Did you know that 20% of the 55+million Americans with disabilities are unemployed?  So, what do you do if you are one of the 11,000,000 people out of work?  Sit back and blame your disability?  Society?  Or take matters in your own hands and think your way to success?

Here’s the thing – you more than anyone else knows what would make your life easier. You know that in a perfect world, you would be able to reach higher, move better, lift, hear, see, read, access and achieve anything you want.  That’s how great inventions came to be.  They were born out of need.  We know this first hand because Dr. Glen House, medical doctor and inventor was a Tetraplegic. He saw a need for a central location where disability information and resources could be accessed, and founded Disaboom.  Another example is Ralph Braun who founded The Braun Corporation so that he and others who were wheelchair-bound could have mobility. (see Disaboom article: How One Man's Search for Mobility Helped the World Get Moving)

These are just two examples, but there are many others. Some inventions were designed to help those with a disability, but went mainstream in their applications.

1808:   The typewriter was invented so that a blind countess could write legibly

1876:    Alexander Graham Bell patented the telephone as one of his many efforts to enable deaf people to communicate.

1948:   The transistor was produced for a more efficient hearing aid. Sony bought the license for the first transistor radio.

1960:      Subtitling and captioning of movies and TV programs helps hearing impaired users, but also are helpful for the general public when watching foreign films.

1964:   A teletype device was invented for a deaf scientist. Today, millions around the world use essentially the same technology to communicate via e-mail over the Internet and text messages over phones.  

                 Recent inventions have made it possible to use the computer without hands, amputees to climb mountains and robots to help in the home.  The list is endless; think of the gadgets you use right now: Baskets on walkers, accessories on your wheelchair, adaptable sports equipment are just a few.

            So, here’s our challenge:  Start thinking of things that will help you and others to live life more fully. Become an entrepreneurial spirit. Take hold of your own destiny and move forward.

                For help moving forward see Disaboom's interview with Matt Crowe, founder of AHHHA