Lend An Ear Consulting

07/27/2025

Being a voice for others in advocacy is great, but their being empowered by that advocacy to use their own voice, to self-advocate whenever possible…is even better.

07/22/2025

An integral facet of honoring Disability Pride is knowing when to simply back off.

Let people identify how they choose to, take space when they need to, and not probe with intrusive questions surrounding their disability.

When someone with a disability or chronic condition wants you to know details, they may share, however you should always respect their right to privacy.

Living with a disability, often coupled with a lack of accessibility in the built environment, employment, and in navigating ableist conversations can be exhausting without people’s expectations of sharing every detail.

Most people with disabilities have little issue with sharing if there is an accessibility challenge needing an accommodation.

Let that be your focus. Be willing to act on that timely. Choose good over causing harm.

I’ve been out of the loop publicly, on purpose.

I’m choosing to hold space for my family and I. Where my advocacy and care is needed most.

I hope this resonates.

07/07/2025

07/02/2025

🎉🔥💙 THE COUNTDOWN IS ON! 💙🔥🎉

We are NEARLY 2 WEEKS AWAY from one of the BIGGEST community celebration of the summer — the 9th Annual Autism Acceptance Fun Day hosted by Autism Urban Connections Inc.!

💥 Mark your calendars:
🗓 Saturday, July 19, 2025
⏰ 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Burgwin Field | 328 Mansion Street | Pittsburgh, PA 15207

Get ready for an EPIC day packed with:
🎪 Carnival Games & Bounce Houses
🎯 Dunk Tank
🎒 FREE Backpacks & School Supplies
🧦 Socks & Undergarments for Kids
🎨 Face Painting & Balloon Art
🍔 FREE Food for Children
🎧 Live DJ & Nonstop Music
🎥 360 Photo Machine
🤟🏽 ASL Sessions
🎁 Raffles & SO MUCH MORE!

✨ PLUS: Come ready to SHOP & SUPPORT incredible small businesses and local entrepreneurs!
🛍 Food Vendors & Baked Goods
💍 Handmade Jewelry & Unique Gifts
👚 Trendy Clothing & Accessories
🎒 Community Resources from Organizations & Schools

This is more than an event—it’s a movement of love, inclusion, and community empowerment. Bring your family, tell your friends, and come ready to celebrate EVERY child and every family.

🔥 You do NOT want to miss this! Let’s pack the field and show what Pittsburgh community love looks like!

💙 SEE YOU THERE! 💙

07/01/2025

July is Disability Pride Month!

Remember, it’s imperative to advocate for others with disabilities, AND for yourself as a disabled individual, too.

[Image Description: A “Straight Diagonal” version of the Disability Pride Flag: A charcoal grey flag with a diagonal band from the top left to bottom right corner, made up of five parallel stripes (going from bottom up; left to right) in red, gold, pale grey, blue, and green. From Ann Magill]

06/02/2025

Happy Pride!!🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

We celebrate living in your truth, being who you are, and loving who you love everyday!

[ID: Photo shows a rainbow logo containing of a heart with an ear drawn on the left side, the ‘I love you’ hand sign on the other, the initials L, A, and E written in green, with Lend An Ear Consulting in gold written between two rainbow lines.]

06/01/2025

With Children's Museum of Pittsburgh – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

05/22/2025

Join us as we welcome Ms Michelle Walker of Lend An Ear Consulting, as we learn American Sign Language to help with bonding for families. This can help to ease frustration, and strengthen communication skills for children and their parents. We will have an interactive session, and encourage you to have fun!

Date: Thursday, May 22, 2025
Time: 5-6PM
Location: Zoom
Registration Link: https://tinyurl.com/ASLwLendAnEarConsulting

05/24/2024

You don’t need a full strategic plan to start being inclusive and accessible within your business, or organization.

Bring in an accessibility analyst, preferably a person with lived experience having a disability, to assess what you’re already doing and how you can shift. Be open to their recommendations and willing to implement, or it won’t work.

Start where you are. The strategic plan, can come after.

Don’t let the task of a forming strategic plan be an excuse holding you back from ex*****on.

Think progress, not perfection.

My calendar is open.