Redefining Leadership, Elevating Voices, Shifting Power: Our Bold New Vision and Mission

In August, Disability Lead’s board of directors convened for a wide-ranging strategy session. It’s a practice we do at least annually, and it’s an important opportunity to pull back from the day-to-day, the finances, the fundraising and discuss the bigger picture.

This moment of important reflection is an annual opportunity where the board and staff discuss: who do we want to be as an organization? What impact do we want to have on our communities, both locally and more broadly? What should our focus be in 2025, 2035, 2045 and beyond.

This year, our conversation felt urgent and necessary but also invigorating and dare we say fun.

A good chunk of our time together focused on the organization’s mission and vision. Created when we were founded as a legacy program of ADA 25 Chicago, vision and mission statements reflected where we were as a new organization focused on Chicago’s emerging leaders with disabilities.

For reference, here are our original Vision and Mission statements:

VISION: People with disabilities will lead with power and influence for full participation and equal opportunity as a vital part of the civic fabric in the Chicago region.

MISSION: To increase civic engagement and diverse leadership in the Chicago region by developing and building a network of leaders with disabilities — consistent with the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Ten years later, we are ready to evolve. Which is why we are both thrilled to share with you what we developed and approved at our board meeting.

New Vision Statement for Disability Lead

People with disabilities lead with power, influence, and authenticity.

When we say people with disabilities lead with power, influence, and authenticity, we envision leaders who hold:

Power, having the authority, resources, and confidence to shape decisions and drive change—not just for oneself, but for communities and future generations.

Influence, being recognized and sought after as leaders whose perspectives guide priorities, shift narratives, and shape policies across sectors.

Authenticity, leading in ways that honor lived experience, identity, and values—without needing to conform to traditional, narrow definitions of leadership.

New Mission Statement for Disability Lead

To elevate and connect a network of leaders with disabilities who shift power, transform systems, and redefine leadership.

Our mission is to elevate and connect a powerful network of leaders with disabilities who are driving change at every level of society. Specifically, we support leaders to:

Shift power, moving beyond token inclusion to ensure leaders with disabilities set agendas, influence decisions, and share authority in ways that change whose voices matter.

Transform systems, breaking down barriers and redesigning policies, practices, and institutions so that equity and accessibility are not afterthoughts but built into how society works.

Redefine leadership, valuing authenticity, lived experience, and accountability to community—broadening what leadership looks like and proving that influence can come from places often overlooked.

Our new mission and vision statements blaze a bold path forward and represent the organization’s growth over the last ten years and our ambition to elevate disability leadership nationally.