Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE) and the partners of the Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC) are pleased to announce the 2022-2023 SARTAC Fellowship Award recipients.
Six Fellows were chosen through a competitive application process to carry out independently designed self advocacy leadership and policy-related projects. This is the fifth group of SARTAC Fellows. Fellows are listed below with their hometown, brief biography, title and summary of their project, and Host organization.
To learn more about the SARTAC Fellowship, these outstanding self advocates, and the previous class of Fellows, click here.
SARTAC Fellows 2024-2025
Connie Chu is a Fellow
Connie Chu
SARTAC Fellow from San Francisco, California
Fellowship Project: How the Printed Word Becomes a Small Business.
Connie Chu is an Asian American disability advocate author from San Francisco, CA. Connie has self-published 20 books, from poetry and women’s empowerment to science fiction. Through her work, she shows other people that dreams are possible.
Connie’s Fellowship Project: is How the Printed Word Becomes a Small Business. Connie plans to host a group of writers with disabilities and then teach this group and others in the disability community how to self-publish their work.
Host: Melissa Crisp-Cooper, The Arc San Francisco, with community support from Peter DeHass from the San Francisco Disability Business Alliance
Erin Compton is a Fellow at the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities
Erin Compton
SARTAC Fellow from Illinois
Fellowship Project: The Accessibility of Wellness
Erin Compton is a disability advocate from Illinois.
Erin is one of the youngest members of the State Rehabilitation Council for Illinois, where she represents students. She is a fierce advocate and loves history, including genealogy.
Erin’s Fellowship Project is The Accessibility of Wellness. Erin will use the definition of “wellness” to show how many disability systems make Wellness Inaccessible for people with disabilities.
Host: Mariel Hamer-Sinclair, Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities
Laura Lillian Davies is a Fellow at Lake Region Community Services
Laura Lillian Davies
SARTAC Fellow from New Hampshire
Fellowship Project: Inclusive Housing in Walkable Communities
Laura Lillian Davies is a disability advocate from New Hampshire.
Laura has served as a 2023 Think College Policy Advocate, voicing the desire for people with intellectual disabilities to live on college campuses and to take college classes for credit. She interned with a New Hampshire Legislative Liaison, where she supported state disability policy advocacy.
Laura’s Fellowship Project: is Inclusive Housing in Walkable Communities. Laura will advocate for affordable, inclusive housing in walkable communities for those with disabilities.
Host: Rebecca Bryant, Lakes Region Community Services
Cindy Kerr is a Fellow
Cindy Kerr
SARTAC Fellow from Colorado Springs, Colorado
Fellowship Project: Fairness in Employment for People with Visible and Invisible Disabilities
Cindy Kerr is a disability advocate from Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Cindy is the current president of Speaking for Ourselves, Colorado Springs whose local chapter is IncludeUSA. Cindy has a daughter named Jessica.
Cindy’s Fellowship Project: Fairness in Employment for People with Visible and Invisible Disabilities will help develop opportunities for new employment experiences.
Host: Blake West, Dungarvan, Colorado
Ashley Mathy is a Fellow at People First Wisconsin
Ashley Mathy
SARTAC Fellow from Wisconsin
Fellowship Project: My Advocacy Journey
Ashley Mathy is a disability advocate from Wisconsin.
Ashley has spoken around Wisconsin, advocating for individuals with special needs. Ashley works aggressively as an advocate for individuals with special needs with the motto “Cross out the Dis and Embrace the Ability.”
Ashley’s Fellowship Project: My Advocacy Journey. She will write the book in plain language about her journey as a person with autism and other disabilities.
Host: Cindy Bentley, People First Wisconsin
Marcus Aguiliar Pauli is a Fellow
Marcus Aguliar Pauli
SARTAC Fellow from Colorado
Fellowship Project: I See U “ICU”
Marcus Aguliar Pauli is a disability advocate storyteller from Colorado.
Marcus believes storytelling is a fantastic tool to share messages with others. These messages are powerful and can change the world. Marcus loves how video makes you care for the people he is filming by helping make connections.
Marcus’s Fellowship Project: is I See U “ICU.” Marcus will make films after he collects surveys on topics that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities pick. These videos will show us challenges and how they advocated for themselves to succeed.
Host: Lorraine Snow, The Arc of Larimer County
Amee Shah is a Fellow at Art Beat Studio - Wood County Society
Amee Shah
SARTAC Fellow from West Virginia
Fellowship Project: Healthy Living: Advocacy through Artwork
Amee Shah is a disability advocate from West Virginia.
Amee is a creative artist who likes to give back to her community. She was recognized for her volunteer work by the Presidential Volunteer Service Award.
Amee’s Fellowship Project is Healthy Living: Advocacy through Artwork. Using art, Amee will showcase how to use art for a healthy life. She will discuss healthy eating, balanced nutrition, and good choices. Using art, she will showcase how to use art for a healthy life.
Host: Brandon Gress, Art Beat Studio - Wood County Society
If you would like to contact the SARTAC Fellows, please email Teresa Moore (connect@selfadvocacyinfo.org).