Jenna Friedman

Background

About Jenna Friedman

My driving force is confronting systemic ableism to enact change within organizations, communities, and policy arenas to empower disabled people, with a focus on students with disabilities. I hold a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and am pursuing a Master of Social Work (MSW) with a specialization in macro work at Wayne State University. In my role at the Autism Alliance of Michigan in the education department, I work on systemic change for students with disabilities and special education in Michigan through grassroots coalition efforts, research, policy advocacy, and engagement with various disability organizations in the community and the government. As co-president of the Social Work Disability Justice Coalition at Wayne State, I have spearheaded projects and events aimed at raising awareness, promoting accessibility, and fostering inclusivity on campus and in the broader community. My background includes being a content creator and neurodivergent advocate with over followers across social media platforms. I bring over five years of hands-on experience in community organizing and working with disabled people in diverse settings, including offices, camps, homes, and after-school programs. This early exposure, prior to my high school graduation, shaped my understanding and passion for the work I do today. My academic and professional experiences have taught me the importance of the phrase “nothing about us, without us.” Rrooted in my lived experience as an autistic person with ADHD, my work has led me to recognize that this principle is the exception, not the rule, in higher education and professional settings. Join me in building a bridge to disrupt the status quo in our current system and ensure stories like mine become the rule, rather than the exception.