And what a year it has been! A big thanks for this great reflection Mumbrella.
It’s been over a year since we launched Shift 20, and we’re proud of the strides we’ve made in normalising disability representation in marketing. There’s still more work ahead to ensure inclusivity becomes the norm. Excited to keep pushing boundaries with our amazing brand partners! A big thank you to Mumbrella for this great reflection on our journey so far:
Chief Accessibility Advocate Department of Transport and Planning, Churchill Fellow, Paul Harris Fellow, Online facilitator. Gender and disability specialist. Disability training,
We're finally moving to recognition that people with disabilities also have spending power ($12 trillion AUD globally) and deserve inclusive marketing and advertising campaigns that support being informed and having choice when it comes to consumer decisions about which products, services and brands we should be spending our money on and with. Inclusive advertising and marketing is a win-win for people with disabilities and the brands making the conscious decision to do the right thing. Visual description: A man helping another man with a disability to record on set with a professional camera. #2024DisabilityEmpowerment #InclusiveAdvertising #MarketingTrends
I am Frustrated but motivated! It’s 2024, and yet, the fitness industry still has so far to go when it comes to true inclusiveness for people with disabilities. Every day, I see facilities that are missing out on the opportunity to make fitness accessible to ALL individuals. Is what I am seeing and hearing all lip service or are we willing to take action on this topic? We have the solution! At Forte Fitness Solutions, we’re proud to distribute the Pulse Fitness Inclusive Range, which integrates both able-bodied and disabled individuals into the same workout experience—all on one machine! It’s a game-changer that can create welcoming, accessible spaces for EVERYONE, no matter their physical ability and sporting level. The frustrating part? This essential step toward inclusivity is often overlooked or under-prioritised by facilities, despite the growing demand and talk for accessible fitness. It’s time we take action and lead the way for true inclusiveness in fitness! Let’s talk about how we can make fitness a reality for everyone. If you know of anyone I may have missed please share. #InclusiveFitness #AccessibilityMatters #PulseFitness #ForteFitnessSolutions #BreakingBarriers #FitnessForAll Richard Hermens Disability Sports Australia Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT Blacktown City Council City of Gold Coast City of Melbourne Brisbane City Council University of Newcastle Australian Catholic University University of Melbourne Steve Kamper
So, what can you do to support this movement towards inclusivity in the modeling industry? Here are a few steps: 1. Support Inclusive Brands: Choose to buy from brands that promote diversity in their advertising. Your purchasing power can drive change. 2. Educate Children: Teach children about the realities of advertising and the importance of self-love. Help them understand that beauty comes in many forms. 3. Challenge Stereotypes: When you see an advertisement that promotes unrealistic beauty standards, speak up. Write to the company, use social media to raise awareness, and support campaigns that promote real beauty. 4. Promote Positive Role Models: Encourage children to look up to role models who promote healthy body images and self-acceptance. 5. Join the Movement: Support organizations and initiatives like Misty Glam Company that are working to change the industry from within. #mistyglamcompany #inclusivecommercialmodeling
In addition to brand activation, there are also lots of opportunities for Corporate Social Responsibility; including volunteering, fundraising, value in kind or simply helping us amplify our work. #CorporateSocialResponsibility #CSR #Disability #ESG #ERG #Volunteering #VIK #Fundraising #SocialImpact #NoLimitsLiving
Co-Founder & CEO at innovision; Founder & CEO at Parallel; Vice-Chair at Wembley Stadium Foundation; Director at Sport Together Berkshire; Ambassador for Meaningful Business
It’s been an exciting few weeks for the team at Parallel Lifestyle, with the undoubted highlight being the recent announcement of the UK’s number 1 antiperspirant brand, Sure, coming back as our headline sponsor for this year’s #ParallelWindsor 🦌 🌳 This will be the 3rd year that Sure has supported our flagship festival, which is one of the biggest disability lifestyle events in the UK. To have the continued & consistent support of Sure really matters; & I love them for it. ` I have long held the view that if we can get cool household brands, like Sure, to stand shoulder to shoulder with disability, they have the mass cultural power to influence positive change in attitudes & behaviours towards disabled people & disability lifestyle. The brilliant brand team at Sure understand this, however, the inherent problem is that lots of other brands still view disability as a short-term campaign platform, whilst consistently overlooking the fact that the world’s largest minority are also loyal & valuable consumers. This year, #ParallelWindsor 🦌 🌳 will bring together 5,000 festival goers & challenge event participants of all ages & abilities in the Windsor Great Park on 7th July. At the heart of the event experience is disability lifestyle; cutting across live music, active lifestyle, inclusive sport, storytelling, wellbeing, dance, theatre, art & craft, cookery, community, mass participation & a sprinkling of celebrity fairy-dust. Check out our highlights film from last year, which brings to life our own brand essence of ‘No Limits Living’. As a brand, opportunities to activate & find new customers whilst creating social impact are few & far between. If you would like to be involved, find out more or just come along to experience the day, drop me a line on LinkedIn or find us at www.parallellifestyle.com. #Disability #DisabilityLifestyle #Festival #Brand #BrandActivation #BrandExperience #Sponsorship #Marketing #MassParticipation #SocialImpact #BreakingLimits #NoLimitsLiving
Some thoughts and tips on active allyship…
Do you know the difference between active and performative allyship? Our latest blog by EDI’s Brand Manager, Akeira Jennings, dives into what it truly means to be an active ally, and shares practical tips and insights on how you can make a real impact with authenticity and a human-centered lens. #allyship #deia
