Letter from the Interim Editor-in-Chief and Call for Contributors
Dear Reader,
Together, we believe in the power of storytelling, facts, and lived experience to inform, inspire, and advocate. Our strength lies in being peer-run and peer-led, ensuring that our voices—rooted in lived reality—remain at the center of everything we do.
We actively reject ableism and other biases, including racism, colorism, and sexism. We also examine the internalized biases that persist within the disability community. By doing so, we make space for the voices that have been silenced or overlooked, ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all.
This platform is not just ours, it's yours too. Your voice is what we're here for. Your experiences are what we want to share. For too long, others have spoken about us, or over us, without including us. Here, your story matters.
That's why we're reaching out to you. We're issuing a call for contributors. Whether you're an aspiring or experienced writer, we invite you to bring your perspective, your creativity, and your truth. You don’t need a CV or a list of publications to join us, only a commitment to original storytelling and cultural relevance. Your participation is not just welcomed, it's encouraged.
We are also seeking an Editor-in-Chief: a leader with both lived experience of disability and professional expertise in communications, journalism, or a related field. This role demands not only technical skill and sound news judgment but also resilience, adaptability, and the vision to guide a peer-led publication forward.
The future may feel uncertain, but it is also unwritten. Together, we can ensure our inclusion in the script—not as footnotes, but as authors of our own narrative.
If you have questions about becoming a contributor or the Editor-in-Chief position, please reach out to me at rj@disabilitycommunityfordemocracy.org.
Thank you for being part of the “Nothing About Us Without Us” community.
With solidarity and respect,
RJ Gilman & The Editorial Team
Other Ways to Engage with the Disability Community for Democracy, Inc.
You are cordially invited to participate in the STOP RFK Jr.’s Autism Registry Virtual Town Hall via Zoom. The scheduled town hall meetings will take place on Monday, September 22, 2025, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. These town halls are an essential part of our three-pronged approach to oppose the autism registry. They offer a fantastic chance for community members to share their concerns with elected officials about the registry. If you wish to voice your opinions to the representatives who serve us, please register at this link.
If you're interested in helping coordinate the town halls, here are the three planning meetings coming up: Friday, August 15, at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time; Friday, September 5, at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time; and Friday, September 19, at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Should you be interested in assisting with the organization of these town halls, please register your interest here.
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