Introduction Crip Create is a weekly online co-working and socializing space centered on Disability Justice for all Disabled individuals. It meets every Wednesday from 1:00-3:00 PM PDT and Saturday from 4:00-6:00 PM PDT. This report highlights the accomplishments, themes, and insights from the Crip Create sessions held throughout 2024. The space was collaboratively facilitated by Calling Up Justice, The Curiosity Paradox, Catalyst Consulting, and Crip Create Rising.
Attendance and Engagement Throughout 2024, Crip Create maintained consistent attendance, with session sizes ranging from 3 to 18 participants. A total of 97 sessions were held this year, offering participants a supportive and adaptive space. Many participants returned regularly, underscoring the value of Crip Create as a space of solidarity, productivity, and mutual care.
Key Themes and Activities Crip Create offered participants the opportunity to engage in a wide range of activities. These included:
- Co-working and Productivity: Tasks accomplished included writing grant applications, performing personal administrative work, and creative endeavors like drawing, crocheting, and scriptwriting.
- Community Support: Participants frequently shared challenges and received emotional and practical support for issues like healthcare, workplace discrimination, and caregiving.
- Affinity Spaces: Rooms for specific needs or interests, such as the Crip Rage Room, Rest and Relaxation Room, and BIPOC Affinity Room, were popular.
- Skill Sharing and Learning: Sessions often included discussions about accessible technology, advocacy strategies, or planning for events like virtual Pride celebrations.
- Artistic Exploration: Participants explored creative practices such as video editing, graphic novel reading, songwriting, and painting.
- Social Connection: Light-hearted conversations about topics like food, pets, and pop culture fostered connection and joy among participants
Participant Feedback Crip Create participants consistently expressed gratitude for the space. Feedback highlighted the following key benefits:
- A safe space for Disabled individuals to connect and work on personal and professional goals.
- A welcoming and inclusive community offering both practical and emotional support.
- Opportunities to learn and grow through collaboration and resource sharing.
- A judgment-free environment where participants could prioritize self-care and rest without pressure.
Acknowledgments Crip Create owes its success to the dedication and collaboration of its facilitating partners: Calling Up Justice, The Curiosity Paradox, Catalyst Consulting, and Crip Create Rising. Thank you for the fundraising labor, the admin labor for intake, the text reminders and calendaring, and the maintenance of our digitals tools. We are also so grateful to all the volunteer labor in facilitating individual sessions. A heartfelt thanks to all participants who made this space vibrant, inclusive, and transformative in 2024.
Conclusion Crip Create continues to be a cornerstone for Disabled individuals seeking connection, productivity, and solidarity. Many spaces designed for Long COVID accessibility have been collapsing . This space has consistently been in activation since 2020 and with the growing momentum of 2024, Crip Create is poised to deepen its impact and further embody the principles of Disability Justice in the coming year.