The Importance of Disability Representation in Fashion

Three models wearing adaptive SKIMS clothing

"Taylor Lindsay-Noel says her “jaw dropped” after seeing the clip, which has been making its rounds on social media this week. “Disabled people are here to stay, whether you want them to be here or not,” she said in a TikTok directed to [Candace] Owens. “And we deserve to be seen in all forms of media, including lingerie and shapewear.”
—Natalie Michie, FASHION Magazine

In the wake of recent comments from political commentator Candace Owens deriding SKIMS for their recent ad campaign promoting adaptive clothing, I became instantly frustrated and annoyed before quickly turning my mind to curiosity. Whenever someone attacks diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, one of my primary questions becomes, why?

Owens openly and proudly detesting these efforts as “ridiculous” is an indicator of just how far we have to go. People are fearful either of what they don’t understand, or what threatens them. To view DEI efforts as tiresome, patronizing, and being taken too far, as Owens does, is a tacit admission of privilege. The very idea that disability is something to be prioritized, placed front and center with pride and joy, to be celebrated and appreciated, must make someone as narrow-minded as Candace Owens fearful.

Ableism is not new. The disabled community confronts it in our daily lives whether it’s an inaccessible environment, questioning our capabilities in the workplace, or general derisive comments. What has increased in recent years is the brazenness by those in positions of power who publicly mock our right to exist as we are and not be ashamed for it. Candace Owens is a symptom of systemic ableism, she is not the cause.

Additionally, we have brands like Levi Strauss & Co., who late last week announced a partnership with Lalaland.ai, a digital fashion studio to bring AI-generated models to their modeling campaigns in an effort to increase diversity. While Amy Gershkoff Bolles, Ph.D. Bolles, global head of digital and emerging technology strategy at Levi Strauss & Co.noted that AI would ‘likely’ never fully replace human models, the caveat alone is concerning. AI-generated imagery aimed at the disability population certainly has the potential to increase revenue, but doing so artificially while claiming to champion DEI as a “top priority” is disingenuous. I’m reminded of the 2022 campaign by Pottery Barn last summer that proudly introduced its Accessible Home furniture line without employing any disabled models.

Despite what Candace Owens, or the marketing team at Levi Strauss & Co. has to say, disabled people aren’t going anywhere. As 20% of the global population, we deserve to see ourselves everywhere, and compensated accordingly. If that creates discomfort for you, interrogate why.

I’m thankful to the many disability advocates who continue to call out the harmful impact of ableism.

Carson Briére apologizes for damaging wheelchair after 'disturbing video' surfaces

Mercyhurst Lakers center Carson Briére just went viral for all the wrong reasons. (AP Photo)

“It might seem like nothing more than immature, drunken behaviour, but what Briere and his friends did is a frightening example of complete disregard for the humanity of disabled people,” Emily Ladau told Yahoo Sports Canada. “As a wheelchair user, even when I'm not physically sitting in it, I consider my chair an extension of my body. Damaging my wheelchair means you're disrespecting me and taking away my freedom of movement. The issue here isn't just damaged property or bad choices; it's that ableism, privilege, and entitlement are on full display.”
-Ian Kennedy, Yahoo Sports

This story about Carson Briére, student athlete at Mercyhurst University and son of Philadelphia Flyers interim GM Daniel Briére, is beyond disturbing. Not only is the ableism and entitlement on full display, so is the complete disregard for autonomy. Wheelchairs are expensive medical equipment costing thousands of dollars and can take upward of a year to obtain depending on fitting, measurements, insurance denials, etc.

I've watched this video several times in disbelief. I was shaking with fear not only for the user whose wheelchair was so callously disrespected, but also with the stark reminder that this could have happened to me. This is a nightmare for every wheelchair user who has been forced to navigate inaccessible environments.

Emily is right. Our medical equipment be it a wheelchair, a cane, a scooter, or a service dog like Canine Companions® Pico are extensions of us and our body. Through that lens, this is beyond the destruction of property. This is assault. Briére's actions have caused a loss of bodily autonomy that may take months to regain along with the financial and emotional impact.

The laws have not caught up yet, however.

