Voices of ABLE2 - Episode 3: Nothing About Us Without Us — Centering Lived Experience in Building Inclusive Communities

For far too long, decisions about accessibility, inclusion, and community design have been made without the people most impacted by those decisions. In this episode, disability advocate, entrepreneur, and speaker Michael Lifshitz joins us to discuss why lived experience must be at the center of every conversation about disability and why “Nothing About Us Without Us” remains a vital call to action today.

Drawing from his 50 years of lived experience with disability, Michael shares real-world examples of what happens when decisions are made without consulting the community — from inaccessible infrastructure to representation that exists only on paper. He also reveals the difference it makes when leaders genuinely listen, include, and act on the insights of people with disabilities.

This honest and insightful conversation explores barriers that still limit meaningful participation, the importance of representation in media and public life, and practical ways allies can amplify disability voices to drive real change.

Transcript available here.

Thank you to Voices of ABLE2's Presenting Sponsor Sequence Marketing, for helping us make inclusion heard. 

Do you have a story to share or know someone who should be featured? Contact us at events@able2.org.

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