To commemorate the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the City of Los Angeles Department on Disability invited artists with disabilities to submit original visual works that reflect the spirit of “Equity through Access.”
We received many powerful submissions and extend our deepest thanks to every artist who took the time to share their creativity, voice, and vision with us. It was a challenge to narrow down the selections, and we truly value the interest, effort, and artistry of all who participated.
This juried showcase highlights two selected pieces by Diana Simon and Malia Goldman. Their work speaks to the power of inclusion, creativity, and lived experience in the disability community. The online exhibition provides a platform for these artists to share their stories and celebrate disability pride through art.
In addition to this digital gallery, both pieces, along with four additional featured selections, are on display at the Department on Disability’s office throughout the month of July. Community members are welcome to view the showcase in person, Monday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
This project was made possible through the support and guidance of the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
Diana Simon
Fair Play, 2025
Drawing on watercolor color paper with watercolor background, 12” X 9”
A chaotic watercolor background in shades of turquoise, cobalt blue, and flecks of peach highlights a black line drawing of six children going to play. The first child, ostensibly a boy with curly hair, pants, and a short-sleeved shirt, carries an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device that says “LET’S PLAY.” He leads a child with dark glasses, a white cane, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and no discernible gender by the hand.
Behind them, a feminine-presenting child with a bow in her hair, wearing a long-sleeved shirt and pants with her hands in the air, is pushed in a stylized wheelchair. The child pushing her wears flip-flops, culottes, a tank top, and has curly hair in pigtails. Behind them is a masculine-presenting child with short hair, a short-sleeved shirt, shorts, sneakers, and noise-canceling ear defenders.
At the end of the group is a small feminine child with straight hair in low pigtails, a skirt, a short-sleeved shirt, and dress shoes. None of the children have facial expressions, but their body language expresses joy and forward motion to the viewer.
Diana Simon – Artist Biography
Diana Simon is a wife, mother, psychologist, and artist living in Burbank, California. She has a deep-rooted connection to the disability community as an advocate, service provider, and disabled individual herself.
Her professional experience includes working for California Regional Centers as a service provider; for California school districts as an educational psychologist, paraeducator, and behaviorist; and for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) as an in-home service provider. Her artwork centers on advocacy for underrepresented communities, particularly the Autistic, Black, and LGBTQ+ communities.
For the past three years, Diana has volunteered on her children’s school Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee. She currently serves on the school Site Committee and as Vice President of DEI. Her work focuses on raising awareness and promoting equitable treatment and access for disabled members of the school community.
She has donated to, volunteered for, and participated in multiple art shows benefiting the disability community, including The Perception Project’s “Shifting Perspectives on Trauma,” the Art Abilities Exhibition, the Art of Possibilities Exhibition, and the Embracing Our Differences exhibition. Diana also provided the headlining artwork for Through the Cracks, a group exhibition highlighting feminine perspectives on neurodiversity and disability.
To find out more about Diana’s work, follow her on Instagram @artforair!
Malia Goldman
VIP, 2021
Photograph of sculpture, 18” X 24”
A grayscale photograph shows a young woman sitting on the grass with her head bowed, nearly hidden beneath an oversized sculpture of a California Disability Parking Placard worn around her neck. The placard rests heavily on her shoulders like a burden, draping across her torso and legs. The large icon of the International Symbol of Access is clearly visible, along with readable text such as “California ID,” “2021,” and “Placard.” Her face is mostly obscured by her hair and the structure itself. She wears dark boots and a checked dress with puffed sleeves. The mood of the image is somber and reflective, with shadows from nearby trees casting dappled light across the scene.
Malia Goldman – Artist Biography
Malia Goldman is a freelance illustrator based in Los Angeles with a diverse background in the entertainment industry. Her specialties include fine art, illustration, production design, graphics, and color.
Her work has been exhibited nationally, including on the stage of Carnegie Hall and in touring gallery shows. She has collaborated with major clients such as Amazon, Lionsgate, Xbox, Apple, Virgin Galactic, Universal, Warner Brothers, and FX.
Malia studied at the Rhode Island School of Design, where she focused on entertainment design and scientific illustration. Her education enables her to synthesize analog and digital media, working across a wide range of mediums and incorporating biological imaging into her work.
Her recent fine art practice explores the experience of living with chronic illness and incorporates medical imagery. As a disabled artist, Malia is a proud advocate for building a more accessible creative community.
To find out more about Malia’s work, visit her website at maliagoldman.com and follow her on Instagram @maliawrigley!
Featured Selections
Growth in ASL (2024), Diana Lopez
Equity through Access: People Who Help Me (2025), Caleb Kim
Untitled (2025), Gary Kolster
Equity Bridges for Everybody (2025), Maria del Carmen Cordova Viscarra