Announcing the Judith Lesner Accessibility Fund

Application Workshop on May 12, 2026, 10-11 a.m.

The FUND’s new Judith Lesner Accessibility Fund (JLAF) commemorates the life and legacy of disability activist Judith Lesner, whose work centered an intersectional approach across feminist, anti-war, and disability rights movements. She recognized the historic exclusion of people with disabilities from organizing spaces and dedicated her life to advancing disability justice. In that spirit, this fund carries forward her commitment by investing in accessibility and inclusion across the Central Coast, including Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura Counties.

While our region is home to a vibrant ecosystem of grassroots organizing and community-based work, disability justice has too often gone underfunded. The JLAF seeks to change that by supporting organizations in making their events, programs, and spaces more accessible—so those with disabilities are not just included, but meaningfully welcomed and centered.

Stipends from the fund invite organizations to ask: Who is missing from our spaces, and what would it take to truly welcome them? By resourcing that question, we can build stronger, more inclusive movements across our region.

To apply, applicants must attend the Judith Lesner Accessibility Fund workshop on May 12, 2026, from 10–11 a.m. Register now to secure your spot, or watch the workshop recording and complete a quiz to be eligible to apply.
For questions or accommodation requests, please contact cb@fundforsantabarbara.org by Tuesday, May 5.