Why are the disabled being ignored?

This week, in honor of the annual International Day of Persons with Disabilities, on Dec. 3, begun by the United Nations in 1992 with the aim of promoting the rights and visibility of people with disabilities, Yahoo Lifestyle presents six advocates, bloggers, designers, and models who address the importance of being seen and heard. “I think it’s very important whenever you’re able to see yourself represented,” says activist Mama Cax, “in media, and in general.” In recent years, we’ve seen the idea of diversity expand throughout fashion and pop culture to include people with disabilities — the rise of a runway model born without her left forearm, designer Derek Lam showcasing new designs via a cast of models with varied disabilities, a TV comedy star with cerebral palsy, another show featuring children with Down syndrome. But the media have a long way to go when it comes to fair and accurate representation.