In Nigeria, unseen barriers often exclude people with disabilities from daily life. Discover how Adaptive Atelier is boldly redefining accessibility, starting with beauty.
For those moving through the world with able bodies, the inherent ease of daily interactions often masks a harsh truth: the pervasive inaccessibility that shapes the lives of millions of disabled Nigerians.
Imagine a landscape where the simple act of leaving your home presents an insurmountable challenge, where the very fabric of society seems to actively exclude you. In Nigeria, this isn’t an abstract concept; it’s a daily reality. The widespread lack of sign language interpreters renders vital communication impossible for the deaf community. The absence of wheelchair ramps in public spaces, offices, and even homes turns every step into a monumental hurdle. Braille, a lifeline for the visually impaired, remains largely a foreign concept in public information and education.
This systemic neglect locks countless women out of opportunities, stifles their potential, and denies them their fundamental right to fully participate in life. In a society where personal presentation holds significant cultural weight, this exclusion extends even to something as personal and empowering as fashion and beauty.
This profound inequity is precisely the challenge Toyosi Alexis’ Adaptive Atelier is bravely confronting. At its core, Adaptive Atelier is more than just a consultancy; it’s a movement driven by its Founder & CEO, Toyosi Badejo-Okusanya. A global accessibility expert, Toyosi is fiercely committed to creating truly inclusive solutions for people with disabilities worldwide, while simultaneously guiding brands towards building digital experiences that are as inclusive as they are innovative. Her extensive work with global powerhouses like Estée Lauder, Phonak, Hisense TV, MAC Cosmetics UK, and The Body Shop speaks volumes about her impact. Toyosi’s deeply personal conviction — that people with disabilities deserve to feel seen, heard, and undeniably included — fuels every aspect of her mission.
Having experienced hearing loss herself since childhood and now relying on hearing aids, she intimately understands the frustrations and isolation of an inaccessible world. Her advocacy for disability, beauty, and digital equity has earned her recognition in prestigious outlets like This Day Style and i-D Italy. Furthermore, her evocative series, Sound Through My Lens, offers a vulnerable and powerful glimpse into her journey of embracing her deaf identity and actively dismantling societal misconceptions surrounding disability.
“Beauty in Every Language” is reimagining the beauty industry — with women with disabilities at the centre
Birthed from the heart of Adaptive Atelier, “Beauty in Every Language”, hosted at Ajoje Lagos, is a testament to Toyosi’s deeply personal dream. This aspiration is to create a space where women with disability not only exist within the beauty industry but also thrive at its very heart, never as an afterthought. Her journey as a beauty content creator and the subsequent establishment of Adaptive Atelier exposed a colossal chasm in how the beauty industry engages with disabled consumers.
Compelling recent studies illuminate the two most pressing obstacles for women with disabilities in this arena: the frustrating difficulty in finding the right shade or product variant, and the glaring absence of accessible product descriptions and labelling. “Imagine navigating a website without image descriptions, or stepping into a bustling retail space where something as basic as shade matching becomes an overwhelming, impossible task,” Toyosi laments. “The entire system simply wasn’t built with us in mind.”
Recognising that merely highlighting the problem wasn’t enough, Toyosi envisioned a solution: bringing the very individuals living these experiences directly into the room with the brands that shape the industry. This is the profound significance of Adaptive Atelier’s work. It transcends superficial visibility; it’s about tangible access, genuine presence, and authentic power gained through honest storytelling and meaningful representation. Toyosi’s unwavering plea to businesses and organisations is simple yet revolutionary: to “think accessibility” for people with disabilities at every stage of their creation process.
Beyond initiating crucial dialogues, Adaptive Atelier is actively developing practical tools, such as adaptiveWiz and adaptiveTest, designed to make digital platforms truly functional for users with disabilities and, crucially, to empower these users as consultants in shaping their own accessible experiences. The “Beauty in Every Language” event was a powerful catalyst, successfully bringing together industry leaders from Marie Claire Nigeria, Maybelline NY, Beyond Boundaries, and Rich Girl Paper with advocates and women with disabilities. This direct engagement allowed for vital exchanges, fostering a deeper understanding of needs and laying the groundwork for transforming challenges into actionable, long-term solutions. “This isn’t about performative inclusion,” Toyosi states emphatically. “It’s about enduring impact, authentic influence, and effective execution.” Her ultimate mission is a bold one: to fundamentally shift the narrative around disability in Nigeria, across Africa, and globally. Her message resonates with a profound truth: accessibility isn’t charity, it’s strategy. And beauty should, without exception, be for everyone.
The wonderful women at “Beauty in Every Language”
The vibrant tapestry of “Beauty in Every Language” was woven from the diverse and powerful experiences of the women in the audience, each a testament to resilience, innovation, and an unwavering spirit:
Rhema John-Stephen, a dynamic marketing strategist, channels her communications expertise into championing meaningful causes and driving profound awareness for inclusion, equity, and societal change through her work with Non-Governmental Organizations.
Tsemaye Jemide, a licensed aesthetician and visionary entrepreneur, is on a mission to democratise skincare education, making it accessible and inclusive for all. As the digital strategist and events lead at Beyond Boundaries, she masterfully weaves together wellness, culture, and community impact through creative storytelling and unforgettable experiences. Tsemaye openly shares her journey with acne, underscoring the universal need for inclusive beauty dialogues.
Yetunde Folami, a talented freelance graphic designer who is deaf, leverages the power of visual storytelling to convey ideas and forge connections. She believes her work allows beauty to be truly seen, felt and understood beyond the limitations of words and sound.
