Disability Partnerships is a community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to empowering individuals with physical disabilities. Our mission is to ensure that people with disabilities not only survive but thrive, enjoying a quality of life that allows them to fully participate in their communities.

In 2011, at the age of 37, Tamara Gallman became a T8 paraplegic as a result of a natural gas explosion in her home. In an instant, she became a person with a severe disability and a member of the disability community. After almost a year in the hospital, Tamara was overwhelmed with fear and anxiety. She had limited knowledge of the fragile health reality that she now faced, was concerned with how she would handle her physical limitations, and worried about how she would deal with the daily activities of living that she used to take for granted.

Tamara worked hard to integrate herself into the community but quickly realized that in many ways her fears were justified. As she attempted to adjust to life as a woman with a physical disability, she experienced significant challenges and emotional pain, often leading to feelings of helplessness and sadness, which in turn affected her mental health. The three biggest challenges she faced were related to her healthcare, housing, and employment/career options.

As time went on, she made connections with other people with disabilities and understood that her situation was not unique. She heard similar stories and fears from others in the disability community and began to think that if able-bodied people were more aware of the challenges and issues that disabled people encountered, they would be willing to help find solutions. She began to understand that the barriers faced by people with physical limitations are a social problem, and the community must work together to address the negative consequences of these barriers for the betterment of society. She knew that anyone could be faced with the unfortunate circumstances of a disability at any point in their lives, and that they too would have to deal with the same challenges that all disabled people experience.

With her public health and partnership development background, her more than fifteen years of management and marketing experience, and the knowledge she gained as a member of the disability community, she knew the time was right to launch Disability Partnerships. She received the F. Michael Taff Humanitarian Award for her work with Disability Partnerships and her efforts to eliminate discrimination against individuals with disabilities and achieve equal access for all persons in society.

Her hope is that through partnerships with various organizations and corporations, and direct engagement with the public, Disability Partnerships will be able to provide more opportunities to improve the lives of persons living with physical disabilities.

“My goal is to turn my suffering into service. Every surgery, every hospitalization, every lesson learned, and every delay is an opportunity to create an organization that makes life better for other persons with physical disabilities.”

- Tamara Gallman

Mission: To improve the quality of life of persons living with a physical disability.

Vision: An accessible world that provides lasting opportunities for all persons living with a physical disability.