About 36 million women in the U.S. have disabilities and the number is consistently growing - as reported by the CDC. Around 44% of senior women are living with a disability, some of the most common of which are arthritis or rheumatism. For women living in current times, the media, advertising, and social media can all be considered much more representative of the diversity of human beings. The media is not only shunning discrimination according to race, creed, and body type, but it is also helping to celebrate the achievements of disabled women from a wide array of industries.
Fashion Leading the Way
The fashion industry is one of the first to embrace diversity by relying on a significantly more diverse group of models and spokespersons than in decades past. Plus-sized models such as Ashley Graham, Jessica Leahy, and Precious Victoria Lee, for instance, have millions of followers and have landed many highly coveted advertising campaigns. Women with additional needs are also shining on the catwalk and in fashion editorials. Grace Strobel (who has Downs syndrome) is a model for inclusive fashion brand, Alivia. Isabella Neville (daughter of famous UK footballer, Phil Neville), who has cerebral palsy (CP), started modelling at the tender age of 13, signing with the prestigious Source Models. As stated by CPFN (Cerebral Palsy Family Network), people with CP benefit greatly from employment and those wishing to work have various tools at hand to help them. The latter include assistive technology, job accommodations as stipulated in the Americans with Disabilities Act, and organizations offering job support resources.
Disabled Women in STEM Industries
Women as a whole are underrepresented in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) industries but many disabled women are shining in these areas, showing that all it takes to work in STEM industries is training, dedication, and passion. Daisy Shearer, whose project Neurodivergent in STEM hopes to increase the visibility of neurodivergent people in these industries, shows that the many challenges that can present themselves to people with disabilities can be overcome. Daisy, who is autistic, struggled at college and tends to withdraw and become non-verbal when she is under stress. However, she uses her interest in Science to calm her mind. She told the Royal Society, “I can spend many hours researching applied quantum physics without eating… This is called hyperfocus, and it's something seen in many neurodivergent people. I retain a lot of information about my special interests, which can be a big bonus if it's linked to your career.”
Talented Entrepreneurs
For women with disabilities, starting a business and being self-employed is a boon - especially if they have mobility issues or they prefer to set the tone and launch a diverse, inclusive business. There are many women who have shone in small, medium, and large businesses alike. The list of inspirational entrepreneurs includes handbag designer Charlotte Elizabeth (who has chronic fatigue syndrome, myalgic encephalomyelitis, and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), Deborah Davis (the founder of award-winning company Wheelchair Lifestyle Enterprise Push Living), and Pan Yuanxiang (an entrepreneur who can only walk on all fours and who recently won an award for entrepreneurial achievements centered on agriculture and farming in rural areas). Not only has she started her own business, but also led dozens of other rural entrepreneurs to follow her lead.
There are millions of women living with a disability in the U.S. Inspiring women like Grace Strobel, Daisy Shearer, and Pan Yuanxiang are showing that success can be achieved despite the many challenges one can face along the way. Their lives are an inspiration not only to disabled women, but to all women who wish to make a positive impact on the world.
