Embraced Body

It's time for the Embraced Body team to hibernate because we ae prioritizing resting, recharging, and reflecting to end 2024 and bring in 2025. Catch you in the New Year! #EmbracedBody #RestIsResistance #DisabilityJustice #SelfCare . . . [Image Description: Black text reads "REST IS REVOLUTIONARY. Embraced Body Team is taking time to rest and reflect before the new year. We will return on Tuesday, January 7th. Background is lavender with orange and red swirly 3 fingered coils.]

The Embraced Body team is very excited and proud to have our very own Founder/Executive Director, India Harville, be selected as one of the 2024 BOSS Business Stars, celebrating trailblazing women in business. Check out the complete list: https://loom.ly/6O27n8o #BOSSBusinessStars2024 #BOSS15thYear #EmbracedBody #DisabledBusinessOwner . . . [Image Description: White text on pink background reads "THE Boss NETWORK!" Pink and black text reads "I'M A 2024 Business STAR" Below white text on black background reads "www.thebossnetwork.org" Image background is cream and tan with gold stars.]

The Embraced Body Team has a love-hate relationship with checklists. While they can be a helpful tool to keep accessibility commitments on track, they often fall short when treated as the final word. Checklists are just the starting point—the bare minimum—and relying on them alone can lead to complacency. True accessibility requires ongoing effort, creativity, and a willingness to go deeper. If you identify as non-disabled and your accessibility work doesn’t challenge or stretch you, it’s a sign there’s more to be done. #EmbracedBody #AccessibilityMatters #DisabilityJustice . . . [Image Description: White and black text reads "FROM CHECKLIST TO CHANGE: 3 WAYS TO LEVLE UP ACCESSIBILITY. 1. Go Beyond the Basics. Start with ramps and captions, but don't stop there. Think about lighting, creating a low scent environment, and offering a low stim space. 2. Listen to the People Most Affected. Consult directly with disabled communities, especially those who are BIPOC, queer, or trans. Their insights will guide you toward meaningful and inclusive solutions. Commit to Continuous Improvement. Accessibility isn't a one-time fix. Regularly evaluate your spaces, programs, and practices to ensure they meet evolving accessibility standards and evolving needs. Image on white background with red border and a red 3 fingered swirl next to each number.]

Music is more than sound — it’s connection, restoration, and community. As an Access Doula and Sound Healer, JJ Omelagah uses the power of music to bridge divides and create moments of collective joy. A simple sing-along can transform strangers into a unified heartbeat, reminding us of the beauty of shared experience. In the journey toward Disability Justice, JJ shows that harmony and hope flow together.🎤(mic emoji)✨(sparkle emoji)". #AccessDoula #AccessibilityMatters #DisabilityJustice #EmbracedBody . . . [Image Description: JJ Omelagah, a Black trans neurodivergent person. They are standing confidently in front of a white backdrop, smiling while holding a microphone. They are dressed in a light purple dress shirt, a charcoal vest, a black tie, and dark pants and are wearing black framed glasses. The background is framed with colorful orange and purple design elements. Below black text reads "As an Access Doula and Sound Healer, I know the power of music: a melody can bridge divides, and a sing-along can weave us into one collective heartbeat. JJ OMELAGAH"]

This looks fun! Hope some of you are able to join! It’s almost 2025, and we all deserve to go into the new year with our crowns on! Artist and founder of Rebirth Garments, Sky Cubacub, will lead an all-skill-level crown-making workshop. We’ll send out recommended material lists and instructions ahead of time with lots of tips for found and comfortable materials. During the workshop, Sky will support you with detailed instructions, troubleshooting, and lots of suggestions for different bodies, both in wearing and construction. ⁠ Crip Your Crown | Friday, December 20, 2024 | 4:00 - 5:00 PT | ASL | CART | virtual | recorded | https://lnkd.in/gUTV-WiY #RebirthGarments #RadicalVisibility #DisabilityJustice ⁠. . . [Image Descriptions: Slide 1: On a purple background, is the event title “Crip your Crown” in large font with a crown on top of the first C. To the right, a silver disco ball shimmers with a tiny person in a wheelchair dancing on top. To the bottom left, a cream text box outlined in silver glitter reads "Workshop led by Sky Cubacub, a nonbinary disabled Filipinx neuroqueer from Chicago, IL. Xey are the creator of Rebirth Garments, an activewear line for trans and queer disabled people of all sizes and ages, and they're author of “Radical Visibility: a Queercrip Dress Reform Movement Manifesto.” Xey started a free queercrip DIY fashion program and fashion incubator with the Chicago Public Library called Radical Fit which has a yearly summer celebration at Ping Tom Park in Chicago called Queer Radical Fair." To the right a person is striking a dynamic poses against a vibrant purple backdrop wearing futuristic outfit which includes bright pink pants, cropped pink top with a neon alien design, and an oversized jacket adorned with dramatic, intertwined chains in bold shades of red and blue. The chains wrap around their arms and body. They are accessorized with a headpiece made of shiny pink, purple, blue, and yellow scales covering the head. Face paint and tattoos featuring vibrant blue and purple accents. The person's pose is confident and energetic, with one hand holding a pink chain while the other is extended outward.⁠ Slide 2: On a purple background, is the title of the event, the event title “Crip your Crown” in large font with a crown on top of the first C. To the right, a silver disco ball shimmers with a tiny person in a wheelchair dancing on top. At the bottom are the DCC and Longmore logos next to a snail wearing a gold crown. Details the same as above. Slide 3: DCC logo at the top. The slide reads San Francisco Disability Cultural Center is a proud project of L.C. and Lillie Cox Haven of Hope in partnership with the Paul K. Longmore Institute on Disability at San Francisco State University and San Francisco Health and Human Services Agency: Department of Aging and Disability Services.]

