Did you know some of the things we rely on today were originally invented to solve an accessibility challenge?
You may be surprised to learn that most remarkable inventions commonly used today started as solution to fix an accessibility barrier faced by people with disability. From the way athletes communicate on the field to the technology that makes driving safer, these ideas didn’t just meet a need, they transformed life for everyone.
When inclusion drives innovation, the results are extraordinary. Simple ideas born from necessity have become universal tools that shape how we live, work, and connect today.
Below are just few remarkable examples of how the disability community has shaped the world through innovation:
Team huddle: From necessity to tradition
In 1894, Paul Hubbard, a deaf quarterback at Gallaudet University, faced a unique challenge. His team used American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate plays, but that meant opponents could easily read their strategy. Hubbard’s solution was simple yet revolutionary. He gathered his teammates into a tight circle to keep their signs private. This innovation not only protected their communication but also fostered a sense of unity among players. What started as a practical fix for one team soon became a standard practice adopted across football and other sports.
That quick adjustment didn’t just solve a problem; it changed the game forever. Today, the huddle is a universal part of several sporting competitions, and it all started because a Deaf athlete saw a need and innovated.
Cruise control: Driving made safer
Thank Ralph Teetor, a blind engineer, for your safe and smooth journey.
At the age of five, an accident in his family shop left Ralph blind in one eye. By six, a condition called sympathetic ophthalmia had taken his sight completely. This turning point shaped his inventive career and lifelong contributions. Teetor became a skilled mechanical engineer and even served as president of the Perfect Circle Corporation, a leading piston ring manufacturer, from 1946 to 1957. His determination to overcome obstacles made him a respected innovator in the automotive industry.
Frustrated by the jerky accelerator foot of his friend and frequent chauffeur, Ralph conceived the idea of cruise control and patented it in 1950. Today, this feature makes driving safer and more comfortable for millions worldwide.
Audiobooks: Opening doors to stories
In the early 1930s, the American Foundation for the Blind pioneered audiobooks to make literature accessible for people who were blind or had low vision. The first recordings were produced on vinyl records and featured popular books read aloud by professional narrators. This breakthrough opened doors for education and entertainment, giving thousands of Blind individuals access to stories and knowledge for the first time.
What started as a tool for inclusion has grown into a global industry. Platforms like Audible and Google Play Books serve millions of listeners, proving that accessibility drives innovation for everyone.
Braille: The code that opened the world of reading
In 1824, 15-year-old Louis Braille, blinded at age three, refused to accept the limits of his time. He invented a tactile reading and writing system using raised dots, which gave people with blindness and low vision access to literacy for the first time.
His system was inspired by a military code called “night writing,” but Braille simplified and perfected it to make reading practical and efficient. Over time, his invention supported education and empowerment for millions worldwide.
Today, Braille is everywhere: on signage, packaging, books, ATMs, and even smartphones. More than a tactile system, the language is a symbol of independence, inclusion, and innovation. When we design for inclusion, we create solutions that benefit everyone.
Dyslexia font: Turning frustration into innovation
Christian Boer, who has dyslexia, understood the frustration of reading errors. So in 2008, he designed Dyslexie Font. The font uses unique letter shapes and heavier bottoms to make each character distinct, reducing confusion between similar letters like “b” and “d.” This helps prevent common issues such as letter flipping or rotation.
The font also incorporates wider spacing between letters, words, and lines, which minimises visual crowding and makes text easier to track. This can lead to a more comfortable reading experience for individuals with dyslexia.
Today, Dyslexie used in classrooms and digital platforms worldwide, proving that inclusive design benefits everyone. It can be installed on Windows and Mac computers, used via a Chrome extension for online reading, and accessed through an online workspace for Chromebooks.
Disability-inclusion sparks new ways of thinking
People with disability bring unique perspectives and ideas that challenge assumptions and inspire new ways of thinking. Their lived experience can help identify gaps and drive inclusive design, leading to products and services that serve a wider audience. By embracing disability inclusion, organisations can foster diversity of thought, improve customer experiences, and strengthen their competitive edge.
As we reflect on these stories, we are reminded that innovation thrives when everyone has an equitable opportunity to contribute to the workplace and our communities.