Vilissa Thompson, LMSW

Vilissa is the Founder & CEO of Ramp Your Voice!, an organization focused on promoting self-advocacy and strengthening empowerment among people with disabilities. Being a Disability Rights Consultant & Advocate affords Vilissa the opportunity to become a prominent leader and expert in addressing and educating the public and political figures about the plight of people with disabilities, especially women of color with disabilities, in America and abroad. She also strives to use her writing as a medium to empower and encourage women of color with disabilities to share their life stories and have a more visible presence in our society.

Vilissa is a self-advocate; she has spoken at public hearings to raise awareness about the needs of youth and adults with disabilities, as well as shared her life experiences as a woman of color with a disability.

She is also politically conscious; she is working towards becoming involved in politics so that she can spearhead the creation and implementation of more empowering and effective social policies and practices that will improve the lives of people with disabilities, especially women and those of color.

Currently, she is the Domestic Policy & Advocacy Writer for Socialworkhelper.com, an up-and-coming online magazine that provides news, information, and resources for students, helping professionals, non-profits, and social good organizations. She is a Board Member for the Arc of South Carolina, a non-profit organization concerned about the rights of people living with intellectual/developmental disabilities. She is also the Secretary for her County's Democratic Party.