Public Engagement & Advocacy

ETI is committed to transforming the social stigma against disabilities and advancing a values-based approach to inclusion via our public engagement and advocacy work. We believe that a society where all community members are given space to reach their full potential and make meaningful contributions is possible when authentic inclusion is embraced. 

Even in the year 2021, the reality around the world is that individuals with disabilities are still not fully incorporated as active contributors in their respective communities, and millions of people with disabilities are still experiencing chronic disempowerment due to stigma, misconceptions, and prejudice. This type of chronic disempowerment can negatively impact an individual person with a disability and it also severely impacts society as a whole because a society that is built on the exclusion of its members is not going to activate all its potential and will consist of unsustainable systems that can collapse when pressured by changing circumstances, such as wars, pandemics, etc.

To successfully teach individuals to embrace a value-based perspective, we need to advocate beyond human rights so all stakeholders can recognize the value of human connection. A specialized value-based approach to inclusion of people with disabilities and all marginalized identities should, then, be designed as an antidote for deeply programmed exclusion mindsets and guide individuals to understand that:

• Fear of “others” leads to internal resistance, distrust, discriminatory behaviors, and distance.

• a society where all community members are given space to reach their full potential and make meaningful contributions is possible when authentic inclusion is embraced.

• All people have an innate desire to connect with other humans as a necessary condition for maintaining their survival and wellbeing. 

By advocating for human-centric value-based mindset transformation, ETI hopes to empower individuals to:

• Recognize their conscious and unconscious fears and lower their internal resistance towards “others”

• De-program their minds by transforming misconceptions and hidden biases

• Increase their curiosity towards fellow humans

• Engage with their peers and discover each other’s humanities

• Develop a strong sense of belonging and collaborate to improve the quality of life of all members of that community.

ETI'S PAST SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS AND EVENT PARTICIPATION

• United Nations Conference of State Parties on the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2019)

• Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities Biennial Conference on Disability (2019)

• US State Department tour of Rwanda: “Economic Empowerment and Employment for People with Disabilities (2019)

• United Nations “This is Our Workplace” Event for International Day of Persons with Disabilities (2019)

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Third Annual Diversity and Inclusion Summit (2019)

• “Leading on Inclusive Business” Panel hosted by UN Women, GEENIE, and City of Boston Women’s Advancement (2019)

• Zero Conference (2019)

• Adobe for All Summit (2019)

• Lazard National Disability Employment Awareness Month (2019)

• Global Entrepreneurship Week: Fort Worth (2019)

• Harvard Kennedy School Women and Public Policy Program’s Annual Meeting for their Women’s Leadership Board (2019)

• U.S. State Department Speaker’s Program (2018)

• UNESCO’s Seventh ECOSOC Youth Forum (2018)

• Second Annual Harkin International Disability Employment Summit (2018)

• World Government Summit (2017)

• TEDx (2017)

• Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2016)