Jillian Curwin, Director of Communications for the Mascots Matter Campaign, is an advocate, storyteller, and content creator reshaping the conversation around disability, access, and representation. In this episode of Everything You Know About Disability Is Wrong, she joins hosts Lily Newton and Erin Hawley for an insightful discussion.
Jillian shares her experience as a little person navigating an often inaccessible world, particularly in the fashion industry. She reflects on what sparked her advocacy, how misperceptions about disability motivated her, and why authentic representation matters. Jillian also talks about embracing a disabled identity, the value of lived experience, and the role of community in fostering self-acceptance and empowerment.
Her story offers fresh perspectives on adaptive fashion, confidence, and finding one’s voice, both in the disability community and beyond. Listeners will gain valuable insights that challenge perceptions of disability and redefine what it means to be seen and heard.
Key Moments
06:01 Awakening to Advocacy
07:11 Diverse Representation in Fashion
19:02 My Disability Advocacy Journey
23:44 Redefining Disability Through Experience
34:37 Issues in Disability Fashion Inclusion
45:00 Empowering Disability Representation
Connect with Jillian Curwin
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillian-curwin-04827056