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My Win As The First Disabled Black Woman On The Oscars Red Carpet

My Win As The First Disabled Black Woman On The Oscars Red Carpet

by Andraea | Jun 24, 2021 | Press & Media

Andraéa might have been the first visibly disabled woman on the Oscars red carpet, but she’s determined not to be the last. Read Article
Andraéa LaVant Is an Inclusion Consultant With Style

Andraéa LaVant Is an Inclusion Consultant With Style

by Andraea | Jun 24, 2021 | Press & Media

Andraéa LaVant Is an Inclusion Consultant With Style Andraéa shares about her experience at the Oscars, including the details behind her iconic look; the whitewashing of disability representation throughout history and what she would tell her younger self about the...
The Defense of Black Lives Must Include Disability Justice

The Defense of Black Lives Must Include Disability Justice

by Andraea | Jun 24, 2021 | Press & Media

Amidst the fight for racial justice, Andraéa discusses the importance of ensuring Black people with disabilities are not left out of conversations centering equity and justice. Read Article
‘Crip Camp’ producer on social impact, working with the Obamas

‘Crip Camp’ producer on social impact, working with the Obamas

by Andraea | Jun 24, 2021 | Press & Media

Andraéa talks about her work with programs that support youth and adults with disabilities and other underserved populations. Read Article
Meet the Black woman advocating for greater disability visibility

Meet the Black woman advocating for greater disability visibility

by Andraea | Jun 24, 2021 | Press & Media

In this feature, Andraéa opens up about her my goal is to infiltrate spaces that disabled people have never been before. Read Article:
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It’s been a long time coming. 💜 I FINALLY go It’s been a long time coming. 💜

I FINALLY got to meet @kr_liu for the FIRST time ahead of the Google Marketing Live Conference tomorrow morning. 

It is open to the public and you can register to hear us talk about how to make your marketing more inclusive. 

Image Description: A graphic with a light blue background with white border around a photo of Andraéa LaVant and KR Liu hugging. Andraéa is a Black woman who uses a pink power-wheelchair. KR is a white woman with short blonde hair.
On the eve of Stacey’s 35th birthday yesterday, On the eve of Stacey’s 35th birthday yesterday, I wrote her a letter. After answering so many questions ABOUT her, talking to her felt like what I needed to do. Yesterday was a day full of bittersweetness and grief. As Stacey taught us and in true celebration of her birthday, I took it slow. I honored my needs. So today I would love to share with you some thoughts I had while writing to my dear Stacey and parts of the letter. The full version in available on the @lavantconsulting website.

Image 1: A dark hot pink background with white text that reads “What Would Stacey Do?” Below is a picture of Andraéa and Stacy together. They are wearing matching shirts that says “Bless Up.” 
Image 2: A dark hot pink background with white text that reads “When a movement leader becomes an ancestor, we can feel grief ridden and inadequate, while also feeling pressure to make them proud and carry on their legacy.”
Image 3: A graphic with a dark hot pink background with white text that reads “That is not what Stacey wanted for is disabled folx. Her greatest desire for us all was FREEDOM! Freedom to live fully, boldly, and passionately…with NO APOLOGIES!”
Image 4: A graphic with a dark hot pink background with white text that reads, “So celebrate Stacey today, tomorrow and everyday by choosing hope. 
Choosing freedom. Choosing joy. Choosing YOU.”
#Disability #Disabled #StaceyTaughtUs #DisabilityJustice #DisabilityPride
I am beaming with joy and I have tears in my eyes I am beaming with joy and I have tears in my eyes as I share with you the Google Doodle I had the honor of supporting to celebrate Stacey Park Milbern’s 35th Birthday, the anniversary of her passing, Asian American and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month and Global Accessibility Awareness Day. 

