Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen Vogus.
Hi Jen, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Nashville-area resident, Jen Vogus gave birth to a healthy baby boy in Spring 2002. Shortly after birth Aidan began having seizures and was not meeting age-appropriate milestones. Jen and her husband, Tim, would learn eight years later that his developmental delay was due to a novel chromosomal deletion (STXBP1). Because of this, Aidan has significant physical and intellectual disabilities and does not communicate verbally. When Aidan entered school, Jen wanted others to see all of the positive traits she saw in her son. She shared stories with his teachers about the things Aidan enjoyed and all that he loved to do, but the stories got lost shortly after they were told.
Jen sought to share his interests and strengths in a more permanent and visual way. So her solution was to photograph the things Aidan relished and all that he was capable of doing. This opened up Aidan’s world! Teachers and peers learned about his favorite superheroes, extra-curricular activities, and the people he loves most. “This is so cool, Aidan! I like those things too!” his students said. The pictures helped people realize that Aidan is more like, than different from, other kids. These photos, which Jen began organizing in books, were a catalyst for him to build lasting and meaningful relationships with teachers and peers.
As a result of taking photos of Aidan through the years, Jen became interested in the technical and artistic aspects of photography and immersed herself in this visual medium. What initially was a solution to a problem, resulted in an outlet that is creatively, intellectually, and professionally stimulating. She is grateful to Aidan that she sees the world more closely now, noticing and appreciating those “little things” more than ever. Jen combined her passion for education, photography, and people with disabilities to create AbleVoices in 2019. She is the AbleVoices’ founder and executive director, but most of all loves working directly with the AbleVoices photographers.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Transportation is a huge barrier for people with disabilities. We prioritized fundraising for a 15 passenger bus that gives our photographers freedom to participate in our year-round photography club. We visit scenic locations throughout Middle TN to take photos, socialize and engage with the community.
Employment is also a huge barrier for people with disabilities. We just launched our online card and print store. Our goal is to employ our photographers to run the online card and print store and Community Partners program. We provide support to make employment successful for individuals with disabilities. https://www.ablevoices.org/print-store We need help spreading the word to our community!
Funding is a challenge. We are in need of sponsors to help support our programming to provide work-based learning opportunities for our photographers with disabilities.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
AbleVoices is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, social impact organization that teaches photography to youth and adults with disabilities as a means for self-expression, creativity, social connection, community engagement, disability advocacy and work-based learning. Our foundational program is the Photography for Self-Expression course that is taught in schools, community organizations, and virtually. The ultimate goal of Photography for Self-Expression is to teach individuals how to create photographs that communicate their interests, preferences and strengths, as well as foster the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in their communities. The culminating activity of the Photography for Self-Expression course is to display participant photographs in a public gallery so family, friends, and the community can view the photos and learn about the perspective of individuals experiencing disability to help foster more inclusive communities..
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ablevoices.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ablevoices/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ablevoices/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ablevoices
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ablevoices
