Ariel Simms, President and CEO of Disability Belongs, joins Dr. Victor Pineda to explore what it truly means to build a society where everyone belongs, and how the disability movement can move from intention to action.

In this episode of The Independent, produced by the Center for Independent Living (CIL), host Dr. Victor Pineda sits down with Ariel Simms, President and CEO of Disability Belongs. Drawing on their lived experience as a disabled and queer leader, and on a career that spans mental health counseling, law, policy, and philanthropy, Ariel reflects on how personal experience with systems that didn’t work shaped their commitment to systemic advocacy. They share how Disability Belongs approaches its work as a disability-led, cross-disability, nonpartisan organization that chooses to call people in rather than call them out.

This conversation explores:

• How lived experience and intersectional identity shape leadership rooted in care and empathy
• Why there is no single way to lead or advocate within the disability movement
• Countering misinformation and stereotypes with nuanced, authentic stories of disability
• Policy priorities including economic security, employment, education, accessibility, and civic participation
• “Nothing without us” and how non-disabled allies can advocate without speaking over disabled voices
• How Disability Belongs measures impact across narrative change, policy, leadership development, and partnerships
• A vision of “effortless inclusion,” where accessibility is designed in from the start

Together, Victor and Ariel discuss how trust, coalition building, and shared priorities can unify a diverse movement and help shape a future where disabled people are not only welcomed into every space, but leading in it. Take action with Disability Belongs at disabilitybelongs.org/act.