Dr. Kirk Adams is a visionary leader, transformative speaker, and lifelong advocate for disability inclusion. With over three decades of experience in advancing accessibility and creating opportunities for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, Dr. Adams has become a powerful force for change in the areas of leadership, accessibility, and inclusion. His journey — from navigating vision loss as a young child to becoming a recognized thought leader in disability empowerment — uniquely equips him to help organizations understand, integrate, and champion inclusive practices that benefit all.
As the former President and CEO of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), Dr. Adams dedicated his tenure to charting new paths in the field of accessibility, forging alliances across industries, and championing systemic changes to promote inclusion for over 20 million Americans with vision loss. During his leadership at AFB, he consulted with tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Microsoft to promote digital and product accessibility, ensuring that emerging technologies were designed with everyone in mind. His commitment to systemic advancement extended to advocating for policy changes and collaborating with key leaders in finance, public policy, education, and nonprofit.
Prior to his leadership at AFB, Dr. Adams served as President and CEO of The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., where he pioneered initiatives to provide employment and independence for people who are blind or deafblind. His focus on employment equity and community integration resulted in expanded opportunities and has left a lasting impact on hundreds of lives. His rich experience also includes serving on numerous boards and task forces, including the Governor’s Task Force on Disability Employment, the Braille Authority of North America (BANA), and the World Blind Union (WBU).
Dr. Adams is a graduate of Whitman College, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Economics, followed by a Master’s in Not-for-Profit Leadership from Seattle University and another Master’s in Leadership and Change from Antioch University. In 2019, he earned his PhD from Antioch University, completing a dissertation titled “Journeys Through Rough Country: An Ethnographic Study of Blind Adults Successfully Employed in American Corporations.” His academic background, combined with his personal and professional experiences, has equipped him with a deep understanding of the structural barriers that individuals with disabilities face — knowledge that he passionately shares to inspire transformative change.
Today, as the Managing Director of Innovative Impact, LLC, Dr. Adams continues to work at the forefront of disability inclusion, partnering with organizations to foster workplace accessibility and inclusion. His consulting practice focuses on accelerating the integration of people with disabilities into the workforce, helping businesses harness diverse talent and drive meaningful social impact.
Dr. Adams is a highly sought-after speaker, known for his engaging and thought-provoking keynotes on disability inclusion, accessible leadership, and the power of resilience. He has spoken at numerous national and international conferences, including corporate seminars, public policy forums, and industry events, where his personal story and professional insights have inspired leaders to rethink their approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion. His passion lies in empowering organizations to create environments where every individual — regardless of ability — can thrive.
As a speaker, Dr. Adams brings authenticity, warmth, and a depth of experience that resonates with audiences from all backgrounds. He understands that true leadership is about more than just policy; it’s about creating cultural shifts that value each person’s unique contributions. Whether he is addressing a Fortune 500 company, a non-profit, or a community group, Dr. Adams’ message is clear: inclusion benefits everyone, and together we can build a world where opportunity is accessible to all.
Dr. Adams currently resides in Seattle, Washington, where he continues his advocacy work, builds strategic partnerships, and enjoys life with his family. He is proud to be a part of the movement towards a more inclusive future — one conversation at a time.