09/02/2026
As we prepare to launch our next round of the Community Leadership Academy, we thought it was important to talk about one of our core values as a Center for Independent Living: why we reject tokenism and believe in real engagement by people with lived experience in the communities where they live, work, and play.
Tokenism happens when someone is included mainly to create the appearance of inclusion, without being given meaningful influence, authority, or a real voice in decisions. That is the opposite of Independent Living and the values that guide our work.
We believe people with disabilities bring unique experiences, perspectives, and ideas to the table. When those voices are genuinely part of the community conversation, our communities are stronger, our decisions are better, and real change becomes possible.
๐๐โ๐ซ๐ ๐ฅ๐จ๐จ๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐ง๐๐ฑ๐ญ ๐ ๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ฉ ๐จ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ.
Our 6-Week Community Leadership Academy is for people with disabilities who want to build confidence, strengthen their voice, and learn how they can have a say in the decisions being made in their communities.
Youโll learn practical leadership skills and how to get involved with boards, committees, commissions, and community organizations.
๐
Tuesdays beginning September 15
๐ 2โ4 PM
๐ Independence, Inc.
Think this could be you? Apply!
And if you know someone else who would be perfect, encourage them to apply!
๐ Application link in the comments.
