The start of this new month marks more than just the beginning of summer dance intensives—it also ushers in Disability Pride Month. This important occasion commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the landmark civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability.
Dance Retailer News spoke with four dancers living with disabilities who are reshaping the art of dance through adaptive and inclusive programs. As Ellice Patterson, the founder, artistic director, and executive director of Abilities Dance Boston who identifies as multiply-disabled, says, “Dancewear that is properly fitted for my body and in alignment with skin tone can be equally as empowering as the movement itself.”
Ryann Mason
Company Artist at Infinite Flow Dance
Los Angeles, CA
Tell us about your dance background. I grew up in rural Southern Virginia. As a child, I went to martial arts lessons, and my little sister had dance lessons down the street. Our classes were at the same time, and it was my job to pick her up afterwards. One day, I was doing flips and tumbling in the waiting room, and the dance teacher said, “You’re pretty good at that. We need someone to fill in as the Russian dancer for The Nutcracker—would you mind doing it?” I was instantly hooked and have been dancing ever since.
I went to college and completed most of a dance minor. If there were any dance classes I could take, I took them. But I’ve only been dancing with my wheelchair for about three years, and specifically with Infinite Flow Dance for the last two.
How do you identify in terms of disability? How has that influenced your dance journey? I was born with a genetic connective-tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). EDS affects all of the collagen that my body produces. Collagen makes up your muscles, joint capsules, blood vessels, and musculature, and mine is all too stretched out. Because of that, I have a lot of issues. My joints dislocate really easily, and it literally affects every aspect of my being. It has influenced my dance training tremendously. In college, I broke a lot of bones in my foot and took some time off from dance. I was all set to move to New York and dance professionally when my disability had other ideas and I started to lose mobility. Finding Infinite Flow and getting to dance with other disabled dancers in that space has been really healing and incredible for my dance journey.
What clothing and accessories do you love to dance in? I used to be a total tights-and-leotard little bunhead. Now, I’ve learned that I love halter-cut tops—they show off the strong arms, back, and lat muscles that wheelchair users often develop, and they give me the freedom of movement I need. I also love crop tops, because when I’m seated, longer shirts can get caught in my wheels.
When it comes to pants, I prefer higher-waisted styles, but, otherwise, I just go for something comfortable that fits well in my wheelchair—like leggings.
Do you feel represented in the marketing, mannequins, or images used in dance stores and dancewear brands? I struggle to find representation in dance advertisements. As someone who has pored over Discount Dance Supply catalogs and Dance Spirit magazine for years—I was diagnosed when I was 16—to have never seen disability representation in advertisements has really sucked. Most dance clothing works for my body, but in order to know that I have to try it on. I don’t get to see it on a seated body. That’s what I’d like to see in stores more than anything.
Have you ever faced any barriers when visiting a dancewear store? Growing up in rural Virginia, my main barriers were always physical. Many dance stores have a lot of stairs or items packed really close together. One thing I always preach to venue owners is to expect disabled people to be in your establishment. A few times, in smaller stores, I faced discrimination because I was in a wheelchair. I’ve definitely gotten some funny looks when asking to try on shoes. I’d have to explain myself—yes, I do use my legs to dance, and I like the look of the shoes.
Ellice Patterson
Founder, Artistic Director, and Executive Director of Abilities Dance Boston
Boston, MA
Tell us about your dance background. I’ve been dancing on and off since I was 4. I founded Abilities Dance Boston eight years ago, and it’s been a journey [through the dance world, but my favorite styles to perform are] ballet, modern, and contemporary world.
What are your favorite styles and pieces to wear when you dance? It depends on the New England weather! For ballet classes, I wear more leotards and leggings. For general rehearsals, I tend to wear workout brands like Fenty. Knee pads are great to have, too.
I always wear brown ballet shoes from Teddy Shoes in Boston. This is the only store in my area where I have been able to get them.
Are there any dance items that you struggle to find? I’m on the taller side of average height. I have the smallest curve [at the waist] and I struggle to find the right sizing for leotards. Mondor is the brand that tends to fit me the best. Tights are another hard one. There’s not as many color options. I have been able to get close [to my skin tone] but not quite. I know there are some brands that have started to offer a wider selection of shades, and I need to do my homework on that. But I shouldn’t have to. When I walk into a dance store, I mostly see pink. I tend to have things custom-made for myself and other dancers.
