The metaverse's efforts to be inclusive stand in contrast with the fashion world, for instance, which has continued to struggle to cast disabled people in major runway shows or editorial spreads. "There hasn't been enough progress, but that is not to say there hasn't been any," Mercado says. "There's times where I get frustrated — we are still not given the credit we are due. If any brand [or] company preaches about inclusivity and doesn't have the disability community be a part of that, then it's not. There are no excuses for it."
Another step the industry needs to take? Crafting and producing pieces — whether it's garments, footwear, or accessories — with more intention, depending on the needs of the disabled person. "I hope more people are conscious of the disability community and incorporate our specific functions or needs when designing a collection or brand," Mercado says. "We enjoy fashion as well."
![The metaverse's efforts to be inclusive stand in contrast with the fashion world, for instance, which has continued to struggle to cast disabled people in major runway shows or editorial spreads. "There hasn't been enough progress, but that is not to say there hasn't been any," Mercado says. "There's times where I get frustrated — we are still not given the credit we are due. If any brand [or] company preaches about inclusivity and doesn't have the disability community be a part of that, then it's not. There are no excuses for it."
Another step the industry needs to take? Crafting and producing pieces — whether it's garments, footwear, or accessories — with more intention, depending on the needs of the disabled person. "I hope more people are conscious of the disability community and incorporate our specific functions or needs when designing a collection or brand," Mercado says. "We enjoy fashion as well."](https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/-nwqDyrBY61zC5JWRI7gfTuw7K0/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:format_auto-!!-:strip_icc-!!-/2022/12/20/036/n/1922564/b86d047ed8ea9f72_Jillian_Avatar_5/i/metaverse-efforts-to-be-inclusive-stand-in-contrast-with.png "The metaverse's efforts to be inclusive stand in contrast with the fashion world, for instance, which has continued to struggle to cast disabled people in major runway shows or editorial spreads. \"There hasn't been enough progress, but that is not to say there hasn't been any,\" Mercado says. \"There's times where I get frustrated — we are still not given the credit we are due. If any brand [or] company preaches about inclusivity and doesn't have the disability community be a part of that, then it's not. There are no excuses for it.\"
Another step the industry needs to take? Crafting and producing pieces — whether it's garments, footwear, or accessories — with more intention, depending on the needs of the disabled person. \"I hope more people are conscious of the disability community and incorporate our specific functions or needs when designing a collection or brand,\" Mercado says. \"We enjoy fashion as well.\"")
