soc_puppet | This year's AI Accessibility Art

An anthropomorphic pig wearing a zebra hoodie, in reference to Elhers Danlos Syndrome.

Sharing the Accessibility Pass art now that the con is over!

The zebra hoodie is in reference to Elhers Danlos Syndrome; the EDS community has adopted the moniker "zebras" in reference to the medical saying, "If you hear hoof beats, look for horses, not zebras," which is a reminder to doctors to check for common causes first. Unfortunately, a lot of medical professionals seem to have taken it as a cue to ignore possible less common causes, and, EDS being a "less common cause", the community decided to embrace the zebra reference. Since it's a typically invisible disability, and a reference that not a lot of people outside the community will recognize, I threw in a knee brace as well, Just In Case.

Anyway, when I went to pick up some stuff at the con location this afternoon, the person who took over Accessibility for me said that she got a lot of positive comments on the art! Which made me really happy, because my goal with this was to make disabled attendees feel seen/acknowledged, and I'm pretty sure this means I succeeded 💗 (Incidentally, the person who turned the art into buttons also recognized the reference, and specifically asked me if that's what the hoodie was in reference to; turns out she has a couple of relatives with EDS, so I think she appreciated the art a little extra, as well.)

I'm currently planning to rejoin con staff for next year; probably around the December meeting or thereabouts. (I'm hoping my nemesis and some of my other detractors are gone, but I'm not holding my breath.) I've missed working it, and the friend who took over Accessibility says some of the congoers have missed seeing me as well, so here's to a hopefully brighter and more accessible future at the con!