This experience highlights so many injustices; inaccessibility, ableism, privilege, entitlement and a lack of empathy and understanding around disability.

#disabilityawareness #disabilityrights #disability #medicalequipment #sports #hockey #flyers

Thank You, USPTO

The USPTO Headquarters in Alexandria, VA

Today is my last day with the USPTO.

After nearly a decade, it’s hard to fathom leaving a place that has come to feel like home. The dedication and collaborative spirit was evident from the moment I arrived. As I grew my career I am thankful for the triumphs, the challenges, and mostly for being surrounded by so many talented people who worked tirelessly and were dedicated to our mission of promoting American innovation.

A special thank you to the folks in the Office of Communication.

- Agency Press Secretary Paul Fucito whose mentorship helped pave the way for my longterm success. Thank you for your wisdom, humor, and ability to always put things into their proper perspective. 
-Thank you Matthew Palumbo, Philippa Olsen, Eric Atkisson, Laura Larrimore, and Jeff Isaacs for your friendship and making work fun no matter what we faced.

This is definitely bittersweet. I'm excited about my next move, but I will greatly miss working with each of you. I will look back on this time with extreme gratitude.

As I was watching Last Week Tonight's return to HBO Max following a three month hiatus, I was amused by John Oliver's playful take on the USPTO. I can attest having seen things from myriad perspectives that the approval process for both patents and trademarks is complex and nuanced, and I am proud to have played a part in protecting and promoting the value of intellectual property during my tenure at such a wonderful agency.

And now, This:

Junk Fees Hit Disabled People Too

The disability community is heavily impacted by the Crip Tax, whether it’s in the form of so-called junk fees or simply a higher cost of living. The toll is physically, emotionally, mentally, and financially exhausting simply fighting for our right to exist.

"President Biden dedicated quite a bit of airtime in his State of the Union address to the Junk Fees Prevention Act, a push to limit hidden fees and surcharges in a number of industries. The proposed legislation would curtail companies from overcharging on things like extra resort fees at hotels, service fees at concerts and sporting events, and added costs charged by airlines so that family members can sit together."
Deepa Shivaram, Emily Olson–NPR

President Biden talked extensively about the Junk Fee Prevention Act in his State of the Union Address. While the White House cited research from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau highlighting the racial disparities of added fees, the disability community is also adversely affected. We routinely pay the colloquial “Crip Tax” simply to level the playing field.

Consider the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Transportation that found airlines mishandled 941 wheelchairs or scooters in November of 2022; or roughly 1.5% of mobility equipment. While that number may seem small to non-disabled people, if those were your legs, you’d be more cautious.

Uber settled a multi-million dollar lawsuit brought by the U.S. Department of Justice last year over the illegal practice of wait time fees— disproportionately affecting disabled passengers.

Our hotel rooms often come with increased costs, too. The ADA prohibits charging more for accessible rooms, yet hotels and travel sites try to get away with it anyway hoping uninformed travelers will simply not know the law or be too exhausted to contest the rate hike. I recently lost hours on the phone with American Express resolving excess fees associated with booking an accessible room through their travel portal at Virgin Hotels.

The Biden administration talked about excessive ticketing fees for concerts. Here again, the disability community faces added expenses. We often pay more for our seats because venues do little to verify that the limited quantity of accessible seating goes to disabled patrons rather than scalpers charging a premium. I’m working with local venues in Washington D.C. including Capital One Arena to help address this challenge.

These are just the simple things. Pricer items like healthcare, transportation, and medical equipment are essential, which is why I was glad to see the administration tout a proposed rule change simplifying reporting requirements for the more than 7 million disabled people who receive monthly Supplemental Social Security Administration benefits.

The disability community is heavily impacted by the Crip Tax, whether it’s in the form of so-called junk fees or simply a higher cost of living. The toll is physically, emotionally, mentally, and financially exhausting simply fighting for our right to exist.

Senator John Fetterman And Reasonable Accommodations In The Workplace

Superfluous documentation leads to a multitude of challenges; unnecessary disclosure, lack of privacy, wasted time, and expending of energy that could be better spent performing the job rather than fighting to prove ourselves as both disabled and worthy of employment simultaneously. 

