About Us
We’re a lot of things, but “sorry for ourselves” is not one of them.
We started The DIS/Ableist Network as an interactive community for you to share your opinions about difficult issues, and topics which are often invisible to well-meaning people.
DIS/Ableists are unapologetic about activism. The movement begins with you.
Meet Our Team:
Kyle Romano - Disability Activist
Kyle Romano is a writer, speaker, and disability activist. He hopes The DIS/Ableist Network will give our audience a much needed outlet to discuss disability, the struggles of limitation, and the plight of ableism.
Around the age of one, Kyle contracted bacterial meningitis. As a result, physicians had to amputate all four of his limbs. Thoughtful, passionate, and determined, he always says, “An activist’s job is never done.”
Luis Rodriguez - Producer and Co-host
Luis Rodriguez is a photographer, videographer, editor, and painter. He is the producer and cohost of the DIS/Ableist Report. He started out behind-the-scenes, establishing the Network and its mission, along with Kyle.
Luis is on the autism spectrum and, as a result, can offer insight on what it’s like to live with neurodivergent limitations. By working with the DIS/Ableist Network, he wants to spread awareness of the complex issues that individuals on the spectrum face, and be an ally to those with physical disabilities.
Gaby Cecilia - Contributing Writer
Gaby is a graduate of Saint Xavier University, where she received a Master’s Degree in Education. Her passions include advocacy and nonprofit work. Currently, she is a board member of the Association of Horizon, a nonprofit organization that empowers and enriches the lives of adults with physical disabilities. Her hobbies include karaoke, reading, and shopping. Through her work with the DIS/Ableist Network, Gaby hopes to increase awareness of the importance of societal integration for adults with physical disabilities.
Dawson Grey (They/Them, She, Her) Patient Advocate and Disability Activist
Dawson Grey was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease as a baby, and also navigates arthritis, autism, plaque psoriasis, an ileostomy, and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). They’ve worked as a patient advocate for over eight years, and are now involved in disability activism.
Dawson believes that mainstream media negatively portrays disability, and that we need to find a new way to talk about it. Dawson feels that their autism has informed their love for analyzing social trends, and that The DIS/Ableist platform will allow them to pursue this passion.