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.