By: Jessica Fabus Cheng

When Jessica Fabus Cheng was diagnosed with a rare form of thyroid cancer, doctors warned she might lose her voice. As a mom, nurse, and lifelong singer, that was devastating. But instead of going quiet, she chose to get louder, redefining what advocacy sounds like, one post, podcast, and puppy at a time.

Now crowned Mrs. DC International 2025 and the founder of Accessibility in Action, Jessica is living proof that accessibility isn’t just about compliance, it’s about connection. She created the Triple A Framework (Awareness, Allyship, Action) to guide brands toward a new kind of visibility…one that doesn’t leave people behind.

Her message? Accessibility isn’t a favor. It’s your unfair advantage.

Accessibility Isn’t Optional Anymore (And Never Should’ve Been)

There’s a $13 trillion market being left on the table; yes, trillion with a “T.” That’s the global spending power of the disability community and their loved ones. Yet many brands still treat accessibility like a checkbox or a last-minute “oops.”

Jessica’s Turnkey Accessibility course helps creators fix that in five easy steps:

• Add captions
• Write vibrant image descriptions
• Capitalize your hashtags
• Use plain, welcoming language
• Prioritize color contrast in graphics

Sounds simple? It is. And that’s the point.

Jessica breaks it down like she’s talking to a friend over brunch (which she literally does at her “Besties Who Brunch” events). She helps brands realize that accessibility isn’t hard, it’s just ignored. Until now.

From Scrubs to Sash

Before she was a titleholder or a podcast host, Jessica was scrubbing in as an OR nurse and raising awareness for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a cause close to home. When her cousin tripped over an inaccessible sidewalk and became a wheelchair-user prematurely, it shattered her sense of “normal.” 

Fast-forward to today: Jessica lives in Long Island with her husband, their 5-year-old daughter, and a future guide dog in training. Because this pageant queen, puppy trainer, and policy advocate is taking her family along for the ride.

Together, they’re modeling inclusion as a family lifestyle, not a PR stunt. And that’s exactly what makes Jessica different.

The Quiet Power of Small Changes

Jessica’s primary point is this: You don’t need a massive budget or tech overhaul to be more inclusive. You just need to care.

Start by thinking about who’s being left out of your content. Is your podcast accessible to Deaf and hard-of-hearing listeners? Can someone using a screen reader understand your latest post? Do your captions describe what’s happening, or are they just hashtags?

Jessica puts it bluntly: “If someone can’t access your content, they can’t be inspired by it. And they definitely can’t buy from you.”

That’s not shade, it’s strategy.

What Makes Her Different

Jessica isn’t just another DEI speaker. She’s a nurse-turned-advocate who had to relearn how to talk and then chose to use that newly found voice to power change, even at just 80% capacity. She’s trained in both medicine and media. She’s raising guide dogs while raising her daughter, and the bar for brand accountability. And she’s turning quiet courage into full-volume change.

The Future of Branding Is Accessible

This isn’t a trend. This is the new baseline.

The next generation of consumers, particularly Gen Z, wants to know what you stand for before they click “buy.” Making your brand more inclusive doesn’t just make you feel good. It makes you future-proof.

Or as Jessica says: “You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to start caring, out loud.”

Start at www.jessicafabuscheng.com.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and reflects the views and practices of Jessica Fabus Cheng and her advocacy work for accessibility. It does not constitute professional advice or recommendations. The suggestions provided in this article regarding accessibility in branding are intended to help brands improve inclusivity but may not apply universally. Readers are encouraged to consult with accessibility experts, legal professionals, or other relevant specialists for specific guidance related to their individual needs or brand strategies.