How important is it to you to see dancers with disabilities reflected in product advertising or displays? It is important. It’s also important for retailers to be able to educate folks on things that they might need, like the importance of knee pads. If a dancer is new to this and trying to find things, being that resource creates a strong customer connection.
Joe Powell-Main
Freelance Disabled Dancer and Choreographer
Mid Wales, United Kingdom
Tell us about your background in dance. I am a freelancer and work with various companies as both a dancer and choreographer. In 2021, I became the first wheelchair-using dancer to collaborate with The Royal Ballet. Since then, I have continued to develop my relationship with the company by working on various projects with them as a dancer and choreographer.
In 2025, I officially formed my production company JPM productions. It’s dedicated to creating and developing new accessible dance work both independently and in collaboration with leading companies and organizations.
What are your favorite dancewear items to wear when you dance? I like to wear pieces that are comfortable and allow for ease of movement. I have tried a variety of different dance apparel, and it has taken me a while to find what works for me. I tend to wear athleisure clothing for rehearsals.
Are there any items you have struggled to find? I have struggled to find clothing that isn’t too tight on my left leg, which my disability has affected the most. I need bottoms that allow me to confidently see the shapes I am making and correct them, but also that aren’t so tight on my left leg that they cause swelling in my affected limb.
I wear a splint on my left ankle as my foot rolls onto the outside. I can’t put it flat on the floor when mobilizing with my crutches, or when sitting down in my wheelchair. I like to have a ballet shoe on with my splint, and it has been a struggle to find a shoe that fits with it—and that can withstand my involuntary foot position without me ripping a hole in it!
Have you ever faced barriers when shopping for dancewear? For the most part audiences and people have been extremely welcoming to me as a disabled ballet dancer, but there has been a very small minority who have said I shouldn’t and couldn’t be in the same space as my standing counterparts. That has been a challenge. One time, I went into a dance shop where I was almost laughed at when I said what I did. That did put me off. I am so much stronger now, and I realise it isn’t my issue if I am not accepted as I am. I suppose that has translated into me mainly shopping for my dancewear online.
As a disabled person, there are challenges regarding everyday access. Actually traveling to a dance shop might be challenging if travel isn’t the most accessible or if there are stairs to [the] shop. This is another huge reason why I have just stuck to shopping for my clothes online. It eliminates the difficulties and fear of the unknown.
As a male dancer, the choices for clothes can sometimes be more limited. Adding my disability on top of that is an extra hurdle. However, I am really pleased to see so many dance brands continuing to develop their male line of clothes. Hopefully at some point I could be a voice in making all their lines be more accessible for dancers like me. That’s the dream.
Travis Amman
Company Dancer at Infinite Flow Dance
Los Angeles, CA
When did you start dancing? I started at about age 10 in an all boys hip-hop class. Later, I went to performing arts high school where I discovered jazz and modern dance. About 10 years ago, when I was 26, I had a spinal cord stroke while I was surfing that left me a T-12 paraplegic. After the accident, I kind of swore off dancing. I just thought it wasn’t for me anymore because I don’t have a traditional dancer’s body. Luckily, I found Infinite Flow Dance. They’ve really embraced me and given me the space to explore dance and perform again.
What are your go-to dancewear clothing and accessory items? I think it’s always important to see the lines of the body while dancing. Being a wheelchair dancer, my upper body is the focus of my movement these days. I like a good tank top because I like seeing the arms and a good port de bra. That’s very important.
What do you wish your local dancewear stores stocked? I worked in a dance store for many years. It’s always been hard to find men’s dancewear. There just aren’t as many things to pick from, and when there are, the size discrepancy is an issue. The larger the body, the harder it is to find something to wear. But that’s true for both men and women.
From my experience in the store, I always found it a little frustrating for men or for women with larger feet to find pointe shoes. They just don’t make a range of shoes in large or wide enough sizes. It’s inaccessible for people with larger feet.
Do you feel represented in the marketing, mannequins, or images used by dance stores and dancewear brands? I can’t say I feel representation in marketing and media. I know that they are making strides, but having one person in a wheelchair or one person with some kind of nontraditional dance body isn’t enough. We’ve come a long way, but we can still go a lot further. People of all shapes and sizes and abilities love dance. I think that can be shown more in marketing.
When you see yourself or someone like you in marketing and media, you feel more accepted. It can also be the push you need to get out there.
Libby Basile is a former editor for Dance Retailer News and a specialty-retail storeowner based in Cheshire, CT.