“Disability pride, to me, means recognizing the strengths and values in your disability,” said Marley. “This job has taught me that it’s okay to be myself in a role.”
Marley is a graduate student assistant in our Autism Services Branch. She combines research and lived experience to support autism-related projects, training materials, and other Department initiatives.
She is earning a master’s degree in psychological science at Chico State University. While studying autism, they noticed there is limited research about autistic peoples’ lived experience of different cultures, races, ethnicities, and genders. They plan to continue their autism research as part of a future doctoral degree.
As a neurodiverse and disabled individual, Marley values working on a team that embraces the disability community’s guiding principle of “nothing about us without us.”
“One thing I love about my job is that it really listens to the autistic community,” said Marley. “And that is greatly reflected in the work that we do.”
Outside of work and school, Marley enjoys discovering new music, caring for their cats, restoring old furniture, and thrifting.
Watch Marley talk about their work, research, and the importance of finding a community that appreciates you for who you are.