01 Why this matters
Disability is a demographic that crosses every other demographic. Race, gender, sexuality, faith, age, geography, class — disability touches all of them. A disability-focused nonprofit that fails to see those intersections isn’t doing the work. It’s doing half of it.
Our founder’s story begins with a moment of violence in Kansas City. His path since has been about refusing to let a single event define him. The same principle applies to the community we serve: nobody’s life should be reduced to one part of their identity.
Every human deserves access to the tools, community, and opportunity to define their own life. Disability is not a defect to be managed. It is a dimension of human experience that has too often been designed around, when it should be designed with.
02 Who we serve
The Help Me Fit Challenge and all DBNR programs are open to adults living with physical disabilities, regardless of:
- Race, ethnicity, or national origin
- Gender identity or expression
- Sexual orientation
- Religion or belief
- Age (18+)
- Veteran status
- Socioeconomic status (all cohort spots are sponsored at no cost to participants)
- Type or cause of disability
We evaluate applications on fit, readiness, and capacity — not on identity.
03 How we show up
In our programs
We select cohorts that reflect the real diversity of the disability community. We train our adaptive trainers and mentors on cultural humility. We tell participants’ stories with their consent and in their own words.
In our leadership
We seek board members, staff, and volunteers whose identities and lived experiences expand our perspective. Tokenism is not inclusion. Representation shapes what gets prioritized.
In our partnerships
We partner with organizations that share our commitment to equity. We ask questions about accessibility, hiring, and community impact before we put our name next to theirs.
In our advocacy
We use our platform to push for policy change that benefits the broader disability community, including accessibility in public spaces, equitable healthcare, and meaningful employment opportunities.
04 Accountability
A DEI statement means nothing without follow-through. Our commitments:
- Annual review. The Board of Directors reviews DEI progress and goals at least once a year.
- Participant feedback. Every cohort is surveyed on whether our program felt welcoming and accessible to them, and where we can do better.
- Transparency. Significant changes to our DEI commitments will be documented and shared publicly.
- Open door. If you experience bias, discrimination, or exclusion in connection with DBNR, contact us directly. We will investigate and respond.
Email info@disabledbutnotreally.org with the subject “DEI Concern.” Your message will be received by leadership. We treat concerns confidentially and seriously.
05 Connect with us
DEI is not a department. It is the foundation of the work. If you have ideas, questions, or challenges for us on how we can do it better, we want to hear them.
Disabled But Not Really Foundation
P.O. Box 11850, Kansas City, MO 64138
Email: info@disabledbutnotreally.org
Phone: 816.237.0690