About Us
Disability Pride Madison’s mission is to work as a cross-disability organization to support and celebrate disabled communities and promote disability justice in Madison, Wisconsin, and beyond.
Kate Moran
Kate Moran has been inspired by Beachtree the disabled lesbian land collective,The Women's Braille Press, other women at DART and the periodicals Dyke, Disability and Stuff and the Madness Network News. I joined the DPM board the first year and have been with it long enough to be given "The Relentless Badger Award" from the Wisconsin Coalition of Independent Living Centers (WCILC). I credit my work with Disability Pride Madison for making me comfortable in my own skin as a disabled person whose disabilities are not always apparent. It has also brought many wonderful people into my life.
Jason Glozier
Bio coming soon!
Martha Siravo
Bio coming soon!
Jason Beloungy
I am originally from Dane County, and currently live south of Madison with my wife, Heather, and my two daughters, Ella, and Ilana. I serve as the executive director of Access to Independence, which is a disability-led and run organization. As a person with a mental health and substance use disabilities, having an opportunity to come together as a community is what I love about the Disability Pride Festival. I was able to support and volunteer the very first event in Madison, and I am thrilled to be able to be involved again this year.
Autumn Neugent
I am a 42 year old woman. I’ve always identified as a strong, outspoken force, an athlete, coach, teacher, an active person. When I was diagnosed with MS in 2009 and my physical abilities started to decline, I lost some of that identity. I found the UW adaptive fitness program and the Madison SCI group where I was surrounded by people who were DOING, LIVING and EMBRACING their abilities! Through this I recognized that I was still the same person! Although my body had changed, I was able to adapt! I started participating in adapted cross country, down hill and water skiing, kayaking, rock climbing, sled hockey and martial arts! I have reestablished my identity!
Rhiannon Gurley
Rhiannon Gurley, M.S. is best known as a community organizer and as a national award-winning artist. Rhiannon’s art has been displayed in disability art competitions such as DeVIA, Missouri VSA and Arts for All (formerly Wisconsin VSA). She is also the founder of Our Vibrant Community, a female/disability owned business with a mission to include the arts and disability awareness in its community development initiatives. High achievements marked as a St. Louis Regional Arts Commission- Community Art Training 2013 graduate, served on the City of Springfield, IL Community Relations Commission, selected as a “40 Under 40 Future Business Leader” by Springfield, Illinois Chamber of Commerce and is now serving on the City of Madison - Disability Rights Commission. Representing as a hard-of-hearing board member; you may have come across her Sign Language & Disability Awareness classes offered in the community.
News Coverage
Our Lives Magazine - The Queer Future is Disabled summer 2021 issue
Fox47 - Seventh annual Disability Pride Festival promotes inclusivity for all July 28, 2019
WKOW - Disability Pride Festival celebrates community July 27, 2019
Isthmus - Dancing past limitations July 25, 2019
Madison365 - Seventh Annual Disability Pride Madison Set for July 27 July 11, 2019
If you would like to write an article about or with Disability Pride or interview any of its members, please email disabilitypridemadison@gmail.com with your pitch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is disability pride?
"People with disabilities are the largest and most diverse minority within the population representing all abilities, ages, races, ethnicities, religions and socio-economic backgrounds. Disability Pride has been defined as accepting and honoring each person's uniqueness and seeing it as a natural and beautiful part of human diversity. Disability Pride is an integral part of movement building, and a direct challenge of systemic ableism and stigmatizing definitions of disability."
How can I support the 2021 virtual showcase and events?
Please donate! For every $250 we can fund another Black disabled artist in our showcase! Checks can be made to: Disability Pride Madison, Box 70795, Madison, WI 53707 ! Or, you can donate to our Paypal here.
A picture of some members and former members of Disability Pride Madison hanging out in Kate's backyard!
From left to right, back row: Kate Moran, Jess Draws, Jilip Nagler, and Rachel DL.
Front row: Sashe Mishur, Skippy the dog, Cecil Leigh Wilson, and T. S. Banks.
This photo was taken by Ora Photos! Contact Amanda on Instagram for to schedule your own photoshoot!