PhotoAbility: Disability Inclusive Photos and Images

Author: PhotoAbility
Published: 2014/12/18 - Updated: 2025/04/29
Publication Type: Announcement
Topic: Disability Communication - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates

Synopsis: This information highlights the PhotoAbility stock image library, which specializes in positive and inclusive photographs of people with disabilities engaged in a wide variety of real-life settings, such as leisure, lifestyle, travel, education, sports, and professional environments. The article underscores the importance of increasing the use of authentic, non-medicalized images that reflect the actual experiences and capabilities of individuals with disabilities, aiming to challenge stereotypes and promote broader inclusion in media, marketing, and advertising.

PhotoAbility's collection features over 3,500 images depicting people of all ages and backgrounds with diverse disabilities, from high-level quadriplegia to those using braces or forearm crutches, participating in everyday and aspirational activities. This resource is particularly valuable for advertisers, designers, and organizations seeking to better represent the disability community-a demographic that comprises over a billion people worldwide and wields significant economic influence, yet remains underrepresented in visual media. The authority of this information is reinforced by its curation by experts in the field, including co-founder Deborah Davis, herself a person with a disability, and by its selection for publication based on its relevance and quality for the disability community - Disabled World (DW).

Introduction

PhotoAbility, a disability inclusive stock image gallery has curated its library of over 3500 stock images for its Best of 2014 Photo Collection depicting lives of models and everyday people who happen to have a disability. The hope is to encourage stock image buyers to include these types of inclusive imagery in their design, marketing and editorial projects.

Main Content

2014 has seen some great new galleries, models and photographers added to the Photo-Ability library featuring some stunning locations and settings including:

• College life.
• Young romance.
• An afternoon in the forest with the dogs.
• The enchantment of a Christmas proposal.
• Professional medical and office environments.
• The joy of three young expectant mothers to be.
• A summers afternoon on Sebastian Beach Florida.
• An afternoon of track and field, sweat and determination at the gym.

...to name just a few images currently available.

People from all around the globe and all stages of life are depicted with varying disabilities ranging from high level quadriplegia to walking with the assistance of braces and forearm crutches. These images are sure to challenge the public's perceptions of the capabilities of individuals with disabilities. The images in the Photo Collection tell a different story that will educate and inspire. The images provide a great resource to allow advertisers to acknowledged and reflect the lives of people with disabilities in their campaigns.

PhotoAbility feels that powerful messages imparted through imagery will bring about important social change and increased access and rights. Its Stock Image Library represents over one billion persons with disabilities worldwide, whose spending power has a substantial impact on travel, leisure, employment and lifestyle economies all over the world. Yet, this demographic is rarely seen or acknowledged in advertising and editorial images. Why is a small, yet powerful and growing segment of society not being seen or represented as customers

This series is important, not only to increase the usage of positive imagery reflecting the real lives of those with disabilities, but also to encourage further inclusion. It will also help eliminate the fear and negative stereotyping that so often permeates all levels of society.

"The big picture goal of Inclusive imagery is about access," says Deborah Davis, Co-Founder of PhotoAbility. Deborah sustained a spinal cord injury at 18 resulting in incomplete quadriplegia. "While many of us live in communities that have chosen to remove structural barriers and accommodate our needs, that is simply not something we can take for granted. These rights have not been afforded to so many in our world who are waiting for equal access and freedom to live full and productive lives."

PhotoAbility

PhotoAbility was established in March 2012 by Deborah Davis and Bill Forrester, with the goal of providing high quality, unique, non-medically oriented imagery of persons with disabilities for purchase by the advertising, marketing and media sectors. The commercial stock image library specializes in positive and "Inclusive" images of people with a disability in leisure, lifestyle and travel settings.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by PhotoAbility and published on 2014/12/18, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.