A Defining Moment at the White House
Leading with Purpose
Ondréa L. Burton
Founder & CEO, Always You
Coalition Builder. Strategic Architect. Relentless Force for Systems Change.
Ondréa L. Burton is a powerhouse force commanding systems change at scale.
A former policy and advocacy advisor in the U.S. House of Representatives, she brings a rare combination of deep policy insight, trusted credibility, and lived experience as a mother of a young adult with a developmental disability.
From that personal journey, she created Always You, a pioneering, outcomes-driven model operating from college campuses that redefines how individuals are supported and positioned for sustained advancement.
Ondréa is known for her executive presence and undeniable momentum. She galvanizes stakeholders across sectors with strategic clarity, turning bold ideas into scalable solutions.
Always You is the blueprint for culture shift.
Ondréa L. Burton is the architect.
Empowering Opportunities
Ondréa L. Burton had the distinct honor of meeting with U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth to engage in a powerful dialogue around advancing workforce development legislation for individuals with disabilities.
Their conversation centered on expanding access to meaningful careers, driving economic mobility, and affirming the right of every individual to live with purpose, dignity, and independence.
Together, they underscored a shared commitment to building an integrated future where opportunity is fully realized.
Championing Change
In a pivotal conversation with U.S. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Ondréa L. Burton shared the Always You vision for legislative and community transformation.
Together, they explored strategies to expand disability advocacy, deepen equity across systems, and forge bold pathways that center individuals.
Their shared commitment reaffirms the urgency of building a society where integration and economic mobility for all becomes the standard.
Empowerment Begins with Knowing Your Rights
your government. your rights.
your government. your rights.
your government. your rights.
Federal legislation shapes the systems that provide care, access, and opportunity for individuals with disabilities.
Laws like the Medicaid Act and Medicare Act determine how critical services are funded, particularly through waiver programs that allow states to offer in-home support, employment services, and pathways to community connect
Federal legislation shapes the systems that provide care, access, and opportunity for individuals with disabilities.
Laws like the Medicaid Act and Medicare Act determine how critical services are funded, particularly through waiver programs that allow states to offer in-home support, employment services, and pathways to community connection.
These federal decisions directly influence how states allocate resources, and whether individuals can access the programs they need to live with dignity, independence, and purpose.
Explore the resources below to better understand the systems that shape support:
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Learn how federal healthcare programs are structured and how they fund services for individuals with disabilities.
Medicaid Waiver Programs by State
Understand how states use federal funds to offer specialized services through Medicaid waivers.
National Council on Disability (NCD)
Explore policy insights and recommendations that drive national disability legislation and funding priorities.
The Arc – Understanding Medicaid Waivers
Access state-by-state guidance and learn how Medicaid waivers benefit individuals and families.
Americans With Disability Act
your government. your rights.
your government. your rights.
Always You is honored to partner with former Congressman Tony Coelho, the visionary author of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), H.R. 2273, signed into law on July 26, 1990.
Together, we are steadfast in advancing the rights and opportunities championed by the ADA, ensuring its legacy continues to eliminate barriers, foste
Always You is honored to partner with former Congressman Tony Coelho, the visionary author of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), H.R. 2273, signed into law on July 26, 1990.
Together, we are steadfast in advancing the rights and opportunities championed by the ADA, ensuring its legacy continues to eliminate barriers, foster integration, and enhance the quality of life for all individuals with disabilities.
This partnership reflects Always You’s mission to build a future where dignity, independence, and impact are fully realized.
Through shared purpose and advocacy, we are driving systemic change and shaping legacies that endure.
Your Voice, Your Policy, Your Future.
your government. your rights.
Your Voice, Your Policy, Your Future.
Policy is a blueprint for what can be built. It holds the power to open doors, shape futures, and define the conditions in which individuals and communities flourish.
When individuals with a disability lead the conversations that shape their lives, policy reflects lived experience and focused direction. Their voices bring visibility t
Policy is a blueprint for what can be built. It holds the power to open doors, shape futures, and define the conditions in which individuals and communities flourish.
When individuals with a disability lead the conversations that shape their lives, policy reflects lived experience and focused direction. Their voices bring visibility to priorities that have been unrecognized, ensuring access and equity are embedded throughout every level of decision-making.
