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Grantees

Celebrating Community, Collaboration, and Change: Recapping Ability Central’s 2025 Grantee Gathering

On March 20th, we had the privilege of hosting our annual Grantee Gathering, a space dedicated to celebrating the transformative work of our grantee community and fostering deeper collaboration across the disability advocacy landscape.

Ability Central Partnerships Manager Alyah Thomas listens as a group of grantees engage in a discussion in a bright conference room. Attendees are engaging actively in the conversation and taking notes.

This year, we welcomed more than 30 leaders and change-makers from across California, each bringing their expertise, lived experiences, and unwavering commitment to creating a more equitable world for people with communication disabilities.

Lissa Ramirez-Stapleton presents to a diverse group of nonprofit professionals in a bright conference space. Lissa is a Black woman wearing a zip-up hoodie and she is standing at the front of the room next to a wall of TVs with virtual participants, including an ASL interpreter.
From the moment the day began, it was clear that this was more than just a meeting; it was a true gathering of minds and hearts, a testament to the power of community-driven change. As each organization shared updates on their projects, we were inspired by the innovative solutions they are pioneering, the challenges they are overcoming, and the tangible impact they are making in the lives of those they serve.

Showcasing Impact

One of the most exciting aspects of the Grantee Gathering was hearing directly from our grantees about their successes, lessons learned, and the real-world impact of their work. Among the many powerful stories shared, a few stood out as particularly inspiring:

  • The Center for Independent Living highlighted a key collaboration between its “Emergency Preparedness Peer Ambassador” program and the World Institute on Disability’s Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response initiative. This partnership between two grantees is ensuring that emergency planning is not just inclusive but actively led by people with disabilities.

  • LightHouse for the Blind showcased its groundbreaking training program for healthcare providers, equipping them with essential skills to better serve blind, low-vision, and DeafBlind patients. The initiative’s success at the University of San Francisco’s nursing school has led to discussions about making it a permanent part of their curriculum, a crucial step toward systemic change in healthcare accessibility.

  • The Autism Society of the Inland Empire (ASIE) shared an unforgettable story about a law enforcement officer who, thanks to ASIE’s training, chose a non-violent approach to de-escalating a crisis involving a young woman with developmental disabilities. His decision saved a life and reinforced the critical role of education in ensuring safer interactions between law enforcement and the disability community.

  • Leonardo’s 2025 CripTech Incubator got the room excited as they unveiled plans for their upcoming artist fellowships. By providing disabled artists with opportunities to engage in pioneering research in haptics, artificial intelligence, and design, this initiative is set to redefine accessibility in the creative and tech sectors.

Diving Deeper: Breakout Sessions and Collective Learning

Beyond the inspiring presentations, this year’s Grantee Gathering also featured two breakout discussion sessions, where grantees tackled some of the most pressing issues in disability advocacy today. These sessions provided an open forum for strategic conversation, problem-solving, and peer learning. Some of the key themes included:

  • Navigating the complexities of compensating people with disabilities without jeopardizing their government benefits. Many attendees shared insights into CalABLE, gifts, and sustainable financial strategies to ensure economic empowerment.

  • Building bridges across different disability groups and justice movements. Attendees underscored the need for coalition-building, emphasizing that the disability community is diverse, and unity is essential in advocating for systemic change.

  • Shifting away from deficit-based language toward strength-based frameworks. By recognizing that everyone has assets to offer, organizations can foster a culture of empowerment and inclusion rather than charity and pity.

  • Addressing conflicting access needs. Discussions focused on finding flexible, creative solutions to ensure accessibility for all, even when needs seem at odds with one another.

Strategic Insights for Lasting Change

Throughout the day, grantees shared valuable strategic insights that will shape our collective work in the years ahead. Some of the most impactful takeaways included:

  • Power Mapping: Understanding where decisions are made and who holds influence is crucial in pushing for policy change. By framing solutions in ways that align with decision-makers’ priorities, advocates can more effectively drive action.

  • Community-Led Solutions: Those closest to the problem are closest to the solution. Ensuring that people with disabilities lead and inform all aspects of advocacy is essential for meaningful progress.

  • Messaging with Impact: While emotional appeals can be powerful, combining them with data and actionable solutions strengthens advocacy efforts and makes them more persuasive.

  • Sustaining Momentum: Change is often slow, but persistence pays off. Investing in long-term strategies and maintaining collaborative networks can ensure continued progress.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Our Grantee Community

As we wrapped up the Grantee Gathering, the energy in the room was unmistakable. Attendees left not just with new insights and strategies, but with renewed energy and a deepened sense of solidarity. Their feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many attendees expressing how unique and invaluable this space is for fostering connection and innovation.

At Ability Central, we are honored to support such an extraordinary community of advocates, organizers, and visionaries. The work our grantees do every day is reshaping policies, shifting narratives, and breaking down barriers. And this is just the beginning.

In the coming months, we will continue to champion these efforts, amplify these voices, and fund projects that are making a real difference. We can’t wait to see what the next year holds and to highlight more milestones together.