Wendy is not only an exceptional artist and teacher, but also a compelling speaker and a passionate advocate for disability justice. Her ability to connect with students -regardless of their academic background or personal experience with disability - was noteworthy. Wendy’s work is accessible, provocative, and leaves a lasting impression. Any institution or community that is interested in creating a more inclusive and thoughtful world would benefit immensely from working with her.

Jessica Martucci

PhD, MBE, FCPP

Curator, The Barbara Bates Center for the Study of the History of Nursing (University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing)

Integrating the disability and cartooning work of Wendy Elliott-Vandivier into this course was an impactful educational experience. Through humor and visual storytelling, her work challenges students to reflect critically on assumptions they may hold about disabilities and to consider how healthcare systems can perpetuate ableist approaches to care. Students commented that the panel discussion and visual narratives helped them understand perspectives that traditional lectures and even case studies often fail to capture.

Alicia Kachmar

PhD, RN

Practice Assistant Professor, Department of Family and Community Health (University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing)

“Wendy has been a teaching artist for a number of our Jewish Learning Venture initiatives! Using her creativity, humor and experience as an advocate, Wendy can engage diverse audiences of children, teens and adults in examining ableism and our own relationship to disability. Wendy has also been a featured speaker and artist for synagogues and Jewish organizations across Philadelphia. A workshop with Wendy is illuminating--and also fun!”

Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer

Former Chief Program Officer, Jewish Learning Venture

Wendy is a magnetic and compelling storyteller and a generous and supportive teacher, who provides space for introspection, learning, reflection, and joy. Her workshops have made deep impacts on our students as they start their careers as health care professionals who will take what they have learned from her into their interactions with patients and colleagues. 

Kirsten Bowen

Humanities Program Coordinator, Thomas Jefferson University

University of Delaware

Access:Ability Scholars

  • These cartoons can create a sense of community and also put things in perspective for people who do not have those experiences

  • The most meaningful part of the event was learning about the impact that words and actions have, even though that might not be the person's intention. The cartoons are such an impactful way to portray these concepts and educate people about things as simple as disability language.

  • We drew our own little comics to facilitate discussion about disability. Honestly, that was pretty cool, and forced me to think outside the box.

Megan R. Mueller

Assistant Professor, Gwynedd Mercy University

Wendy really made a lasting impact with my occupational therapy students. Her lecture about her lived experience as an advocate for disability rights demonstrated the power of speaking up and moving forward. Her presentation and passion helped close the gap between learning about policy and advocacy and actually becoming future agents of change! Semesters later, students would bring up material from Wendy's lecture. A true testament of her ability to draw attention and make a lasting impact.