Media

📅️ March 3, 2026
Dr. Kirk Adams: The Intersection of Humanity and Technology for the Visually Impaired
The Human Code Podcast

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Dr. Kirk Adams as he discusses the powerful intersection of humanity and technology, particularly for the visually impaired. Dr. Adams, who became totally blind quickly in kindergarten, shares his journey, beginning with his first electronic reading system, the Opticon, in 1968.

Dr. Adams explores how technology allows people with visual impairments to “customize the fit with the world” and move from disabling situations to environments where they are not disabled. We dive into the future, discussing the promise of Agentic AI for increasing autonomy and privacy in daily tasks like paying bills and filling out medical forms. We also tackle the critical risks of bias in AI systems, noting that the lived experiences of people with disabilities are currently underrepresented in the data that undergirds AI tools.

Dr. Adams emphasizes the urgent need to address the disability employment gap, only 35% of people with significant disabilities are in the U.S. workforce, compared to 70% of the general population. He provides actionable advice on how everyone can engage with and support a more inclusive world.

📅️ October 1, 2025
The Race for Skills: Paying the Cost for Ignoring Creativity
HR-Spotlight

Here Dr. Kirk Adams joins leaders across marketing, gaming, startups, and relationship therapy to show how over-prioritizing technical skills while sidelining creativity and emotional intelligence (EI) drains innovation, weakens team cohesion, and severs real human connection, producing products that “work” but don’t resonate. Voices like Jen Stamulis, Marin Cristian Ovidiu, Mark Niemann, Eugene Leow, David Ciccarelli, Wynter Johnson, Ross Hackerson, and Erinn Everhart illustrate the pattern: dashboards without stories, flawless builds without empathy, efficient execution without collaboration, and even personal isolation when EI is neglected. Adams adds a crucial dimension, disability inclusion, arguing that people with disabilities bring honed resilience, empathy, and creative problem-solving, often forged through navigating barriers with assistive tech, and that skimping on accessibility forfeits this talent. The piece closes with actionable fixes: hire and promote for EQ alongside hard skills, integrate creative training, design for accessibility and universal use, and cultivate psychologically safe cultures, because the future belongs to teams that can both code and connect.

📅️ September 25, 2025
The Resume X-Factor: Standing Out in a Crowded Market
HR-Spotlight

Here Dr. Kirk Adams underscores that lived disability experience is a high-value signal of resilience, creative problem-solving, risk awareness, and clear communication that measurably improves retention, safety, and culture, anchoring an HR Spotlight roundup where leaders across tech, marketing, gaming, HR tech, entrepreneurship, and humanitarian aid reveal the resume “X-factors” they prioritize: SEO and performance marketers should present quantified wins and experiment learnings; HR tech candidates must show hands-on ATS/HCM fluency and integration impact; gaming applicants should link to personal builds or game-jam prototypes; agency pros need “client proof” tying technical work to business outcomes; entrepreneurs should evidence adaptability across sectors and intrapreneurship; and mission-driven roles benefit from crisis-response experience and cross-cultural collaboration—together forming a roadmap to replace duties with proof, tools with outcomes, and titles with tangible impact.

📅️ September 18, 2025
Cybersecurity Through The Apex Program
Blind Abilities Podcast

The Apex Program is opening doors to careers in cybersecurity for blind and visually impaired students across the country. With over 750,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs, this program offers a life-changing opportunity. In just 12 weeks of accessible online training, students can earn Network+ and Security+ certifications that employers value more than a college degree. Designed by David Mayne of Novacoast and championed by Dr. Kirk Adams, the Apex Program partners with vocational rehabilitation agencies in more than 20 states. Students gain hands-on training, mentoring, and job placement support, with many securing remote positions that provide both financial stability and professional growth. This program isn’t about just finding a job, it’s about building a career path in an exciting and growing field. If you’re ready to step into a future with real opportunity, the Apex Program may be your key to success.

