About Yanaya
Yanaya Shields originally joined The Kelsey as an Intern at the San Jose location but was recently rehired as an Inclusion Concierge staff at The Kelsey Civic Center location in SF. Naya would describe herself as someone who loves all genres of music (except for country), is one with a crazy sweet tooth, is very family oriented, and is big on pouring into people who pour into you! She just graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz with two Bachelor’s Degrees. One in Psychology and the other in Sociology. Having a physical disability and growing up with one arm, she always wanted to major in Psychology once she got to college so she could eventually become a therapist and help disabled kids and teens who may have gone through similar experiences as her growing up. It wasn’t until she got to college and started exploring Sociology courses that she realised that she could help her community in a much broader aspect. She did her first internship summer 2022, after her second year of college where she interned at Impact Justice, a non profit organization dedicated towards helping formerly incarcerated people get back on their feet and integrate into society. That was an experience that only further solidified her realization that social justice and advocacy work is where she wants to be!
In her personal life & leisure time, she enjoys going to the gym and indoor cycling classes, hanging out with her friends and participating in their random adventures, and having group facetime calls with her mom, brother and sister.
What part of The Kelsey’s mission are you proudest to be part of / support?
I’m really proud of The Kelsey’s work on housing advocacy for people with disabilities. As someone who has a disability I personally know just how much society automatically assumes disabled people are unable to be independent. But there’s companies out there like The Kelsey that amplify the voices of the unheard and work towards breaking down systemic barriers so people like us can have equal opportunities. I’m also proud to be a part of and support their goal of creating a community oriented environment with others who also understand. I really connect with their mission to build spaces where everyone, no matter their abilities, can thrive. It feels meaningful to be part of a team that puts inclusion first and works hard to make sure everyone feels like they belong.
What does it mean to you to be Disability-Forward? Why does it matter?
To me, being Disability Forward means creating a world where disability is not something to be hidden, fixed, or pitied, but recognized, respected, and included from the start. I’ve spent my life navigating spaces that were only meant for Able Bodied people & weren’t built with me in mind. Being Disability Forward means changing that not only for me but for everyone. It means designing systems, communities, and opportunities that don’t just “accommodate” us, but actively celebrate our presence and leadership.
It matters because inclusion isn’t just about ramps and accessible buttons, but it’s about belonging. It’s about being seen as whole and capable, not in spite of my disability, but with it. When we center the voices and needs of disabled people, we create stronger, more compassionate communities where everyone has the chance to thrive. I believe that embracing disability as part of human diversity doesn’t just benefit disabled people, it literally benefits everyone.