Today we’d like to introduce you to Karneshia Shantel
Hi Karneshia , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey started in a small town in Mississippi called Senatobia. I was born with Spina Bifida which is a congenital birth defect that affects my spinal cord. Living life in a small town being the only one for a while with my disability presented its own challenges through my childhood but I was nothing that I couldn’t handle. My parents equipped me with the tools I needed to get through life and succeed. I finished grade school there and went on to The University of Mississippi where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition Science. I left there thinking I would go on to nursing school and get my BSN but life had other plans. I did go on to nursing school in Birmingham, AL but I didn’t stay there long. It wasn’t what I thought it would be due to some lack of accommodations and understanding of my disability. I quickly had to find a way for myself and figure out who I was and what I wanted to do with my life. I discovered that I had a passion for my community and wanting to see us progress in the world. First, I had to make a name for myself. I got into modeling in 2015. I learned that I really like entertainment, beauty, and fashion. As I started to get deeper into these worlds, I noticed how inaccessible they were because they weren’t used to seeing people with disabilities. I had to make a difference so I got into disability advocacy work. Today, that work has turned into my new business venture, Access4Accessibility.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road. As a person with a disability, we tend to run into the same type of struggles, people generally not believing in us because they think disability equals inadequacy. It’s extremely hard getting the world to see your vision when people have preconceived notions about us. A lot of times I’ve had to make my own way, working 3 times as hard to show that I know what I’m doing. Our voices need to be heard and amplified.
As you know, we’re big fans of Access4Accessibility. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I am known for my disability advocacy work, my modeling photos and publications, and my entrepreneurship. Access4Accessibility was created to access the needs of entertainment spaces. Often times, people with disabilities do not attend certain events because we already know it will not be accessible. The bare minimum, such as parking spaces and tickets that claim to be accessible just does not cut it anymore. The issue is, they don’t expect people with disabilities to show up to said event so when you ask accessibility related questions upon arrival the answer is often, “I don’t know.” We are here to bridge that gap. I believe what sets me apart is my professionalism and willingness to learn more. My brand is unique in the aspect that we make the call to action that we be included in the planning process involving disability needs. No matter the event or space, our services can improve the overall experience.
How do you think about happiness?
Making a difference in others lives makes me happy. Especially people from the disability community. I enjoy living my life out loud, showing a brighter side of disability through my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Access4Accessibility.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k.shantelofficial?igsh=dHVyOGg2NHBydWd2&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kp.shantel
- Other: I’m on Threads as @k.shantelofficial. Install the app to follow my threads and replies. https://www.threads.net/@k.shantelofficial?xmt=AQGz_qhcF-D8hfJ44Xc1oPfE8AHdYpkp-a3YgWZ5Klhprj0
Image Credits
Harper Nichols
Tenola Plaxico
Niclasse Francois
Lex Soul
Tony Haute