Johna A. Wright, assistant director of fellowships and scholarships at Mercer University, has been named to the U.S. International Council on Disabilities (USICD) Youth Advisory Committee. Wright is among 10 individuals chosen for the committee, which serves as a platform for young leaders with disabilities aged 18-30 who are committed to global disability rights, inclusion, and advancing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Wright expressed her commitment to using this opportunity to advocate for youth with disabilities worldwide. “This is more than just a title for me, it’s a chance to amplify the voices of the disability community around the world, especially youth who are too often excluded from decisions that directly affect their lives,” Wright said. “My advocacy has always been rooted in dismantling barriers and challenging ableism wherever it appears. This role gives me a platform to connect my local and national work to international conversations, ensuring that disability rights are not treated as optional but as central to human rights.”
A graduate of Mercer University’s psychology program in 2020, Wright is visually impaired and has worked both locally and nationally on disability rights issues. During her time at Mercer, she founded ABLE Mercer, a peer mentoring initiative designed to support first-year students with disabilities as they transition into campus life.
In addition to her campus involvement, Wright served as vice president and social media coordinator for the National Federation of the Blind’s student board. She was also part of the communications team and co-chaired outreach efforts for the National Association of Blind Students, where she advocated for disability rights before members of Congress.
Wright participated in international learning opportunities through Mercer’s Service Scholar program by traveling to Cape Town, South Africa, where she studied local disability laws and policies. After earning her undergraduate degree, she received a Fulbright Award that enabled her to pursue a master’s degree in comparative social policy and welfare at Tampere University in Finland.
Currently enrolled in Mercer’s Ph.D. program in higher education leadership, Wright’s research focuses on how educational policies influence participation and retention among students with disabilities across different countries.
“I intend to use this platform to build bridges across borders, learn from international disability movements and bring those lessons back into my work,” she said. “I intend to bring back the knowledge and experiences I gain to enrich the Mercer community.”
