Disability-Driven Innovation: The True Future of Work

Disability as a driver of innovation is an underexplored topic. However, it is taking on increased relevance following the COVID-19 pandemic and as we continue to adjust to digital-first communications and hybrid models at work. Several outstanding disability activists and entrepreneurs have written or spoken about disability as a driver of innovation recently, including Haben Girma, Eddie Ndopu, and Diego Mariscal. That said, the need is great for more learning on this critical topic. This chapter aims to compile a wider range of examples of inventions and technologies made possible by the disability community, highlight diverse perspectives from the disability community, and draw recommendations from expert practitioners on the “how” of benefiting from disability-led innovation. Further, this chapter seeks to place disability as a driver of innovation as a trend in the global economy and the future of work. In addition to a literature review and case studies, this chapter includes primary research from either interviews or a survey.