LAUNCH TEAM

Michelle Gardner, she/her

Talking about her work to establish the DSFA, Michelle is quick to reference that national data show people with disabilities disproportionally trend toward poorer outcomes – education, employment, poverty, health, etc. She follows with: “I have been part of our UW community since 1996, having occupied student and professional staff roles prior to becoming faculty. We at UW can – and need to– do better about enabling folks with disabilities to navigate, contribute, and succeed at UW and beyond.” Michelle describes working on raising awareness about dyslexia and advocating toward more inclusive attitudes, practices, and policies for people with neurodivergent minds, chronic health or other invisible disabilities. She hopes you will join in, or check in. You don’t have to be alone in your journey of struggle or allyship.

Eli Heller, he/him

Eli is a student affairs practitioner passionate about supporting students through career development, professional mentorship, and experiential learning, and has been working at the UW since 2019. He has served in professional roles as an academic advisor, career coach, and instructor. He welcomes any and all inquiries regarding navigating ADHD-related challenges as either a student or professional. Eli’s main goals as a member of DSFA are to spread awareness of the unique challenges that neurodivergent staff and faculty face at the UW and to provide support and build community around shared lived experiences, disability allyship, and storytelling.

Jen Mankoff, she/they

Jen is disabled, with an invisible chronic illness. She says: “I am happy to talk about my experience of navigating both medical and social barriers in academia and provide mentorship. Please reach out if I can help.” Her research is focused on accessibility through giving people the voice, tools and agency to advocate for themselves. Jen strives to bring both structural and personal perspectives to her work and has also been engaged in leading significant (and successful) advocacy in professional settings for over a decade. She directs the Center for Research and Education in Accessible Technology and Experiences (create.uw.edu).

Christine Lew, she/her

Christine is a disabled/Neurodivergent-identifying queer Asian-American woman, who grew up with Deaf parents. She currently serves as the intake coordinator for the UW Seattle Disability Resources for Students office, the program coordinator for Professional Development at AHEAD (Association on Higher Education and Disability) and is lecturing for the Disability Studies Program. As a student at UW (class of 2021), she conducted research on disability identity development and the concept of ‘disability gain. After graduation, she co-founded Crip Riot, a disabled-owned and led company committed to bringing expressions of disability pride to the world. Her career has weaved in and out of psychology research, HR and DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility), disability justice activism, event planning, and disability services at the University of Washington. She is thrilled to be working with DSFA to cultivate community on at UW!

Connor McComas, he/him

Connor has been in higher education for nearly 10 years, most of that as an academic advisor. He identifies as queer and Neurodivergent. He has a degree in Psychology and has spent his professional career in service to others. He says, “I was diagnosed with ADHD and other ‘invisible’ disabilities much later in life as an adult. From this I’ve learned that the most meaningful thing I can do is live out loud with them. As a DSFA member I want to make visible the challenges that disabled UW staff and faculty experience while celebrating the diverse talents that we bring to the university.” His passions are building community, activism, and being a lifelong learner. He says, “If you are looking for community, understanding, and acceptance join the DFSA!”

Jon Sallows he/him

Jon has worked for the University of Washington in various administrative roles since 2014. He has eight years of experience in project administration, meetings, event planning, and outreach, six years of experience with media closed captioning and PDF document accessibility and two years’ of operating as a DEI representative and administrator for the Office of Research. He has worked closely with the DFSA affinity group’s start and public launch and joins as a DFSA ally. While Jon grew up in Alaska, he has an international background. Jon’s hobbies include – DEI and everything and anything nerdy. Feel free to contact Jon with your interests, comments or questions.

Deborah Alterman she/her

Deborah has been Director of Program Operations for the interdisciplinary MS in Data Science program since it began in 2016. Her ADHD has helped her to create, strengthen and expand operational support for a highly successful professional master’s program created by six departments across four schools and colleges. Her ADHD also makes it hard for her to arrive at meetings on time, even if she is leading them.

Deborah only began thinking of herself as disabled in 2021, when she was diagnosed with ADHD. Her disabled identity expanded when she developed a mobility limitation. She is excited that the DSFA will offer support and community to UW staff and faculty who develop new disabilities or new disabled identities.