National Leadership Program, Spring 2023
Maddie Jones
Maddie Jones (she/her) was an Entertainment and News Media Fellow in RespectAbility’s National Leadership Program for Spring 2023. RespectAbility is a nonprofit organization fighting stigmas and advancing opportunities so that people with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of community.
Raised in the Philadelphia suburbs, Jones first got involved in disability and entertainment as an actor in a local acting troupe for people with physical disabilities and worked on a few independent film projects – being authentically cast as a child with cerebral palsy. As she got older, her performative side turned into public speaking about her lived experience. She became involved in disability advocacy work and community organizing, but her love of film never wavered. In May 2022, Jones graduated from Pomona College in Claremont, CA with a Bachelor’s in politics, philosophy, and economics (PPE) and was awarded the Senior Service award for the work she did outside the classroom, including running a speaker series, managing a small nonprofit focused on combatting food insecurity, and organizing a student group around local accessibility.
During her senior year, Jones realized that she could combine her passion for disability advocacy and love of film into a career and began studying disability film theory. She believes that stories are the fundamental building blocks of society and that if we want to see significant change for the disability community, we must start by influencing the stories we tell and see. She is excited to do just that while being a Fellow at RespectAbility.
Outside of work, Jones is now based in Salt Lake City, Utah and spends her time skiing, trying out new recipes, and watching movies. She also just finished up her first-year volunteering at the Sundance Film Festival.
