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The Power of Influencers These days you can’t pick up a laptop, smartphone or tablet without coming across an influencer. Usually, someone promoting a product or service, in return for a fee, freebies or so-called ‘exposure’. It’s no surprise that ambassadors are everywhere – it’s the most effective way for a brand to promote their product, by working with someone who their target audience can relate to, creating real content that isn’t a flashy ad. But what about the bloggers and influencers who go deeper than that, who offer a real wealth of knowledge to their readers and followers? Disabled Travel Blogger I’m a disabled travel blogger, and I think what we give to our readers is pretty unique. I started blogging in 2010, before brand ambassadors and influencers were a thing, when you could get the occasional hosted trip, but there was no such thing as being paid to create content. The reason I started blogging was to share my passion for travel with the rest of the world, and to show that accessible travel is possible and can be made easier with the right information. Why do I blog? Almost a decade later, that’s still the reason why I blog. Sure, the hosted trips are nice, but the best feeling in the world is someone telling you that they’ve had the confidence to book a trip, as a disabled person, because they’ve read your latest blog post. Traveling with a disabiliy A disabled person who wants to travel needs a huge amount of detailed, accurate information before they can even decide on their destination. That’s why disabled travel bloggers, as well as telling you why you should go somewhere, importantly, we tell you how – what the accessible transport options are, how the hotel has adapted to accommodate all guests, and where the best places to visit in a wheelchair are. All of this is accompanied by high-quality photography and film, because there is no substitute for seeing it with your own eyes when it comes to accessibility. "I want to inspire others to travel." ‘Inspirational’ is a word that is overused in disability circles, but I do want to inspire. Not for living my life, not for working hard despite the barriers I face, but to inspire others to travel, no matter what their impairment or disability. To know that although accessible travel can be challenging, stressful, and sometimes disastrous, it can also be freeing, empowering, and absolutely wonderful. accessible tourism market I urge travel brands, accommodation providers, and places to visit to reach out to disabled travel bloggers and work with us to promote their offerings. The accessible tourism market is worth an estimated 3.5 billion pounds in the UK alone, a so-called ‘purple pound’ which no business can afford to ignore.

I am happy despite chronic pain My name is Franziska (@franzi_quadri). I have been paralyzed from the neck down since a paragliding accident in 2009. I was in the middle of life at the time and had a great job and a relationship. My whole life was shattered in a split second. Today I am a quadriplegic and 100% dependent on help. It's not always easy. My problem is that I have neuropathic pain and severe spasticity. It makes my life hell. Luckily I have found something that helps and learned to deal with the disability and the wheelchair. I have found the joy of life again. That's what I want to show the world on social media. There is still a lot possible. My life is fun. I am happy again. Thanks to the great help of my family and friends I have no limits. Society is now handicapping me, and I want to change that with my pictures and stories. #nevergiveup

