Global Disability Inclusion and FTL MODA Partner to Build Visibility of Disabled Models at New York's Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2016 Show

NEW YORK, Sept. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Disability Inclusion, LLC, will join forces once again with FTL MODA to increase the diversity and visibility of models with disabilities in the fashion industry. A Times Square billboard will feature emerging model Shaholly Ayers, a congenital amputee who will appear in the FTL MODA show, during New York Fashion Week.

Global Disability Inclusion, which helps employers build and sustain workplace programs for people with disabilities, has partnered for a second time with FTL MODA to sponsor its fashion show, which includes a wide range of diverse models with disabilities.

On Sunday, September 13, 2015, a billboard featuring Shaholly Ayers, the first-ever amputee to walk in NY Fashion Week without a prosthetic will be on display at Times Square.

Ayers, who is a congenital amputee just below the elbow on her right arm, has defied tremendous odds by becoming one of America's most dynamic rising models. In fact, she has been featured in GQ, US Weekly, Glamour.com and most recently the Mercedes-Benz prestigious New York Fashion Week in 2015.  Through modeling she has been able to use her courageous story of overcoming adversity to empower youth and participates in a non-profit organization for amputees.

According to the Department of Labor, 56 million Americans with disabilities have over $175 billion in discretionary spending power. The disability market is four times larger than the sought after "tween" (8-14) market. However, in 2012 only 3% of Fortune 500 companies developed marketing campaigns that featured people with disabilities. Global Disability Inclusion works to bridge this gap.

"At Global Disability Inclusion, we help companies identify opportunities in their workforce, workplace and marketplace to be more inclusive of people with disabilities," said Meg O'Connell, Managing Partner, Global Disability Inclusion. "We are thrilled to partner with FTL MODA and provide an additional resource to companies looking to improve their reach in the disability market."

"We are thrilled to confirm our partnership with Global Disability Inclusion, LLC. After our synergy for the February show in NY and fashion week in Milan, Italy we are pleased to have their participation in the September 2015 show," said FTL MODA Producer Ilaria Niccolini.

The FTL MODA fashion show will be held at Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Terminal on Sunday, September 13 at 5 PM. Sponsored by ‎FashionFreeFromConfines, the show will feature designers Carmen Steffens, Alexandra Frida, Anna's Loud, Andrea Wild and Archana Kochhar.

About Global Disability Inclusion
Global Disability Inclusion, LLC is a boutique-consulting firm providing disability inclusion strategies for global companies and U.S. Federal Contractors. Our work helps companies realize the business benefits of including people with disabilities in the workplace, the workforce and the marketplace. 

Learn more about Global Disability Inclusion, LLC at www.globaldisabilityinclusion.com

About FTL MODA
Founded in 2006 by Ilaria Niccolini Production, FTL MODA has been presenting runway shows internationally and has established itself within the Italian fashion community as a bridge for Proudly Made in Italy to showcase at an International level. 

Contact: Sandy Han
[email protected]
(212) 799-6100

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150909/265121

SOURCE Global Disability Inclusion