Category: Contributors Corner

Disability Inclusion isn’t a check‑the‑box exercise – It’s expertise


Published: Wednesday August 13, 2025
Image Description: A woman in a wheelchair wearing a bright pink top and jeans gestures with one hand, appearing confident and approachable. Bold text on the left reads: "Disability inclusion isn’t a check‑the‑box exercise, t’s expertise." The background is dark green with white and pink lettering, and the website www.alyciaanderson.com and Instagram handle @alyciaspeaking are displayed.

Way too often, disability inclusion is treated as a task, a policy update, a one‑off training, or a statement.But real inclusion isn’t something you cross off a list and move on.It takes expertise:– Lived experience to guide decisions– Informed strategies to build belonging– Accessibility knowledge to design environments everyone can use– Workplace disability expertise to … read more… Disability Inclusion isn’t a check‑the‑box exercise – It’s expertise

Disability Pride Month isn’t just a celebration…It’s a revolution!


Published: Friday July 18, 2025
Alycia in front of a colorful wall wearing all back flexing her arm.

“Why would you be proud to be disabled?”I get asked that every July. Here’s my answer:Because I am:Proud of the strength.Proud of the creativity.Proud of thriving in a world not built with us in mind and advocating for more every day. I sit here proudly…In this moment, especially in this time right now.In this identity, … read more… Disability Pride Month isn’t just a celebration…It’s a revolution!

Celebrating GAAD: Accessibility Isn’t Just a Checkbox, It’s a Fundamental Culture Shift


Published: Thursday May 15, 2025
alycia wearing a black top and flower patterned skirt rolling down a ramp with painted red iron rails with a faded mural behind her

Accessibility is not simply about meeting compliance standards; it’s about fostering genuine inclusion. This Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), we recognize the cultural shift necessary to embed accessibility into every facet of our digital lives. From meaningful tech innovations to inclusive workplace practices, GAAD 2025 celebrates collective action. Let’s commit to viewing accessibility not as an obligation, but as an opportunity to build a universally inclusive future together.

DREDF Hosts “Largest Meeting Ever” to Unite Advocates to Protect and Defend Section 504


Published: Thursday February 13, 2025
picture with the title rehabilitation act section 504 disability rights under attack showing a womans hand on the push rims of a wheelchair wheel and justice scales on top of a stack of books alongside a gavel

The Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF) hosted its largest-ever gathering to protect and defend Section 504. This landmark event united advocates nationwide, reinforcing the critical importance of disability rights and accessibility. As we push forward, amplifying our voices and standing firm against challenges, this movement strengthens the future of inclusion. Join the fight for equity and accessibility!

Black History Month: Honoring Disabled Trailblazers


Published: Tuesday February 4, 2025
Image that reads black history vibes

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.

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.

Navigating DEI’s Shifting Landscape: Disability the Overlooked Cornerstone of Inclusion


Published: Tuesday January 14, 2025
wooden cutouts of men and women on both sides of a person with a disability in a wheelchair all connected laying in the palms of open hands

Disability remains the overlooked cornerstone of DEI, despite its unifying potential across identities. Alycia Anderson emphasizes centering disability to build inclusive cultures, confronting corporate rebranding and political headwinds. Progress requires prioritizing disability inclusion as a key pillar of equity and accessibility.

Intersectionality, Accessibility, Representation, and Self-Identification


Published: Wednesday October 16, 2024
the positive feedback effect loop intersetionality accessibility representation and self identification

The key to authentic disability inclusion lies in four interconnected principles: intersectionality, accessibility, representation, and self-identity (self-ID). Each element reinforces the others, creating a powerful feedback loop that drives progress. Intersectionality builds community solidarity by acknowledging overlapping identities. Accessibility fosters inclusive environments. Representation empowers through visibility, and self-ID encourages individuals to embrace their identities. Together, these principles advance disability inclusion, pushing society toward a more equitable and inclusive future for all.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)


Published: Wednesday October 9, 2024
Alycia sitting on a bench with hands resting on her wheelchair looking to the left smiling

The workplace has been pivotal in my life & career, helping me uncover my strengths, push forward limits, challenge the status quo, and break down barriers. It’s where I’ve discovered my purpose, developed as a leader, and experienced the true impact of inclusion. National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), celebrated each October, recognizing the contributions … read more… National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)