. She enjoys working collaboratively and is always excited to learn something new.
Jeremiah Johnson
I am Jeremiah Johnson. I am a student at Uintah High School, I am in the 10th grade and 15 years old. I am the oldest of 5 kids and that alone means I have the oldest kid syndrome. Right before I turned 13 I had a skateboard accident and I now have a Traumatic Brain Injury. When they did the CT scan on my head, my parents learned that I also have an arachnoid cyst on the left side of my brain. With these two combined I have memory dysfunction and some behavioral disturbances. I love the sport of rodeo and had a dream to ride bulls professionally but I can no longer do that because of my disability. I choose to play baseball and I push myself very hard in this sport as I do have a goal to play college baseball and professional baseball. I have traveled all over Utah playing in tournaments and I have played in the largest youth tournament in Omaha Nebraska. I hope to help others who have invisible disabilities to become successful and live the life they dream of living. "You just can't beat the person who never gives up." Babe Ruth
Naomi Marteeny
Naomi is currently studying at the University of Washington Bothell, majoring in business administration with a concentration in leadership and strategic innovation (LSI). Her passion lies in policy change and self-advocacy, which she expresses through the various committees and groups she is involved with. She is the Chair of the Youth and Young Adult Subcommittee of Washington State Independent Living Council (WASILC), the Co-Chair of the Outreach and Education Subcommittee of WASILC, and a council member on Pro-Equity and Anti-Racism, known as PEAR, a committee under the governor’s equity office. This commitment to making the world a more equitable place for people with disabilities shows her drive to become a lifelong leader and advocate.
When Naomi is not working in advocacy she is playing with her two dogs, hiking, camping, dancing or reading a good book!
Jaden Miller
Lavender Nestrick
Lavender (she/they) identifies as a member of the Disabled, Neurodivergent, Queer, and Trans communities. She is Autistic and ADHD and is also hypermobile with suspected Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and dysautonomia. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and is planning to attend graduate school to earn her Master's in Counseling. Her goal is to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and work with youth and young adults, especially those who are members of the LGBTQIA+ and/or Disabled communities. They currently serve as the Development Manager of a summer camp specifically for transgender kids and teens, and they also stream on Twitch! In their free time, they're probably reading, talking about neurodivergence, or playing games like Animal Crossing, Fortnite, or Dungeons and Dragons with their friends!
Andy Padilla
Andy Padilla is the Youth Coordinator at Tri-County Independent Living in both Crescent City and Eureka. Coming from a background in community organizing, Andy continues to learn community engagement practices through interacting with the region’s diverse communities. Tapping on his background in outdoor recreation & interpretation, Andy has forged new partnerships between TCIL and a diverse collection of community agencies.
Emily Robinson
Anhora Snodgrass
Hi I’m Anhora I have worked on statewide boards for foster care and mental health and now independent living. I really enjoy working on these boards and making a difference in the community wherever I can. I am also an artist and love to do art. I hope to one day create my own webcomics, animations and help make a video game someday. I also love to do karaoke with my friends. I love my partner and the family I have made through him. I also have a black cat named Miss. Midnight who I named after Mr. Midnight in the game Fran Bow.
Erica Mones
Mones is a writer, YouTuber, disability advocate, and Entertainment News Media Apprentice at RespectAbility. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Disability Studies from the CUNY School of Professional Studies. She earned her Bachelors in Writing and Classical Civilizations from Loyola University Maryland in 2020 where she interned at the school’s Center for Community, Service, + Justice; and served as a research assistant for a professor designing a disability history course. She was disappointed to see that among the various clubs students could join, there were none led by disabled students for disabled students, so she decided to found such a club, called “Disability Is Diversity.” She ran for student government and was elected as a class senator with the goal of improving accessibility on campus and keeping disability on the radar of both student leaders and school administrators.
Mones has written for publications including The Progressive, Well + Good, PopSugar, Planet M, Rooted in Rights, New Mobility, and the National Eating Disorders Association blog.
As a woman with cerebral palsy, Mones is passionate about disability representation in the media and hopes to pave the way for disabled people through screenwriting. She sees a gap in disability representation currently and wants to see more representation of people with speech impairments in the media since her speech impairment affected her self-esteem growing up.
Riley Hurt
Riley Hurt is a dedicated student and passionate disability advocate. Currently pursuing a degree in public health, Riley works to bridge the gap between the disability community and the field of public health. Throughout her career, Riley has worked to further the mission of the independent living movement by sharing her values and skills with the world. Riley's commitment to the importance of disability inclusion has led to collaborations with SILCs and local CILs, solidifying Riley as a rising voice. Riley's story extends to digital platforms, where they leverage social media and multimedia content to educate followers about disability rights and public health policy. Their dedication to this endeavor has garnered them a growing online community. Connect with her on social media @cobaltchromespine or via email at