community COLLABORATOR

organizer - cause worth following

 
 

WHITNEY HILL

Founder & Director

Whitney Hill is an accessibility specialist with over a decade of experience in program management and communications. With a background in universal design and public accessibility—and lived experience as a person with a disability—Whitney brings a unique and valuable perspective to her work. She excels at both connecting individuals to essential services and empowering them to self-advocate with confidence and clarity.

Throughout her career, Whitney has been dedicated to making public and institutional spaces genuinely accessible to all. At LCM Architects and previously at the Institute for Human Centered Design (IHCD), she has worked with both government agencies and private organizations to advance compliance with—and often exceed—the standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Early in her career, she supported over 250 clients at the Blind Services Association, leading programs that included employment support, educational outings for people with disabilities, guest visits, and managing the reading and recording program.

Whitney is the founder of SPORK!, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and digital platform that uplifts Disabled voices through original creative works. In addition to featuring writing from individuals with cognitive, physical, and non-apparent disabilities, SPORK! conducts access surveys and reviews inclusive materials to promote accessibility and foster a welcoming, affirming community within the broader Disabled community.

Her leadership has earned widespread recognition, including a feature in Crain’s Chicago Business as one of the 2022 Notable Black Leaders and Executives. Whitney also served as the elected Chair of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) ADA Advisory Committee, and led the CTA Wayfinding Subcommittee—advocating for more inclusive transportation access across Chicago.

She continues her advocacy throughout Illinois, holding roles such as:

  • Advisory Committee Member for the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD)

  • Elected member of Governor Pritzker’s Blind Services Planning Council

  • Board member at 3Arts

  • Fellow (2020) and active Member of Disability Lead

  • Member of Equip for Equality’s Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) Advisory Council

  • Steering Committee Member of the Cultural Access Collab

Whitney is currently pursuing certification as a Certified Professional in Web Accessibility (CPWA) through the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP), reflecting her ongoing commitment to advancing digital inclusion and accessibility across all platforms.

Email: Whitney@SporkAbility.org

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/whitney-a-hill