Katie, a student at the Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law, is a semi-finalist of the 2023 Heumann-Armstrong Award.
More About Katie:
Katie (Kathryn) Allee is a first-year law student at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law in Phoenix, Arizona. Hailing from Minnetonka, Minnesota, Katie graduated summa cum laude from Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana with a Bachelor’s of Science in Sociology, a minor in English Writing, and an Honors Degree after just two and a half years of study. Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy when she was three months old, Katie has remained motivated to facilitate the breaking down of ableist barriers and stigma since she was a child. She has been involved in advocacy efforts across the U.S., including working alongside Children’s Hospitals and the Children’s Miracle Network in Washington, D.C. to promote the interests of children with complex medical needs in integral legislation. Katie’s experiences working with knowledgeable lobbyists and lawmakers served to further her interest in pursuing a career in law, and she will carry this sense of passion throughout her time as a law student and legal advocate. She has met one-on-one with lawmakers at both local and national levels to express the importance of disability representation and its complexities in discussions surrounding legislation and policy-making that impacts the nation.
Her passion for disability rights and advocacy began at a young age as she encountered social and physical barriers that prevented her from fully engaging with and expressing herself in educational and social environments. Katie began speaking publicly when she contributed to expanding the awareness of playground designers and manufacturers by providing her unique perspectives as a disabled elementary school student. Katie has volunteered and participated in endeavors associated with Miss Amazing Inc., a national self-esteem movement for girls and women with disabilities led by women with disabilities. Working in this arena encouraged her advocacy skills to flourish, and her role as part of the internal team amplified her support of disability-related causes she intends to dedicate her career in law to. Her involvement with a local children’s specialty clinic also expanded her audience as a speaker to the board of directors, a keynote speaker and emcee for a major fundraiser, and as a blog contributor. She has engaged with fellow advocates and activists in localized efforts to promote accessibility in Minnesota state parks through press conferences and creating articles to articulate the importance that every environment should be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of their condition. Katie’s authentic perspectives facilitate the awareness of disability-related social and political issues that rarely meet the eyes of non-disabled decision makers. Her work as a tireless advocate for disabilities has helped transform communities into spaces where disabled perspectives are welcomed, yet she recognizes that there is still much work to be done in facilitating an inclusive and accessible society.