[News from Diversability] Wednesday, June 17: Virtual event on writing and publishing

We're opening one of our Diversability Leadership Collective (DLC) events to the broader Diversability community: The Writing and Publishing Journey

Newsletter contents:

1. [Virtual] We’re opening up one of our Diversability Leadership Collective events: Wednesday, June 17: From the First Word to Print! The Writing and Publishing Journey (led by two DLC members!)

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. We received 164 nominations for the 7th annual D-30 Disability Impact List!

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

   4. 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} Wednesday, June 17: From the First Word to Print! The Writing and Publishing Journey with Jennifer Chassman Browne and Jennifer Gasner

[Image description: a square graphic on a peach background with a red border. At the top, text, “Diversability Leadership Collective. From the First Word to Print! The Writing and Publishing Journey.” Below, Jennifer Chassman Brown and Jennifer Gasner’s headshot in a circle with their names. Below, text, “Wednesday, June 17 | 7:00PM ET / 4:00PM PT. Join us for a free week of membership. Sliding scale options available. Sign up here: http://diversability.mn.co.” On the sides, text, “Open to the public.”]

Jenn and Jen will share their processes, successes, and challenges in moving from the idea for a book, to the actual publication! They will discuss the steps that they took to form their ideas, take on the interviews and writing process, reach out for book participants, write and rewrite, and navigate the publishing process.

Jenn has lived with Rheumatoid Arthritis since she was six years old. For most of her professional life, she has been an English teacher and school leader, and has loved the time that she spent with the teenagers that she taught, many of whom she still has in her life. In her work as a DEI and Disability Advocate, Jenn educates people about the strengths and gifts that people with disabilities have. She also helps people to understand that those living with disabilities need allies, systems, and structures that ensure their access and inclusion. Jenn has also earned certification as a listener poet and is invested in using poetry and storytelling to help build connections between people and to aid in the development of empathy, understanding, and belonging.

1. When: Wednesday, June 17 | 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. Andrea Jennings cerebrated the unveiling of Disability Joy Suite, a disability-led live musical suite.

2. Amelia Hall wrote a piece about discussing your children’s differences with them.

3. Rev. Dr. Xenia Barnes was featured on Here and Now.

4. Keely Cat-Wells opened up about the realities of managing life with chronic illnesses.

5. Emily Ladau shared the aftermath of having her wheelchair destroyed by an airline.

6. Preorder Tiffany Yu’s The Anti-Ableist Manifesto in paperback, available October 13, 2026.

Recent opportunities curated for DLC members:

1. Share your story as a woman in STEM.

2. Apply to a disabled BIPOC storytelling cohort.

3. Apply for an artists’ residency program.

4. SoCal creators: Join PBS’ storytelling initiative.

5. Nominate someone neurodiverse for an award.

6. Get featured in a docuseries.

7. Creators: Collaborate with NASA.