In-person & Live-stream.

Building Inclusive Communities That Thrive Together - Germán Parodi

In a world increasingly affected by disasters, resilience depends on the inclusion of every community member. Together, we’ll explore the power of inclusive practices and how, in supporting the needs of disabled and marginalized people, we strengthen the fabric of our communities as a whole. We’ll reflect on the importance of equity, accessibility, and community connections that bring us all together in times of crisis and calm alike.

Germán Parodi, with Shaylin Sluzalis, is Co-Executive Director of the Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies. Germán and Shaylin are leaders together; equally in love with, and dedicated to, disability rights, equal access and independence for all. They both come from Independent Living movement and disability rights backgrounds. Germán acquired his spinal cord injury in 2001 and Shaylin has non-apparent disabilities and grew up alongside her disabled sister, Brittani. Both their experiences led them to work for Centers for Independent Living and evolve into disability rights activists with ADAPT where they met and fell in love. Shaylin and Germán's journey in inclusive emergency management began in 2017 when they were deployed to Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria as disabled first responders meeting the needs of disaster-impacted people with disabilities, which now fuels their dedicated and focused work in inclusive emergency management and community resilience as The Partnership's Co-Executive Directors. The pair are confident that together, and with the unity of the disability community, we can change the world to be inclusive for all.