Diversity and Inclusion starts here.
Details Matter
There are very few things more important to a disabled person than their equipment. Oxygen, food, medication... This is one of those times advertising can enable positive change. Say no to mock stock.
A person's disabled equipment is life changing. It's also jaw-droppingly expensive, and probably took years to save for, or convince an insurance adjuster that you really can't find a job if you can't even get to the kitchen because you don't have a wheelchair and your legs don't work. There is an entire industry that exists only by ensuring disabled people never succeed.
Images that show actors smiling and posing in cheap hospital chairs or with thrift shop crutches are damaging to disabled people in a profound way, since most people can't discern the differences in wheelchairs or why there are so many types. That lack of information makes it difficult to get the equipment a person needs to thrive, not just barely survive.
The social impact of this small change, that has literally no additional cost, is immeasurable.
Normalizing modern adaptive equipment in marketing, while shunning damaging staged stock images will help disabled people in all aspects of life.
Images that show actors smiling and posing in cheap hospital chairs or with thrift shop crutches are damaging to disabled people in a profound way, since most people can't discern the differences in wheelchairs or why there are so many types. That lack of information makes it difficult to get the equipment a person needs to thrive, not just barely survive.
The social impact of this small change, that has literally no additional cost, is immeasurable.
Normalizing modern adaptive equipment in marketing, while shunning damaging staged stock images will help disabled people in all aspects of life.
They're easy to spot when you can see them side by side. The first three are actual disabled people in everyday chairs. The last 3 are mock stock. Some things to look for include the width of the chair itself. Wheelchairs are like ski boots, the tighter the better.
Also note the position of the legs, are they tidy with feet together, or all askew and gangly looking? Same with the arm position. Is it down and natural, or sticking out like chicken wings trying to reach past the high sides and wide chair. And note the seat - wheelchair users ALWAYS have a cushion. High backs make it hard to push and rental settings foot rests cause high knees with leg support.
Also note the position of the legs, are they tidy with feet together, or all askew and gangly looking? Same with the arm position. Is it down and natural, or sticking out like chicken wings trying to reach past the high sides and wide chair. And note the seat - wheelchair users ALWAYS have a cushion. High backs make it hard to push and rental settings foot rests cause high knees with leg support.
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