A photo collage of Emily presenting in various settings, both individually and in conversation.

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

Click here for my event accessibility guidelines.

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

WhatsApp

“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