Nothing Without Us: Building Accessible Innovation from the Ground Up

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Wired for Change

Amy Yee

32 episodes

4 days ago

In a world that's evolving faster than ever, the key to staying ahead lies in understanding the intricate dance between people, process and technology - and the impact they create for humans, organizations and society. This dance is critical for moving forward and yet, more than 70% of these initiatives fail. This show is meant to help leaders and teams with the many decisions and shifts that are required to drive successful innovation, transformation and change.

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Nothing Without Us: Building Accessible Innovation from the Ground Up

Wired for Change

59 minutes 3 seconds

4 months ago

Nothing Without Us: Building Accessible Innovation from the Ground Up

What if innovation started not with faster technology, but with deeper values?

In this special episode of Wired for Change, host Amy Yee takes you inside Carleton University’s Abilities Living Lab—a space where accessibility, community, and cutting-edge research converge to reimagine what innovation can be. Joined by lab director and biomedical engineering professor Dr. Adrian Chan (who also happened to be Amy’s professor during her undergrad in engineering!), we explore how this unique lab is pushing the boundaries of inclusive, multidisciplinary design.

Together, we tour a vibrant and flexible research environment where:
🔹 AI-powered motion capture helps refine powered prosthetics
🔹 Infection prevention environments are co-designed with front-line users
🔹 Musical instruments are built for people of all abilities—no training required
🔹 Early-stage work is exploring 3D-printed food for people with swallowing disorders
🔹 Rehab robotics are making stroke recovery safer and more effective
🔹 And researchers, designers, healthcare professionals, and community members collaborate as equals

But this lab is about more than emerging technology. As Dr. Chan explains, accessibility isn’t just about functional independence—it’s about living fully. Music. Food. Sports. Culture. Joy. These aren’t extras—they’re essential parts of life. And this lab was built to reflect that philosophy at every level, from layout to lighting to the kinds of research questions being asked.

Whether you're in healthcare, design, engineering, public innovation, or policy—this episode offers a living example of how inclusive, values-driven transformation can take shape when community is at the center.

📍 Wired for Change | Episode 14
🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & more
📺 Watch the full lab tour on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iA7y2XbBYCs

#InclusiveInnovation #Accessibility #DigitalHealth #BiomedicalEngineering #HealthTech #AssistiveTech #HumanCenteredDesign #InnovationLeadership #WiredForChange