Building Systems Around People: A Conversation with Sierra Grandy, Neurodiversity Educator & Disability Rights Advocate

Part of Every Kid Can's ongoing interview series, where we speak with professionals, advocates, and educators who work alongside people with disabilities every day — to better understand the barriers they face and how youth can be part of the solution.

Progress in disability advocacy is often measured by new laws or policies, but meaningful change also begins with shifting the way society understands disability. That message was at the heart of a recent conversation with Sierra Grandy, a neurodiversity educator, disability justice advocate, attorney, and mental health speaker whose work centers on creating more inclusive systems.

What Does Grandy's Work Look Like?

Over the past decade, public conversations about neurodiversity have grown significantly. More people are recognizing that disabilities exist on a broad spectrum, and advocates with lived experience — like Grandy herself — are increasingly helping shape these discussions. While this progress is encouraging, she was clear that stigma surrounding disability hasn't disappeared. Too often, people with disabilities are still viewed as "less than," affecting everything from employment opportunities to education and healthcare.

The Barriers That Remain

One area Grandy identified as needing continued improvement is support for families. Navigating disability services can be overwhelming, and many parents struggle simply because they don't know what resources are available or how to access them. Expanding awareness and simplifying these systems, she noted, would allow families to focus more on supporting their children and less on navigating complicated processes.

Healthcare was another major focus of the conversation. Affordable, consistent healthcare remains out of reach for many Americans with disabilities, particularly when mental health services are involved. Grandy discussed the idea of a government-sponsored healthcare option that exists alongside private insurance, increasing access while preserving choice. She also pointed to Minnesota's requirement that every county maintain a mental health advisory council as an example of how state-level policy can create real opportunities for community involvement.

Perhaps one of the most powerful insights from the conversation was a simple reframing: disability is far more common than many people realize. It isn't something that only affects a small portion of the population — it's an experience many people will encounter at some point in their lives. Recognizing this reality, Grandy suggested, can help lawmakers and communities design policies that are more inclusive and responsive to people's everyday needs.

How We Can Do Better

Looking ahead, Grandy emphasized that meaningful progress will require governments to build systems around people, rather than expecting people to navigate increasingly complex systems on their own. Investing in services that help individuals access healthcare, education, and public programs can make these systems more accessible for everyone.

For Every Kid Can, this conversation reinforced that disability advocacy is about more than removing physical barriers. It also means challenging stigma, amplifying lived experiences, and creating systems that recognize every person's dignity and potential. As conversations around neurodiversity continue to grow, listening to disabled voices remains one of the most important steps toward building a more inclusive future.

Every Kid Can extends its sincere gratitude to Sierra Grandy for sharing her time, expertise, and perspective. Her insights serve as a reminder that lasting change begins by listening to those with lived experience and ensuring their voices help shape the future of disability policy.