Mandy Harvey deaf singer using her voice for disability inclusion




Parenting Special Needs Podcast show

Summary: <br> [Click to Listen to Podcast]<br>  <br> Mandy lost her hearing but found her voice and is using it to change the world to advance disability inclusion and accessibility.<br> Do you recognize the name, Mandy Harvey? Some of you may recognize her name. She was a singing contestant on America’s Got Talent in 2017 and received a golden buzzer from none other than Simon Cowell.<br>  <br> Mandy Harvey’s six music videos from her anticipated album, PAPERCUTS, share messages of positivity and disability inclusion — and raise awareness of the talented pool of people with disabilities who are ready, willing, and able to work.<br> <br> Mandys featured song “Masterpiece” emphasizes positivity about overcoming challenges beyond a person’s control. American Sign Language (ASL) music videos have also been released for every song on the album to support making music more accessible.<br>  <br> Voya is sponsoring the production of five additional music videos to be released between now and mid-April, with one new video released every two weeks.<br> <br>  <br> The music videos reflect the shared commitment of Harvey and Voya to advance inclusion – with an emphasis on people with disabilities. They align with Voya’s focus on serving people with disabilities, special needs, and caregivers through its Voya Cares® program. Harvey, who lost her hearing when she was 18 years old due to a connective tissue disorder, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, is an advocate for the deaf community.<br>  <br> “We are proud to help share Mandy’s positive messaging with the world by making her inspirational music more widely available and accessible,” said Rodney O. Martin, Jr., chairman, and CEO, Voya Financial, Inc.<br>  <br> I’m excited to team up with Voya once again to support inclusion and accessibility – for everyone,” said Harvey. “I hope that my music and videos can inspire others to celebrate the things that make them unique, not to give up, and to show a different side of what a disability looks like. For example, I’m a musician, and I happen to be proudly deaf.”<br>  <br> #uplifiting #inspiring