Meet the BIG Dreamer & Believer My name is Marisa Conners, and I am a multitalented and ambitious fashionista, fashion designer, entrepreneur, and digital artist from Cincinnati, Ohio. I have cerebral palsy which affects all my limbs and leaves me nonverbal. Cerebral Palsy is a permanent disability caused by brain damage that affects a person's ability to move, maintain balance and posture, and communicate verbally. I can walk with assistance and stand independently. I use a wheelchair for long-distance. I can't speak on my own. However, I understand everything. I rely on an iPad and an alphabetical chart to communicate. I also have been advocating for people with disabilities including me who live independently and achieve how much they can do for most of my life. I never let cerebral palsy stop me from doing what I love or following my dreams. I am hoping to share my story and how dreams can come true while amazing the world. I believe that many people don't fully understand the impact having a disability entails. Assumptions are made. I want to teach the world to focus on ABILITY, NOT DISABILITY. That phrase means that you must attempt to achieve your goals and dreams rather than your inability to do whatever you explore your skills and interests. DREAMING BIG, FINDING PASSION, AND BELIEVING IN MY UNIQUE ABILITIES. Every disabled person must strive to develop a dream, passion, and belief in unique abilities but it's how they can do things in different ways. I began developing my three main interests around age 3. Firstly, I started using a computer. I would play PC games on the computer every single day. These PC games have allowed me to learn everything in a fun and educational way. My dad taught me how to use technology which renders me a master at computer and technological skills. Secondly, I started doing arts and crafts. I would draw and paint on paper. This activity has made me more capable of creating art and more confident in my artistic skills. Thirdly and lastly, I started dressing up. I would pick out cute and stylish outfits for special occasions. I ultimately chose pink as my favorite color because I have been falling in love with wearing everything pink. These three main interests are the most particular ones in my life. One of them has eventually turned into a huge dream and passion - FASHION. I started dreaming about becoming a fashion designer at the age of 5 while I was playing fashion games on the computer. Therefore, I discovered that I have developed a strong passion for designing unique fashion and building a fashion brand. I have a strong fashion sense. Fashion is my life. Despite living with cerebral palsy, I have so many unique abilities, talents, and skills. I learned how to use Adobe graphic design software in high school. The use of digital technology is essential for me and it helped me find a creative voice. I typically use the software to create amazing arts and designs. I am a highly skilled visual learner and thinker because I have a unique gift of the ability to visualize everything through my mind. I also have an exceptional photographic memory- my head is always visualizing every single memory of my life and every single detail that creates my ideas. My other unique talents I possess are social media skills, organizing things, excellent communication skills, and advanced digital technology skills. Those are extraordinary gifts that are unlike others. The Importance of Inclusive Fashion - Making Stylish Fashion More Accessible I launched my namesake fashion brand, Marisa Conners in April 2021, based in Cincinnati, Ohio. The brand represents my fashionista style and outgoing personality that draws inspiration from vintage, girly-girl, and chic-casual fashion. It is designed for not only stylish women but those who have physical disabilities. This is quite an inclusive and unique fashion brand. It's not only an adaptive clothing line but anybody should be able to wear something special and fabulous without difficulty. That's called "Making Stylish Fashion More Accessible". Inspired by the stylish fashion popularized by designers, Michael Kors and Kate Spade, I want to create stylish garments for everyone, not just for those with physical impairments. But, my main focus was on making sure my designs could truly be sensible options for anyone. Through my website, a person can customize the garments based on traditional options like size but also personalizes them around their specific needs. For example, a customer chooses between Velcro, magnetic closure, and no closure that can be adapted for the garment. Anyone could and is welcome to purchase my customized designs, whether or not they have a disability. Individuals with disabilities should be able to wear whatever they feel comfortable with but not have to sacrifice the quality of clothing. HUGE SUCCESS Shortly before launching my fashion brand, I got an amazing opportunity to attend the launch party of the new reality fashion show called The Collective. Fashion experts from reality fashion competitions praised my fashion talents and style by showing them my portfolio. It was an absolute dream I was able to meet designers and other fashion enthusiasts. However, The Collective was canceled due to the unexpected cancer diagnosis of the founder and designer. At the launch of my fashion brand, I participated in the inclusive fashion show, the 2nd Acceptance Week Fashion Show with my first adaptive clothing collection at Harrison High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. The fashion show was organized by my friend and Acceptance Week Creator, Raileigh Legner. The stars aligned in 2020 when I met Raileigh who created Acceptance Week. The annual event aims to change how students and the community perceive people with disabilities. Our reason for the fashion show is that we wanted to help people with disabilities rock the runway. The theme for the fashion show was yellow. I used that color to create an amazing adaptive clothing collection. I finally came to the stage and stunned the audience by wearing one of my collection looks, Daisy Yellow Floral Dress which is inspired by the 1960s as I stood up from my wheelchair. This dress has a full magnetic back closure instead of a zipper. This was the best moment I ever experienced! I began selling my first dress six months later and it was sold out in 33 days. The moment has melted my heart. In May 2022, I debuted my second collection, “Salem’s Modern Swinging Sixties” at the 3rd Acceptance Week Fashion Show. For the collection, I found inspiration from my maternal family and it reflects what they wore in the 1960s. The collection consists of three elegant dresses with different silhouettes Two looks, Mabel Pinky Shift Dress (Pale pink) and Gloria Mary Empire Waist Dress (Virgin Blue), even named after my grandmother and aunt respectively. And I wore my third and final look, a Roselle Blush Glitter Sheath Dress. This dress is the modernized version of the 1960s sleeveless sheath dress and it has a lot of pink and glitter. And sparkle yourself in the mirror. I rocked the runway wearing that dress. All three dresses from Salem’s Modern Swinging Sixties are available on my website with customizable sizes and closures. I also created a signature color palette, Wisteria, a combination of bright pink and green and I’m selling a lightweight shirt in those colors, Wisteria Stripe Long Sleeve Tee. HOW CAN I WORK AS A FASHION DESIGNER AND BUSINESSWOMAN? Having cerebral palsy doesn't stop me from creating my designs. I have developed my own design process for my fashion business. I typically use Adobe graphic design software to create my designs. For creating a design, I can browse the garment template, make color palettes, use images/elements from web and cloud files, and draw basic details in the garment. I also add patternmaking details via text. I can’t sew or pattern anything due to my disability. However, I rely on a team to construct the garments and get them ready for the runway or for sale. Once I have a design, I can purchase fabrics and materials online. I understood how the fabric is made. I also can upload my own prints on fabric on the digital fabric printing website and they can ship them. I also can touch fabrics. This will make me feel like choosing the right fabric to create a garment through my visual mind. Mainly, I can build a perfect team to help me run my business and communicate with my employees so that they can understand how I can give tasks to them and how I develop specific aspects of garment construction like brainstorming ideas and choosing the right fabrics. All I want is to lead the perfect team to help my dreams come to life and I have the best possibility of making my business successful in the future. INSPIRING OTHERS Along with disability come obstacles. Disability + Obstacles = Strength!! Besides wanting to be a fashion designer and entrepreneur, I always had the desire to be a role model and motivational speaker. Even though I am nonverbal, I can speak by leading by example. I want disabled individuals to know they have strengths and dreams like “normal” people. Dreams do come true!! It is the responsibility of all humans to recognize the strengths in others and to find a place in society for these strengths to shine. I truly believe in my extraordinary abilities, talents, and passions. From a very young age, I was teaching myself reading, drawing, and designing for my dream career. It's very important for me to share my story with you. I want to speak up to encourage you to make your dreams come true. I am a big dreamer and believer. I refuse to let my cerebral palsy define me as a person but it's a part of my story because I am never going to be afraid of following my dreams. I always strive to inspire others to achieve their dreams and goals even if they have physical or other limitations. I have so much hope to further promote inclusion in the fashion industry and other specific places that belong to me. Thank you for reading this article. I continue embarking on my unforgettable and groundbreaking journey to become a successful entrepreneur and motivational speaker. Dreams Do Come True! Check out my website marisaconners.com Facebook/Instagram: @marisaconners.fashionista & Designer Brand @marisaconners.mc

