values

How Jessica's work process and approach changes over time. Thanks to many people who have had influence with their practice.

Deconstructed surreal collage. A two headed disabled woman floats over roses. Hollow torso connects to body parts with foliage. A hand from the waist holds a heart. Wheelchair parts float around her. Submission for Sleepwa[l]king.

Thanks to Haley Brown and Almaz Ohene for this idea! Jess loves their work transparency. Though her values will change, here are some practices as of today. Skip to anchor links provided for disability, land tax, and credits.

disability land tax credits

disability access

There are nuances to being disabled and creating accessible spaces. Jessica tries to align her actions with her values. Both in work and community. Here's what she does and strives to do better:

work practices

Create accessible content. Community over compliance! Adapt methods based on individual access requests the best she can.
Be assertive. Access is a human right, not a trend or a token to satisfy the non-disabled.
Embrace criticism. Jess is no expert, and will work through discomforts to learn together. All perspectives are welcome.
Transparency. This practice is forever changing. Be honest about the internal process. Do not gate-keep accessibility.
Ethical pricing scale. Jess charges based on individual finances and communal solidarity.
Mutual aid. A percentage of annual net income [5-7%] goes to crowd sourced support and taxable donations.
Personal health over work [still working on this one]!

community affirmations

Balance personal and individual disabled experiences. Know when to set boundaries, and when to de-centre from a space.
The most ethical cause can have harmful outcomes. Practice the pursuit of values over perfection.
It takes all kinds to move. We need aggression, softness, controversy, expression, and understanding. Different advocacy methods are valid.
Celebrate the wins. Heal from the losses. Keep pushing for an accessible future, even if the results aren't instant.
Rest, care, relaxation, repeat.

voluntary land tax

A percentage of Jessica's annual net income [7-13%] goes towards three local indigenous organizations:

O:se kenhionhata:tie [Land Back Camp]
Indigenous Climate Action [ICA]
Toronto Indigenous Harm Reduction [TIHR]

Land Back Camp is a set monthly Patreon membership. The remaining amount is divided equally between the ICA and TIHR.

Percentage is based on income, personal expenses, and donations, made each year. As a disabled person, factors change based on Jess's ability to work, and medical needs.

attributions

This practice was introduced to Jess while working on Haley's website in 2022. Haley was motivated by Annika Hansteen-Izora who wrote a post about reparations being a way we move towards economic justice.

Thanks to Pause and Effect for sending links to local indigenous groups. It helped Jess decide where to distribute her reparations.

land acknowledgement

Hamilton is home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island [North America]. It is stolen from the traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas.

This land is covered by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant and the Between the Lakes Purchase [1792] from the Crown and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

credits + design kinship

Nothing is done alone. Jessica wants to share the motivation provided by people and their practices. Here are a few pivotable credits that helped shape her work:

Mom, Li, Dad, and Ang. Thanks for listening to her rant, giving feedback, and providing unconditional love.
Liz Jackson and Josh Halstead at the start of her advocacy work in design [SS+K NY for making those connections].
Sugandha Gupta who taught Jess to value her own worth.
Crip Create who taught the practice of access checks, and individual meeting accommodations.
Everyone on Disabled Made Content and Saved Content who Jess has connected with. Aubrie Lee and those who recommend her work. Rebecca Westcott and accessibility folks who share resources and a safe-space for venting.
Kinetic Light a disability arts company who have decided not to use terms such as "branding" or "visual design". This inspired Jessica's own design identity language changes.
Where are the Black Designers? and Aroko Cooperative for having deep and thought-provoking discussions in design.
Kae Tran, Liminal States, Zariah Cameron, Yen Godden, Tiffany Stewart, and Arios Graphics for geeking out over design.
Karli Drew, Intimately Disabled, This Ability, and Crip Camp, for building up disability-confidence.
Garry Tran for catching her good side as a great photographer.

Jessica would like to thank those not mentioned. Family friends and colleagues who give endless support. She's lucky to have such good community in her life.

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A laptop, phone, plant and espresso mug. Desktop with jessica oddi on a dark floral sketch. Phone with jo on a light background. Scene from Free Design Resources.

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