Felicity Chapman, SOC/BA'26, has spent more than seven years working at the intersection of disability advocacy, grassroots leadership, and youth empowerment – work that began long before she entered college. In 2018, at just 15 years old, she became the leader of RelatABLE, a youth organization dedicated to demystifying disability in schools and encouraging young people to advocate for equitable access and inclusion.

Her motivation came from personal experience navigating exclusion in her community. Felicity explained that she became part of the organization after "experiencing and witnessing ableism and exclusion within [her] own New York school district." At that age, she remembers thinking that "if only more people understood disability, they would be more likely to include us in classrooms and then society." That belief became the foundation of RelatABLE’s approach: transforming awareness into inclusion.

Leading the organization while still a teenager shaped Felicity’s leadership style early. She notes that running a nonprofit at that age "taught [her] the importance of teamwork and allowing others to contribute." When she learned how to delegate and create pathways for engagement, "our events reached larger audiences," she said. The lesson that people "want to be involved, but they need tangible opportunities to engage" continues to influence how Felicity thinks about participation and community-building. Felicity's ongoing commitment to disability advocacy led her to be awarded the prestigious Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service. The fellowship reshaped her expectations for herself. She described it as an experience that shifted her perspective on "belonging and success," particularly during her time abroad. When she began her summer voyage at a global disability summit in Berlin, she was surrounded by established leaders and large-scale organizations; yet, she recalls realizing that, even as one of the youngest in the room, she "belonged there" and "never questioned if my opinions and experiences mattered."

Her time abroad also expanded her understanding of disability advocacy beyond U.S. contexts. In Berlin, Montreal, and Brussels, she observed how global organizations approach inclusive education. She said that in many spaces, leaders "spoke on behalf of disabled communities," often partnering with rather than centering disabled experts. In those moments, she recognized that her viewpoint "as a disabled youth was incredibly meaningful" and began valuing her voice differently.

While interning with Humanity & Inclusion, Felicity learned how children in refugee camps and conflict zones encounter profound educational barriers. Exposure to these realities reinforced the importance of identity-affirming advocacy. In a world where disability is still often framed as a deficit, she said, "we need to celebrate our identities," emphasizing the significance of disability pride.

At AU, Felicity’s studies bring professional grounding to what she had been doing instinctively. Public relations has always been embedded in her work, even if she didn’t initially name it that way. She explained that PR has been "the professional framework I use for community impact," shaping how she forms strategies, builds partnerships, and engages audiences. Working first in her local community and later with international NGOs reminded her that meaningful change "starts with local impact" and that large-scale transformation often begins with grassroots efforts.

As she prepares for life after graduation, Felicity is thinking ahead. She hopes to publish more writing and expand conversations around disability "in pop culture and international advocacy." She is also considering where she will move next, aiming to continue traveling while "contributing to disability initiatives."

From youth-led workshops to global summits, Felicity’s journey reflects a belief that change begins when people are welcomed into spaces, rather than spoken for. Her work is rooted in the idea that young leaders not only deserve a seat at the table, but often push the table forward.