Micaela Connery on Building Inclusive, Disability-Forward Communities

The Need for Inclusive Housing

• 💡 Kelsey's experience highlighted systemic barriers faced by people with disabilities in accessing housing and community living.
• ⚠️ Many existing systems were not designed with considerations for individuals with significant disabilities, leading to a lack of opportunity and choice.

The Kelsey's Mission

• 🎯 The Kelsey is a movement co-founded by people with and without disabilities to reimagine housing for all.
• 🏠 The organization advocates for and builds housing that is disability-forward, focusing on affordability, accessibility, and inclusivity.

Systemic Change and Policy

• 🚀 Beyond building housing, The Kelsey works to change systems, field resources, and policies to enable inclusive communities everywhere.
• 🗣️ This involves moving away from historical institutional and facility-based settings towards community-based solutions that prioritize choice and control.

Redesigning for Community

• ✨ The approach involves asking individuals what kind of housing interventions they need, emphasizing community and connection alongside affordability and accessibility.
• 💖 The legacy of Kelsey, Micaela Connery's cousin, is deeply embedded in the organization's work, driving its mission forward.