Podcast: Let’s talk about Autism, Housing, and the Awesome Power of Coalitions

Desiree Kameka
dkameka@madisonhouseautism.org
https://madisonhouseautism.org/

Desiree Kameka has been working with children and young adults on the spectrum for over ten years. Her undergraduate degree is from the University of Miami in psychology, emphasizing psychobiology, with a minor in psychological and educational studies. During her time at UM, she developed a program for the University of Miami Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (UM CARD), which brought together teens on the spectrum and undergraduate students to work on social and life skills through experiential learning and interaction with multidisciplinary university resources.

Desiree earned her master’s degree in theological studies from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. as well as a post-graduate certificate in Ecumenism from the Washington Theological Consortium. Her work analyzing autism through a theological lens has brought her international recognition as she worked with the World Council of Churches initiative of the Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network and the World Student Christian Association.

Desiree’s work for the Madison House Autism Foundation focuses on researching housing issues, advocating with organizations, families, and autistic adults on housing issues, and presenting her work at local and national gatherings. She visits many residential communities and social enterprises across the USA and abroad to highlight their unique victories and learning curves while sharing stories of residents with autism and other developmental disabilities. Desiree is also the project lead for Madison House’s interactive Autism Housing Network. Her passion is empowering communities to create a future that is exciting and life-affirming for those of all abilities by offering small group consultations for forming projects.