How does a teenage lacrosse player become a passionate advocate for inclusivity, accessibility, and helping people with disabilities? For Chappaqua’s Zac Klein, it was a chance encounter with a seeing-eye dog helping its owner navigate the streets. Zac, 13 at the time, was curious. His research led him to Guiding Eyes for the Blind, and he wanted to help. Although too young for the organization’s official volunteer roles, Zac organized toy drives and fundraisers in his community.
“It was a natural next step from helping people who are visually impaired to serving the broader community of people with disabilities,” said Zac, now 17 and a Horace Greeley High School junior. He balances a busy schedule, including playing varsity and club lacrosse, and participating in clubs like SHARE (Students Have a Responsibility Everywhere), a student-run, volunteer community service group. Through SHARE, Zac has taught English to immigrant children and lacrosse skills to a Bronx team.
But what truly sparked Zac’s passion was The Runway of Dreams Foundation. For the past decade, the organization has raised awareness of the challenges people with disabilities face in wearing conventional clothing and convinced the fashion industry to create adaptive clothing with features such as easy zippers, Velcro, magnets and adjustable sleeves.
The foundation arose from New Jersey resident Mindy Scheier’s desire to help her son fit in with his friends. Like any other eight-year-old, he wanted to wear jeans to school, but they wouldn’t accommodate the leg braces he wore due to a rare form of muscular dystrophy. A professional fashion designer, Mindy adapted a pair of jeans for him. Inspired by her son’s newfound confidence, she researched ways to increase access to adaptive fashion.
Since its 2014 launch, Runway of Dreams supports initiatives to broaden the reach of mainstream adaptive clothing and promote people with disabilities in the fashion industry. It raises consumer awareness and inspires change in the industry through educational programs, campaigns for inclusion, and large-scale runway shows featuring models with various disabilities wearing adaptive clothing. Thanks to the Foundation’s work, Tommy Hilfiger pioneered adaptive clothing lines for kids, with many brands following suit, developing fashion for the disabled population.
Zac learned about Runway of Dreams from his sister, who had volunteered through her college club. To learn more, he attended the organization’s signature event – its 2023 fashion show at New York City’s Fashion Week. The experience inspired Zac. “Seeing the models’ faces light up with joy was so inspiring,” he said. “I just wanted to help. The more I learned, the more it made sense to get involved.”
Runway of Dreams had a presence on college campuses for years, with students fundraising and hosting runway events. Involving high school students in this effort was still a nascent idea, and Zac’s call to inquire about volunteering was well timed.
He began by sharing Runway of Dreams posts on his social media. “I think everyone should care, and I wanted to spread the word,” Zac explained. “Inclusion isn’t just a word. It’s about giving everyone respect and the opportunities they deserve.”
The highlight of Zac’s involvement was volunteering at the September 2024 Runway of Dreams fashion show, “Fashion Revolution,” its 10th anniversary event. Presented by Victoria’s Secret & Co., the show featured fashion designs by leading designers on more than 60 models, representing a diverse range of ages, disabilities and backgrounds.
The models are selected through a nationwide application process. Volunteers are partnered with each model to provide support throughout the long, sometimes overwhelming day, and ensure that they have a successful experience, according to Elisa Schwartz, a Runway of Dreams project manager who works with the models and trains the volunteers. “This role is not for everyone,” she said. “It requires maturity and endurance. Volunteers like Zac make all the difference, especially for young children.”
Zac was paired with eight-year-old Josiah Clark. Zac was at Josiah’s side throughout the day, playing games, taking him to the sensory room for a break from the commotion, and giving his mom some down time. “I developed a very special bond with Josiah,” Zac said. “We made up our own secret handshake and super jump, and we did both on the runway. The crowd went crazy, and Josiah’s face lit up with joy. It was amazing.”
Looking ahead, Zac hopes to plan an adaptive fashion show at Greeley’s annual Unity Day.
The aspiring business major has also launched an online marketplace selling mobility aids, home essentials, and personal care items to improve the daily lives of people with disabilities. Profits from the marketplace will go to Runway of Dreams. “I got involved because I enjoy making a difference in my community, and Runway of Dreams is literally changing lives,” Zac said.
