2024 Year End Wrap Up

What’s the old saying? “The days are long but the years are short.” That was never more true at 6 Wheels Consulting than it was this year.

Like many businesses, we experienced ups and downs during 2024. Economic uncertainty, election year politics, and personal pocketbook issues affected of our core constituencies, which in turn impacted our business model. But, we persevered. Our mission and the work that binds us to our common cause is too important to abandon. To the point, here are some highlights from 2024.

January:

• We exhibited at Friendship Circle of Virginia's first community-wide Disability Expo, presented by Markel, in partnership with the Weinstein JCC.

• We worked diligently on disability and inclusion advocacy work on behalf of our clients at Virginia's General Assembly session.

• It seems like small thing but updating and organizing our Linktree site so our clients, collaborators and followers can succinctly find great disability information was an effort we viewed as essential. Now there is have a central hub to make following us even easier! Websites, social media, blogs, videos, podcasts, and articles of interest. Click and subscribe!

February:

• We highlighted Tablespoons Bakery here in Richmond, a super organization that celebrates the potential of young adults with developmental disabilities. Great food with an even greater purpose!

• The Virginia House of Delegates approved a measure that mandates school divisions update emergency plans to include students with mobility impairments. Read or listen to the article.
  Additional Resources:
  • The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

  • Job Accommodation Network (JAN)

  • World Health Organization (WHO) - Disability and Rehabilitation

March:

• 6 Wheels celebrated Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month with a series of posts and articles highlighting challenges, advances and opportunities in the Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Disabilities Communities.

April:

• 6 Wheels will participated in a panel discussion as part of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association 2024 Adult and Junior Division Wheelchair Basketball National Tournaments at the Henrico Sports & Events Center in Henrico, Virginia.

• We also celebrated and drew awareness to Autism as we helped kick off World Autism Awareness Month.

• We released a series of Tik Tok videos that stretched in to May that garnered great responses for the disability community at large.

• On a personal note, my team participated in a soccer tournament in Atlanta where I received a nice pass and scored seconds thereafter. We upped our game and I reached my goal! 😀

May:

• I answered questions during an interactive Q&A with Visit Tampa Bay staffers. It was a great opportunity for those who welcome tourists to their area to be even more welcoming!

• We participated in Friendship Circle of Virginia's 3rd Annual Inclusion Day at the Diamond, highlighting disability inclusion and mental health.

• I attended a training to receive credits and to get re-certified as an ADA Coordinator. This ensures I'm at my best and in compliance when advising clients and partners.

• We celebrated Mental Health Awareness Month with a series of posts.

• I met with Richmond International Airport (RIC) to discuss making their already great facility even more welcoming to people with disabilities!

June:

• I became an Advisory Board member for TruFit Adaptive Fitness, who works to further the mission of providing affordable and effective adaptive health and wellness solutions!

• I was video interviewed by Social Hire's Tony Restell in which we talked about making your business more inclusive.

July:

• We celebrated Disability Pride Month, in which we recognized the importance of people with disabilities as diverse and who experience unique ways of living in our society!

• 6Wheels was featured in an animated video in the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services' (DARS) newsletter. Check it out!

August:

• We attended the Autism Society Central Virginia RVA Duck Race. What fun!

September:

• We presented at Part 1 of humanidei's two-part series, Unlocking Talent: Transforming Credit Union Hiring Through Inclusivity.

• I traveled to Pocahontas State Park to speak about Foundations of Accessibility for Parks and Recreation Professionals, sponsored by the National Center on Accessibility Program and the Indiana Institute for Disability and Community.

October:

• October was all NDEAM all the time. In daily posts we illuminated National Disability Employment Awareness Month with articles and information as we celebrated the value and talent workers with disabilities add to America’s workplaces and economy. In 2025, we will be partnering with like-minded organizations to present original content who share relevant voices in the disability community.

November:

• We attended two events sponsored by the Peaces of Me Foundation, in which we enjoyed enlightening discussions regarding how organizations of all stripes can level-up their inclusion efforts.

December:

• We attended a Peaces of Me Foundation Sneak Peak event, in which they recapped 2024 successes, announced new 2025 projects, and shared how you can be part of the movement that makes inclusion of people with disabilities ubiquitous.

• We recently closed out 2024 when I participated in Friendship Circle of Virginia's Disability & Adaptive Fashion Show. Here's a WTVR CBS 6 News article on the full rundown:

And, EXHALE! Phew. Big year!

With a hopeful yet clear-eyed look toward 2025, we plan on solid year of growth and opportunity as we continue to bridge the gap between the perception of disability and the reality of how much more bountiful the world can be as we work with those in both the private and public sectors to assist them in expanding their understanding of disabilities and inclusion.

All the best to you and yours during this festive holiday season.