By: Mary Sahagun
When Jessica Fabus Cheng lost 80 percent of her vocal function after surviving a rare form of thyroid cancer, she quickly came to realize that the digital world wasn’t designed for everyone. The irony? She was entering a chapter of her life where she had more to say than ever. And while her voice was quieter, it didn’t mean her impact needed to be any smaller.
Today, as Mrs. DC International 2025, a nurse, podcast host, mom, and passionate accessibility advocate, Jessica is raising a question that many brands should consider: Why are we so focused on building fast, flashy digital spaces, yet still leaving millions of people out?
Digital Literacy Isn’t the Full Picture
Over the past decade, there has been a push to celebrate digital fluency. We’ve seen courses on coding, webinars on AI, and job descriptions increasingly filled with words like “agile” and “data-driven.” But here’s something that many brands are missing: just because you can create content doesn’t necessarily mean it’s accessible to everyone.
How a Faulty Sidewalk Opened Her Eyes
Before her own diagnosis, Jessica was already observing how the world was designed, and not always in a way that accounted for all users. Her cousin Tommy, who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, tripped on an uneven sidewalk outside a doctor’s office. That fall forced him to rely on a wheelchair sooner than expected.
That day marked a turning point for Jessica. Suddenly, the issue wasn’t just medical—it was about access. From the built environment to the systems and assumptions people make, it all has an impact. That moment, as difficult as it was, became the catalyst for her mission.
This Isn’t Just About Checklists
When most people think of “accessibility,” they often picture meeting minimum requirements, avoiding lawsuits, or maybe adding subtitles to a training video. While those aspects are part of it, they don’t capture the full essence.
Jessica’s approach is centered on connection. It’s about making sure people feel seen, considered, and welcomed—whether they’re entering a building or navigating your homepage. Her Triple A Framework (Awareness, Allyship, Action) provides a guide for brands to shift away from treating accessibility as an afterthought and start treating it as a fundamental aspect of strategy.
Start Small. Start Real.
The truth is, accessibility doesn’t have to be complex to be meaningful. Simple steps—like adding captions to videos, writing image descriptions for posts, using clear fonts, and avoiding overly complicated language—can make a significant difference.
If you’re thinking, “Well, that sounds simple,” it’s meant to. The point is that accessibility can be intuitive.
These aren’t just valuable practices; they’re acts of hospitality—small gestures in the digital space, much like holding the door open for someone.
She Lives What She Leads
This mission isn’t just a professional focus for Jessica—it’s a deeply personal part of her life. She and her family raise future service dogs through the Guide Dog Foundation. Jessica also hosts All the Best With Jess, a podcast that highlights voices often overlooked—disabled entrepreneurs, chronically ill creators, and advocates whose quiet power makes a lasting impact. Her daughter, Coco, is learning that inclusion isn’t just a one-time conversation—it’s a mindset.
Jessica’s aim isn’t just to make accessibility easier for brands—it’s to make it feel personal. Once you experience exclusion firsthand or witness someone you love facing it, it’s impossible to ignore.
Accessibility Is a Strategy, Not a Slogan
Now, from a business perspective, the global disability community—along with their families and allies—holds significant purchasing power, likely in the trillions. People tend to remain loyal to brands that treat them with respect, and accessibility is a key part of building trust. Trust leads to stronger communities, improved reputations, and, ultimately, growth.
But many brands hesitate, thinking accessibility will be costly or restrictive. Jessica has a question she frequently asks: “Who are you designing for, and who are you leaving out?” Because if you’re focusing only on the majority, you’re missing out on both impact and revenue.
While Jessica’s voice may be softer now, her message remains clear: digital access isn’t just an extra—it’s necessary. It’s time to approach it as such.
“If you’re not building for everyone,” she says, “you’re missing out on the future.”
Join the conversation at https://www.jessicafabuscheng.com/.
