Who We Are
The U.S. Gender and Disability Justice Alliance (USGDJA or the Alliance) is a new disability justice-oriented collective convening women, nonbinary persons, and other gender minorities with disabilities from across the United States together to take action on issues important to our community.
Mission Statement
We aim to educate policymakers, related human and civil rights organizations, and the larger community about pertinent issues that affect our lives as women, non-binary persons and other gender minorities with disabilities. Our work addresses ableism along with other relevant intersections of discrimination and prejudice such as racism, sexism, and heteronormativity etc. In addition to engaging in education and initiating change, USGDJA is a safe, supportive, feminist, and disability justice-oriented space where members can connect with one another, and share experiences and insights.
What We Do
We meet virtually on at least a quarterly basis to discuss USGDJA tasks. In addition to the official meetings, we will have at least two virtual or in-person social meet-ups per year. USGDJA members maintain shared ownership over the space and its activities, and work on advocacy tasks together. Live closed captioning is provided at all meetings. Other access accommodations are available upon request.
Priority Issues
2023 USGDJA Priorities:
- Home and community-based services, accessible, affordable housing, de-institutionalization, and the right to have choice in control of our own lives as women, nonbinary people, and other gender minorities with disabilities.
- Employment rights and justice for women, nonbinary persons, and other gender minorities with disabilities
- Aligning with and educating human rights and justice organizations that do not specifically focus on disability, about disability, including the social and cultural aspects of disability, and how it intersects with other identities such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, class etc.
- Sexual and reproductive health rights and justice including, parental rights, justice, the right to abortion care, and the right to gender-affirming care.
2023 Highlights
I want to join USGDGA! Who is eligible to participate?
- Self-identify as a person with a disability, this includes but is not limited to: people with physical disabilities, people who are chronically ill, psych survivors and people with mental health disabilities, neurodiverse people, people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, Deaf people, Blind people, people with environmental injuries and chemical sensitivities.
- Self-Identify as a woman (cis or trans), nonbinary person, genderqueer, agender, genderless, gender non-conforming person, or represent an organization that is committed to advancing the rights and justice of people living at the intersection of disability and gender.
- Live in the United States; this includes people who live in any of the 50 states, District of Columbia, and the territories either full-time or part-time.
- Be committed to centering and elevating the voices of women (cis and trans), nonbinary, genderqueer, agender, genderless, and gender non-conforming persons.
What else do I need to know before joining?
Honorarium
Honorariums (payments) are available to USGDJA members who assist with USGDJA tasks. Meeting attendance honorariums are also available for members whose attendance at meetings is not funded by their employer.
Leadership
USGDJA operates under a collective leadership structure and assumes collective responsibility for getting tasks done. The group coordinator, currently WEI, provides logistical support.
Guiding Principles
USGDJA members agree to follow and support a set of shared values and rules through their words and actions. Review the Guiding Principles for the Alliance.
How to Join
If for any reason the expression of interest form is not accessible to you or if you have any other questions, please contact the Alliance Coordinator, Janie Mejias, at J.mejias@womenenabled.org.
