Hi! My name is LeiLoni. I am a Recreational Therapy student at the University of Utah committed to making recreation accessible, inclusive, and meaningful for people of all abilities. Through my education and hands-on work with community organizations, I have developed a particular interest in removing the physical, social, sensory, and attitudinal barriers that prevent people with disabilities from fully participating. I believe recreation should offer more than simple access. It should create genuine opportunities for belonging, growth, self-expression, and connection. 

As a wheelchair user, service dog handler, and person with multiple complex disabilities, I bring lived experience to my work in therapeutic recreation. I understand both the challenges and joys of navigating recreational and community spaces with a disability. This perspective helps me connect with participants, recognize barriers that others may overlook, and develop creative solutions grounded in empathy and practical understanding.

My primary interests are accessible travel, inclusive theater, and community recreation. I am interested in how each of these areas can create opportunities for people to build confidence, develop skills, express themselves, form relationships, and feel a stronger sense of belonging. I especially enjoy finding practical ways to adapt programs and environments while preserving the experience, independence, and choices of each participant.

Ultimately, I hope to help build recreational experiences that are not simply available to people with disabilities, but designed with their full participation in mind. Through direct service, advocacy, collaboration, and continued learning, I want to help create communities where people of every ability can participate, connect, and thrive.