Enitan Abimbola, a resilient 28-year-old visually impaired teacher, dedicates her life to empowering visually impaired students, teaching a wide range of subjects and illuminating pathways to knowledge.
Fiyin Koko, a multidisciplinary artist and the Creative Director at Beyond Boundaries, delves into themes of Black womanhood, dreams, advocacy, and emotional storytelling through a diverse array of mediums, including painting, photography, sculpture, and community-centred installations. Fiyin openly navigates life with ADHD and a learning disability, bringing a unique perspective to her creative endeavours.
Simisola Marinho, the Head of E-commerce for L’Oréal Group in Nigeria, is a trailblazer driving digital growth across iconic brands like Garnier, Maybelline, and L’Oréal Professionnel in Africa’s rapidly expanding e-commerce landscape. Her eight-plus years of global experience across FMCG giants and high-growth startups uniquely position her to redefine how beauty is discovered and purchased online.
Zainab Mohammed, the innovative founder of Socialiaise, a STEM-based marketing company, and Socialiaise Studios, a vibrant content, social, and events hub in Lagos, embodies unapologetic self-acceptance. Born with the rare condition PFFD (Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency) and using a prosthetic leg, her personal journey has profoundly shaped her powerful presence in the world.
Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie, a distinguished Nigerian journalist, lawyer, historian, and media pioneer, who proudly identifies as a sickle cell warrior. Her impressive career includes co-hosting “The Dirty Lie,” one of Nigeria’s leading history podcasts, and launching the acclaimed “Untold Stories with Adesuwa,” an interview series featuring prominent national figures. She also serves as a correspondent for ARISE News, covering major global events.
Tiwalola Adebayo (née Ogunlesi), a globally recognised life coach, international speaker, positive psychology specialist, author, and podcast host, is the force behind “Confident and Killing It.” Having personally navigated the struggles of low self-esteem in her teenage years, Tiwa deeply understands how to unlock one’s most confident self. She founded “Confident and Killing It” in 2017 to empower girls and women to overcome the very challenges she once faced.
Denise Eseimokumoh, as the Ag. Managing Editor at Marie Claire Nigeria, stands out as a visionary trans-media creative, editor, and director. Her work seamlessly cuts across traditional and digital media, including print. Denise is a true trailblazer in the art of storytelling, with a particular passion for exploring nuanced narratives around body politics, sexuality, wellness, and spirituality.
These powerful narratives illuminate not just the significant challenges faced by individuals living with disabilities, but the immense strength, unwavering resilience, and profound ingenuity thriving within Nigeria’s disabled community.
Their collective voices, amplified by Adaptive Atelier, resonate as a resounding call to action. They are not merely asking for inclusion; they are demanding a foundational shift towards a future where accessibility is not a charitable afterthought, but the indispensable bedrock of a truly equitable society.
My deeply personal commitment to accessibility
My commitment to fostering diversity and inclusive narratives stems from a deeply personal and transformative experience. In 2022, a challenging recovery from an appendectomy took an unexpected turn: a poor reaction to an epidural left me battling chronic, debilitating pain in my right leg for years.
While the pain thankfully no longer impairs my daily life as profoundly as it once did, that period was an intense awakening. It wasn’t just the physical discomfort; it was the constant, exhausting struggle against a world not designed for those living with invisible limitations. Every step, every routine task, became a stark reminder of how profoundly unoptimised and unsympathetic our environments can be when they don’t anticipate or support individual needs.
This lived experience of navigating a body that felt suddenly alien in an unaccommodating world profoundly shaped my understanding and ignited my dedication. It’s why I’m so passionate about exploring nuanced narratives around body politics — because I intimately know the feeling of being unseen and unsupported by societal norms and structures.
This personal journey cemented my resolve to use my platform to advocate for a world where everyone, regardless of their physical realities or personal journeys, feels truly seen, understood, and fundamentally supported.
A resounding call for an equitable future
Toyosi Alexis’ work with Adaptive Atelier is not merely a service; it’s a profound declaration of intent and a strategic blueprint for the future of accessibility in Nigeria and beyond. Her personal journey with hearing loss, coupled with her professional expertise, positions her uniquely to understand the multi-faceted challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. This isn’t about token gestures; it’s about dismantling systemic barriers and integrating accessibility from the ground up.
The significance of Toyosi’s work cannot be overstated. In a country where disability is often met with stigma, neglect, and profound infrastructural and attitudinal barriers, Adaptive Atelier champions the revolutionary idea that accessibility is a fundamental right and a powerful economic driver. By developing tangible tools like adaptiveWiz and adaptiveTest, Toyosi is not just raising awareness; she is empowering disabled users with agency and transforming brands into active participants in creating an inclusive world. Her strategic focus on positioning individuals with disabilities as consultants in their own experience is a game-changer, ensuring that solutions are genuinely effective and user-centred.
Ultimately, Toyosi’s relentless advocacy challenges the outdated perception of disability as a burden or a charity case. Her mission, to change the narrative around disability in Nigeria, across Africa, and globally, underscores a critical truth: accessibility isn’t charity, it’s strategy. It’s a strategy for innovation, for market expansion, and for building a truly equitable society where the beauty industry, and indeed every industry, genuinely serves and celebrates everyone. Her work is building a legacy of inclusion, ensuring that future generations of Nigerians with disabilities can thrive, contribute, and find their place at the centre of every conversation.
