Speaking
Storytelling is at the heart of my disability activism. I love connecting with groups of all sizes and kinds, of any age, either virtually or in-person. I speak on a range of topics, including:
- My journey to becoming a disability rights activist
- Using storytelling as a tool for advocacy
- Disability language
- Disability etiquette
- Disability allyship
- Disability representation in media
- Shifting toward a more inclusive world in the midst of COVID-19
Want to book me to speak at an event?
Check out my Penguin Random House Speakers Bureau profile!
For all speaking inquiries, please contact Kaley Baron at kbaron@penguinrandomhouse.com
Emily’s talk exceeded our expectations! She makes the topic of disability inclusion approachable, clear, and direct. Sharing her own stories brought the conversation and principles to life. We had excellent engagement from our attendees. The biggest takeaway was that everyone should read Emily’s book!
Lori Samuels
Accessibility Director, NBCUniversal Media
Emily’s strength is in meeting her audience where they are. She communicates clearly and with kindness, and her presentation style helps participants feel comfortable sharing what they’ve learned with others. Texas now has better disability rights advocates because of Emily’s knowledge, passion, and style.
Colleen McLaughlin
Associate Director, The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Emily never fails to provide a meaningful and motivating presentation to New Jersey’s Partners in Policymaking classes. She leaves a lasting impact as she teaches participants about advocacy using content that honors history, weaves in her personal story and professional expertise, and engages the audience.
Ginger Mayeaux
Director of Public Policy & Advocacy, The Arc of Texas
Select Past Speaking Engagements
National Collegiate Athletic Association
Inclusion Forum Keynote, 2023
Ball State University
Excellence in Leadership Speaker Series, 2023
The LEGO Group
Disability Allyship, Inclusion & Etiquette panel, 2023
Nike
Demystifying Disability Fireside Chat, 2022
Nasdaq
Expanding Perspectives: On Disability, Diversity and Advocacy, 2022
Penn State University
Fireside chat on meaningful allyship, 2022
Qualcomm
Fireside chat for National Disability Employment Awareness Month with All Abilities Inclusion Group, 2022
Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE)
Conference Keynote, 2022
Netflix
Fireside chat with Accessibility ERG, 2022
“Green Table Talk,” 2021
Amazon
Unite 4 Disability Inclusion, 2021
Comcast/NBC Universal
National Disability Employment Awareness Month event, 2021
Microsoft
Outside In Speaker Series, 2021
The Arc of Texas, Partners in Disability Leadership
Storytelling Workshop: A Strategy for Advocacy and Inclusion, 2021
The Boggs Center Developmental Disabilities Lecture Series
Nothing About Us Without Us: Centering Disabled People in Disability Advocacy, 2021
Reeve Summit
Keynote: Creating Change: You Don’t Have to be Superman, 2020
United Nations
Panel: Developing Inclusive Workplaces, 2019
International Initiative for Disability Leadership
Keynote: Supporting Emerging Leaders, 2019
SXSW
Panel: The Disability Story: Diversity in Media, 2019
Mobilize Women Summit
Panel: Starting a Revolution, 2019
Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine
Disability Identity and Pride, 2019
Green Mountain Self-Advocacy Conference
Keynote: Self-Advocacy: Finding My Voice, 2018
UJA-Federation of New York
Language and Disability: Finding the Right Words to Make Judaism Inclusive, 2018
New York Public Library
Disability Sensitivity Staff Training, 2016
United States Department of Education
Panel: Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 2015
New York University Occupational Therapy Program
Yearly classroom lecture