2025 workshops
National Hmong Disability Virtual Conference
“Building for Tomorrow at the Intersection of Hmong Culture & Disability”
| workshop #2
| Bridging the Gap: Understanding Mental Health, Disability Challenges, and the Resiliency Within
| Type: Interactive Workshop
| Type: Interactive Workshop
Join us for an engaging, interactive workshop designed to explore the critical connection between mental health and physical or developmental disabilities. This session will dive into how mental health challenges impact people with disabilities, creating a comprehensive understanding of the dual challenges they face.
The workshop aims to:
The workshop aims to:
- Recognize the interaction between mental health and disabilities and how they impact one another.
- Identify common mental health challenges faced by individuals with disabilities.
- Explore strategies for creating supportive environments that enhance mental well-being.
- Empower participants to advocate for improved mental health resources and inclusive practices in their communities.
| Facilitator
The photo features a cheerful group of four people outdoors, with Asian Hmong woman Mang Shaper on the left, wearing sunglasses and a gray tank top, smiling brightly. A child in a blue floral top, a younger child in a green shirt sticking out their tongue, and a Caucasian man on the right, all smiling warmly. They sit on a wooden bench with trees and a sunny sky in the background, capturing a joyful family moment.
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| Mang Shaper – Advocate and Disability Specialist
Mang Shaper is a dedicated professional, community advocate, and passionate presenter based in Philadelphia. As a wife and mother of two, she cherishes her family, which inspires her commitment to building inclusive and supportive communities.
In her professional role as the Director of Liberty Home Solutions at Liberty Resources, Inc.—Philadelphia’s Center for Independent Living—Mang oversees programs that enhance the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. With a background in social work, she has dedicated her career to breaking down barriers, driving policy changes, and creating equitable systems in healthcare and disability services.
Mang is deeply committed to the intersection of mental health and disability advocacy. Her lived experiences and professional expertise inform her belief that addressing mental health within the context of disability is vital to fostering resilience, dignity, and holistic well-being. As a Board Member for United Hmong with Disabilities (UHD), she strives to amplify the voices of marginalized communities, particularly those at the intersection of disability and mental health.
When not empowering others through her work, Mang enjoys sewing paj ntaub (Hmong cross-stitch), an art form that connects her to her cultural roots and serves as a meditative practice. For Mang, storytelling—whether through needlework, policy advocacy, or public speaking—is a powerful way to build bridges and inspire change.
Mang is excited to serve as a workshop facilitator and host, using her voice to elevate the conversation on mental health and disability while championing resilience and inclusivity.
Mang Shaper is a dedicated professional, community advocate, and passionate presenter based in Philadelphia. As a wife and mother of two, she cherishes her family, which inspires her commitment to building inclusive and supportive communities.
In her professional role as the Director of Liberty Home Solutions at Liberty Resources, Inc.—Philadelphia’s Center for Independent Living—Mang oversees programs that enhance the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. With a background in social work, she has dedicated her career to breaking down barriers, driving policy changes, and creating equitable systems in healthcare and disability services.
Mang is deeply committed to the intersection of mental health and disability advocacy. Her lived experiences and professional expertise inform her belief that addressing mental health within the context of disability is vital to fostering resilience, dignity, and holistic well-being. As a Board Member for United Hmong with Disabilities (UHD), she strives to amplify the voices of marginalized communities, particularly those at the intersection of disability and mental health.
When not empowering others through her work, Mang enjoys sewing paj ntaub (Hmong cross-stitch), an art form that connects her to her cultural roots and serves as a meditative practice. For Mang, storytelling—whether through needlework, policy advocacy, or public speaking—is a powerful way to build bridges and inspire change.
Mang is excited to serve as a workshop facilitator and host, using her voice to elevate the conversation on mental health and disability while championing resilience and inclusivity.
