You Forgot About Us Again

Why disabled people keep getting left behind--and what I'm doing about it

As someone with a physical disability, I can’t count the number of times I’ve attended an event, whether in person or virtual, only to find that accessibility was clearly an afterthought. Even at events created for disabled people, access is often forgotten or pushed to the side.

I’ve served on planning committees and brought up accessibility needs again and again. I’m told, “It’s taken care of.” But when the event begins, the ASL interpreters aren’t there. The CART provider hasn’t been hired. And once again, despite my best efforts to advocate beforehand, my community is left behind.

Afterward, someone usually says, “We get it now! We’ve learned our lesson. We won’t make the same mistake again.”
But then at the next event, it happens all over again.

Why does this keep happening? Often, it’s because the people organizing these events haven’t had to rely on accessibility themselves. They may care, but they haven’t experienced how disheartening it is to be excluded. They don’t know what it feels like to be in a space where you can’t fully engage, participate, or understand what’s being shared—simply because no one planned for your presence.

Accessibility isn’t optional. It’s not a nice-to-have or a favor for disabled folks. It’s a necessity. And it directly impacts the success and inclusivity of any event, whether or not you realize it in the moment. The truth is, accessibility doesn’t just benefit disabled people—it improves the experience for everyone.

That’s one of the biggest reasons my friend Jayne Mattingly and I started The Inclusion Edit. We’re a disabled-led consulting team, and our mission is rooted in a simple belief: access is love, and inclusion is a practice. We partner with organizations, companies, and creative teams to build spaces where equity isn’t just talked about—it’s built into the foundation. Whether we’re auditing your social media, training your staff, or helping reimagine your workplace culture, we meet you where you are and support you in moving toward what’s possible.

We don’t just want to call out gaps in accessibility. We want to help you fill them—with care, creativity, and community at the center.

So if you’re planning an event, whether virtual or in person, I encourage you to make accessibility a real priority. Not as a box to check or something to scramble over at the last minute, but as something you thoughtfully embed from the very beginning.

We will notice. And we care.

Want to work with The Inclusion Edit?
We’re currently offering free social media accessibility audits to the first five businesses that sign up! If you're ready to make your digital presence more inclusive, reach out to us at jayne@jaynemattingly.com and cassidy@cassidyhuff.com for more details.