Advocating for disabled communities ensures equal opportunities, dignity, and respect for everyone. Disabled people face systemic barriers in areas like employment, education, and healthcare, as well as discrimination and exclusion. By promoting accessibility, challenging ableism, and supporting inclusive policies, we work toward a society where all individuals are valued. This advocacy not only benefits disabled individuals but also strengthens communities by fostering equity and collective well-being. #EmbracedBody #DisabilityJustice #DisabilityAwareness . . . [Image Descriptions: Slides 2-5 all have yellow backgrounds, purple borders, red ribbon and white/black text. Slide 1: White text reads "HOW TO BE PART OF MEANINGFUL CHANGE." Background is dark purple with yellow and lavender 3-fingered abstracts. Slide 2: Text reads "SPEAK UP FOR ACCESSIBILITY. Even if you're not directly affected, ask questions like, 'Why isn't there ASL at this event?' or 'Why isn't audio description available?' Your voice amplifies the message that accessibility matters to everyone. Slide 3: Text reads "LISTEN TO DISABLED COMMUNITIES. Take guidance from multiply marginalized disabled communities. Listen to their needs and center their voices when advocating for change. Slide 4: Text reads "BUILD RELATIONSHIPS. Build relationships with disabled people in your community. Understanding their experiences helps you advocate in a way that truly reflects their needs and priorities. Slide 5: Text reads "SUPPORT DISABLED ARTISTS. Attend performances and support work by disabled dancers, especially those who are queer, trans, and BIPOC. Learn from their perspectives and let it shape how you engage with other institutions. Slide 6: Centered is Embraced Body founder/executive director India Harville speaking up for accessibility in communities to a group of people. Black text reads "BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE! What's one action you can take today to help push for improved accessibility in your communities? Share your thoughts in the comments or tag someone who inspires you to take action! EMBRACED BODY with orange and purple 'EB' logo.]

Advocating for accessibility shouldn't fall solely on Disabled people. Non-disabled allies, your voice and privilege can make a difference in spaces where Disabled people aren't yet included and/or in spaces where Disabled peoples still aren’t having all their access needs met. Disabled folks, our cross-disability solidarity matters — even if we don't personally need a specific accessibility measure, we should still advocate for it in solidarity with other Disabled people with different disabilities than ours. Transitioning from a culture where people only advocate for their own access needs to a culture where we prioritize the needs of the collective is critical. Accessibility isn’t just about personal benefit. It’s also about us living in greater alignment with our social justice values. A commitment to accessibility is a commitment to justice, equity, and each other. #EmbracedBody #DisabilityJustice #AccessibilityMatters #AccessibleSpaces . . . [Image Description: Centered is India Harville, Black, queer, Disabled cis woman smiling with long locs wearing multicolored earrings and a white dress. White text below reads "A commitment to accessibility matters, whether or not you're the one using the services. INDIA HARVILLE." Background is dark purple with yellow and lavender 3-fingered curvy abstracts.]

