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Raise the Roof 2020 Summary

More often than not, housing doesn’t meet the needs of people with disabilities. Some housing is too expensive, and some housing is too hard to navigate physically, emotionally, or otherwise. In part, this is because there are not enough disabled leaders working in the housing field. Also, people with disabilities are not often taught about the housing field and how housing gets built. Because of this, they are not often given the opportunities to get more involved in the housing field. If there can be more disabled leaders in the field, they can help to transform housing so that it can be more affordable, accessible, and inclusive.

Join us and share ‘more’

Recently, Co-Founder Kelsey would have celebrated her 33rd birthday. Anyone who knew Kelsey would tell you her favorite sign was more. Anything she loved and enjoyed, she wanted more of it. The Kelsey exists because of Kelsey, and we strive to make more possible in communities inspired by her perpetual asking for ‘more’.

Together We Can Do More

Learn more about the Together We Can Do More Initiative happening right now in your community. Find more resources including the full report on our Learn Center. See how we’re applying this to The Kelsey Ayer Station and The Kelsey Civic Center.

Happy Birthday, Kelsey!

Celebrating Kelsey and her vision for Disability-forward housing and community inclusion.

More Inclusion Is…

What if our communities — our housing, neighborhoods, and gathering places — were more inclusive? Imagine what would be possible for all of us.

What does it mean to be an “Inclusion Native” and why does it matter?

At The Kelsey, we talk a lot about inclusive communities and the type of people who would want to live in them. We often use the term “Inclusion Natives” to describe people with and without disabilities who grew up in inclusive settings. We want to take a moment to explain what we mean when we talk about Inclusion Natives and why they are so important to our work.

Kelsey’s Legacy Lives On

Our Co-Founder, Kelsey O’Connor, passed away on March 28th. She was and remains our reason for being — she taught us so much about community, love, resiliency, friendship, and inclusion. Kelsey inspired more good and sparked more impact in her 31 years than most people dream of in a lifetime. We miss her more than words but we know her legacy lives on — and will live for a long long time.

For Individuals With Disabilities, There’s No Place For Home

Individuals with disabilities and advocates have been fighting for thoughtful supports, inclusion in communities, and independent living since the 1960s “based on the premise that people with even the most severe disabilities should have the choice of living in the community.” The challenge isn’t new, but the solutions will need to be.