Khalia R. Hayslett
Khalia Hayslett, a proud Brooklynite, brings a strong history of advocacy to the New York City Transit Riders Council. Crowned Ms. Wheelchair New York in 2023 for a one-year reign, she used her platform of visibility, mental health awareness and empowerment to bolster her activism and further the advancement of New Yorkers with Disabilities. Through her regular speaking engagements, Khalia promotes gleeful compliance and accessibility, awareness, self-acceptance, and the overall understanding of including the disability lens in all industries including technology, urban design, education, and most importantly, transportation. She was born with Authrogryposis, a rare congenital muscle and joint disease.
Khalia is passionate about mentorship and strongly believes that educating the younger generation on what it’s like to consider people with disabilities as they view the world will have a significant positive impact. In collaboration with Disability Unite, Khalia led workshops on diversity and inclusion for ninety-two City University of New York interns, providing the students with lived experiences without having an occurrence of personal tragedy. Khalia is Executive Director of the Sunshine Network, the only Travel Education organization in New York. She teaches New Yorkers with disabilities how to navigate all modes of accessible transportation to promote empowerment through independent travel without being beholden to paratransit. She also provides research of the topography around the train stations that have elevators and escalators deemed accessible for real life conditions. She also engages in statewide advocacy, visiting organizations, making public appearances, working with officials and agencies to promote accessibility. The motto “nothing for us without us” is essential to the expansion and inclusion of the disabled voice.
Khalia is a single mom to a teenage son. She is an active parent coordinator and student advocate as well as a published author and songwriter. In her free time, she enjoys trying her hand at painting and charcoal art to relax.
