Derek Schmitz has been featured in and contributed to multiple written and audio-visual press works, as well as public engagements. All are linked below.
To connect with Derek Schmitz regarding possible opportunities for collaboration or to receive their press kit, please email press@derekschmitz.com. To schedule an interview, please click here.
Upcoming Public Engagements:
No appearances are scheduled as of August 1, 2025.
Past Public Engagements:
Gadsden State Community College, April 2025: My Experience as a Protection & Advocacy Agency Paralegal Intern: Solo
Transition Maine Inaugural Youth Summit, May 2024: A Self-Advocate’s Guide to Transition: Solo
Exceptional Alliances 2023 Epic Accessibility EVENT, October 2023: Accessibility and Intersectionality Panel: Co-Panelist
National Youth Employment Coalition Annual Forum, April 2023: Addressing the Needs of Youth with Disabilities and Other Intersecting Identities: Co-Presenter
Council for Exceptional Children 2023 Convention and Expo, March 2023: Youth Engagement in Transition Planning
The Center for Advancing Policy on Employment for Youth Fellowship: Internal Meeting, October 2022: Expanding Medicaid to Ensure Access to Care for Disabled Young Adults: Solo
Alabama Disability:IN Conference, October 2022: Cross-Generational Disability Inclusion Panel: Co-Panelist
The Center for Advancing Policy on Employment for Youth Working Group Meeting II: Internal Meeting, June 2022: Medicaid Expansion to Include Eligibility and Access to Services: Solo
Partners for Youth with Disabilities, July 2022: Disability Rights are Human Rights: Co-Presenter
Autoimmune Community Institute Autoimmune Health Equity Summit, March 2022: Accessibility for Visible and Invisible Diseases: Solo
The Center for Advancing Policy on Employment for Youth Working Group Meeting 1, December 2021: Trauma-Informed Policy for Youth: Co-Presenter
Media
Appearances
Prosper Health, June 26, 2025: Apps and Tools to Help Autistic Adults Stay Organized: A Comprehensive Guide
Maine Department of Education Newsroom, June 3, 2024: Maine Students Explore Postsecondary Life at the First Annual Transition Maine Youth Summit
News Center Maine, May 30, 2024: ‘Transition Maine Youth Summit’ helping students with disabilities find a career path
Council for Exceptional Children Special Education TODAY, April 19, 2023: Bringing a Special Education Student’s Perspective to CEC 2023
CreakyJoints, January 18, 2023: Advocating for Change: Derek’s Dream for Disability Rights
ADRS TV, January 3, 2023: 2022 ADRS Year in Review
Disability After Dark Podcast, December 11, 2022: Episode 320: Working toward a world where queerness and disability is loved and accepted, not just tolerated w/ Derek Schmitz.
Autoimmune Community Institute Blog, November 10, 2022: Reflections on My Time at the Autoimmune Community Institute as I Exit (originally published on my blog here)
Autoimmune Community Institute Blog, September 1, 2022: Vocational Rehabilitation Centers are Useful, Hidden Gems in Disability Support (originally published on my blog here)
CreakyJoints, July 14, 2022: What Patient Advocates Want You to Know About Living with Disability
Public Health Podcast and Media Network Twitter Spaces, June 27, 2022: LGBTQ+ Awareness for Public Health
WAFF 48, May 16, 2022: Alabama doctor speaks on Federal Judge blocking transgender law
USA Today, April 20, 2022: ‘More fearful than I was’: At-risk immunocompromised Americans decry lifting of travel mask mandate
WAFF 48, April 12, 2022: Alabama transgender teen speaks out on new laws
ADRS TV, April 1, 2022: Access ADRS Episode 9 (appearance begins at 1:54)
A Shaky Precipice, March 9, 2022: CP Awareness Month 2022: In Conversation with Derek Schmitz
Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services ADRS Today Blog, March 4, 2022: Advocacy is a lifelong mission for Oxford’s Schmitz
Autoimmune Community Institute Blog, February 11, 2022: Crash Course in Crash Prep (originally published on my blog here)
CreakyJoints, February 3, 2022: The Tricky Diagnosis Journey That Turned 17-Year-Old Derek Schmitz Into a Disability Advocate for Others
What’s New with Nikki Podcast, July 9, 2021: Disability Awareness and Healthcare w/ Derek Schmitz
Camp ASCCA, July 28, 2016: Camp Life!
Anniston Star, March 8, 2014: Batter up! ‘Our own’ league gives all kids chance to enjoy baseball
WBRC, October 26, 2012: Mickey’s Weather Kids: Derek Schmizt (misspelling)
Mentions
Gadsden State Community College, May 14, 2025: Gadsden State announces Spring 2025 graduates
Gadsden State Community College, May 7, 2025: Gadsden State students earn scholarships to four-year universities
Gadsden State Community College, April 28, 2025: Outstanding students honored at Honors Day in Gadsden
Gadsden State Community College, January 22, 2025: Gadsden State students named to Fall 2024 honors lists
Gadsden State Community College, May 16, 2024: Outstanding students honored at Honors Day programs
Gadsden State Community College, April 17, 2024: Wallace Drive Honors Day with Gadsden State Community College, April 17, 2024 (clip here)
Gadsden State Community College, January 25, 2024: Gadsden State releases fall semester honors list
Arcadian Audios, July 26, 2022: (ASMR) Boyfriend Comforts You While You Rest [Low Energy Comfort] [M4A Boyfriend ASMR]
Home & Style UK, July 23, 2021: What Is a Body Pillow: Types, Benefits, and Considerations
Meaww, July 9, 2021: Who was Erin Gilmer? Disability rights advocate dies by suicide after posting cryptic tweet
The Mighty, January 28, 2021: 34 Tweets That Prove Disability Has No Age Requirement
Unnamed Policy Brief Collaborations
The US Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy, Council of State Governments, and Cornell University Center for Advancing Policy on Employment for Youth, April 2023: Addressing the Needs of Youth with Disabilities and Other Intersecting Identities: State Strategies for Program Design (dead link)
The US Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy, Council of State Governments, and Cornell University Center for Advancing Policy on Employment for Youth, February 2022: Addressing the Needs of Youth with Disabilities and Other Intersecting Identities: State Strategies for Program Implementation (dead link)
Derek I. Schmitz 