community COLLABORATOR
organizer - cause worth following
WHITNEY HILL
Founder & Director
Whitney Hill is a specialist on accessibility with over a decade of experience in program management and communication. Her background in universal design and public accessibility combined with her personal background of identifying as someone with a disability give her a unique skillset to connect individuals with needed services, while also empowering them to advocate for themselves.
Throughout her career, Whitney has aimed to ensure that public and institutional spaces are made readily accessible to all. In her role with LCM Architects and previous position at the Institute for Human Centered Design, Whitney partnered with government and private entities in conjunction with the Americans with Disabilities Act to meet and exceed standards for equal opportunity in accessibility. Prior to these roles, Whitney facilitated services for over 250 clients with the Blind Services Association and implemented new programs monthly to provide an accessible experience for the growing client base.
Whitney is also the visionary behind SPORK!, a 501(c)3 non-profit and website dedicated to offering a creative platform for the Disabled community. By curating and sharing original written works by individuals with cognitive, physical, and non-apparent differences/disabilities, she has fostered a supportive network that welcomes those seeking a sense of belonging within the broader Disabled community.
Recognized for her outstanding contributions, Whitney was featured in Crain’s Chicago Business as one of their 2022 Notable Black Leaders and Executives. Furthermore, she formally served as the elected Chair of Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) ADA Advisory and chaired the CTA Wayfinding Subcommittee, continually seeking ways to enhance the transportation experience for the disabled community of Chicago.
Whitney is committed to advocacy within Illinois, holding positions such as elected member of Governor Pritzker’s Blind Services Planning Council, Board Member at 3Arts, and as a Fellow (2020) and Member at Disability Lead. She is also a newly appointed member of Equip for Equality‘s Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) Advisory Council and Cultural Access Collab Steering Committee. Currently pursuing certification through IAAP (International Association of Accessibility Professionals) as CPWA (Certified Professional of Web Accessibility), Whitney remains dedicated to advancing accessibility initiatives and promoting inclusivity at every turn.
Email: Whitney@SporkAbility.org
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/whitney-a-hill