In honour of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) we are highlighting ten Disabled founded businesses from various different industries. Being an Entrepreneur takes determination, resilience, leadership, time management, adaptability and problem-solving skills, among other crucial attributes. These traits often come naturally to disabled people making many ideal candidates for the (oftentimes gruelling) entrepreneurship journey.
Purchasing from Disabled-led companies is a tangible way to support these founders, foster inclusivity, promote accessibility, and address the funding gap that often hinders the growth of these ventures. By consciously choosing to buy from these businesses, we contribute to building a more equitable and diverse economy while empowering disabled entrepreneurs. As we celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day, let’s remember the importance of supporting and uplifting disabled founded businesses, not just today, but every day, to create a world that embraces accessibility and empowers all individuals to reach their fullest potential.
In honour of GAAD (Global Accessibility Awareness Day) we are highlighting ten Disabled founded ... [+]
Disclo
Disclo was co-founded by Hannah Olson and Kai Keane, distinguished leaders in the disability space who have made significant contributions through their work with Chronically Capable, one of the largest and most-utilized disability recruiting platforms. With a deep understanding of the needs of HR managers and employees, gained from their collaborations with industry giants like Levi Strauss & Co, Dentsu International, Lululemon, and others, Hannah and Kai embarked on their latest venture, Disclo. Their shared vision is to revolutionize the disclosure process for individuals with disabilities, making it accessible, safe, and even enjoyable.
Guide Beauty
GUIDE Beauty, led by Founder Terri Bryant and Chief Creative Officer Selma Blair, is revolutionizing the beauty industry with their award-winning, thoughtfully designed, and visually stunning products that bring joy to a diverse range of makeup users. Their mission, encapsulated in the hashtag #ConfidenceByDesign, caters to beginners seeking to learn new techniques, individuals facing movement or strength challenges, as well as professional makeup artists on set. Terri Bryant, a former celebrity makeup artist and beauty educator, experienced a loss of dexterity in her hand during the peak of her career, which ultimately led to a Parkinson's diagnosis. Motivated by her extensive knowledge and lifelong passion for makeup, Terri embarked on a mission to create a more accessible and user-friendly approach. Joined by Chief Creative Officer Selma Blair, who openly shared her diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis in 2018, GUIDE Beauty is transforming the beauty industry and fostering a culture of inclusivity through Universal Design.
Ryan Mayer Coaching
Ryan Mayer Coaching is an Accountability and Mindset Coaching company that specializes in supporting adult men and women with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Founded by Ryan Mayer, a proud alumnus of St. Edward High School, University of Dayton (undergrad), and Cleveland State University (Masters of Business Administration), the company is based in Ryan's hometown of Cleveland, Ohio (USA).
Diversabilty
Tiffany Yu became disabled as a result of a car accident that also took the life of her father. Twelve years later in 2009, Tiffany started Diversability as a student club at Georgetown University. We are disability-owned, Asian American-owned, and woman-owned. Watch Tiffany's TEDx talk, "The Power of Exclusion," to learn more about why she started Diversability. Diversability is a community of people with disabilities and their ally’s, on a mission to elevate disability pride, together.
LaVant Consultant
Founded by Andraéa LaVant, LaVant Consulting, Inc. provides accessible and inclusive content marketing, strategic advising, and training for industry leaders committed to increasing authentic disability representation and fostering meaningful cultures of belonging. Comprised of a majority disabled, people of color-led team, their intersectional lived experiences, non-judgemental approach, and unique ability to keep up with the fast pace of innovative industries demonstrate the LCI difference.
UnHidden
Unhidden is an award-winning adaptive fashion brand for people with and without disabilities. Founded by Victoria Jenkins, a garment technologist and industry veteran, the brand is known for its stylish and inclusive designs. As the first adaptive brand to join the British Fashion Council, Unhidden has made significant strides in promoting inclusivity. It aims to create equity for the disabled and chronically ill community through representation and self-expression in fashion. With multiple collaborations and international fashion show appearances, Unhidden is at the forefront of advancing universal and adaptive design. Victoria Jenkins, a passionate advocate, continues to raise awareness through her writing, speaking engagements, and advocacy work.
Chronicon
Nitika Chopra, a life coach and chronic-illness advocate, is the founder of Chronicon, an empowering platform for individuals living with chronic conditions. With personal experience battling plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, Chopra understands the challenges and frustrations faced by those with chronic illnesses. Dissatisfied with existing support groups, she took it upon herself to create a community that fosters understanding and provides a positive space for individuals like herself. Chronicon's mission is to raise awareness and visibility for the 133+ million Americans living with chronic illnesses. Through live experiences, content, and partnerships, Chronicon offers a safe and supportive environment
AccessNow
Maayan Ziv, an activist living with Muscular Dystrophy, is driven by her excitement to create a more accessible world. As a recipient of the Public Policy Forum Award, she is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of access for all. At AccessNow, their mission is to be the go-to resource for accessibility information. They have developed a connected platform that empowers individuals to discover a world of accessible opportunities, make informed decisions, and break down barriers. Through their ongoing efforts to map and assess the accessibility of various places, they invite you to join their worldwide community. Every review added to their platform serves as an act of advocacy and provides valuable insights into the accessibility of different locations.
C Talent
C Talent is transforming the entertainment, advertising, and media industries by representing high-profile Disabled talent and changing the way the world views disability. With a roster of artists who reach over 50 million people, C Talent has placed talent in thousands of projects for major brands like Savage X Fenty, HBO, Disney, and Google Pixel. The recent acquisition by Whalar is a significant investment in Disabled talent and a major milestone for the creator industry.
Bump’n
Bump'n, founded by Disability Consultant and Activist Andrew Gurza and Innovation Strategist Heather Morrison, was born out of a startling realization: a significant number of people worldwide are unable to masturbate due to hand limitations, including pain, immobility, lack of dexterity, and weakness. Extensive research revealed that over 50% of physically disabled individuals surveyed struggle to experience sexual pleasure independently. Surprisingly, despite a resounding 90% expressing their desire for a solution, no products have been designed to address this need. This leaves individuals in a difficult position, relying on others for assistance, paying for professional help, or foregoing sexual satisfaction altogether—an unacceptable predicament. To address this unmet need, Bump'n has assembled an exceptional team of sexual health experts, design professionals, occupational therapists, and most importantly, members of the disabled community.
