[ About Us ]

How westarted.

The story of a student-led network created to turn ideas, collaboration, and lived experience into meaningful impact.

[ The DEN story ]

01 — Two students saw room for more.
The Idea
Yahya Alhusseinawi and Kumayl Raza, two University of Pennsylvania students, saw an opportunity to build something bigger than a traditional student organization.
02 — Different backgrounds. One purpose.
The Vision
They envisioned a community where students from different backgrounds could come together to address challenges facing people with disabilities.
03 — The idea became a network.
DEN Is Created
That vision became the Disability Empowerment Network: a student-led network giving students the resources, opportunities, and community to turn ideas into meaningful impact.
04 — Discover. Build. Serve. Solve.
Four Paths, One Mission
DEN creates change through four connected pillars—not one single approach. Students can discover, build, serve, and solve real accessibility challenges.
- 01
  Discovery
  Advance research. Spark understanding.
- 02
  Innovation
  Turn ideas into practical solutions.
- 03
  Community Service
  Serve communities. Empower lives.
- 04
  Consulting
  Assess barriers. Improve accessibility.
05 — One campus can become a movement.
What Comes Next
Our journey is just beginning. We’re growing a national network of chapters where students of every major and background can create a future where everyone belongs.

[ What comes next ]

From one campus to a national network.

Built at Penn and growing outward, DEN is for researchers, builders, volunteers, advocates, and students who simply want to make a difference.