Cody Butler, AOS

Cody Butler (he/him) is an autistic self-advocate who is passionate about community inclusivity and improving mental-health outcomes for individuals with disabilities. He has worked with neurodivergent youth and adults for over 5 years.  In addition to providing direct support to the neurodivergent community, he has presented on disability-focused topics to parents, community members, and other disability professionals at forums and workshops across the state of Nevada. He has an Associates in Information Technology Occupational Studies and uses his lived experience to support other working class neurodivergent people with employment questions and concerns.

Cody served as the former Youth Leader for the Nevada Youth Action Council supported by the Statewide Independent Living Council, a council in service of youth with disabilities by youth with disabilities. As Youth Leader, Cody wrote numerous newsletters educating the public on issues important to the neurodivergent and cross-disability community such as: an overview of disability civil rights legislation, housing, institutionalization, ableist bullying, employment and self-advocacy.
 
Cody has received specialized training on supporting people with disabilities through attendance and participation at major independent living conferences. These have included the  Associated Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL) conference, the National Association of Statewide Independent Living Councils (NASILC) Congress and the National Council on Independent Living conference. He has also taken coursework at the University of Nevada, Reno in sociology, public health and political science.

Cody has experience supporting people with disabilities as a volunteer at the Special Olympics and the iCan Bike Camp. He has also been a presenter for the Special Needs CommUNITY Parent Support Group.

Cody draws upon his time in disability advocacy and his lived experience navigating the system to provide gentle, persistent support to clients in building a life that works for them. He uses a strengths-based approach with clients to facilitate their inclusion and participation within the communities they choose for themselves.