Stacey was my dear friend and was the most fierce, genuine, and loving frontline activist and biggest dreamer I’ve ever known. As a Korean American, Disabled, Queer woman, she was constantly fighting for justice for disabled people on the margins (Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, People of Color). We have been dreaming of a Google Doodle to honor Global Accessibility Awareness Day for years. I just never imagined that I would see this day without her by my side. The night before Stacey went into the hospital for the surgery she didn’t recover from, she was dreaming about the possibilities of the future partnership with Google. But today in partnership with @google , her family and the guest artist, @art_twink , this Doodle has become a reality. 

I want to thank @kr_liu , Head of Brand Accessibility at the Google Brand Studio and the entire team. Just like Stacey and I dreamed, this partnership has never been about charity or employment outcomes. Google truly believed in a systematic cultural shift and its role in partnering with the community to make the world more accessible. 

As Stacey said, “We’re never done creating the world we need.” But first, in honor of Stacey today, rest. Give yourself grace. Honor your needs. Have no shame in who you are. You are exactly who you are meant to be. ❤️

To read more about Stacey’s impact on the work we do, the story behind the doodle, and Global Accessibility Awareness Day, visit the Google homepage or the link in my bio. 

Image Description: Google Doodle celebrating Stacey Park Milbern. A drawing of Stacey, a Korean-American woman with short, black hair, red glasses, a red shirt, and a ventilator appears with a mugunghwa flower, orange and orange tree, gathering of disabled people, a progress pride flag, and a tiger. #DisabilityJustice #Disability #Disabled #StaceyTaughtUs #GoogleDoodle #AAPIHeritageMonth #GAAD
BIG NEWS!! Today @c_talent_ has merged with @whala BIG NEWS!! Today @c_talent_ has merged with @whalar . So today felt like the perfect day to announce I have signed with @c_talent_ ! 

Over the past year, it’s been so exciting to see @keely_cat_wells and everyone at C-Talent work to carve out space for disabled people in the entertainment industry and beyond. This acquisition by Whalar is a crucial next step to give disabled talent more resources and support and increase diverse disability representation in Hollywood. I cannot wait to see what is next for C-Talent and I’m so grateful to be part of the C-Talent family! 

Image Description:  A group shot of C Talent clients & talent all smiling and laughing, Paula in the centre is holding Angels bionic hand! Andraéa is on the far right. She is wearing a bright yellow top, white pants and gold head scarf. #Disability #DisabilityJustice #EntertainmentNews #DisabledAndCute #DisabledModel #DisabledActor
As I welcome many significant changes in my life, As I welcome many significant changes in my life, I’ve been reflecting more on interdependence, access needs and support. It’s taken a very long time for me to learn how to advocate for my own access needs and feel empowered in who I am. 

In a society steeped in ableism and centered around self-sufficiency, learning to voice what you need to others and feeling confident in that can be very difficult. Instead, sustainable care is a combination of interdependence, setting boundaries and giving grace. 

Your needs are NOT burdensome. 
You are valuable and worthy of care and support. 

Image Description 
Image 1: A dark purple graphic with white text that reads, “Just a reminder…No one is independent. We all rely on someone or something for support.”
Image 2: A dark purple graphic with white text that reads, “Interdependence plus boundaries and grace is how we sustainably survive. Interdependence emphasizes that everyone has value.”
Image 3: A dark purple graphic with white text that reads, “You are not a burden for asking for and needing support.” #Access #Accessibility #Disabled #Disability #Wheelchair #ChronicIllness #MentalHealth #DisabilityJustice #Interdependence
I couldn’t let Mother’s Day week come and go w I couldn’t let Mother’s Day week come and go without sending some love to my incredible mother and to all the nurturers in our lives. I’m so grateful for my mother and her steadfast, faithful, caring and encouraging presence and for always, always, ALWAYS (even when I’d prefer not to hear it) speaking truth in my life, whether that be in person or through texting each other ALL day. 💜

Image Description
1: A tan colored background graphic with a photo in the center with a white border around it. It is a photo of Andraéa LaVant as a child sitting next to her mother. 
2:  A tan colored background graphic with a photo in the center with a white border around it. It is a photo of Andraéa as a teenager with her mom leaning down and smiling with her. 
3:  A tan colored background graphic with a photo in the center with a white border around it. The photo is a more recent picture of Andraéa in the center surrounded by her mother in a graduation gown, sister and grandmother with her cousins milling around in the background of the photo. #HappyMothersDay #Disability #Disabled #Accessibility #Family
Now the one thing that was not featured in the hau Now the one thing that was not featured in the haul yesterday was this blue faux leather jacket because I rolled right out of the store with it on! 

