Accessibility for All magazine November 2024: Editor’s Note

The image shows a black and white portrait of a smiling woman with short hair. She is wearing earrings and a necklace with large beads or ornaments. Her smile is warm, and she has an overall calm and pleasant expression.

As the crisp air and vibrant colors of fall settle in, we’re excited to bring you our November issue, perfect for cozy reading as the charm of this season unfolds.

On our cover is the remarkable Jen Bricker-Bauer, who shows us how to embrace our strengths and dream big, defying every limit life throws our way. Inside, you’ll find stories, each one proof of the power and beauty of difference. We introduce Armando Perez, a man with a developmental disability who has achieved gainful employment with American Express, breaking down barriers and thriving in his role. His success not only inspires but highlights the richness that inclusive employment brings to our communities.

Bernadine Fox shares her harrowing yet redemptive journey through trauma and mental health advocacy after enduring abuse by a trusted therapist. Her fortitude, honed through profound vulnerability, has turned her pain into purpose, illuminating a path for others in similar darkness. We’re also honored to spotlight Keely Cat-Wells and her visionary work with Making Space, an innovative, accessible talent acquisition and learning platform.

But that’s not all—this issue is packed with inspiring stories and insights. From accessible lifestyle tips to Jamie Schultz’s Port Protect, born from compassion and experience, each page offers ideas to motivate. Discover The Girl Who Walked Differently, a children’s book about disability; explore Vet Tix, which supports veterans’ mental health through meaningful connections; and dive into Illana Jacqueline’s book on medical gaslighting, calling for a more compassionate healthcare system. Race for a Reason, a feature on athletes with disabilities, shows the power of sport as a platform for inclusion, awareness and positive change.

This issue is filled with bold lives, fierce advocacy and remarkable achievements. Through these stories, we hope you’ll see that disabilities are not limitations but pathways to innovation, sparking a fresh vision of what can be achieved.

Happy Reading!