PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Community College (BCC) Disability Resource Center will hold a free webinar, "There Is No Justice without Disability," with guest speaker Rebecca Cokley on at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20. 

Cokley, a nationally renowned disability rights activist, will discuss disability justice, the connections between oppressions, how ableism compounds all forms of inequality, and key steps any organization can take to become more inclusive and accessible. Advanced registration is required; to register and receive a Zoom link, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/justice-disability.

Cokley is the program officer for the Ford Foundation’s first-ever U.S. Disability Rights program, which is focused on strengthening the field, building a pipeline of diverse leadership, promoting disability pride, and mobilizing resources toward disability rights work. She also serves as the foundation's liaison to the President’s Council for Disability Inclusion in Philanthropy.

Prior to joining Ford, Cokley was the co-founder and director of the Disability Justice initiative at the Center for American Progress and stewarded a campaign that resulted in 12 presidential candidates developing disability policy platforms. She served as the executive director for the National Council on Disability, where she worked on sexual violence on college campuses, policing reform, and the civil rights of disabled parents.

A three-time presidential appointee, Cokley served in key policy roles at the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as oversaw diversity and inclusion efforts for the Obama administration. She is a frequent speaker and contributor on issues of public policy and disability inclusion in the media and at major national conferences. Cokley has a bachelor’s degree in politics from the University of California, Santa Cruz. 

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