Joyce Ozeh: Passionate Disability Advocate

For Joyce Ozeh, a first-generation Nigerian-American and civil rights attorney with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, practicing law has always been a means to an end.

“At my core, I’ve always been an advocate,” she says. “Advancing accessibility, equity, and disability justice is my life’s work and purpose.”

Ozeh’s commitment is informed by her past experience navigating years of debilitating generalized anxiety and major depression, which now guides her leadership as co-chair of the Disabilities Fund at the Trust.

Established in 2004 through the generosity of Shawn Donnelley and the Naomi Williams Donnelley Fund at the Trust, the Disabilities Fund has awarded more than $1.1 million in grants supporting disability inclusion. Today, the fund has restructured to focus on supporting grassroots efforts led by and for people with disabilities.

“Historically, disability has been framed around charity. But we’re advancing a vision of disabled people as equal participants in every area of society.”

JOYCE OZEH
Co-Chair
Disabilities Fund

In 2025, the Fund piloted its first ever call-for-proposals and awarded $355,000 in grants to 17 organizations – supporting initiatives such as a summer program launched by a Chicago resident to teach independent living skills to people with disabilities. The Advisory Board is now developing a three-year strategic plan to guide the fund’s next phase of impact.

A large part of Ozeh’s advocacy centers on expanding the financial resources available to help people with disabilities lead the lives they envision. The Disabilities Fund offers an effective way for donors to help make that possible.

Support disability inclusion and click here to give to the Disabilities Fund.