[News from Diversability] Tuesday, July 14: virtual writing workshop inspired by childhood

We're opening one of our Diversability Leadership Collective (DLC) events to the broader Diversability community: The Early Years Writing Workshop

Newsletter contents:

1. [Virtual] We’re opening up one of our Diversability Leadership Collective events: Tuesday, July 14: The Early Years Writing Workshop (led by a DLC member!)

2. Updates from the Diversability® Leadership Collective.

3. Other things we wanted to include in this newsletter:

   1. Earn your Be There Certificate to better support the mental health of yourself and others.

   2. Get paid $120/hour for research studies/surveys with Rare Patient Voice.

   3. Take our self-paced online course on disability inclusion geared toward allies, employers, and organizations.

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We are excited to open up one of our Diversability Leadership Collective (our members-only space to advance disability leadership, advocacy, and influence) events to the public. All events are free for DLC members to attend.

{Virtual} Tuesday, July 14: The Early Years Writing Workshop with Wendy Lu

[Image description: a square graphic on a peach background with a red border. At the top, text, “Diversability Leadership Collective. The Early Years Writing Workshop.” Below,Wendy Lu is a Chinese woman smiling and standing in front of a gray background. She is wearing a teal corduroy button-down jacket over a pink sweater and denim jeans. She is also wearing glasses and a tracheostomy tube. Below, text, “Tuesday, July 14 | 7:00PM ET / 4:00PM PT. Join us for a free week of membership. Sliding scale options available.

In this creative writing workshop, we will generate new work using writing prompts that take us back to our childhood and our formative years. We’ll discuss storytelling inspired by memories, and attendees will have the option to share their work. The workshop will be facilitated by Wendy Lu, author of “Casting April” and a former honoree of the D-30 Disability Impact List. We’ll end with a Q&A on writing and publishing.

Wendy Lu (she/her) is an award-winning journalist, a children’s book author, and a global speaker on disability representation in the media. She is a deputy editor at The New York Times and a board member for the National Center on Disability & Journalism. Previously, she made Diversability’s D-30 Disability Impact List and Forbes’s 30 Under 30 for her efforts to improve disability coverage. Wendy is the author of “Casting April,” a middle-grade novel from Penguin Random House about a girl who is determined to land the starring role in her school’s play — except nobody believes she can do it because of her disability. Wendy lives in New York with her husband, Andrew, and their turtle, Little Cloud.

1. When: Tuesday, July 14 | 7:00PM ET / 4:00PM PT

2. Where: A Zoom link will be emailed to you 10 mins before the event begins.

   This event will also be recorded and the recording will be shared with registered attendees after the event.

3. Tickets: FREE for Diversability Leadership Collective members, sliding scale tickets for non-members

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Updates from the Diversability Leadership Collective (DLC)

Since launching in 2021, our members have made over $37k in opportunities shared through the DLC!

The Diversability® Leadership Collective (DLC) is our members-only space to advance disability leadership, influence, and advocacy. Join over 170+ members for curated paid & visibility opportunities, members-only events, and community.

Our Facebook Group (7,400+ members) will continue to be a free, loosely moderated space for peer support, resources, and community.

Member Updates:

1. Marisa Hamamoto‘s org, Infinite Flow Dance, is hosting a flashmob event with WalMart on July 18 from 2-5pm in Rosemead, CA.

2. Nieta Greene was on a livestream with Nick Paro and Dr. Eric Lullove on the Olmstead DOJ Memo.

3. Alvaro Silberstein discussed the importance of accessible travel.

4. Catarina Rivera shared her experience of deciding not to go to Cannes Lions due to challenges she faces as a deafblind person.

5. Sarah Todd Hammer posted a video guide for self-advocacy.

6. Keisha Greaves announced a support group for those who have caregivers.

7. Dr. Xenia Barnes issued a call for speakers for her summit.

8. Tiffany Yu is holding a signed book giveaway. PreorderThe Anti-Ableist Manifesto in paperback, available October 13, 2026.

Recent opportunities curated for DLC members:

1. Apply to an experience for those with rare diseases.

2. Receive up to $14,000 to advance disability research.

3. Get on stage in front of a room full of female founders.

4. Creators: Collaborate with NASA.

5. Submit for a leadership and impact award.

6. Writers: Share your experiences with disability.

7. Speak on a disability podcast.