Disability-Inclusive Advertising | Speaker | Educator | Founder & CEO at Misfit Media
Wanna see the most obviously ableist marketing I've seen in years? Take a look. I have a framework that I coined called a “funnel of oppression” which refers to when media, advertising or entertainment influences our implicit bias (unconscious beliefs), and then we use that implicit bias in the form of a heuristic (unconscious decision making) that then turns into a system (systemic ableism). An example of this dates back to Freakshows. 📺 Entertainment: Freakshows, where disabled people were lined up and put on display for non disabled to point at, stare at gawk at and be horrified by. 💭 Implicit Bias: I'm scared by disability ✅ Heuristic: Disabled people will scare others, so they shouldn't be seen. 🛑 System: The Ugly Laws were formed - a series of municipal laws that forbade disabled people from being seen in public. The last of these laws was only overturned in the 1970s. So, let's take that same framework and ask ourselves some questions: 📺 Media / Advertising: what is the understanding about disability the viewer will have after this content 💭 Implicit Bias: I know you don't think this way now, because we're talking about it. But, what do you think it'll enforce for the viewer? ✅Heuristic: What decisions might someone make based on this implicit bias? 🛑 System: What systems might this reinforce or recreate? Feel free to send me your responses in the comments, I can't wait to dialogue with you! VD: Kelsey is a white woman with brown hair, brown eyes and tan skin. She has her long hair in a power pony and actually put on real pants for this video. She wears a black tank top, baggy jeans and is also missing half of her left hand and arm. She sits on a brown couch and is speaking directly to camera, and there are cut aways to content from the Olympics and Paralympics. #Disability #DisabilityPride #InclusiveMarketing #Marketing #SocialMedia
Digital Marketing Specialist | Digital Growth Strategist | Driving Strategic Campaigns for Lead Generation & Brand Growth
🌍 Did you know, Over 1 billion people worldwide live with a disability? Yet, many brands overlook this crucial audience. If your product or service isn’t accessible, they may not use or even know about your brand. But it’s not just about accessibility. If your marketing doesn’t include people with disabilities or address their unique needs, they may not see your company as relevant to them. This is why it's essential to understand your audience and ensure that their stories and perspectives are represented in your marketing. Inclusive marketing drives DEEPER connections and expands your brand’s reach. #InclusiveMarketing #AccessibilityMatters #DigitalMarketing #DiversityAndInclusion #MarketingStrategy #ContentForAll
In my adult life, I can not remember a time I didn’t feel alienated from the equestrian industry. A sport that my social life revolved around as a child, to something now incredibly lonely. Although cowboy culture is historically tied to black and brown communities, nowadays, riding is often ultra conservative and tradition-bound, making it tough to navigate as a person from any marginalized community. As a trans person who rides, I’ve spent years feeling isolated and alienated in this sport, with the love for the horse being the only thing that keeps me in it. So, I posted about it on TikTok, half-expecting a few people to relate. I don’t post about my horse too much, because I think she is not relatable, but the responses shocked me. In the comments, hundreds of LGBTQ+ people—some already in the industry, others who have since left, some who were too scared to even get involved—opened up. They shared stories of feeling just as alienated or, in some cases, even unsafe around barns, trainers, and the community. What hit me hardest was the sheer volume of responses. I was seeing my own private struggles become so much more valid, as numerous others echoed the same feelings. “I’ve never had an original experience,” or however that trending phrase goes. This is where social media time and time again proves its power. By connecting online, we see each other’s experiences, build networks of support, and bring visibility to the numerous voices calling for an inclusive, welcoming horse industry. This visibility doesn’t just stay online; it empowers people to reclaim their space in real life. The more we speak up about who we are, the more we chip away at the exclusivity that is holding back the equestrian industry. Social media doesn’t just create content; it creates community, and that community can become a force for real, lasting change.
🌟 Exciting news! Our brand-new collection is here, and it's 🔥🔥🔥! Get ready to upgrade your style with the latest fashion trends. #NewArrivals #FashionForward #TrendingNow 🌈🎉 It's Pride Month, and we're celebrating love and equality! 🏳️🌈 Spread the message of acceptance and support for the LGBTQ+ community. #PrideMonth #LoveIsLove #EqualityForAll 🌱🌿 Embrace the green life with our eco-friendly products! 🌍🌿 Join us in making a positive impact on the planet by choosing sustainable options. #GoGreen #SustainableLiving #EarthFriendly 🍔🍟 Calling all foodies! 🍕🌮 Indulge in the most delicious dishes from around the world. Tag your foodie friends and let's explore the culinary wonders together! #FoodieLife #FoodLovers #FoodAdventures 📚🎓 Knowledge is power! 🧠💪 Expand your horizons with our latest book recommendations. Share your favorite reads and let's create a community of bookworms! #BookLovers #ReadingCommunity #KnowledgeIsKey 🌞☀️ Summer vibes are in the air! ☀️🌴 Get ready for beach days, pool parties, and endless fun in the sun. Share your summer adventures with us using #SummerVibes #SunshineState #BeachBum 🎵🎶 Music lovers, unite! 🎧🎤 Discover the hottest tracks, hidden gems, and all-time classics. Let the rhythm take over and share your favorite tunes with us! #MusicAddict #SoundOfTheDay #MelodyMasters 🏋️♀️💪 Fitness goals, here we come! 🏃♀️🏋️♂️ Join our community of fitness enthusiasts and let's motivate each other to reach new heights. Share your workout routines and achievements using #FitnessJourney #HealthyLifestyle #GymLife 🎮🕹️ Calling all gamers! 🎮👾 Dive into the virtual world and embark on epic adventures. Share your gaming highlights, tips, and tricks with fellow gamers. Let's level up together! #GamingCommunity #GameOn #VirtualReality 🌟✨ Dream big and make it happen! ✨💫 Share your goals, aspirations, and success stories. Let's inspire each other to chase our dreams and create a life we love. #DreamBig #SuccessStories #AchieveGreatness
