July is Disability Pride Month, a time to recognize the contributions, achievements, and innovations of people with disabilities, including the many ways people with disabilities continue to shape the future of computing. This month commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990, while also highlighting the importance of accessibility, representation, and inclusive design in technology.

Computing continues to evolve through advancements in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, assistive technologies, and human-centered design. People with disabilities are not only impacted by these technologies, but are also the researchers, engineers, developers, and innovators creating solutions that improve how society interacts with the world.

At CMD-IT (Center for Minorities and People with Disabilities in IT), we recognize the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities have opportunities to engage and lead within the computing community. Through programs, mentorship opportunities, and events like the Tapia Conference and the Academic Careers Workshops, CMD-IT works to create spaces where innovation, collaboration, and professional growth can thrive.

The Tapia Conference brings together students, professionals, educators, and industry leaders who are shaping the future of technology. Through conversations around accessibility, emerging technologies, and the future of computing, Tapia highlights the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities are included in the design and development of tomorrow’s innovations.

Innovators with Disabilities Shaping Technology

Dr. Chieko Asakawa

Computer Scientist and Accessibility Pioneer

Dr. Chieko Asakawa is recognized as a leader in digital accessibility and human-computer interaction. After losing her sight as a teenager, she became a pioneer in creating technologies that help people who are blind access information.

As a researcher and IBM Fellow, Asakawa developed the Home Page Reader, an early web-to-speech system that helped people who are blind access online information. Her work transformed the way developers think about accessibility and demonstrated how technology designed with accessibility in mind can create better experiences for everyone.

As technology continues to evolve, Asakawa’s work remains an example of how personal experiences can inspire solutions that change the way people connect, communicate, and access information.

Dr. Chieko Asakawa gave an excellent plenary keynote at Tapia 2014. Her presentation focused on “The Strength of Diversity” and her groundbreaking work in digital accessibility and AI-driven navigation for the visually impaired.

Learn more about Chieko Asakawa’s work:
https://www.ibm.com/history/chieko-asakawa

Haben Girma

Disability Rights Advocate and Accessibility Leader

Haben Girma is a disability rights advocate and the first deafblind graduate of Harvard Law School. Her work focuses on improving access to information, education, and technology while encouraging organizations to recognize accessibility as an essential part of innovation.

Through her advocacy and leadership, Girma challenges technology creators to consider accessibility throughout the development process. Her work highlights that accessible design is not simply about meeting requirements, it is about creating meaningful experiences that allow more people to participate.

Girma’s contributions remind the technology community that innovation grows when people with different experiences are included in conversations about the future.

Learn more about Haben Girma’s work:
https://habengirma.com/

Dr. Ather Sharif

Accessibility Researcher, Software Developer, and Disability Advocate

Dr. Ather Sharif is a computer scientist and accessibility advocate focused on creating technology that improves access for people with disabilities. After experiencing a spinal cord injury that resulted in paralysis, he dedicated his work to making software and digital environments more inclusive.

As the founder of EvoXLabs and a researcher in human-computer interaction, Sharif develops accessibility solutions that help ensure technology is usable for everyone. His work focuses on accessible design, digital inclusion, and empowering developers to consider accessibility throughout the technology creation process.

Through research, teaching, and advocacy, Sharif demonstrates how personal experiences can inspire innovations that improve the way people interact with technology.

Dr. Ather Sharif is a former LEAP Fellow, having received his doctoral degree from University of Washington in 2024.

Learn more about Dr. Ather Sharif’s work:
https://www.disabilitylead.org/network/ather-sharif/

Accessibility continues to influence the future of technology. Many tools that began as accessibility solutions, including voice recognition, captions, screen readers, and adaptive technologies, have become essential resources for general use.

Disability Pride Month reminds us that innovation grows when lived experiences are valued in computing. By supporting people with disabilities in technology, we help create a future where technology is more accessible, effective, and impactful for everyone.

Learn more about CMD-IT’s programs, such as the Tapia Conference and the LEAP Alliance, as well as opportunities to support the next generation of computing innovators at CMD-IT.org.

Explore the Innovators Behind Accessible Technology

Dr. Chieko Asakawa
IBM, Chieko Asakawa: Advancing Accessibility Through Technology
https://www.ibm.com/history/chieko-asakawa

IBM Research, Accessibility and Human-Centered Design
https://research.ibm.com/

Haben Girma
Official Website
https://habengirma.com/

Dr. Ather Sharif
Disability Lead Profile
https://www.disabilitylead.org/network/ather-sharif

EvoXLabs Accessibility Initiative
https://evoxlabs.org/

Additional Accessibility Resources

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), U.S. Department of Justice
https://www.ada.gov/

CMD-IT, Center for Minorities and People with Disabilities in IT
https://cmd-it.org/

Tapia Conference
https://tapiaconference.cmd-it.org/

LEAP Alliance
https://cmd-it.org/project/leap-alliance/

Academic Careers Workshops
https://cmd-it.org/project/academic-career-workshop/