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Tune in to episode 10 of the Disability Inclusion: Required podcast.

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The Impact of Funding Direct Action and Organizing: A Conversation with Julie Farrar and Jen Matheson

In this episode of Disability Inclusion: Required, host Emily Ladau welcomes Julie Farrar, a longtime disabled organizer and activist, along with Jen Matheson, who leads the leads the Advancing Disability Justice program at Northwest Health Foundation. Through storytelling and reflection, Julie and Jen shine a spotlight on the impact of funding direction action and organizing.

Our podcast theme music is by Andre Louis and Precious Perez. Thank you to Recording Artists And Music Professionals With Disabilities (RAMPD) for connecting these talented disabled musicians with the Disability & Philanthropy Forum.

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Click here for a transcript of this episode.

Click here to tune into other episodes of Disability Inclusion: Required.

Featured Guests

Julie Farrar, a white womam with gray short hair, wearing an orange t-shirt and a yellow flower in her hair. She is sitting in the front seat of a car.

Julie Farrar

Julie Farrar has been involved in the disability rights movement since she was 16 years old. She participated in the Capitol Crawl in DC in 1990, using direct action tactics to persuade legislators to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act. Julie currently works on building a fusion Social Justice Movement that includes perspectives and leadership from the disability community. She works with the Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley, Poor Peoples’ Campaign and Caring Majority (FairPay4HomeCare), fighting for access to Healthcare for All and livable wages for home care workers and family caregivers.

Julie lives in Albany, New York. She is the proud mother of three daughters.

Headshot of Jen wearing an animal print sweater, she has short brown hair and light skin.

Jen Matheson

Jen Matheson joined Northwest Health Foundation in 2014. As Director of Programs, she leads the program team in carrying out many of NWHF’s ambitious initiatives. Jen leads the Advancing Disability Justice program at NWHF, which includes community engagement, organizational learning and grant making.

Jen received a bachelor’s degree from University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. She is also a graduate of Neighborhood Partnerships’ Advocates College and completed Rockwood Leadership Institute’s Art of Leadership program. Jen served on the Proud Ground board of directors for six years and is trained as a Healthy Homes Specialist and a Master Home Environmentalist. Jen currently serves on the board for the Progressive Multiplier Action Fund.