Runway of Dreams

Graphic by Téa Sklar

A button is a small thing, unless you can’t use one. 

For most people, the challenge of getting dressed is picking out an outfit – not putting one on. But for the estimated hundreds of millions of people with disabilities, including limitations in mobility, dexterity or sensory processing, that same routine can become a daily obstacle course. Buttons can be impossible to fasten, zippers too rigid to pull and everyday fabrics painful to wear. What seems like a minor inconvenience to some can mean the difference between independence and reliance on others. 

This is not a niche issue, but a widespread reality, revealing that the problem is not the people themselves, but a fashion industry that has long failed to design with them in mind. And yet, the fashion industry continues to largely ignore this reality prioritizing aesthetics over accessibility.

This is where the Runway of Dreams Foundation enters the conversation, not just as a nonprofit, but as a force pushing the fashion industry to rethink who it designs for. Founded by Mindy Scheier, whose son has muscular dystrophy, Runway of Dreams has evolved into a much larger movement challenging the fashion industry’s long-standing neglect of people with disabilities.

Helping to push the cause forward and advocate for inclusion and visibility, Syracuse university’s chapter of the Runway of Dreams Foundation recently hosted its second annual fashion show featuring student models from InclusiveU. The inspiring evening was made possible by the tireless efforts of Syracuse students that organized the professional fashion show, raised money for the clothing featured, worked with the student models, flawlessly handled logistics and promoted the event.

Sasha Soraci, a model and InclusiveU student, said, “Being in the fashion show and having other people around me is what made the fashion show so amazing.” Her mother was in attendance supporting her and taking the fashion show in. 

Michaela Mazur, another featured model and InclusiveU student added, “What inspired me to do the fashion show is to make an awareness that people with invisible and visible disabilities should be included in making fashion decisions for themselves. There should be more options available to make fashion accessible to everyone. Fashion is a great way for individuals with disabilities to express themselves.”