Advocates for Justice and Education Inc.

True advocacy means fighting for our community, not just our household. We were honored to stand in solidarity last week at the Care Economy Advocacy Day & Rally in defense of Affordable childcare, healthcare access and paid family leave. Shoutout to Under 3 DC, Paid Family Leave Coalition & the Keep DC Healthy Coalition for showing up and showing out!

To all DC parents/caregivers navigating IEPs, 504 plans, evaluations, therapies, or just trying to figure out what support your child deserves, this space is for YOU. Join us on Friday for our first in-person Parent Cafe of the year centered around hope, healing and resources!

With budget cuts and so much uncertainty impacting families locally and nationally, community matters more than ever. Come connect with other parents who get it, share resources, build community, and leave feeling a little less alone in the fight.

When: Friday, May 29 from 5:30–7:30 PM
Where: Wellpoint Wellness Center

Childcare provided!

You don’t have to navigate this system by yourself. Come be poured into.

Register Today: https://bit.ly/4uPH34Q

Join Amanda and her parents as they discuss the importance of VR services and what they did to support her success. Hear how Amanda’s advocacy journey shaped her career path and highlights the impact of strong supports and self-advocacy in building meaningful employment outcomes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezDMiHBz-qU&t=2s Wednesday -RAISE RAISE Center

This is all about life as an adult with a disability. Learn key things you need to know about legal rights, decision‑making, benefits, living options, and planning for the future so you can advocate with confidence and clarity. Read the handbook here: https://www.specialneedsalliance.org/special-needs-101/what-you-need-to-know-about-being-an-adult-with-disabilities/.

This highlights how employment can support mental health management. Discover how work provides structure and helps maintain wellness during the transition to adulthood. Read the post here: https://www.umassmed.edu/TransitionsACR/youth-voice/ya-blog-corner2/ways-working-helps-me-manage-my-mh-conditions/

This , we’re showing love to Mia Ives-Rublee—a powerhouse advocate who has been pushing movements to be more inclusive, more accessible, and more accountable. Mia doesn’t just talk about access—she builds it into the fabric of organizing. From her leadership in making the Women’s March one of the most accessible large-scale protests in U.S. history to her ongoing policy work advancing disability rights, she reminds us that accessibility isn’t an afterthought—it’s a responsibility.
What stands out about Mia’s work is her consistency. She’s been in the trenches making sure disabled people aren’t left out of spaces that claim to be “for everyone.” She challenges organizers, institutions, and policymakers to do better—and backs it up with real solutions. Whether it’s pushing for equitable policies or making sure disabled voices are centered in major social movements, she shows us what it means to lead with intention. Because of advocates like her, more spaces are being forced to rise to that standard.

Listen to Noah and his mom Amanda share their journey from college to the video game design world. They highlight Noah’s experience in higher education, what they worked through together, and how persistence and never giving up helped him become a concept artist for video games. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M0RRHs1H70&t=3s Wednesday -RAISE RAISE Center

This highlights the connection between mental health and physical well-being. Read a personal perspective on how managing mental health is key to staying healthy. Read the post here: https://www.umassmed.edu/TransitionsACR/youth-voice/ya-blog-corner2/how-my-mh-impacted-my-health/

This episode explores what it means to disclose a disability to coworkers and emphasizes that disclosure is always a young adult’s choice. It highlights how low expectations and misunderstandings about disability culture can shape those experiences and why creating workplaces grounded in respect and understanding matters. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euQZykKKb3A -RAISE RAISE Center

This explores the reality of burnout for young adults. Gain insights on recognizing signs and prioritizing mental health while navigating new responsibilities. Read the post here: https://www.umassmed.edu/TransitionsACR/youth-voice/ya-blog-corner2/burnout/