The new makeover show ‘Fashion Dis’ is empowering people with disabilities to find the look they have always wanted and embrace their bodies.

During the six episodes, a team of beauty experts collaborates with a person who has a disability to solve the style challenges they often face in the fashion industry. Each show ends with a photoshoot to praise their transformation.

“It’s bringing awareness to these awesome brands that are doing so much in the adaptive clothing and design space,” said Ardra Shephard, host of the series and multiple sclerosis (MS) advocate.

“It’s also celebrating and giving a platform to people with disabilities who haven’t traditionally been seen in the fashion and beauty industries.”

Shephard, who also has an award-winning blog, was inspired to create this TV series after developing MS in her early 20s. As her condition worsened to the point of needing a walker, she noticed a lack of inclusion for people like her in the field of fashion.

“There are a lot of considerations that we don’t think about when it comes to getting dressed that people with disabilities might face,” Shephard said.

For example, she said clothes will fit differently for someone in a wheelchair. For a person with a prosthetic leg, there are unique pant and footwear considerations. If someone has dexterity issues, garments with buttons may be a problem as well.

The show also shines a light on businesses that are creating adaptive clothing and beauty products. One of the companies is Cheekbone Beauty, an Indigenous-owned brand known for creating clean, vegan and sustainable colour cosmetics.

“There are so many creative brands that are offering innovation,” Shephard said.

“It’s so exciting as a disabled person to see things that are specifically designed and created for this community that feel luxurious, high-end and special. We’re being thought of with intention and that’s nice.”

Fashion Dis airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on AMI-tv. The series can also be streamed on AMI.ca and the AMI-tv app.