Advocacy is the engine of progress. It moves systems forward, holds institutions accountable, and creates the conditions for lasting impact. When individuals advocate, families are empowered, communities are strengthened, and a legacy of dignity and self-determination becomes possible.
Empower yourself as a disability rights advocate with these essential resources:
American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD):
Tools, programs, and national initiatives to advance disability rights through leadership and civic engagement.
National Council on Independent Living (NCIL):
A hub for grassroots advocacy, leadership training, and systemic policy change.
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF):
Advocacy resources and legal guidance to support individuals advancing disability rights nationwide.
THE MARTHA’S VINEYARD LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
June 4–8, 2026 Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
June 4–8, 2026 Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
June 4–8, 2026 Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
The inaugural Always You Adventure will bring five participants and five adult chaperones to Martha’s Vineyard for an experience centered on identity and the transition into adulthood.
The journey begins in Pittsburgh as the group travels together by vehicle toward the coast. Hours on the road allow conversation to begin naturally. The you
The inaugural Always You Adventure will bring five participants and five adult chaperones to Martha’s Vineyard for an experience centered on identity and the transition into adulthood.
The journey begins in Pittsburgh as the group travels together by vehicle toward the coast. Hours on the road allow conversation to begin naturally. The young women share stories, laughter, anticipation, and the quiet understanding that they are stepping into something new together.
From the mainland the group boards the ferry and crosses the water to the island. Approaching Martha’s Vineyard introduces them to a place shaped by history, where families return across generations and a strong sense of community remains visible. Many who arrive speak of a feeling that the island invites reflection and encourages people to see themselves within the life of the island.
During their time on Martha’s Vineyard the participants will move through the towns and shoreline side by side. They will spend time near the water, share meals, explore the towns, and encounter the traditions and generational presence that give the island its distinctive character. Each evening the group will return to the Always You reflection circle as the island grows quiet. In those gatherings the young women speak honestly about what they experienced, what stayed with them, and how those moments illuminate the adults they are growing into.
Living together in a shared home in Oak Bluffs deepens the experience. Oak Bluffs has welcomed families returning across generations and remains a place where that sense of tradition can still be felt. Days spent traveling, exploring, and reflecting together allow the participants to form friendships grounded in trust and shared experience. These relationships are intended to remain part of their lives for years to come.
Community sponsorship makes this experience possible.
Your support allows a young woman to step into this journey and experience a place that strengthens her sense of who she is becoming.
Support the Experience
June 4–8, 2026 Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
June 4–8, 2026 Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
Always You Adventures is made possible through the generosity of individuals who believe that exposure to new environments strengthens confidence and expands perspective.
Five young adults will participate in this inaugural journey to Martha’s Vineyard.
We invite our community to support the Martha’s Vineyard Leadership Experience by sponso
Always You Adventures is made possible through the generosity of individuals who believe that exposure to new environments strengthens confidence and expands perspective.
Five young adults will participate in this inaugural journey to Martha’s Vineyard.
We invite our community to support the Martha’s Vineyard Leadership Experience by sponsoring participants.
Full Sponsorship – $750
Supports one participant’s full participation in the retreat, including travel, lodging, and program experiences.
Half Sponsorship – $325
Contributes toward transportation and lodging expenses.
Supporter Contribution – $100
Helps provide meals, activities, and retreat materials.
Contributions of any amount are welcomed and appreciated.
Every contribution helps create an experience that expands how these young adults see themselves and their future.
Your support makes this journey possible.
Looking Ahead
June 4–8, 2026 Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
Looking Ahead
The Martha’s Vineyard Leadership Experience marks the beginning of Always You Adventures.
Future journeys will introduce additional destinations where participants can encounter new environments and cultures while expanding their sense of what is possible in their lives.
Travel changes how people see the world. It also changes how they se
The Martha’s Vineyard Leadership Experience marks the beginning of Always You Adventures.
Future journeys will introduce additional destinations where participants can encounter new environments and cultures while expanding their sense of what is possible in their lives.
Travel changes how people see the world. It also changes how they see themselves.
Always You Adventures will continue creating these journeys, and we invite you to join us in making these experiences possible for the young adults who will travel with us in the years ahead.