“I do think that John Fetterman—his example personally, and the example the Senate is setting—will be really helpful to a lot of people,” says Maria Town, President and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities. “It’s going to take many, many people, both people with disabilities and non-disabled people, actually saying, ‘Okay, we can make this happen in our workplace, in our church, in our community centers.'”
Mini Racker, Time Inc.

When Senator Fetterman was elected last fall, it was a victory not only for the residents of Pennsylvania, but for the disability community as well. Voters saw John Fetterman for the qualified candidate he was; dismissing ableist attitudes that called his fitness to serve into question simply because he required reasonable accommodations to do his job. Like Senator Duckworth, he is quickly becoming the advocate so many of us are thankful for—and a daily reminder of why representation is so crucial.

The Senate is moving quickly to adapt to the needs of its newest disabled freshman Senator, which is laudable, especially for an institution not well-known for its expediency. Captioning screens are being installed, accommodations are being made for his use of a wireless tablet, and the Sergeant at Arms is working closely with Senator Fetterman to ensure he has what he needs to succeed in the workplace.
 
However, since most of us are not members of Congress, the battle for workplace accommodations can often be more taxing and challenging. Accepting a new role becomes far more than finding the right position, but also the right employer willing to provide accommodations in an easy and straightforward way. Ideally, a conversation around our needs would be simple, but it’s often not. Employers frequently require those seeking accommodations jump through various hoops that often demoralize and ultimately dissuade our use of accommodations in the first place.

Many employers require not just proof of a disability, but a doctor’s blessing that the accommodation is warranted despite the EEOC clearly articulating that such things are not required if a disability is obvious or established. Superfluous documentation leads to a multitude of challenges; unnecessary disclosure, lack of privacy, wasted time, and expending of energy that could be better spent performing the job rather than fighting to prove ourselves as both disabled and worthy of employment simultaneously.

Complicating matters, most employers will not grant accommodations as a condition of employment, thereby leaving perspective hires in a state of limbo and considerable risk when deciding whether or not to join an organization. Even our nation’s largest employer—the federal government—begins the interactive process for reasonable accommodations only after an employee has onboarded.

Thank you to Senator Fetterman and the countless advocates working to normalize workplace accommodations.

Representation matters.

Spastic Chatter: Episode 90 Disability Humor, Employment, & More

Thank you Whitney Bailey for the opportunity to join Spastic Chatter. What a fun and honest deep dive into all things Cerebral Palsy and quite the kickoff for 2023!

Is Long COVID Considered to Be a Disability in the Workplace?

Thank you Brandi Fowler and LinkedIn News for the opportunity to talk about the affects of Long Covid in the workplace and its impact on the disability community. These are important conversations and folks living with Long Covid should be aware of their rights under the ADA.

#WorkplaceCulture #ReasonableAccomodations #Covid #Disabilities #DisabilityRights #DisabilityAdvocate #Disability #LongCovid #LinkedinNews

https://lnkd.in/ev2vqFBv

How The Twitter Layoffs Affect The Disability Community

The Twitter Logo with the quote “Twitter can not become the de facto Town Square Musk envisions at the expense of the accessibility that once made it great.” Attributed to Ryan Honick

If users want to emphasize how important the continued prioritization of accessibility actually is, we need to lean into one of the best parts about Twitter: how easy it makes it to amplify a cause.
-Alexa Heinrich, Adweek

For many disabled activists, Twitter has long been a place to connect, amplify, and create change. I owe much to a platform that allowed all of that to happen. Conversations with one-time virtual strangers turned into lifelong friends and allies, virtually and otherwise. The platform was never perfect, and detractors abound, but advocacy always faces pushback. Still, Twitter served as an important space where many found community and support as well as a direct line to key influencers; from journalists and brands to celebrities. Twitter was the first social network where it seemed accessibility was its foundation—in more ways than one.

Prior to layoffs, The Accessibility Experience Team was working on myriad projects focused on improving the user experience. For folks with visual disabilities, the team revamped its icons and automated reminders for the use of alt-text. The deaf community saw improvements with captions, and for those with sensory sensitivities Twitter updated its app sounds.

