Nina G

Employee Affinity Groups (EAGs) have made advances in their organizations. The goal of these groups is often, but not limited, to:
-Educate nondisabled employees about disability issues including etiquette and basic questions
-Reflect the experiences of Disabled employees and family members of Disabled individuals
-Introduce and facilitate Disability centered recruitment, mentoring and retainment of employees
Nina G has been working with corporations, K-12 schools and colleges to make their institutions more accessible and welcoming to people with disabilities since 2000. Armed with a doctorate in psychology and 13 years as a professional comedian, she is able to blend these worlds making her message of inclusion for people with disabilities accessible to all audiences through humor, storytelling and vital information. Nina has worked with Coca Cola, Oracle, Geico, PG&E and countless other colleges and organizations.

Content Themes: Disability affirmation; Disability experience; motivational for teachers, parents and helping professionals; stigma; advocacy.
Target Audience: Can be modified as a one-person show or a keynote. Perfect for non-profit organization fundraisers, conferences and college shows.
Description: "How many people with Disabilities does it take to screw in a lightbulb?" Answer: "One to screw it in and 5 abled bodied people to say, 'you are such an inspiration!'"
This joke is a favorite in Nina G's stand-up comedy routine. It brings to light (no pun intended) the struggle that people with Disabilities have living in an able-bodied society that reduces them to images of "inspirations" and "overcomers.” Nina challenges perceptions about Disability in her appropriately titled show, Going Beyond Inspirational. Going Beyond Inspirational deals with the pain, joys, and revelations growing up with Speech and Learning Disabilities.

Content Themes: Self-acceptance; building on success; community, pride, advocacy.
Target Audience: Youth with Disabilities
Description: Keys to success for youth with disabilities include: know your history, accept yourself, build on achievement, develop your talents, use your voice (advocacy or activism), use accommodations, self-worth, build community. All these are discussed in this dynamic presentation that engages youth.

Content Themes: Disability awareness and celebration; kid friendly ways to be an ally,
Target Audience: K-12. Program is customized to the developmental level of the audience.
Description: This powerful and fun presentation is where Nina (or as the kids call her, Dr. G) offers participants a frame to understand disability that includes:
understanding what a disability is
building empathy and respect
developing tools to be a good friend
Dr. G uses this framework (as well as herself) as a tool to transform the negative attitudes within children without disabilities and to encourage students with disabilities to have pride in their experiences. Dr. G includes a meet and greet with students who would like to interact with her after the presentation. If possible, a lunch with students receiving accommodations can also be set up to encourage students to discuss their disabilities openly.