Hi, I’m Kelley.
Your new BFF who shows up with a labelmaker, a mission, and really good snacks.
Also, yes, that is a real computer. Long story. Back up your files.
The short story ...
Kelley Coleman is a feature film development executive turned author and advocate for parent caregivers and individuals with disabilities. Her book Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Services, and Supports draws upon over a decade of advocacy, gained through her own journey parenting a child with multiple disabilities. She's on a mission to fundamentally change how parents enter into the world of parenting a disabled child - with understandable, actionable, and empowering information.
The long story ...
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Click here. I promise it's thrilling.
I’m a feature film development executive turned author and advocate for parent caregivers and individuals with disabilities.
My writing is an extension of my Before Times career developing talking animal movies, and also a few ridiculous disaster movies. My book Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Services, and Supports (Hachette, 2024) is a singular guide to accessing the supports disabled children need to thrive. And it’s weirdly not boring, I swear. My advocacy draws upon over a decade of firsthand experience, including advocating for my own (rather handsome) kiddo, who has multiple disabilities.
Additionally, I contributed to the books The Anti-Ableist Manifestoby Tiffany Yu and the bestselling caregiving anthology Becoming Brave Together.
I currently serve on committees for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Canine Companions, and am a board member for SpEducational. I am a past member of the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Community Advisory Committee and the Diversability Leadership Collective. I’ve been known to teach workshops on storytelling, advocacy, and how the heck to do all this paperwork, serving such groups as California State University Northridge, Teach for LA, We Are Brave Together, The Painted Turtle, and Diversability.
I have been a featured speaker at events for organizations including The American Association for People with Disabilities, The Judy Heumann Legacy, Family Action Network, Canine Companions, The Gray Academy, Inclusion Matters, and RISE Summit by Puzzle Pieces.
In addition, I have worked as a cooking teacher at HipCooks, a Starbucks barista in a Barnes and Noble, and as Wendy. (Yes, as in the restaurants. And, once I won a celebrity cow milking contest in that role.) I grew up just outside of Columbus, Ohio (which kind of explains the cow milking thing) and graduated from DePaul University in Chicago. In my free time, I make sloths out of paper mache, create epic Halloween costumes, fail spectacularly on game shows, and contemplate joining the circus.
If the authorities are seeking me, they’d best scour Los Angeles and interrogate my dashing husband, my mischievous children, our trusty canine, and the thing that lurks beneath the bed.
I aim to use my powers for good. Also for evil on occasion.
Welcome to my world.
