Vera Elwood is the Outreach Librarian for the Hays Public Library and a person with multiple disabilities. Vera previously worked as a disability consultant for a national marketing company and received a fellowship for disability ministry. Vera combines educational, professional, and personal experience to bring a unique perspective to disability advocacy in libraries. Her passion for serving patrons with disabilities has led her to speak at multiple conferences, including ALA and YALSA, and library systems across the nation, including the Louisville Free Public Library and the St. Louis Public Library.

Vera achieved brief viral fame in the spring of 2017 when she responded to Rep. Jason Chaffetz’s comments about healthcare by showing the true cost of healthcare in iPhones. Vera’s graphics were featured across the internet, including The Mighty, where a Facebook video about Vera received over 180,000 views.

Location: Kansas

Keywords = Disabilities, Accessibility, Healthcare, Mental Health, Advocacy

$ Speaking Fee

Willing to Travel

Vera Elwood

Heidi Rabinowitz

Dr. Erum Shahzad

LaShauna Dean

Nick Demske