A recording of the program presented by Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society on Friday, January 17 at 7:30 p.m. on Zoom, for a presentation on Birdability’s initiatives to enhance access and inclusivity for birders with disabilities and other health challenges.

Cat Fribley, Executive Director of Birdability.org, and Virginia Rose, founder of Birdability, will delve into the organization’s mission, providing a detailed exploration of its efforts to make birding more accessible and inclusive, and how we all have a role.

This session will introduce the Birdability Map, provide information about barriers and what helps create access for birders with disabilities and other health concerns, and offer practical insights for creating accessible events and spaces. Attendees will gain actionable tips and tools to help create access and inclusion in their communities.

About Our Presenters
Cat Fribley (she/her) serves as the Executive Director of Birdability. With a rich background in nonprofit development, a passion for birding, and a steadfast commitment to disability rights, she brings a unique perspective to this role. Cat’s journey into birding began in college, where it became a source of mental health support and healing following a PTSD diagnosis. Over time, a series of physical injuries and illnesses led her to seek adaptive ways to continue birding as a form of mindfulness and connection with nature, despite limited mobility. Her experiences navigating accessible birding opportunities while traveling to all 50 states have made her especially attuned to the work of Birdability and the importance of the Birdability Map. She now resides in Iowa City, IA, with her wife and two indoor cats, within a beloved community and among a variety of backyard birds.

Virginia Rose (she/her) fell off a horse at the age of 14 which resulted in a spinal cord injury. A wheelchair user ever since, she began birding 17 years ago and discovered her best self in nature. She founded Birdabilty in 2018 and leads accessible Birdability outings for Travis Audubon and at birding festivals each year. As a retired high school English teacher, she is passionate about bringing the same joy, empowerment and community she found in birding and nature to others who have mobility challenges.