Positionality in relation to disability: Able-bodied white male 50 years old living in london.

 I think it’s important when working as a technician on the textiles programme at Chelsea that I reference artists designers and creatives when I’m discussing students work with them.  I have become aware that a lot of the references I suggest my student’s research are of work created by white able-bodied people.

Thompson is discussing in the interview resource the lack of media representation for disabled people of colour. If disabled people of colour don’t see themselves represented in the media they may feel marginalized and invisible. I was reflecting that the only visibly disabled person of colour that I can think of on television is Ade Adepitan. It would be positive to see a fashion or textile designer represented in film or television by a person of colour with a visible disability. This is one way to positively represent this group in society to a large audience. Thompson says in the interview ‘lack of representation really affects one’s self esteem and one’s ability to connect with all of their identities.’ A quick google search has found some really inspirational fashion designers who are disabled people of colour , Kathy D Woods a black disabled fashion designer designing for disabled people and Faduma Farah who creates a wheelchair friendly collection of womenswear. I have also found the Black Disabled creatives database, a site that offers a roster of creatives from all different backgrounds and is currently complying a jobs listing post. These are the sort of references I am going to begin talking to my students about. Thompson says in the interview that she ‘wants to demystify what it means to be of colour and disabled’ and to advocate for the inclusion of disabled voices, this is something that UAL can be actively part of.