We had the opportunity to interview Halima, a fellow from the Spring 2025 Dinah F.B. Cohen Fellowship. Halima recently took over PYD’s Instagram for a day to answer questions about her fellowship, which involved researching adaptive fashion. We asked her some more questions about her experience.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself. 

A: I am a recent graduate from Kent State University with a degree in Marketing and a minor in Graphic Design. I first got my start in the disability space through my work with CAPE Youth, where I helped elevate youth voices and gained a deeper understanding of accessibility and inclusion. That experience sparked a passion that I carried into later roles—like serving as a Fashion Fellow through the Dinah FB Cohen Fellowship, where I researched adaptive fashion and pitched inclusive brand partnerships. I’ve also built skills in digital marketing and design through internships with Matthews Digital and Miss Wheelchair USA. I’m passionate about combining creativity with purpose, using bold design and strategic thinking to help brands connect with diverse audiences in meaningful ways. 

Q: What was your role in the fellowship and what tasks were you were given? 

A: I pulled together my findings into presentations and ultimately pitched three top brand recommendations for potential in-store partnerships. I also worked closely with my supervisor during weekly check-ins, collaborated with other fellows, and helped brainstorm new ways to improve accessibility and inclusivity in the fashion space. 

Q: What were some things you learned about adaptive fashion through this fellowship? 

A: This fellowship really opened my eyes to how important adaptive fashion is, and how much room there still is for growth. I learned that accessibility goes beyond just function; people want clothing that’s both easy to wear and stylish. I also saw the impact of involving people with disabilities in the design process, which helps ensure the clothing truly meets their needs. It was a great reminder that fashion should be inclusive by design, not as an afterthought. 

Q: Is there anything you would like other fashion companies to know, in terms of adaptive clothing? 

A: I’d love for more fashion companies to see adaptive clothing as an essential part of their main collections, not just a specialty line. There’s a huge opportunity to create pieces that are not only functional but also fashionable and empowering. It’s also important to involve the disabled community throughout the process, from design to marketing. True inclusion means making sure everyone feels seen, heard, and stylish. 

Thank you, Halima for taking the time to answer our questions about your fellowship!