Alycia Anderson Blog

The Heart of Inclusion

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In “The Heart of Inclusion,” Alycia Anderson explores allyship and the challenge of societal norms to achieve genuine inclusion. Sharing her experience with Sacral Agenesis, she reveals how ableism—manifested through exclusion and stereotyping—affects individuals with disabilities. Anderson highlights key legislation like the ADA and advocates for dismantling biases to embrace diversity. She emphasizes personal growth and urges a shift in societal perspectives to foster environments where everyone’s unique contributions are valued.

Black History Month: Honoring Disabled Trailblazers

Published: Tuesday February 4, 2025
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Celebrate Black History Month by honoring Black disabled leaders who shaped both racial and disability rights movements. Learn about Brad Lomax, a key figure connecting the Black Panthers to the 504 Sit-In, and Johnnie Lacy, a trailblazer for disability advocacy in education. Discover how their resilience continues to inspire today’s activists, pushing for intersectional inclusion and justice. Their stories deserve the spotlight in shaping our collective history.

At its core, inaccessibility is exclusion.

Published: Tuesday February 4, 2025
Image description: Alycia, dressed in all black, sits in her wheelchair, looking down at an inaccessible step. A quote reads: "At its core, inaccessibility is exclusion."

At its core, inaccessibility is exclusion. Lets explore shall we? Inaccessibility = unnecessary barriers that prevents employees from fully participating due to a lack of: – inclusive design– attitudes– policies Let’s break down how it shows up: – Physical spaces without ramps, elevators, or accessible entrances.– Digital platforms that aren’t screen reader friendly.– Communication without … read more… At its core, inaccessibility is exclusion.

Disabled Leaders Drive Innovation – Here’s Why Your Company Should Pay Attention

Published: Friday January 31, 2025
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In business, one of the most transformational actions you can take is to hire, listen to, and follow disabled leaders. This challenges the outdated notion that disability limits potential, it doesn’t. In fact, it represents one of the greatest untapped sources of growth and innovation. For organizations ready to lead, here are key principles I … read more… Disabled Leaders Drive Innovation – Here’s Why Your Company Should Pay Attention

Episode 77 – Leah Kaplan: Friendship, Humor, and the Strength to Overcome

Published: Thursday January 30, 2025
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“You don’t need to make the Paralympics your whole life in order to be worthy. Just do it because you love it.” Leah Kaplan’s journey from an orphanage in China to an adaptive athlete proves that resilience and self-acceptance fuel success. In this episode, Leah shares how humor, advocacy, and a relentless spirit help her push boundaries and inspire the next generation.

Episode 77 Transcript

Published: Thursday January 30, 2025
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“We all have barriers, but the real challenge is how we choose to face them. Adapt, advocate, and never back down.” In this episode, Alycia Anderson dives into the power of inclusion, resilience, and breaking societal limitations with Leah Kaplan. Whether it’s in the workplace or daily life, this conversation proves that accessibility isn’t just a checkbox—it’s a game-changer.

What do the new administration’s orders mean for people with disabilities?

Published: Saturday January 25, 2025

The new administration’s inaugural address signals shifts that threaten progress for people with disabilities, including DEI rollbacks, restrictive gender policies, in-person work mandates, aviation accessibility challenges, and withdrawal from the WHO. These actions risk eroding hard-fought disability rights and equity. The disability community must unite, remain vigilant, and advocate for inclusion and accessibility to preserve and advance progress under this administration.

What does pulling out of the World Health Organization (WHO) mean for people with disabilities?

Published: Saturday January 25, 2025
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Leaving the World Health Organization (WHO) undermines U.S. leadership in global health equity, pandemic preparedness, and disability inclusion. As the leading contributor, America’s investments fostered goodwill, trust, and global cooperation. Withdrawal risks isolating the U.S., reducing access to critical disability-related resources like assistive technologies and inclusive healthcare policies, while weakening pandemic preparedness. This decision threatens progress for people with disabilities both domestically and worldwide.

How does ending DEI policies threaten disability rights in the United States?

Published: Saturday January 25, 2025
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The executive order aimed at reforming federal hiring practices threatens disability inclusion in both government and private sectors. By prioritizing merit-based hiring without addressing the unique barriers faced by disabled individuals, this policy risks further marginalizing them in employment opportunities. The shift away from affirmative action and diversity initiatives could deepen ableism and limit the ability of people with disabilities to access fair and equal job opportunities.

How do recent policies threaten air travel for people with disabilities?

Published: Saturday January 25, 2025
depicts the title of an executive order about safety in aviation posing a question about how this will effect people with disabilities

Decades of air travel mistreatment for people with disabilities saw progress under the Biden administration with fines, regulations, and DEI initiatives enhancing accessibility and accountability. However, recent actions by the Trump administration roll back these gains, labeling disability-inclusive FAA hiring as “illegal” and prioritizing ableist rhetoric over inclusivity. Only two of over 80 recent aviation actions address disability, risking accessibility and safety advancements for disabled travelers.