Just One Model With a Disability Is Not Enough

Published 13 Mar 2015

Last week, 30-year-old American Horror Story actor Jamie Brewer walked the catwalk at New York Fashion Week.

She was the first model with Down syndrome to feature in the event and she said she hoped to show other young women they can do anything in life.

It's important that children and young people with disabilities see themselves represented on the catwalk. And Brewer's goal also demonstrates that it's important that children – and adults - with disabilities see themselves represented in a wide range of occupations. 

Brewer modelled Carrie Hammer's clothing line, which has the tagline "role  models,  not runway models".

Katie Driscoll, founder of Changing the Face of Beauty – a campaign to see retailers include diverse models in their advertising - welcomes Brewer's modelling debut. 

"I think it is important that everyone see themselves represented in the media all the time", she said. 

"My daughter is part of the largest minority in the world yet the least represented in the media. The more representation there is the more confident she will feel. I want her to know that she is seen and she matters because she does."

This is a celebration of diversity.

I love fashion and I want it to be accessible. Brewer - and other models with disabilities - is a wonderful start. But accessible fashion extends to access into the store, spacious and supported changerooms, and equality and non-patronising treatment from sales assistants.

Read the full article here: http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/fashion/66303095/just-one-model-with-a-disability-is-not-enough