The San Francisco Human Rights Commission recently honored Jennifer Walsh, CLC Abilities Integrator, for her leadership in San Francisco and beyond. Her presentation below provides clues to why she is such an important leader.
I am deeply honored to accept this recognition from the Human Rights Commission for outstanding leadership and advocacy in advancing accessibility and inclusion throughout San Francisco. It is a mind-blowing idea to view inclusion and access as a human right. When we see it this way, it transcends labels and silos. Viewing access as a human right rather than a civil right brings us back to our core values of helping one another and makes inclusion more achievable. Human rights are inherent to all individuals simply by being alive. Every person is born with these rights, regardless of
location, nationality, or status.
My teaching moments come from thinking I can’t be the only one this affects, so I advocate for making life better for everyone. Otherwise, anger would darken me, and I refuse to let that happen. Although I do have an inner Eeyore, I can only take credit for the wacky ideas I come up with in the middle of the night; my team helps execute them. I am more of a spark igniter than a leader.
For example, the Accessibility Community Team (ACT) was the brainchild of my colleague Juliet Rothman. We worked together on the Sidewalk Search Party, where we created a 3-1-1 handbook to help our neighbors report accessibility issues, such as broken sidewalks caused by city trees. Juliet took it one step further with the ACT program. Now, ACT brings together volunteers who work in teams to identify and report barriers in public spaces, advocate for improvements, and connect people with resources to support accessibility throughout our neighborhoods. The passion and dedication of our ACT members continually inspire me, and their work is a direct example of what happens when we build community around a shared value of belonging.
Throughout my career, my greatest joy has been bringing people together for a common purpose. At Community Living Campaign, every gathering—whether a party or a purposeful initiative—has been rooted in the goal of breaking isolation and fostering true inclusion. This work is only possible because of the unwavering support of my colleagues, partners, and the entire San Francisco community. I am just living out my colleague Judy Auda’s goal to bring community. Tuesday was the 3rd annual Disability Pride! At Community Living Campaign, we’re all about inclusion, accessibility, and celebrating the vibrant spirit that unites us.
Looking ahead, I hope we will continue to grow this movement together. I want to see more neighborhoods where everyone is seen, welcomed, and supported, and for us to keep building bridges across differences so every San Franciscan can thrive. If we keep reaching out with kindness, energy, and creativity, I truly believe the best is yet to come.
Thank you for this tremendous honor. It inspires me to continue striving for a more inclusive, accessible, and connected city for all. I am truly grateful for your belief in me and for the opportunity to help make San Francisco a place where everyone can thrive.
Want to connect with Jennifer, email jennifer@sfcommunityliving.org.
