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aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social
A Place For Us
@aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social
6 followers 17 following 30 posts
Our mission is to create virtual space for students with disabilities to connect and empower one another to succeed in higher education through peer mentorship that spans from high school through college.
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aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social
Meet our new mentor, Sarah! To connect with a mentor, fill out this form aplaceforusdisability.org/connect-with-a-mentor/
Sarah, a young woman with long mostly straight dark hair, is seen sitting in the grass in front of a field of sunflowers. The sky is grayish. Sarah is wearing a gray cardigan and a long floral dress. She is holding a sunflower and smiling with visible teeth and squinty eyes.
December 11, 2025 at 8:58 PM
aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social
Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday! Consider supporting us with a monetary donation. Donate at aplaceforusdisability.org/donate/
#givingtuesday #disability
December 2, 2025 at 1:52 AM
aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social
On Giving Tuesday, which is in one week, consider donating to A Place For Us! Your donation will go towards things like our mentorship program, virtual events, and annual dues.

You can learn more about us by visiting our website (aplaceforusdisability.org).
Centered on a white background with a border of orangeish leaves is “Support A Place For Us this GIVING TUESDAY December 2, 2025”. At the bottom in brownish orange text is “Help us keep our mentorship program and events free and accessible to all!” Centered on a golden yellow background with a border of orangeish leaves is “How to Donate -PayPal: aplaceforusnetwork@gmail.com -Venmo: @aplaceforus The links to our PayPal and Venmo can also be found on our website, aplaceforusdisability.org Keep reading to see what your donation will be used for!” in dark red and white text. At the bottom are the Giving Tuesday logo and the A Place For Us logo. On a red background at the top in yellow text is “Your donations can help:” Below that in white text is “-Cover the cost of mentor background checks -Fund training and professional development for mentors -Pay for organizational fees -and more!”. At the bottom are the Giving Tuesday logo and the A Place For Us logo.
November 25, 2025 at 10:37 PM
aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social
Next month we have another FREE virtual event coming up in collaboration with Beyond Disability Club. Sign up here: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
On a turquoise background in purple text is “Just Beyond Us A Virtual Event about Navigating a Disability and Building Community in Higher Education Thursday, December 11, 6 pm Central APFU x Beyond Disability Club”. Centered at the bottom is the A Place for Us logo.
November 21, 2025 at 6:11 PM
aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social
We have this great FREE event coming up in 10 days! Don’t forget to register here: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

#yaliterature #disability #disabilityinliterature #mentalhealthinliterature
on a lime green background at the top in brown text is “Narratives of Belonging: Disability, Mental Health, and Youth Literature November 11, 2025”. Below that is a cream colored drawing of an open book. Below that in brown text is “6-7 pm Central”. Centered at the bottom is the A Place For Us logo. on a lime green background in brown text is “This FREE virtual event will be a roundtable discussion where scholars will discuss the importance of disability studies and mental health when studying and reading young adult literature. Joining us in the conversation is Edcel Javier Cintron-Gonzalez, Audrey T. Heffers, Jordan Grunawalt, and Dr. Jeremy Johnston.” Centered at the bottom is the A Place For Us logo.
November 1, 2025 at 8:18 PM
aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social
Meet Ben, our social work intern!