Unfortunately, all of that progress is poised to stop as Musk looks for ways to improve profitability following a number of high-profile advertisers rethinking their relationship with the platform. Companies including General Mills, Oreo company maker Mondelēz International and Pfizer Inc., have temporarily paused their Twitter advertising, according to The Wall Street Journal.

That pressure, coming from groups like Color Of Change, Free Press, the Anti-Defamation League, and GLAAD is the result of Musk haphazardly cutting teams dedicated to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access.

“We are witnessing the real-time destruction of one of the world’s most powerful communications systems,” Nicole Gill director of Accountable Tech told MarketWatch.

Sandra Sucher, a professor of management at Harvard University, told The New York Times Twitter’s cuts were among the most poorly handled that she had seen.

Speaking at an investment conference in New York Friday, Musk said: “Our goal is with Twitter, how do we get 80% of the public to join a digital town square and voice their opinion and exchange ideas and once in a while change their mind?”

With his latest actions, Musk is deliberately leaving out the 20% of the population with disabilities, setting Twitter up to become yet another inaccessible space where disabled people find ourselves unwelcome. Twitter can not become the de facto Town Square Musk envisions at the expense of the accessibility that once made it great.

Return to Office Policies Will Hurt The Disabled Workforce

The quote "No employee should be forced to choose between career advancement and their health where an accommodation exists to mitigate roadblocks." in all caps white lettering behind a faded background of a workstation with a chair and laptop.

“Remote work and remote-work options are something that our community has been advocating for for decades, and it’s a little frustrating that for decades corporate America was saying it’s too complicated, we’ll lose productivity, and now suddenly it’s like, sure, let’s do it,” said Charles-Edouard CATHERINE, director of corporate and government relations for the National Organization on Disability.
—Ben Casselman, The New York Times

A global pandemic made telework necessary. Nobody thought twice about it once the non-disabled workforce was threatened. At USPTO, an agency renowned for its telework program, I was initially asked to provide additional medical documentation in support of my request to modify my telework schedule as the pandemic emerged. Only after the pandemic was declared a national emergency was that request deemed superfluous.

Remote work remains a major victory for the disabled community and we are grateful for the attitudinal shift. As the New York Times points out, the increase in telework is a boon for disabled workers. A newly released study led by Adam Ozimek, Chief Economist at the Economic Innovation Group, found more than 35 percent of disabled Americans ages 18 to 64 had jobs in September. That was up from 31 percent just before the pandemic and is a record in the 15 years the government has kept track.

As long COVID continues to impact the workforce, telework represents a vital support system of opportunity. There were 1.05 million more disabled working-age Americans in August 2022 compared to January 2020, according to data compiled by Richard Deitz, an economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Axios reports.

However, despite the enormous win of telework, societally, we have short memories. The return to office efforts many companies are pushing highlights the all-too-pervasive ableist attitudes of many employers. The recent The Wall Street Journal article “The New Rules For Getting Face Time at the Office” notes that while adjustments are being made to accommodate the hybrid nature of pandemic work, there remains an unfair advantage for in-office workers.

“It’s all about being more salient in the boss’s mind,” Jeffrey Pfeffer professor of organizational behavior at Stanford University Graduate School of Business, told WSJ. “Whether it’s fair, you’re increasing your chances of landing high-profile assignments, raises and promotions, simply because your name pops into the heads of those making decisions.”

This divide ultimately leads to disabled employees feeling like second-class citizens in our own jobs. No employee should be forced to choose between career advancement and their health where an accommodation exists to mitigate roadblocks. Leadership needs to make concerted efforts to engage employees and provide equal opportunity regardless of where the work is being done.

Disability and Disclosure in the. Workplace

Ryan Honick wearing a sky blue dress shirt, red tie, glasses, and headphones presents via Zoom to members of MGMI about reasonable accommodations and disability disclosure in the workplace on 10.22.22

A huge thank you to Susan Woolner, Lisa Gigliotti, and everyone at the Michigan Chapter of Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, Inc. for the opportunity to present this morning on navigating disability and reasonable accommodations in the workplace. An incredibly important conversation during #NDEAM and beyond.