Matthew Shapiro

Matthew is currently booking in-person sessions in Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. Virtual bookings are available nationwide.

Matthew’s programs are ideal for:

New Student Orientation and Welcome Week
Student Leader and Employee Activities
Athletes, Residence Life, Student Success
Fraternity & Sororities (Matthew is a founding father of the ETA Phi Kappa Psi Chapter at Virginia Commonwealth University)
Professional Development Initiatives
Accessibility Services, Academic Support, Human Resources
Conferences, Retreats, Keynote Presentations, Seminars, and In-Services

Customized presentations for academic departments:

Engineering
Pre-Med (including OT, PT, Dentistry)
Human Resources
Transportation
Urban Planning
Architecture
Social Work
Technical Schools
Social Justice

Matthew Shapiro is an approachable, easy- going guy who has lived his life breaking down the barriers of disability. He uses his positive outlook to enlighten audiences on topics including leadership, relationships, employment, safety, and more. Matthew’s interactive presentations always bring participants a smile and a fresh perspective.

Born with Cerebral Palsy and using a wheelchair, Matthew welcomes questions about his life and mindset, fostering understanding and positive change through honest dialogue. His programs blend engaging content with interactive group participation, creating a dynamic learning environment that resonates with all participants.

Read Matthew’s Full Bio

Matthew Shapiro entertains and guides the audience on how to become their own "wrecking ball," and break free of their comfort zones to exceed their personal goals and expectations. Matthew shares his personal story of overcoming fear and apprehension to finally live his life to the fullest. He shares his secret with the audience so that they may incorporate these principles into their own lives. He encourages participants to break free from whatever “chair” is holding them back!

Throughout his life journey, Matthew has come to recognize five distinct reactions people exhibit when they first meet and encounter him. These first impressions have become so crystalized that he can identify them within seconds, and they will often dictate and foreshadow the arc of the interaction and connection to follow. Along with sharing the five reactions he receives, Matthew will help you become more pro-active than reactive, value individual differences, show true compassion, and come to understand that disability is the only minority group that any of us can join in the blink of an eye. This program will help you look at people, situations, and life in a different manner, alter your interactions in a positive way and remind you to pause before you judge a person or book by its cover.

Testimonial for Matthew Shapiro