The CPSC commissioned new stock photos showing Americans with disabilities using a variety of home safety devices, including portable generators.
As a disabled person, I’m often searching for my reflection in brand messaging. Companies like SKIMS, Gap, Mattel, Inc. and Apple have set benchmarks. Now, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission joins this move toward inclusivity—a cue for all brands to follow.
As The American Association of People with Disabilities President and CEO Maria Town told NPR, the move “brings us closer to embracing that disabled people are everywhere."
"There was a real sense of helping right a wrong and delivering something important for a community that's too often left out of many important conversations." added CPSC Social Media Specialist Joseph Galbo.
And we are.
In our visual-centric world, images mold our perceptions and beliefs. With AI-generated photography, we can portray even more diversity. However, we must avoid compromising authenticity, especially when representing diverse groups, including disabled people. Authentic representation also leads to brand connection and creates job opportunities for disabled models.
Tokenism isn’t the answer. It's not about sporadically featuring a disabled person but about consistently recognizing our existence and contributions. Our lives are a tapestry of unique experiences deserving visibility.
Brands, when you incorporate authentic representation, you're not merely acknowledging us—you're validating us. You're sending a strong message—we matter, we’re a part of society, and our experiences and perspectives are valuable.
This inclusivity encourages other businesses to follow suit. It might inspire a young disabled individual to dream bigger and see limitless possibilities. It could spark conversations about accessibility and inclusivity, nudging society toward equal representation.
So, let's challenge the status quo. Brands, mirror CPSC’s initiative. Show us in your advertisements, not as charity, but as an acknowledgement of our existence and value. Use AI responsibly to assist and amplify authentic representation, not to replace it.
Ultimately, we don’t want special treatment; we want equal treatment. We crave representation that mirrors our diverse experiences authentically. We are more than a checkbox on the diversity and inclusion agenda—we are threads in the intricate fabric of humanity, and it's time our representation reflected that.
It's not just about seeing disabled people in advertising. It's about seeing us as we are. This is our call to action for brands everywhere. Are you listening?
People with disabilities aren't often seen in stock photos. The CPSC is changing that