DEI Means EveryBODY — Don’t Leave Disability Behind
By Nicole Warren, Founder & Executive Director, Chance 2 Dance, Inc.
When we talk about DEI — diversity, equity, and inclusion — most people immediately think about race. Recent politics has wrongly defined this… while race is a critical and foundational part of that conversation, it’s not the whole story. DEI must include all marginalized communities — and that absolutely includes people with disabilities.
For too long, disability has been an afterthought in diversity work. It’s often unspoken in boardrooms, omitted from strategy decks, and overlooked in hiring conversations. But here’s the truth: disability is diversity. And it’s not rare — 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. lives with some form of disability. This includes physical, cognitive, developmental, sensory, and mental health disabilities. It’s not a niche issue. It’s a community that spans every race, ethnicity, gender, age, and socioeconomic background.
My ‘Why’…
I started Chance 2 Dance, Inc. because I saw a massive gap — in access, in opportunity, and in how people with disabilities were (or weren’t) included in the arts, dance specifically. I was teaching dance in classrooms and community spaces, and I noticed the same thing over and over again: children and adults with disabilities were left out, not because they couldn’t participate, but because no one had built the space for them to thrive.
So I built that space.
I didn’t start this work thinking much beyond the idea, ‘Dance helped me, maybe it can help others.’ — I didn’t start C2D because I had any idea of the awareness, accolades, or support it might receive (Myself and the organization have been so well received by our CFL community). I didn’t start it for any other ‘why’ than because I saw dance was needed, and because I believed our community deserved more, and I knew dance could help. Over the last nine years, we’ve grown from a passion project to a full nonprofit organization, serving dancers across Florida and New York. Dance is a universal, unspoken language; inclusive of ALL. And what has never changed — and will never change — is our C2D® mission: to make dance accessible, inclusive, and empowering for everyBODY.
The DEI Gap
We often get invited to the table — after DEI strategies are already in motion. We’re asked to “add on” programming or “check the box” of accessibility. But disability isn’t an add-on. It’s not a line item or a footnote. Disability belongs in the foundation of every conversation about equity. Over the years, I’ve sat in rooms as the only representative for the disability community… I think even the advocates of DEI that represent multicultural groups sometimes forget and wonder why I’m in the room, until I bring up a point of debate that didn’t originally include a focus on the group of people I represent.
When federal funding is cut or policies are restructured without disabled voices at the table, the ripple effects are immediate and painful. These cuts don’t just affect Chance 2 Dance — they affect families across the country who rely on vital services, our neighbors included. They impact job training programs, inclusive education models, and access to therapies that help individuals thrive. They are decisions made far away that hit very close to home.
But I want to be clear: DEI may not be ‘trending’ right now, but we will continue our mission.
Why We Won’t Stop
Even as funding becomes harder to secure, even as resources are stretched thin, we remain rooted in our values — Accessibility, Creativity, Compassion, Respect, and Collaboration. This work is who we are. It’s who I am. It’s what I’ve committed my current life efforts to. I will continue to advocate, build, and create space until we see a world that truly values inclusion — not just in word, but in action.
Because inclusion is not optional. It’s not trendy. It’s a human right. A wheelchair ramp shouldn’t be an afterthought, it should be an obvious entity of structural design. Veterans of war need a ramp sometimes, children with cancer need a wheelchair ramp sometimes…
If the systems aren’t ready to shift, we’ll keep dancing anyway. We’ll keep showing up for our dancers, their families, and the communities that believe in the power of movement to transform lives.
A Call to Action
To our partners, supporters, and community leaders: DEI doesn’t work if it leaves people out. If you’re building a plan for inclusion, make sure disability is part of it from day one. If you’re funding programs, ensure they’re accessible. And if you’re not sure where to start — ask us. We’re here. We’ve always been here.
At Chance 2 Dance, we believe that everyone deserves a chance — not just to dance, but to belong, to be seen, and to lead.
So let’s widen the lens. Let’s raise the bar.
And let’s keep pushing until everyBODY is truly included.