Disabled Disrupters founder honored at White House

Two students, including UNC-Chapel Hill first-year Kira Tiller on the left, speaking to an audience from a podium inside of a room at the White House. — Carolina first-year student Kira Tiller (left) founded Disabled Disruptors in high school. She's brought the organization to Carolina and was recognized by the White House in October. (Submitted photo)

From elementary school through high school, Kira Tiller had to be her own advocate. Tiller, who was diagnosed with epilepsy at a young age, found the flashing lights used in school safety drills triggered her seizures. Oftentimes, she had to describe her medical condition to administrators and teachers.

“I realized that a lot of people didn’t really talk about the intersectionality of other justice movements with disability justice,” she said. “I sought out a disability political advocacy group for young people and students but didn’t find one.”

After sharing her struggles with her peers, Tiller founded Disabled Disrupters, a youth disability justice coalition, in high school.

“If you care about an issue and making your community a better place, it might take time, but you will find a community of people who share that same passion and who want to build a movement with you,” she said.

Disabled Disrupters fights for disability rights through community organizing, educational efforts and direct public policy work with political advocacy. With members in high school, college and graduate school, the group has a diversity of student perspectives at each level of the educational journey.

Now the first-year student has brought Disabled Disrupters to Carolina. She hopes to grow the initiative beyond K-12 issues and help college students with disabilities, so they have more physical accessibility and emergency preparedness in classrooms, dorms and other community spaces on campus.

“I chose Carolina because I knew there was a strong advocacy network,” Tiller said. “I felt that I could get a diversity of perspectives and connect with a lot of people who are different from me.”

Tiller’s efforts got noticed on the national level when she was named a 2024 Girl Leading Change in celebration of International Day of the Girl (Oct. 11). Ten honorees received awards from the White House Gender Policy Council, spearheaded by first lady Jill Biden, at the White House in October.

Kira Tiller with First Lady Jill Biden inside the White House.

During her White House visit, Tiller met first Lady Jill Biden and spoke with a group of girls from local middle schools. (Submitted photo)

The honorees met the 2023 winners along with a group of girls from local middle schools. After the ceremony, the middle schoolers had the chance to ask the honorees questions.

“They genuinely cared about creating change in their communities,” Tiller said. “It just felt like such a full circle moment to see these younger girls, who are passionate about being changemakers, asking me for advice.”

At Carolina, Tiller wants to continue assisting people with disabilities through Disabled Disrupters and getting more accommodations for those who need them. The group is currently working on an initiative to consider individualized accommodation plans during emergency situations at K-12 schools. Tiller is also looking forward to getting involved in other social justice organizations during her time on campus.

She hopes that Disabled Disrupters can help others find their voice in advocating for change.

“I hope the organization encourages other young disabled people to take pride in their identities and recognize they can create meaningful change in their communities,” Tiller said.

Group of seated students being awarded at the White House.

Tiller was one of 10 recipients of Girl Leading Change awards from the White House Gender Policy Council, spearheaded by first Lady Jill Biden. (Submitted photo)