Q&A with Jae Jin Pak: A Voice for the Disability Community and Change

For Jae Jin Pak, disability identity is deeply connected to how he shows up in his work and community. As an Asian American immigrant with lived experience with disabilities, Jae Jin brings both perspective and purpose to everything he does, from his role advancing disability inclusion at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) to his involvement in collective giving through the Disabilities Fund, an initiative of The Chicago Community Trust. Jae Jin joined the Disabilities Fund Advisory Board in 2024 when the Fund was reactivated, bringing years of experience in social services, disability advocacy, and community-led philanthropy, including his work with the Asian Giving Circle, another Trust initiative.

In recognition of Disability Pride Month, Jae Jin spoke with Carrie Goodale, affinity funds specialist at the Trust, reflecting on his journey from discovering his disability to navigating early experiences of isolation, stigma and resilience.

Tell us about yourself. What led you to where you are today?

Jae Jin Pak: I identify as an Asian American immigrant with lived experience with disabilities. I was born in Seoul, South Korea, and immigrated to the U.S. when I was about five. I grew up in Waukegan, a northern suburb of Chicago. I discovered my disability in elementary school. I grew up with low vision and later epilepsy, and for a long time, negative stereotypes led me to see myself as less than others. Early on, I didn’t fully identify as disabled or as an immigrant, I was fairly insulated. But starting in third grade through college, I began to understand both identities more deeply. I experienced bullying and isolation, but I also learned self-advocacy, adaptability, and the importance of speaking up. It wasn’t until college, when I met other disabled students, faculty, and staff, that I began to embrace disability pride.

Professionally, I started in social services, working on gender-based violence for about 20 years. As I became more comfortable with my disability identity, I began connecting that work to disability, mental health, and prevention. That led me to my current role at UIC, where I focus on disability research, education, and outreach.

What drew you to the Disabilities Fund when it was relaunched in 2024?

Jae Jin Pak: I was excited to join early conversations about the relaunch. Funding for disability-led organizations is limited, so what stood out to me is that this fund is truly driven by and representative of people with disabilities. Disabled people are making decisions about priorities, leadership, and grantmaking. It’s for and by the community and intentionally inclusive of diverse disability experiences. That’s meaningful, especially since many conversations tend to center visible disabilities, while invisible disabilities are often overlooked.

Has there been an impactful moment with the fund that has been meaningful to you?

Jae Jin Pak: One moment that has really stayed with me was one of our very first in-person board meetings where I had the chance to host it in my own office space. We were coming together to shape our pilot grantmaking round, working through themes, eligibility, and what we wanted this fund to stand for. What made it so meaningful wasn’t just the work; it was the room itself. Sitting alongside nine other disabled-identified leaders, I felt a deep sense of connection and possibility. We were committed not only to being inclusive of disability, but of different ideas, expanding beyond traditional funding areas to also include arts, culture, and creative projects.

There was also a shared urgency to support smaller organizations, especially in a time when disability and marginalized communities are too often minimized. By the end of the meeting, I felt energized, grounded, and incredibly grateful to be part of a group so dedicated to supporting and investing in our community.

How have your lived experiences shaped your career?

Jae Jin Pak: If you had told me earlier in life that I’d become a public speaker, I would have laughed. My experiences with stigma and discrimination led me to social services because I wanted to help others cope with their own challenges. I initially saw myself as a counselor. After losing my first job, I applied for a prevention specialist role that required public speaking. My first presentation didn’t go well; I thought I couldn’t do it. But with practice and support, I improved and eventually found I enjoyed it. Over time, I began incorporating disability into my work and building connections with disability communities. If sharing my experiences helps someone feel less alone, that’s meaningful to me.

Where do you hope to see the Disabilities Fund go in the future?

Jae Jin Pak: I’d like to see it continue to grow, particularly in funding, so it can support more organizations and potentially expand beyond Chicago. It’s also important to maintain diverse representation that reflects the full disability community. Another priority is funding accessibility, supporting organizations to improve physical spaces, technology, and systems. These needs are critical but often underfunded. Ultimately, I hope the Disabilities Fund becomes a strong model for disability-led participatory grantmaking, where anyone in the disability community feels represented and welcome to apply.