The typewriter. Cruise control. Curb cuts in sidewalks. Alexa. The most brilliant solutions often come from embracing our differences, not erasing them. Disability-driven innovation isn’t just about social responsibility; it’s a catalyst for growth, market expansion, and sustainable profit.
The $13 trillion disability market is one of the most overlooked opportunities in the global economy. I work every day to change that — not by arguing inclusion is the right thing to do, but by proving it’s a sound business strategy that drives brand, reputational, and bottom-line growth.
My work includes:
• Co-Founder, Value Inclusion — bringing together actionable, C-suite strategy, evidence-based research, and first-hand experience to drive competitive, integrated employment of persons across the disability spectrum
• Fellow, The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement
• Author of numerous research papers making the social, investor, and economic case for disability inclusion
• Direct investor in disability-led entrepreneurship
The Solutions Lab
The Solutions Lab is where this work gets practical: a microloan fund built for entrepreneurs facing barriers to self-employment and long-term financial independence.
It’s a new model for advancing small businesses owned by people with disabilities, built around two resources rarely available to this population together — social capital (mentoring, networking, hands-on problem-solving, and capital-readiness support) and financial capital (1–2% interest loans of roughly $5,000–$25,000, potentially up to $50,000, on favorable repayment terms).
Conventional capital often overlooks these founders. The Solutions Lab closes that gap with fast, accessible funding paired with hands-on support, so a small loan can become the foundation of a real business.
Case Studies in Disability-Driven Innovation
My book, Case Studies in Disability-Driven Innovation — an Amazon #1 Best Seller — draws on real examples of entrepreneurs and companies that have turned disability inclusion into competitive advantage. Read more and get the book on Value Inclusion’s site.
Investors can be effective champions for competitive, integrated employment for persons with disabilities across the private sector by equipping themselves with relevant and impactful information and data. Photo Credit: Mark Lennihan/AP
In March 2021 Senator Harkin and I wrote a Bloomberg op-ed arguing NASDAQ's proposal to increase board diversity was flawed as it did not consider the value persons with disabilities brings to boards of directors.
My letter to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) provides a number of concrete recommendations for how the SEC can help investors and policymakers better understand how disability inclusion to drives both shareholder and stakeholder value.
