ABOUT SOPHIE
From lived experiences to advocacy
Sophie Iverson is a lifelong disability advocate and storyteller. She holds a Master’s degree in the Study of Law from Hamline University with a concentration in special education, as well as an undergraduate degree in Political Science from St. Catherine University.
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In 2023, she founded Access 2 Advocacy with the goal of applying her lived experiences and passion for storytelling to provide others with advocacy tools, confidence-building strategies, and support in sharing their own stories for self-advocacy.
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Sophie supports parents and students with disabilities by “translating” the special education system, providing guidance, and elevating the rights they have as informed and active participants in their own IEP/504 meetings. She brings extensive knowledge and training in person-centered planning, self-evaluation and transition planning, Americans with Disabilities Act topics, special education, and deliberative dialogue work, and holds an ADA Coordinator certification.
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Most importantly, as a person with a complex medical history, Sophie brings her personal experience as a member of the disability community into her advocacy and consulting work.
Achievements
March 2025
Podcast Appearance
Guest appeared on Minnesota APSE's "If you can see it, you can believe it" Podcast to speak about my employment journey, current jobs, and the creation of my business. Listen and View Here.
April 2024
Presentation
Presented at the online Minnesota Social Services Association online conference. This presentation titled "Telling My Story in the Advocacy Space – A Lesson in Resilience and Being Vulnerable." allowed me to share my story with case managers and other social service workers in Minnesota.
March 2024-Present
Task Force Member
Joined the Gillettes Transition Task Force as a Lived Experience Partner, being able to help advise on the work being done at Gillette Childrens Hospital in Minnesota in regards to the Pediatric to Adult Transition Research Project. Read more about Lived Experience Partners here.
April 2023
Keynote Speaker
As a member of U.S. of Care's Voices of Real Life Council, I had been invited to be a keynote for their 5 Year Anniversary Conference and share how my story and other's stories can be valuable to share with policymakers in order to incite positive change in the healthcare space.
January 2023-Present
Council Member
Member of the U.S. of Care's Voices of Real Life Council, providing valuable insight in focus groups and conversations related to making healthcare more equitable and affordable for all. Being a part of conversations like how A.I. should be involved in the future of healthcare, how access to healthcare is challenging for particular minority groups, and many others. Read more about U.S. of Care Voices of Real Life Council here.
September 2023
Advisor to Fellowship Group
Advisor for the University of Minnesota Institute for Community Integration LEND Fellowship group, advising throughout the school year about advocating to federal and state policymakers about disability policy that matters to them.