Tech for Disability: Inclusive Innovation
An inspiring evening at Level39 brought together innovators, entrepreneurs, and advocates to showcase how disability-led technology is driving innovation and creating more inclusive solutions. The event featured three key presentations highlighting different aspects of disability tech innovation:
Disability-Led Innovation
Marc Goblot from Tech for Disability introduced their new resource hub, designed to bridge the gap between disabled innovators and the tech industry. The hub aims to support neurodivergent and disabled entrepreneurs while promoting universal design principles and ethical tech development.
Innovative Assistive Technology
Hadeel Ayoub demonstrated the groundbreaking BrightSign glove, which translates hand gestures into speech in multiple languages. The technology allows users to create personalized signs and can be customized for various needs, from children with autism to hospital patients requiring temporary communication support.
Entrepreneurship and Accessibility
Matthew Bellringer from BCS Neurodivergent IT presented compelling statistics about disabled entrepreneurship, noting that 25% of UK entrepreneurs are disabled and contribute 8.6% of UK business turnover. He also highlighted how disability drives innovation, citing examples like audiobooks and predictive text, which began as assistive technologies before becoming mainstream solutions.
The event emphasized the need for:
- More accessible funding opportunities for disabled entrepreneurs
- Better support systems and inclusive business practices
- Recognition of disability-led innovation's broader societal benefits
- Universal design principles in technology development
This hybrid event demonstrated inclusive practices by offering both in-person and online participation options with live captioning and transcription services.
