Schedule & Sessions: Climate & Disability Justice Learning Institute Event

Our survival during this climate catastrophe requires understanding of the lessons from movement leaders and the many grassroots organizations that have been stewards of collective access and liberation in this work. We will begin our learning by grounding in pivotal moments at the intersections of climate and Disability Justice through an interactive timeline that spans the past twenty years. Guiding us will be Klie Kliebert (Imagine Water Works), along with leadership from the Disability & Philanthropy Forum who will share insights and observations of moments when there were gaps and alignment across disability and climate justice communities. Participants are invited into collectively creating this timeline together as we shift our understandings on climate and disability justice to reflect our communities that we are part of and support through our work. This opening will be the foundation as the learning institute delves into these three key areas: 1. The role of disabled activists in mitigating climate crises and creating bridges between disability and climate justice communities, 2. The necessity of disability-inclusive climate justice approaches as a contributor towards greater resilience and collective survival among communities, and 3. Expanding philanthropy's analysis and understanding of ableism in climate justice funding, and strategies that can be used to dismantle ableism in ways that shift more power to disability and climate justice communities. This conversation aims to set the stage for the Learning Institute in ways that ask funders to take bolder actions in dismantling ableism as our sector delves deeper into these critical discussions.

Join us for a talk exploring the critical intersection of climate change and disability justice. Together, we’ll build shared knowledge about the disproportionate impacts climate disasters have on disabled communities, and identify ways philanthropy and grassroots advocates can collaborate to drive systemic change. This session will offer practical strategies for funders, activists, and community leaders to deepen partnerships, increase disability-led funding, and build a more resilient, inclusive future. Facilitated By: Shaylin Sluzalis & Germán Parodi.

As climate disasters increase in scope, frequency, and severity, their disproportionate impact on individuals with disabilities is evident as they are typically affected first and worst. With federal funding for disasters in general and disability support being eliminated, private funders will play an increasingly important role. The session will discuss elements of funding that can focus on sustained change through building organizational capacity, capability, and resilience to support real planning, response, and recovery. Facilitated By: June Isaacson Kailes & Vance Taylor.

As the climate crisis intensifies and the leaders of the so-called US double down on pollution, mineral extraction, war, and cuts to crucial agencies (EPA, FEMA, etc), it's more important than ever that philanthropy justly funds community organizations that are working to meet the needs of the disabled community. Disabled people are disproportionately impacted by environmental degradation and related disasters. This is compounded by the fact that disabled people in the so-called US are more likely to come from other marginalized communities. This workshop will address climate and disability justice and the ways that philanthropic organizations can play a key role in filling the gaps and slowing down the environmental catastrophes created and worsened by the government and corporations. Facilitated By: Jen Deerinwater.

Join us for a talk exploring the critical intersection of climate change and disability justice. Together, we’ll build shared knowledge about the disproportionate impacts climate disasters have on disabled communities, and identify ways philanthropy and grassroots advocates can collaborate to drive systemic change. This session will offer practical strategies for funders, activists, and community leaders to deepen partnerships, increase disability-led funding, and build a more resilient, inclusive future.

As climate disasters increase in scope, frequency, and severity, their disproportionate impact on individuals with disabilities is evident as they are typically affected first and worst. With federal funding for disasters in general and disability support being eliminated, private funders will play an increasingly important role. The session will discuss elements of funding that can focus on sustained change through building organizational capacity, capability, and resilience to support real planning, response, and recovery.

As the climate crisis intensifies and the leaders of the so-called US double down on pollution, mineral extraction, war, and cuts to crucial agencies (EPA, FEMA, etc), it's more important than ever that philanthropy justly funds community organizations that are working to meet the needs of the disabled community. Disabled people are disproportionately impacted by environmental degradation and related disasters. This is compounded by the fact that disabled people in the so-called US are more likely to come from other marginalized communities. This workshop will address climate and disability justice and the ways that philanthropic organizations can play a key role in filling the gaps and slowing down the environmental catastrophes created and worsened by the government and corporations. Facilitated By: Jen Deerinwater

Join Ada Gomero, MacArthur Foundation Senior Learning Officer of Evaluation and Learning, in conversation with disability and climate justice experts and funders, Elizabeth Yeampierre, Tanya Gulliver-Garcia, and Phyllis D. Meadows to learn about the connections between disability and climate change and to explore philanthropy’s role in supporting meaningful community-based solutions.

How do we accompany each other and the land amid climate chaos? Naomi Ortiz (they) offers often-overlooked perspectives on climate-grief, interdependence, and resilience. Their poetry, visual artwork, and writing explores potent aspects of disability, self-care, and ritual. They will help us to reflect on our connection to nature as a source of our collective wisdom and remember the power of community in unclear times.