Category: Blog

A Recap of My Journey through Disability Pride Month | July 2024

Published: Friday August 2, 2024
alycia making a heart with her hands next to a disability pride flag and words that say july is disability pride months

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.

Bringing the Voice of Disability to the Insurance Diversity Task Force

Published: Tuesday June 25, 2024
alycia with all of the insurance diversity task force members at the quarterly meeting in oakland

Alycia, appointed by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, is the first Persons with Disabilities Business Enterprise Representative on California’s Insurance Diversity Task Force. Congratulating re-elected Chair Mark Morales and new Vice-Chair Vikita Poindexter, Alycia aims to enhance equity and diversity in California’s insurance market. She looks forward to contributing to the strategic plan and the California Insurance Diversity Survey, promoting opportunities for underrepresented communities.

California Department of Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara’s Insurance Diversity Task Force

Published: Wednesday June 12, 2024
california department of insurance commissioner ricardo lara the insurance diversity initiative insurance diversity task force

I’m excited to announce my appointment to the California Department of Insurance as the first member of the Insurance Diversity Task Force representing Persons with Disabilities Enterprise Business (PDBE). This role, conferred by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, aims to ensure the voices of people with disabilities are represented in the insurance industry, promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility to create a more inclusive industry for all.

Embracing Disability Inclusive Leadership

Published: Thursday April 4, 2024
disabled workers and able bodied workers standing side by side cartoon with heading why is disability inclusive leadership important to your organization

Disability Inclusive Leadership integrates individuals with disabilities into organizations, recognizing their unique abilities and perspectives as valuable assets. Alycia, a wheelchair user, advocates for disability inclusion based on her 25-year corporate career. She recently delivered a workshop on the topic at Blue Shield of California, highlighting the company’s commitment to fostering disability inclusion. Such initiatives promote innovation, brand equity, and better serve the needs of the disabled community while enriching the companies they work for.

Distinguished Alumna, Motivational Speaker, and CEO Alycia Anderson

Published: Monday March 4, 2024
chico state distinguished alumni award seal

Alycia Anderson hasn’t always had a stage, but she’s always had her voice. From a young age, Anderson (Physical Education, ’05), has asserted herself by speaking up and living her core belief: she deserves to be included, just like everyone else. Now she is included and is a distinguished alumna, motivational speaker, and CEO living out her dreams.

Prioritizing disability inclusion in DEI strategies is absolutely crucial in 2024

Published: Friday January 12, 2024
Image of blue book laying on a table that says DEI Strategy with ability symbols above it such as a wheelchair, a woman and a man in varying colors

In 2024, prioritizing disability inclusion in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) workplace strategies is absolutely crucial for creating true and authentic inclusive environments. Moving beyond compliance, it’s about recognizing the unique perspectives and talents that employees of all abilities bring to the table. By actively incorporating disability into the DEI narrative, organizations not only strengthen … read more… Prioritizing disability inclusion in DEI strategies is absolutely crucial in 2024

#PurpleTuesday

Published: Tuesday November 7, 2023
alycia checking out at a cashier wearing a rainbow halloween costume

#PurpleTuesday, is a day created to recognize the importance and need of improving the disabled customer experience. We are living in a world that is increasingly consumer-driven, so it’s crucial that we ensure equal access and opportunities for all, regardless of ability. So I wanted to take a moment to talk about consumer equality for … read more… #PurpleTuesday

Target’s Adaptive Costume line!

Published: Tuesday October 31, 2023
Alycia sitting in wheelchair wearing rainbow cloud costume and Daisy flower crown from Targets adaptive costume line pointing at their red logo.

Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue, and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.” ~ Judy Garland Thank you Target for leading with intention, investing in and creating this Adaptive Costume line! You are making dreams come true for so many! #Inclusivity– is the practice of providing equal access to opportunities, products, … read more… Target’s Adaptive Costume line!

Challenges of Navigating Airline Travel in a Wheelchair

Published: Tuesday October 3, 2023
Alycia Anderson getting a full body search from TSA agent

By Marsten Anderson The Alycia Anderson Company Staff In the Modern World Destinations around the globe are becoming ever more accessible and the need for traveling by air for many has increased in frequency and necessity.  Making your way through airports, security checkpoints, terminals, to your gates and eventually on to the plane can be daunting for … read more… Challenges of Navigating Airline Travel in a Wheelchair