Advocacy Initiative for Development (AID) AID is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization registered in Washington State, USA to support programs in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in Africa. The organization is in Special Consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations (UN) Daily living and Mobility Learning and Education Outdoor Activities Contact us ONLINE x x x x x x x About We render services for the holistic development of people and their communities. We promote equal access to opportunities regardless of gender, tribe, religion, or race. Women, Youth, and Children are our main targets because of the many challenging issues surrounding their growth and development, especially in Africa where women and children continue to face violence and abuse in their daily lives. Life is beautiful and the power of people is unstoppable! Andreea Lichi Read More Accomplishing my dreams with cp Andreea Lichi Read More Healing is happening- what is wrong with me? Andreea Lichi Read More Healing is happening- what is wrong with me? Andreea Lichi Read More Healing is happening- what is wrong with me? Andreea Lichi Read More Related Articles

The Viscardi Center Daily living and Mobility Learning and Education Sports Fitness Dance Contact us USA x x x x x x x About Abilities! is a non-profit agency dedicated to empowering people with disabilities to be active, independent, and self-sufficient participants in our society. Through education, training, research, leadership, and example, we seek to provide the highest quality services and to influence national attitudes, policies, and legislation in ways that will lead to the greatest benefit for the people we serve. Life is beautiful and the power of people is unstoppable! Andreea Lichi Read More Accomplishing my dreams with cp Andreea Lichi Read More Healing is happening- what is wrong with me? Andreea Lichi Read More Healing is happening- what is wrong with me? Andreea Lichi Read More Healing is happening- what is wrong with me? Andreea Lichi Read More Related Articles

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