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Elesia Ashkenazy is from Portland, Oregon. Diagnosed on the autistic spectrum and profoundly deaf, she is devoted to Disability Rights and self-advocacy, and seeks to promote widespread understanding of the needs and rights of Autistic individuals. She is also a parent of a son on the spectrum. 

Elesia is the Chapter & Outreach Coordinator for Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) and is also a former Board member. She is the Community Council Chair and Research Assistant for Academic Autistic Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education (AASPIRE), as well as a member of a Subcommittee for the Oregon Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is also on the Community Advisory Board for the Partnering with People with Developmental Disabilities to Address Violence Project. Elesia is a member of the Editorial Board of Self Advocates As Leaders (SAAL). 

Outside of her advocacy and public speaking work, Elesia aspires to be a published author of Young Adult fiction, in addition to short stories for adult audiences. She is a classically trained ballet dancer who perseverates on ballet, taking class several times a week and performing whenever the opportunity arises. Be sure to check out her blog,  Aspitude.