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5 DisabilityTech companies prioritizing accessibility and safety amid climate change
Climate change is a disability issue - and these five DisabilityTech companies are focused on making accessible solutions a priority
The link between disability and climate change may be stronger than you realize.
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing our world today. It intensifies the need for innovative solutions, especially those ensuring accessibility and safety for vulnerable populations – because research has found that the mortality rate of people with disabilities from natural disasters is four times higher compared to people without disabilities.
Climate-focused companies to watch
The Howe Innovation Center at Perkins specializes in research on DisabilityTech companies – and, to explore the link between disability and climate, they’ve put together this list of five organizations in the DisabilityTech ecosystem that prioritize developing and researching accessible technologies related to climate change.
1. accesSOS
As climate change continues to increase the severity of natural disasters like hurricanes, access to emergency services is a crucial piece to ensuring safety for all.
In 2019, Gabriella Wong’s father nearly died because, as a deaf man, he could not call 911. In response, she founded accesSOS, a start-up focused on making access to emergency services accessible for all people.
accesSOS allows users to interactively communicate with emergency services without needing to speak directly to 911, allowing those who are hard of hearing to access the help they need.
As of December 2023, accesSOS had reached over 11,300 users and over 719,000 people through advocacy and awareness campaigns.
2. Independence Science
Accessible education is an important part of including people with disabilities in the discussion about climate change – and that’s exactly what Independence Science, a startup in Indiana, hopes to do.
Founded in 2009, Independence Science specializes in STEM education and produces technology to create a more independent lab environment for people who are blind.
This opens doors for those with disabilities to accessibly engage in scientific research and to join the conversations about climate change and environmental science. When used in schools, Independence Science tech allows students with visual impairments to access STEM education alongside their peers.
3. LifeLyfts
By enabling greater independence and accessibility, LifeLyfts contributes to building resilience and adaptability in the face of climate challenges.
The company offers agriculture mobility, equestrian mobility, outdoor mobility, and residential mobility products for people with disabilities, offering the opportunity to engage in activities that would otherwise be challenging due to mobility restrictions.
For more than thirty years, their mobility products have been designed to provide safe and stable transportation over rough terrain, making it easier for people with disabilities to navigate environments impacted by climate change, such as flood-prone areas or uneven landscapes.
4. RampMyCity
By improving accessibility in urban areas, RampMyCity helps ensure that people with disabilities are not disproportionately affected by climate-related disruptions, such as increased flooding or other environmental changes that may hinder mobility.
RampMyCity is an Indian start-up dedicated to making urban environments more accessible for people with disabilities by providing portable and customizable ramps.
Their solutions aim to eliminate physical barriers in cities, ensuring that individuals with mobility challenges can easily access public spaces, businesses, and essential services.
The company collaborates with municipalities, businesses, and community organizations to install ramps in key locations, making cities more inclusive and resilient to the impacts of climate change.
5. Vertical Harvest Farms
A commitment to inclusive hiring practices and innovative urban farming makes Vertical Harvest Farms a key player in addressing both environmental and social challenges, particularly for vulnerable populations.
They are revolutionizing urban farming by building vertically integrated greenhouses that provide fresh produce year-round, regardless of climate conditions. And their farms create employment opportunities for people with disabilities, ensuring access to meaningful work in a supportive environment.
By using sustainable farming techniques and reducing the need for long-distance transportation of food, Vertical Harvest Farms helps mitigate the effects of climate change while also promoting food security.
What’s next at the intersection of disability and climate change?
These five companies showcase what’s possible at the intersection of climate and disability – illustrating how accessible innovation can contribute to greater resilience in the face of climate change.
From emergency response solutions like accesSOS to sustainable urban farming initiatives by Vertical Harvest Farms, these organizations are working to ensure that people with disabilities are included in climate solutions.
As climate change continues to impact communities around the world, the work of these DisabilityTech companies becomes increasingly essential to safeguarding the accessibility, safety, and inclusion of vulnerable populations. By supporting and advancing such innovations, we can help build a more resilient and equitable future for all.
Stay in the conversation
Innovation can’t happen without all of us. Together, we can solve real accessibility problems.
If you want more from-the-front-lines perspective on what’s happening across the DisabilityTech market, join the Howe Innovation Center community. You’ll get members-only access to resources and insight that’s not available anywhere else, including our white paper, Defining DisabilityTech: The Rise of Inclusive Innovation.
