Ben Wright, director of disability access in prison education at The Community, will present a free lecture titled “Believing in Even the Possibility.” Wright will speak on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 3:30 p.m. in the concert hall of the Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts at 221 Columbia Ave. The lecture is also open to the community. Doors will open at 3:15 p.m., and a Q&A panel discussion will follow the lecture.
Hope College is honored to host Wright for a compelling presentation as part of Hope’s annual Disability Inclusion lecture event. He’ll discuss what disability inclusion actually looks like. Through stories of deafness, autism, incarceration, literature, grief, advocacy and belonging, Wright will explore how identity is never contained within a single label. Drawing on his experiences as an educator, writer, advocate and doctoral student, this lecture will challenge the audience to move beyond accommodation and toward a deeper vision of inclusion — one that makes room for the whole person.
About Ben Wright
Ben Wright is a writer, educator and advocate, focusing on expanding equitable access to higher
education for incarcerated students with disabilities. He holds degrees in English
literature, creative writing, special education and leadership, and is currently pursuing
a Ph.D. in English literature. His work blends disability advocacy, storytelling and
systems change — with a particular focus on accessibility, prison education and the
power of narrative to challenge stigma and barriers.
About National Disability Employment Awareness Month
National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is celebrated throughout October.
Hope’s Center for Diversity and Inclusion presents this Sept. 29 lecture in collaboration
with the Hope Advocates for Invisible Conditions, the Disability and Accessibility
Resources, the Hope-Western Prison Education Program and the Office of Culture and
Inclusive Excellence.
To inquire about accessibility or what accommodations may be needed to fully participate in the event, please email accommodations@hope.edu. Updates related to events are posted when available at hope.edu/calendar in the individual listings.