Ben says “I have experience with self-advocacy in school both with and without official support. Having been on both sides (being at the mercy of my teachers/having a whole department at my back) I know how much of a difference accommodations can make.”
Ben, a young man with curly red hair, glasses, and red facial hair is seen sitting with a complex percussion setup around him. He is wearing black headphones, a black t-shirt, black pants, and black shoes, and he is smiling.
October 22, 2025 at 9:44 PM
aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social
We have an exciting event coming up next month! Sign up here: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
on a lime green background in dark green text is “Narratives of Belonging: Disability, Mental Health, and Youth Literature”. Below that is a silhouette of an open book. To the left of the book is “November 11, 2025” in brown text. To the right of the book is “6-7 pm Central”. Below that in dark green text is “This FREE virtual event will be a roundtable discussion where scholars will discuss the importance of disability studies and mental health when studying and reading young adult literature. Joining us in the conversation is Edcel Javier Cintron-Gonzalez, Audrey T. Heffers, Jordan Grunawalt, and Dr. Jeremy Johnston.” Centered at the bottom is the A Place For Us logo. On a lime green background at the top is an image of Edcel, a young Latino with short black hair and a black mustache and beard, seen from the waist up. He’s wearing a black turtleneck sweater and a black trench coat. Behind him is a university building and a tree with orange leaves. Below this picture in dark green text is “Edcel Javier Cintron-Gonzalez is a proud Puerto Rican and a Ph.D. Candidate in English Studies with specialization in Children’s and YA Literature at Illinois State University. Edcel is the author of Irma, Maria, Fiona, and Me (2023) published in PRESS 254/Spoonfuls, and a 2024 TedxNormal speaker.” Centered at the bottom is the A Place for Us logo. on a lime green background at the top is an image of Dr. Johnston, a white man wearing rectangular glasses with metal frames, seen from the shoulders up. He is wearing a dark red collared shirt and he has a slight closed-mouth smile. Below this picture in dark green text is “Jeremy Johnston is an Assistant Professor of Children’s and Young Adult Literature at Illinois State University. His teaching and research interests include literary adolescence, mental health, economics, and political philosophy. He currently serves as the President of the Young Adult Studies Association and on the ChLA Ombuds Committee. His forthcoming book, Productive Citizenship: Neoliberal Capitalism & the Young Adult Novel, is under contract with the University Press of Mississippi.” Centered at the bottom is the A Place for Us logo. on a lime green background at the top is an image of Audrey, a young White woman with wavy brown shoulder length hair, seen from the chest up. She is wearing a pink and white floral blouse, a light pink cardigan, a necklace, and large dark-framed glasses. She is smiling with visible teeth. Behind her is a bookshelf and two framed pictures on the wall. Below that image in dark green text is “Audrey T. Heffers, who also writes under Audrey T. Carroll, is the author of What Blooms in the Dark (ELJ Editions) and The Gaia Hypothesis (Alien Buddha Press), and she is the Chair of the Creative Writing Studies Organization. Her Instagram/Bluesky is @AudreyTCarroll and her website is http://AudreyTCarrollWrites.weebly.com.” Below that in brown text is “Jordan Grunawalt (not pictured) is a 4th-year PhD student in Literary and Cultural Studies at Illinois State University. Her research interests specialize in disability studies, environmental disasters, and Asian spaces. Recently, she presented on the disabling impact of the 2011 Fukushima Disaster 2025 ASLE conference. She also has a forthcoming publication on disability and community in Spiderman Into the Spiderverse.” Centered at the bottom is the A Place for Us logo.
October 15, 2025 at 8:26 PM
aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social
Today is World Mental Health Day! Here’s a list of Songs to Inspire Recovery.

What songs would you add? Share in the comments and your suggestions will be considered for the playlist!

Save the link because this is an ongoing project and will be updated.

docs.google.com/document/d/1...
on a turquoise background in purple text is “To celebrate World Mental Health Day Friday, October 10, 2025 Check out this list of Songs to Inspire Recovery”. Centered at the bottom is the A Place for Us logo. on a purple background at the top left is a turquoise treble clef and musical notes. To the right of that in white text is “Songs to Inspire Recovery”. Below that in white and turquoise text is “The songs on this list are meant to be hopeful and encouraging for anyone struggling with mental illness, substance use, trauma, or even just a rough time in their life. They span many genres and have a range of relevant themes in their lyrics.“ Centered at the bottom is the A Place for Us logo.
October 10, 2025 at 5:09 PM
aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social
Coming up soon!
aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social A Place For Us @aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social · Sep 9
On Tuesday September 23 at 6 pm central, we’ll be collaborating with American Medicare Disability Advocates (AMDA) for a FREE webinar! Sign up here: 21d160fa.streaklinks.com/CjBBpbnOzmtV...

Note: we previously posted an incorrect date for this event, and we apologize for any confusion.
On a white background at the top is “FREE Webinar on Medicaid” in blue text. Below that in red and blue text is “September 23 6 pm Central Time”. Below that on the left in red and blue text is “What will be covered: Understanding Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D Who is eligible for Medicare What Medicare covers (durable medical equipment, hospital coverage, prescriptions, etc.) How the American Medicare Disability Advocates (AMDA) can help you get enrolled or better utilize your benefits Q&A with Heather Higginson”. To the right of that is a photo of Heather, a young White woman with long blonde wavy hair, seen from the hips up. She is wearing a light gray long sleeve shirt, crossing her arms, and smiling with visible teeth. At the bottom is the AMDA logo and the A Place for Us logo.
September 22, 2025 at 4:47 AM
aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social
On Tuesday September 23 at 6 pm central, we’ll be collaborating with American Medicare Disability Advocates (AMDA) for a FREE webinar! Sign up here: 21d160fa.streaklinks.com/CjBBpbnOzmtV...

Note: we previously posted an incorrect date for this event, and we apologize for any confusion.
On a white background at the top is “FREE Webinar on Medicaid” in blue text. Below that in red and blue text is “September 23 6 pm Central Time”. Below that on the left in red and blue text is “What will be covered: Understanding Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D Who is eligible for Medicare What Medicare covers (durable medical equipment, hospital coverage, prescriptions, etc.) How the American Medicare Disability Advocates (AMDA) can help you get enrolled or better utilize your benefits Q&A with Heather Higginson”. To the right of that is a photo of Heather, a young White woman with long blonde wavy hair, seen from the hips up. She is wearing a light gray long sleeve shirt, crossing her arms, and smiling with visible teeth. At the bottom is the AMDA logo and the A Place for Us logo.
September 9, 2025 at 12:08 AM
aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social
Meet Board member Allie!

