I recently traveled to Michigan, where I had the privilege of delivering my “Heart of Inclusion” keynote to Bay-Arenac ISD educators and teachers in Pinconning. The energy, dedication, and passion I witnessed were inspiring, reinforcing our shared commitment to creating inclusive educational spaces for every student. I am grateful for this opportunity and excited to see the impact of the conversations we started together!
Jayne Mattingly, a disability advocate, discusses body grief, a concept she coined, which involves mourning the loss of living in a familiar body. She shares her journey through significant health challenges and disability, which led to her advocacy work and the development of adaptive jeans. Jayne also co-founded Disabled Voters for Harris, aiming to empower disabled voters. Her message highlights the importance of embracing body grief and fostering community support.
In Episode 60 of Pushing Forward with Alycia, host Alycia Anderson interviews Jayne Mattingly, a disability advocate and author. Jayne shares her journey through brain surgeries, her Ehlers Danlos syndrome diagnosis, and how these experiences fueled her work in disability advocacy. She discusses body grief, her adaptive jeans project with No Back Gap, and her collaboration with Kamala Harris on disability rights. Jayne’s upcoming book, This is Body Grief, is also highlighted.
In this episode of “Pushing Forward with Alycia,” Lisa Cox, a writer and disability advocate, shares her journey from a corporate career in advertising to becoming a disability inclusion advocate after a severe brain hemorrhage. She discusses the lack of disability representation in media, her work as an inclusive advertising consultant, and her efforts to change societal perceptions through the Disability Reporting Handbook and her TEDx talk, “Why Diversity is Good for Business.”
In Episode 59 of “Pushing Forward with Alycia,” host Alycia Anderson interviews Lisa Cox, a writer and advocate for disability inclusion. Lisa shares her journey from a life-altering brain hemorrhage to becoming a prominent voice in media and advertising. She emphasizes the importance of representation, body image, and inclusive content, and discusses her efforts to help brands incorporate disability in their practices. Lisa’s story highlights the power of perseverance and advocacy.
The Team Peri Step Out of Line Podcast, hosted by Peri R. Finkelstein and her mother, features guests who share inspirational stories. Alycia Anderson discusses her ‘sink or swim’ upbringing, highlighting her journey through corporate challenges and balancing medical complications without special treatment. Now, she’s a motivational speaker, disability advocate, podcaster, DEI workplace champion, entrepreneur, and tennis player. The podcast aims to foster a better society through love, acceptance, and uplifting conversations.
Disability Pride Month 2024 was a powerful journey of advocacy and celebration. Highlights included keynotes at NCPEID’s Annual Conference, Covington & Burling, The Port Authority of NY & NJ, NAIC’s Member Diversity Leadership Forum, and Etsy. Engaging events such as the Rollettes Experience and Blue Shield of California’s ADA anniversary underscored inclusivity. Each engagement, from Sodexo to Stockton Unified School District, reinforced my commitment to year-long disability pride and empowerment.
In Episode 58 of “Pushing Forward with Alycia,” Alycia Anderson interviews Andraéa LaVant, a leading disability inclusion expert and president of LaVant Consulting. LaVant shares her journey from a young girl with spinal muscular atrophy, trying to hide her disability, to becoming an influential advocate and business leader. She discusses her struggles with systemic barriers, her career evolution, and her commitment to empowering others through disability inclusion and advocacy.
In Episode 58 of “Pushing Forward with Alycia,” Alycia Anderson interviews Andraéa LaVant, a disability inclusion expert and CEO of LaVant Consulting. Andraéa discusses her journey with spinal muscular atrophy, her advocacy work, and her role in the documentary “Crip Camp.” The episode explores the importance of representation and intersectionality in disability advocacy, Andraéa’s experience at the Oscars, and her efforts to advance disability inclusion through her consulting work.
As Disability Pride Month closes, I delivered my ninth and final keynote of July, “Intersectionality Through the Lens of Disability,” at a virtual event hosted by Etsy. Returning for the second consecutive year, I shared insights on inclusion and intersectionality with Etsy’s supportive platform. This wraps up an impactful month where I spoke at various esteemed organizations, reinforcing the importance of disability inclusion and empowerment. Let’s keep the momentum going!