It truly takes a village to create a program like How We Move! ✨ [sparkle stars emoji] We’re honored to introduce the incredible Disabled dance artists who served as panelists for the How We Move D/deaf and Disabled Dance Intensive selection team. Their dedication, insight, and passion brought so much magic to the selection process and helped shape this year’s inspiring cohort of artists. We are deeply grateful for their hard work and commitment. Get to know these amazing panelists! https://tr.ee/z8qdpk86B3 #HowWeMove #EmbracedBody #DisabledCommunity #DisabledArtist . . . [Image Description: Bold black text reads "MEET THE HOW WE MOVE SELECTION PANEL. From left to right, top to bottom are images of the panelists. TaMeicka "Ifasina" Clear, a big bodied, Black, genderqueer person looking firmly at the camera. They have short dreads, wear a brown hat tilted back and a cheetah print sweater. Kayla Hamilton, Black woman smiling with short black locs pulled up behind her head. She is wearing grey plastic glasses and a red shirt with white writing on it. Vanessa Hernández Cruz, Chicana woman with long dark hair wearing gothic makeup & a black dress. Her head is tilted with her right hand grazing her cheek. India Harville, Black woman smiling with long locs. She is wearing a black shirt and purple cardigan. karen Krolak, white woman smiling with a silver cascade of long hair. She's wearing a black t-shirt and looking off to the right. Below is a red and purple How We Move logo. Background is lavender.]

Raven Sutton is a dynamic Deaf performer, advocate, and interpreter who uses her artistry and activism to inspire change and amplify marginalized voices. Renowned for her innovative fusion of American Sign Language (ASL) with music and dance, she creates inclusive performances that celebrate the beauty and depth of Deaf culture. Beyond the stage, Raven is a dedicated accessibility consultant and educator, working to dismantle barriers faced by Deaf individuals and advocating for intersectional equity. Her work highlights the interplay of Deaf identity with race, gender, and other lived experiences, fostering greater understanding and inclusion. Through her creative expression and unwavering commitment to social justice, Raven empowers communities, challenges societal norms, and paves the way for more equitable and accessible spaces. #DeafWoke #DeafCulture #RavenSutton #DisabilityJustice . . . [Image Description: White text reads "RAVEN SUTTON." Centered is Raven, African American woman smiling with blue braids wearing a yellow top. White text reads "Deaf CONTENT CREATOR/Dancer. Raven Sutton is a dynamic content creator, dancer, and dedicated advocate for the Deaf community. She made history as the first Deaf contestant on Netflix's reality competition series, "The Circle," where she showcased her authentic self and utilized American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate. Beyond her television appearance, Raven leverages her social media platforms to share her experiences and amplify the voices of other Deaf individuals, aiming to foster greater understanding and representation of Deaf culture. Her efforts have been instrumental in breaking barriers and promoting inclusivity within mainstream media." Background is dark purple with red and orange curvy 3 fingered waves. ]

It's important to cultivate joy during these times, and we love Creating Freedom Movement's Justice Joy Jams playlist!! Take a listen and find your favorite tune, or suggest an additional song to be added. We've discovered some new favorites! Plus, the CFM community has the best dance parties!! Here's what Creating Freedom Movements had to say about the playlist: Our official CFM Playlist #JusticeJoyJams is now available to stream on both @AppleMusic https://apple.co/4gnzU4O @Spotify https://tr.ee/NDa_zAPq1X 🎉(confetti) cover artwork is a glimpse of a larger piece, created by the incredible & beloved Francis @girasoulll 🎨(paint) This playlist features 400+ songs and has been lovingly co-created, over several years, by our broader Creating Freedom Movements Community. You can access the Apple Music and/or Spotify version in our bio — where you can also sign up for our newsletter, check out our #CFMPublicResources + growing resource library, visit our website, and more! ✨(yellow stars) We are so thankful for the community we have been able to build — and will continue to grow! We’d love to hear from each of you: which songs or artists would feature in your #JusticeJoyJams playlist? And, if you do check out the playlist, we’d love to hear if you spot any beloved classics or find new favorites! Maybe we’ll have a virtual CFM dance party soon.. #DisabilityJustice #CreatingFreedomMovements #MoreJusticeMoreJoy #JusticeJoyJams . . . [Image Description: Black text read JUSTICE JOY Jams. CREATING FREEDOM MOVEMENTS PLAYLIST. Centered is a music player with the album artwork featuring artwork by Francis Mead @girasoulll showcasing a brown-skinned person, standing in front of a vibrant sun, and a multitude of colorful flowers, in various stages of bloom. The person is wearing a lavender sweater and blue pants. Their eyes closed, peacefully, and hands held over their heart soaking in the musical magic of the Justice Joy Jams playlist. Red/white Apple music logo and green/white Spotify logo. Image is on a white background with a red border.]