Education: B.A. in English & Global Studies, M.S. in Special Education
Job: Special Ed Teacher
Passion: Ensuring equity in opportunity through access to services and supports
Hobbies: Reading, watercolor, paddling, cycling
Anticipating: starting at a new school and district
Allie, a young woman with dark wavy shoulder-length hair with blonde highlights, is seen from the neck up. She is wearing two gold necklaces and is smiling with visible teeth.
September 4, 2025 at 7:01 PM
aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social
Meet our Social Media Manager, Alexis!

Degree: BA in psych and art from Beloit College, MSW from Illinois State University

Job: mental health professional and volunteer at a zoo

Passion: Mental health

Hobbies: Arts and crafts, thrifting, listening to music

Most anticipated event: Halloween
Alexis, a young White woman with long red hair, is seen from the chest up. She is wearing a short sleeve pinkish purple dress, and shiny hot pink lip color. She’s smiling with visible teeth and tilting her head to her right.
September 3, 2025 at 3:40 AM
aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social
We’re starting our staff updates with Executive Director Ana!

Education: bachelors in General Education from Beloit College and Masters in Special Education from UW-Madison

Career: Elementary Special Education teacher

Passionate about: helping students with disabilities succeed in school and life
Ana, a young White woman with long wavy dark blonde hair, is seen from the knees up sitting in her wheelchair. Her hands are folded in her lap, and she is smiling with visible teeth. She’s wearing a gold necklace, a white t-shirt that says “A Place For Us Five years of US Est. 2020” and a light purple crossbody bag. Behind her are signs from the Abilities Expo.
August 30, 2025 at 10:24 PM
aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social
We have a new staff member! Learn about Nicholas, our Outreach Coordinator. Nicholas went to Eastern Kentucky University. Now, he’s an inspirational speaker. He is passionate about educating people about autism and neurodiversity. Nicholas says “I care about making a difference in people’s lives.”
Nicholas, a young White man with short dark hair, is sitting on a blue bench with black cushions. Nicholas is wearing a blue baseball cap, sunglasses on a string around his neck, a dark shirt with a melting Rubix cube printed on it, and light gray cargo shorts. His hands are in his lap, and he’s smiling with visible teeth and squinty eyes. Behind him is a sign with a picture of the beach and “Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk” on it.
August 26, 2025 at 9:56 PM
aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social
Next month we will be collaborating with Always Improving Minds (AIM) for a FREE virtual event about the transition to higher education as a student with a disability. If you’d like to attend, sign up here: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
on a light turquoise background in purple text is “Transitioning to Higher Education with a Disability A Virtual Event Thursday, Sept. 18 7 pm Eastern/6 pm Central Always Improving Minds x A Place for Us”. In the bottom left corner is the AIM logo. To the right of that is the A Place for Us logo.
August 25, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Reposted by A Place For Us
autisticadvocacy.org
This Disability Pride Month has seen its fair share of losses, but it has also seen our community and many others fighting and pushing back. Read on to see what we’ve been doing and how you can join in this month.
autisticadvocacy.org/2025/07/asan...
July 31, 2025 at 8:02 PM
aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social
Happening this Thursday!
aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social A Place For Us @aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social · Jul 16
At the end of the month, we will be collaborating with Education Advocates of America for a FREE virtual webinar. It will be on Thursday July 31 at 7 pm central time. Register here us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi... to get the zoom link!
on a light pink and white background in black text is “Navigating the Journey: Transition to Post-Secondary Education for Students with Disabilities Virtual Webinar LIVE July 31st @ 7PM CST Topics will include: -Understanding the differences between high school and college disability services -How to request accommodations in post-secondary settings -Building self-advocacy skills -Exploring programs and resources that support a successful transition -Tips for families on how to support independence and planning Speakers: -Ashley Traylor, MA ED Non-Attorney Special Education Advocate Education Advocates of America -Ana Kohout Executive Director A Place For Us”
July 28, 2025 at 4:29 AM
aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social
We had a great time at Chicago’s disability pride parade! #disabilitypride
a group of people, two in wheelchairs and the rest standing, posing with the A Place For Us banner in front of the Chicago Picasso sculpture in Daley Plaza.
July 26, 2025 at 10:25 PM
aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social
One week away!
aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social A Place For Us @aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social · Jun 18
We hope you can join us at the Disability Pride Parade in Chicago next month! Don’t forget to order your t-shirts by July 9 too!

