In New York City public schools, Black students are more than twice as likely to be classified as having an Emotional Disturbance when compared to their peers. This discussion with disability self-advocates and experts will break down the meaning, stigma and harm of this term, the systemic conditions that lead to this over-representation, how this classification can negatively impact the social and educational outcomes of Black students, and what educators and power brokers can do to combat anti-Blackness and ableism in the classroom.
Streamed live via YouTube
Panelists
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Kenya Martinez is the mother of two teens with disabilities and a caregiver to her adult sibling who also has a disability as well. As a resident of Sacramento, California, Kenya serves on various Community Advisory Committees locally, as well as some federally recognized Special Education Task Forces. She is a certified Trainer in Person-Centered Thinking/Planning with an emphasis on self-determination for adults with disabilities.
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Kim D. Kaiser is a mother, poet, painter, speaker, and advocate. For 39 years Kim has trained, supported, and empowered families and youth from historically marginalized and traumatized communities at the intersection of education, behavioral health, disability, child welfare, and grassroots initiatives. Kim currently serves as the Director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion for Families Together in New York State and is the Director of Programming and Peer Support Services at The Color of Autism Foundation. Kim fights for equitable pathways, strength-based practices, and tools needed to support a successful transition to adulthood for children and youth, serving communities nationally and across the African Diaspora.
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Timotheus “T.J.” Gordon Jr. is an African-American male autistic writer and researcher-activist in Chicago, IL. As researcher at UIC’s Institute on Disability and Human Development, he creates trainings, webinars, guides, and campaigns on inclusion in communities of color, COVID-19 and the intersections of race and disability, autism in communities of color, and inclusion of people with disabilities in the U.S. Census. Gordon is one of the co-founders of Chicagoland Disabled People of Color Coalition, which promotes disability acceptance and self-advocacy in communities of color throughout the Chicagoland area. Gordon is the creator of the Black Autist, a blog and social media outlet that promotes autism and disability acceptance in the African Diaspora.
Moderator
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Heather Clarke is a neurodivergent Black Afro-Caribbean mother of 2 small children. She has over 20 years of experience working as a teacher, and in the field of educational justice and policy. She is an abolitionist educator and universal design for learning expert with more than 20 years’ experience working with children and families with disabilities. Heather consults with parents and guardians to help them with the process of educational evaluations and the creation and implementation of IFSPs, IEPS, and 504 Plans. She also consults with businesses, organizations, and educators about topics related to racial Diversity Equity and Inclusion, with a focus on the Disability community. Heather is an Early Childhood and Special Education adjunct professor at Queen’s College, Brooklyn College CUNY, and New York University.