This jacket is a game changer!!! It looks like denim. And leather. All at the same time! Denim has always been a very inaccessible fabric for me, especially in jacket form. It doesn’t stretch enough for me to be able to get it on while in my chair and even then, I feel constrained and heavy while wearing it. But this faux leather is buttery and heavenly. 

Thank you @theplusbus for this incredible piece!! 

Image Description: A graphic with a light blue background with a photo of Andraéa LaVant in the middle with a white border around the photo. Andraéa LaVant is a Black woman with long braids. She is wearing a blue leather jacket, a white t-shirt that says “Barbie” across it, a tan brimmed hat, glasses and a face mask. Andraéa uses a power wheelchair. She is sitting in front of clothing racks at The Plus Bus Boutique. #Disability #DisabledFashion #Disability #WheelchairFashion #PlusSizedFashion
When elevation features became available on wheelc When elevation features became available on wheelchairs, THIS is what I was most excited about. Some people may be excited to reach things at grocery stores or be able to look at people face-to-face, but for me… it was sitting at a bar! #4Front2 @quantum_rehab 

Image Description: A graphic with a light pink background with a photo in the center with a white border around it. The photo is of Andraéa LaVant, a Black woman with long ombré braids up in a ponytail who uses a pink powerwheelchair. Her wheelchair is elevated to meet the hight of a bar. She is wearing jeans, cheetah print flats, a white long sleeved shirt with buttons down the sleeves and glasses. 
#Wheelchair #Disabled #Disability #ChronicIllness #Accessibility #Access
I GOT IN A SWIMSUIT, Y’ALL! Two of ‘em! Scroll I GOT IN A SWIMSUIT, Y’ALL! Two of ‘em! Scroll through my feed and you’ll see how BOLD of a move this was for me. I’m living my VERY best life. No apologies.

FYI, both are from @adoreme and I have never found swimsuits that fit me better!

Image 1: A light green graphic with a photo in the middle with a white border around it. The photo is of Andraéa LaVant, a Black woman with long braids who uses a powerwheelchair. She is wearing a two piece blue corset style swimsuit and sunglasses. 

Image 2: A light green graphic with a photo in the middle with a white border around it. The photo is of Andraéa LaVant, a Black woman with long braids wearing a two piece black swimsuit with a lace detail across the chest. She is sitting in a lift to get into the pool and is smiling super wide!  #Accessibility #DisabledFashion #WheelchairFashion #Disabled #Disability #Wheelchair #4Front2
Staying in hotels always requires SO much research Staying in hotels always requires SO much research! From bed to bathroom access, it’s always a big to-do. Of course, more often than I’d like, even when I’m told everything will be accessible, it isn’t. And then there’s a rush to lift the bed or switch our rooms or find a completely different place to stay. 

The quaint El Morocco Resort & Spa in Desert Hot Springs, CA was a dream when it came to accessibility. I was so thrilled to be able to actually relax and enjoy myself. PERFECT way to spend my break! 

Video Description: A video of Andraéa LaVant entering the room at the resort with Goji. The room is beautiful. There is a large bed in the center of the room with a blue bedspread. The room is warmly lit. 

Image 1: A photo of the bed in the room. A large bed with a blue bedspread and some small hospitality gifts left on the bed. #4Front2 #Accessibility #Access #Disability #Disabled #Wheelchair #ServiceDog
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