About
The Dinah F.B. Cohen Fellowship Program is a competitive fellowship with Partners for Youth with Disabilities (PYD), created in honor of Dinah F.B. Cohen, a former National Disability Mentoring Coalition member and long-time disability rights leader. Each spring and fall, fellows from across the United States are selected to develop self-designed projects focused on disability rights, advocacy, and justice.
This website is one of two projects created by the Fall 2025 cohort. The project centers on the intersection of disability and mental health, drawing from lived experiences as well as research and advocacy work. It explores how social barriers, stigma, and systems impact daily life, access to care, education, work, and personal relationships. Through guides and resources, the site aims to support understanding, inclusion, and belonging for both disabled and nondisabled audiences.
Our Team
Author & Resource Curator
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Site Builder & Author
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Survey Designer
Ali Abdulhadi
Ali Abdulhadi, age 23, is a resourceful peer support professional with experience in mental health counseling, crisis intervention, and community advocacy. Recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, he has a proven record of supporting individuals facing homelessness, addiction, and disability challenges. Ali excels in empathetic listening, case management, and outreach. He has contributed to accessibility initiatives, veteran support programs, and peer counseling environments, prioritizing equity and client well-being. Bilingual in Arabic and English, he is skilled at building trust across diverse communities. Aspiring to pursue a career in legal or social work, Ali enjoys reading, sports, investing, and advocacy.
Alexandria "Lexi" Bibbs
Alexandria Bibbs, “Lexi” (she/her) graduated cum laude from the University of Northern Iowa in 2020 with a bachelor’s in criminology, Psychology, and Spanish. After being employed as an Emergency Dispatcher, she enrolled at the University of Iowa in 2023. She is currently writing her master’s research paper in Sociology and pursuing her PhD in Criminology. Lexi’s career goal is to advocate for underrepresented populations. Some of these areas involve over-punishment of Black girls, lack of accessibility for those with disabilities, and anti-poaching and trafficking for endangered wildlife. When not in class, Lexi enjoys horror movies and outdoor hikes.
Jack Costa
Jack Costa is a sophomore at the University of California, San Diego, studying political science with a concentration in public policy. Diagnosed with Common Variable Immune Deficiency at a young age, he has since volunteered for the Immune Deficiency Foundation and lobbied in D.C. to members of Congress on key policy issues affecting immunocompromised populations such as Medicaid coverage and federal research grants. Through this work, he has developed a strong passion for involvement in and advocacy for disability communities, interested in researching and fighting for their unique policy needs to build a more inclusive world. In his free time, he enjoys playing multiple instruments and staying involved in the UCSD music scene, playing tennis, and hiking with friends.
Felix Menges
Felix Menges (he/him) is a senior at the University of Iowa studying Business Analytics and Information Systems. Felix is expected to graduate in December 2025 and plans to attend grad school next year to pursue a master’s in urban planning. As a public transit enthusiast, his career aspiration is to use his passion for data to help reduce barriers to public transportation and make transit more accessible. In his free time, he enjoys cooking and watching old movies and TV shows.
Faria Tavacoli
Faria Tavacoli (she/they) is a student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas pursuing a degree in Public Health and Neuroscience. Born and raised in Las Vegas, they plan to pursue a career that would focus on community health practice, research, and policy, focusing on youth accessibility, equity, and addressing systemic disparities impacting diverse communities. Faria is passionate about storytelling, advocacy, and building youth led support systems that center healing and survivorship. In their free time, they enjoy writing, connecting with the community, spending time outdoors, and attending local arts and cultural events.
Leah Triana
Leah Triana (she/her) is a junior at Whittier College double majoring in Psychology and Criminology with a minor in Child Development. She is passionate about mental health advocacy, community engagement, and creating spaces where every individual feels valued and supported. On campus, Leah serves as Captain of the Whittier College Dance Team, DEI Ambassador, and President of the Black Student Association.