Marian Miner Cook
Athenaeum

A distinctive
feature of social and
cultural life at CMC

 

Disability & Innovation: The Universal Benefits of Inclusive Design

Mon, October 14, 2019
Dinner Program
Haben Girma

People with disabilities represent the largest minority group, numbering one billion worldwide. Reaching a group of this scale creates value for everyone. Organizations that prioritize accessibility benefit by gaining access to a much larger user base, improving the experience for both disabled and non-disabled users, and facilitating further innovation. Haben Girma, an accessibility and inclusion advocate, will discuss the importance and impact of teaching and designing with accessibility in mind.

The first Deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law School, Haben Girma advocates for equal opportunities for people with disabilities. President Obama named her a White House Champion of Change. She received the Helen Keller Achievement Award, and a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. Girma believes disability is an opportunity for innovation and travels the world teaching the benefits of choosing inclusion. In August, she published her first book, Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law. She has since been featured on the Today Show. Her work has also been featured in the Financial Times, BBC, Washington Post, NPR, and more. 

Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum

Claremont McKenna College
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