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Welcome to this issue of Accessibility for All where we highlight the voices, ideas, and efforts shaping a more inclusive world.
In this edition, Christine E. Staple Ebanks, known as “The Special Needs Mama Bear,” shares how she turned confusion and fear into advocacy and strength. Her story is a reminder that expertise often comes not from formal training, but from lived experience, and many of us are building that knowledge every day.
You’ll also meet Mae, who shares her personal journey with an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), offering a powerful reflection on identity, resilience, and visibility. And we spotlight Warren “Wawa” Snipe, whose work as a Deaf artist is transforming how we experience music, making it something you can see, feel, and believe in.
Wawa is the brainchild behind WAWABILITY 2025, a celebration happening July 11–12 at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. This landmark event marks 35 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act, featuring performances by Kodi Lee, Mandy Harvey, Lachi, Josh Blue, and the inclusive Omnium Circus. It also includes a live-streamed Virtual Summit focused on accessibility and tech innovation. Full details are at www.wawability2025.com.
From global advocacy to local impact, we also take you inside South Africa’s inclusive employment initiative, a standout example of how companies, communities, and individuals can create meaningful opportunities for people with disabilities, not as an afterthought, but as a priority.
In our health and wellness section, we focus on living with Type 1 disabilities and feature DEBRA Ireland, an organization supporting those living with epidermolysis bullosa. Their work exemplifies what happens when care, research, and dignity come together.
All this, and more, in the pages ahead. There’s no single guide to navigating disability, but every story shared and every solution found adds to our collective wisdom. We hope this issue gives you insight, encouragement and a sense of connection.
Happy Reading.