Order here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
On a black background is “Join us for Chicago’s Disability Pride Parade Saturday, July 26 Meet at 10:30 am”. Each line of text is a different color (from top to bottom: red, yellow, white, light blue, and green), corresponding with the colors in the Disability Pride flag, which is pictured in the bottom left corner. The flag is a very dark gray rectangle with 5 differently colored stripes crossing it diagonally from the top left corner to the bottom right corner. The colors in order from left to right are red, yellow, white, light blue, and green. In the bottom right corner in white text is “Meeting place: Corner of South Plymouth Court and West Ida B. Wells Drive in downtown Chicago”. Below that is the A Place for Us logo.
July 19, 2025 at 9:52 PM
aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social
At the end of the month, we will be collaborating with Education Advocates of America for a FREE virtual webinar. It will be on Thursday July 31 at 7 pm central time. Register here us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi... to get the zoom link!
on a light pink and white background in black text is “Navigating the Journey: Transition to Post-Secondary Education for Students with Disabilities Virtual Webinar LIVE July 31st @ 7PM CST Topics will include: -Understanding the differences between high school and college disability services -How to request accommodations in post-secondary settings -Building self-advocacy skills -Exploring programs and resources that support a successful transition -Tips for families on how to support independence and planning Speakers: -Ashley Traylor, MA ED Non-Attorney Special Education Advocate Education Advocates of America -Ana Kohout Executive Director A Place For Us”
July 16, 2025 at 7:10 PM
aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social
DEADLINE EXTENDED! Now’s your last chance to order merch to celebrate our fifth anniversary! If you’d like to support us, fill out the google form here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Payments must be submitted by tomorrow, Thurs. July 10 by noon CT. See this post for more details.
#disabilitypride
on a turquoise background at the top in white text is “T-Shirts and Stickers available for Disability Pride Month!” Below that on the left is a photo of someone with brown skin seen from the neck to the hips modeling a white crew neck short sleeved T-shirt. On the shirt from top to bottom is the A Place For Us logo, “Five Years of US” in purple text, and “Est. 2020” in mint green text. To the right of this is an image of this year’s sticker design, a white rectangle with the A Place For Us logo above our website URL, aPlaceForUsDisability.org. Overlapping the picture of the t-shirt is “Deadline extended!” in turquoise text over a dark purple elongated hexagon. At the bottom in purple text is “celebrating five years!” on a turquoise background in purple text at the top is “Prices”. Below that in white text is “-Shirts: $30 each -Stickers: $5 each”. Below that in purple text is “-Shipping: $5 -Pick up at parade: FREE”. Centered at the bottom is the A Place For Us logo. on a turquoise background in white text is “-Shirt sizes available: S, M, L, XL, XXL, 3XL, 4XL -Sticker Dimensions: 2”x3””. Below that in purple text is “-Payment forms accepted: Venmo and PayPal -Orders must be submitted and paid for in full by Noon CT on Thurs. July 10”. Centered at the bottom is the A Place For Us logo.
July 9, 2025 at 6:05 AM
aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social
We have an exciting collaboration coming up in about a month! We’re teaming up to host a zoom webinar on Fundraising for Medical Needs with Help Hope Live. This event is free and you can sign up here: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
on a turquoise background at the top in purple text is “Fundraising for Medical Needs: A Webinar”. Below that is the gray and teal Help Hope Live logo with “Trusted Medical Fundraising” in gray text at the bottom. Below that in purple text is “Tuesday, August 5”. Below that in teal text is “5:30-6:30 pm Central”. Centered at the bottom is the A Place for Us logo.
July 7, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Reposted by A Place For Us
autisticbooks.bsky.social
Books about autism or with Autistic main characters, written by Autistic authors — published June 2025!
🧵

#AutismBooks #AutisticAuthor #Autism #Autistic #ActuallyAutistic #BookSky
Graphic with text at the top stating Autism Books by Autistic Authors. Published June 2025. In the centre is a collage of book covers, tilted on an angle. Each book is listed in detail in the subsequent graphics and text. At the bottom is the text The Autism Books by Autistic Authors Project @AutisticBooks. In the bottom corner is a small logo with colourful books and a small plant either side.
July 3, 2025 at 5:19 AM
aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social
Happy disability pride month! Be sure to order your shirts here docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_y8-SdzKcvGk0CCI1NYgkJggyAYgzdmivouLdSjX-4bo3FA/viewform?usp=header! The deadline is in one week.
July 2, 2025 at 7:53 PM
aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social
Two weeks left to order shirts!
aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social A Place For Us @aplaceforusnetwork.bsky.social · Jun 22
Reminder: To celebrate our 5 year anniversary we are selling shirts, one modeled here by our Executive Director, until July 9th, 2025! You can order one now here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... ! #disabilities #students #college #disabilitypride #disability
Ana is sitting outside in her wheelchair, wearing a white t-shirt that says A Place For Us Five Years of Us EST. 2020 and our logo.
June 25, 2025 at 9:49 PM