Moya Shpuntoff, projects coordinator at the World Institute on Disability, hopes to shine a bright light on how intersectionality and disability rights tie in with diversity, inclusion, and changework during her Upswell workshop, “An Intersectional Approach to Disability Inclusion.” Of all the things she’s proud of, she’s most proud of how she cares for herself. We caught up with her to hear more about that, and learn what else inspires and informs her changework.

Q: If you could instantly become an expert on something, what would that be?

MS: It’s a complicated question because, for me, it would be everything I would need to know around how to organize for actionable, tangible change in terms of social justice. But that’s something that, by nature, can’t be learned instantly, and a part of the importance of that process is the process. So I don’t know that I’d want to know everything instantly, but that is what I would love to know.

Q: If you were President, what’s the first change you would make?

MS: Ending mass incarceration.

Q: What is the one thing you’re deeply proud of, but would never put on your resumé?

MS: I am deeply proud of the commitment I’ve made to taking care of myself as a queer disabled person working in a world that isn’t built for someone like me, and I’m very proud of the way that I’ve committed to caring for myself and using that care to then empower and care for others.

Q: Who has had the biggest impact on the person you are today?

MS: I would say myself. I think that there have been a lot of wonderful mentors and people who have guided me in my life, but ultimately I’ve had the largest role in shaping who I am today and that’s something that I’m proud of.

Q: What one thing would you change about the sector right now, if you could?

MS: I would love to see a huge increase in organizations that are being led by multiply marginalized people of color, especially disabled, trans, and queer people of color. And I think that kind of leadership, and specifically supporting those kinds of leaders to create and run the organizations that they think are going to best serve our communities – I think that is a much-needed and exciting change that I’d like to see in the sector.

An Intersectional Approach to Disability Inclusion is happening Thursday, November 14 from 10:45 – 11:30am.