Accessibility is a Catalyst for Innovation

Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) is happening on Thursday. There are going to be live, hybrid, and virtual events all over the world. While technology is pretty important, I think it is very important to remember that it is REALLY about people and equity of opportunity.

A group of diverse people sitting around a table.

This year, I’m honored to speak at the University of Denver’s GAAD 2025 event. My session, “The Neurodivergency Super Power: How Diverse Teams Function Better,” explores how accessibility and inclusion fuel stronger, more innovative organizations. Not just by accommodating difference, but by embracing it. They will be live streaming on ZOOM as well as hosting a live event. It is open to the public and there will be food catered in for lunch!

Too often, accessibility gets treated like a list of compliance tasks: alt text, color contrast, keyboard navigation. These are important, but they’re not the whole picture. Real accessibility begins when we challenge the idea of a “normal” user.

As someone who’s neurodivergent, I’ve navigated systems, workplaces, and expectations that were never designed with people like me in mind. But I’ve also seen what’s possible when we flip the script. When we design for difference from the start. That’s when inclusion becomes innovation.

Neurodivergence is often invisible, but its impact is profound. In tech and knowledge work especially, neurodivergent people bring unique approaches to problem-solving, pattern recognition, and creative thinking. But only if they’re supported to show up fully, without masking, and without apology.

Universal Design principles offer a roadmap. Flexible environments. Clear communication norms. Systems that honor different ways of thinking and interacting. These aren’t just “nice to haves”. They’re strategies that make teams smarter and more effective.

On GAAD, think about challenging your own organization. Audit your workflows. Take a look at whether you’ve created a neuroinclusive workplace. And finally, join me for a conversation about Neurodiversity.