Imagine pouring your heart and soul into art, channelling every ounce of your being into creative expression, only to be unfairly judged and wrongly accused. I am a blind artist who once thrived as a freelancer, showcasing my unique perspective through my art. However, I've faced a heartbreaking wave of false accusations suggesting that AI generated my work.

One experience, in particular, changed everything. I was working on a commission for someone who was initially kind and excited to collaborate with me. Partway through, that changed—he accused me of using AI and sent screenshots, pointing out “errors” in my work as proof. What he didn’t understand, and refused to listen to, is that those so-called errors were a direct result of my blindness.

Friends tried to advocate for me and explain this, but he would not hear it. He chose not to continue the commission. Although he said he didn’t want a refund, I returned the money anyway. He also asked me not to share the artwork publicly, which left me feeling silenced on top of everything else.

That experience didn’t just cost me a commission—it deeply affected my mental health. I became afraid to share my art at all, worried I would be falsely accused again. I withdrew from my art communities and questioned whether it was safe for me to continue creating.

Despite friends advocating for me in other situations, explaining that the so-called “errors” in my work derive from my blindness, the accusations have persisted. I have been banned from various platforms, resulting in harassment and severe emotional distress.

This is not an isolated incident. Disabled artists across various disciplines are frequently misjudged and penalised due to a lack of understanding from both clients and platforms. The ignorance surrounding disabilities and AI capabilities leads to unnecessary discrimination, severely impacting livelihoods and mental health.

Platforms like Bluesky, VGen, and  DeviantArt among others, need to develop robust guidelines and awareness programs specifically designed to protect disabled artists. We should have strict verification processes in place before any baseless claims result in bans or account suspensions. Additionally, educational initiatives must be established within these communities, fostering an environment in which differences in artists’ work are understood more empathetically as unique perspectives—rather than as potential AI-generated errors.

Creating safe online spaces for artists with disabilities is crucial. As consumers and community members, we can use our collective voices to push for substantial reform. Encourage platforms to prioritise inclusivity and better understand the impact of their policies on disabled artists.

Sign this petition to demand change and protect artists with disabilities from unjust treatment and harmful accusations. Let’s work together to ensure their voices and contributions continue to be recognised.

Human Made, Not Misjudged