Vilissa Thompson, Author at Prism

color photograph of Beyoncé on stage in a gold and black sparkling body suit. she is squatting slightly and sings into a microphone

Disabled people deserve concert venues that ensure full accessibility

by Vilissa Thompson August 14th, 2023November 27th, 2023

My experience seeing Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour in Philadelphia was severely impacted by the stadium’s lack of care for disabled concertgoers

digital collage on a dark purple background. a black woman with shoulder-length hair sits in a wheelchair while wearing a sunhat. she looks up at two hummingbirds hovering near three hanging flower planters that hold leafy plants and blooming flowers

Race

Reclaiming my joy through grief

by Vilissa Thompson July 19th, 2023July 19th, 2023

color photograph of a Black woman wearing a bright red zip-up and black pants sits in a wheelchair and travels up a sidewalk towards the camera

Race

My decision to be child-free had nothing to do with my disability

by Vilissa Thompson June 5th, 2023June 5th, 2023

stock color photograph of a Black woman in vibrant blue jeans and a green hoodie sitting in a wheelchair and holding a digital tablet

Race

Why do we fear sharing personal joy on social media?

by Vilissa Thompson May 12th, 2023May 11th, 2023

Disabled boy wearing face mask writing while sitting on his wheelchair in class

Gender & LGBTQIA+

Hostility to children in the US helps maintain an unjust status quo

by Vilissa Thompson March 1st, 2023May 3rd, 2023

Resolutions without flexibility or kindness can repeat ableist ideals

by Vilissa Thompson January 18th, 2023January 23rd, 2023

color photograph stock image of a black woman in a white and grey jacket and light blue jeans sitting in a wheelchair looking at her phone

Race

Twitter’s meltdown isn’t a punchline for disabled communities

by Vilissa Thompson January 6th, 2023January 23rd, 2023

color photograph of a black woman sitting in a wheelchair, taken from a side-front angle. the frame is close, only showing part of the person's lap and their hand on the wheel. a mask hangs by an ear loop from the wheelchair armrest

Race

Navigating the pandemic is only one of the hazards disabled people face when flying

by Vilissa Thompson December 19th, 2022January 23rd, 2023

photo of a disabled person with light brown skin and curly short hair sitting in wheelchair and looking at camera while using laptop computer

Economy & Workers' Rights

Disabled students need better support from career services in higher education

by Vilissa Thompson December 9th, 2022December 12th, 2022

Gender & LGBTQIA+

Q&A: Life-long educator Pat Kelsaw on aging and encouraging intergenerational bonds

by Vilissa Thompson November 22nd, 2022January 23rd, 2023