**A lifetime of advocacy and experience**

Elizabeth Rajchart has been educating and speaking on disability since childhood, on a range of topics including self advocacy, mental health, accessibility, and resilience and perseverance. Elizabeth has lived with a disability since she was a child, first learning how to navigate a school system as a gifted disabled student, then using her self advocacy skills to continue her career as a photographer from her wheelchair. Elizabeth’s message has reached a diverse list of audiences, including youth organizations, police departments, middle and high school faculty, parent groups, and health care professionals.

Elizabeth’s talks are personal, insightful, and tailored to her audience.

Speaking Topics

Presentations

Elizabeth shares her personal story of living with ADHD, bipolar disorder, PTSD, Mast Cell Disease, and Dysautonomia, detailing her experiences with diagnoses, childhood challenges, and the evolution of her disabilities. Elizabeth delves into her own experiences, sharing how adaptive environments and accommodations have empowered her, showcasing her evolution as a photographer and self-advocate. Concluding with valuable insights on self-advocacy, legal rights, and IPLAN (Inventory, Provide, Listen, Ask, Name), Elizabeth inspires everyone to become advocates for themselves and others, fostering a more inclusive and supportive society.
Unraveling the complexities of the medical and social models of disability, Elizabeth sheds light on the discrimination faced by the disabled community and advocates for a paradigm shift towards inclusivity. Drawing on personal anecdotes and societal observations, Elizabeth explores the impact of these models on healthcare, accessibility, and societal perspectives. In this engaging presentation, she encourages a more inclusive approach, discussing the Social Model and the transformative potential of the Social Adapted Model.
Unlock the untapped potential of over 10.7 million individuals, armed with a lifetime of problem-solving prowess and adaptability ingrained in their DNA. Despite their readiness to contribute, pervasive lack of education and rampant misinformation have left this talent pool untapped. This presentation reveals the transformative impact of diversifying abilities within your workforce, promising remarkable company-wide results and sharing real-life success stories from major companies championing inclusivity.
Explores the pervasive gender bias in diagnosing autism, Asperger's, and ADHD. Delving into diagnostic criteria, the presentation reveals challenges faced by women, urging action for inclusive criteria and heightened awareness to ensure equitable diagnostic practices.
Delve into the profound impact of internalized ableism on individuals with disabilities. From exploring its emotional and social consequences to unpacking and challenging ingrained beliefs, the speech provides strategies for building resilience, empowerment, and fostering inclusion. The audience is encouraged to engage in self-reflection and contribute to a culture that values and embraces the diverse abilities of all individuals.
Elizabeth’s personal story of living with bipolar disorder since childhood, sharing a profound journey, discussing challenges faced, triumphs achieved, and the impact on my own daily life. From defining bipolar disorder and exploring treatment strategies to addressing stigma and embracing life despite challenges, this presentation provides a unique and personal perspective.