Join us on the 2026 International Day for Persons with Disabilities and listen to a panel of persons who experience disability. Hear each panelist reflect on how disability and faith intersect in their lives.
Free registration, open to all!
Emily is an attorney and disability rights advocate currently working at Disability Rights North Carolina. Blind since childhood, she has been a guide dog user for nine and a half years. Her experiences at the University of Notre Dame, including earning a degree in theology and participating in faith formation, sparked her interest in the intersection of faith and disability.
David Gayes is a theologian, disability rights activist, wheelchair user, and Chicago sports fan. David believes that disability rights issues are faith issues and that faith communities have a moral imperative to respond. Through writing, public speaking, and activism, he strives to connect, expose, and challenge people of all faith traditions to respond consistently and intentionally to disability rights issues. In 2024, David obtained a Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies and Ministry from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.
Antonio "Tony" Hernández Pumarejo is a certified life coach, writer and a professional with a diverse background that includes experience in customer service, sales, management, media and supporting individuals and families impacted by autism and other special needs. Tony was born and raised in Puerto Rico and has been living in Central Florida since 2012. Through his personal journey—shaped by living with Asperger’s Syndrome (autism spectrum disorder), navigating mental health challenges, and returning to the Catholic faith recently—Tony has developed a passion for helping others find clarity, purpose, and direction in their lives. Outside of his work, Tony is committed to his faith by attending mass, praying daily, and giving back to the community. He also likes to travel, exercise, read, write, play games, watch movies/TV series that defined his childhood growing up, and meet new people.