Check out the documentaries mentioned in the episode.

To find out more about the services provided at State Services for the Blind, and what they can do for you, contact Shane DeSantis at shane.desantis@state.mn.us 📧️ or call Shane at +1 651-385-5205 📱️.

📅️ August 17, 2025
Episode 66: The Apex Program With Dr. Kirk Adams
Careers for the Blind Podcast

The Apex Program is a specialized training initiative designed to equip blind and low vision individuals with the skills to pursue careers as cybersecurity analysts. Cybersecurity analysts enjoy above-average earning potential, strong job security, and abundant opportunities nationwide — many of which offer the flexibility of remote work.

📅️ August 13, 2025
From Layoffs to Lifelines: How Companies Are Supporting Workers in 2025
HR-Spotlight

The HR Spotlight article “From Layoffs to Lifelines: How Companies Are Supporting Workers in 2025” explores how business leaders are responding to economic volatility with people-first strategies that go beyond layoffs. Leaders from industries ranging from creative agencies to real estate share approaches such as cross-training employees to handle multiple roles, offering upskilling programs, embracing remote work for retention, and maintaining transparency to build trust. Some also detail comprehensive offboarding and networking support when departures do occur, as well as creative use of freelance staffing to better match demand. The common thread is treating employees as long-term partners whose growth and well-being are integral to the organization’s success.

Among these voices, Dr. Kirk Adams, a disability inclusion strategist, highlights the unique challenges workers with disabilities face after layoffs—longer unemployment gaps, systemic barriers, and limited retraining access. His work focuses on partnering with state vocational rehabilitation agencies and nonprofits to ensure these workers receive early, personalized planning, skill-building, and assistive technology support until they reenter the workforce. Adams emphasizes that including disabled professionals in workforce planning is not charity but a strategic choice to tap into capable, often overlooked talent. This contribution reinforces the article’s central theme: companies can strengthen resilience and competitiveness by valuing and supporting all members of their workforce, especially during times of disruption.

📅️ July 23, 2025
Rewriting the Rules of Disability and Work with Dr. Kirk Adams
AUTM on the Air | Host: Lisa Mueller

Clarity can come from lived experience, and Dr. Kirk Adams brings that clarity into every conversation about inclusion. After losing his vision at age five, he began a journey that would shape his life, and the lives of countless others. What started as a personal challenge became a lifelong mission to him. He wanted to create a world where people with disabilities are seen, valued, and included. This is a wonderful story of persistence, purpose, and real leadership.

Dr. Adams has led some of the most influential organizations in the blindness and disability inclusion space. As the prior President and CEO of The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., and the American Foundation for the Blind, he focused on employment equity, community integration, and systemic change. He’s worked with tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Microsoft to make sure accessibility is part of the design. He’s also contributed to boards and task forces across sectors.

Now as Managing Director of Innovative Impact, LLC, Dr. Adams partners with organizations to build cultures of inclusion from the inside out. He believes that accessibility is about connection, opportunity, and the kind of leadership that invites people to bring their full selves to work. His academic background, including a Ph.D. on the employment of blind adults in corporate America, only deepens his understanding of the structural barriers so many still face and what it takes to overcome them.

In this episode, Dr. Adams shares lessons from his own journey, insights into the role of accessible innovation, and why hiring people with disabilities is smart business. Whether he’s talking about universal design or how to build trust through self-disclosure, he has a consistent message that inclusion benefits everyone.

📅️ July 7, 2025
Rolling Tip Podcast Episode 7: Blind. Brilliant. Unstoppable: Dr. Kirk Adams’ Journey
Host: Sakshi Srivastava

In this honest and deeply personal episode of Rolling Tip, Sakshi is joined by Dr. Kirk Adams — a blind leader, advocate, and founder of Innovative Impact — to explore what real and sustainable change could look like for the blind and low vision community, across the world.

Dr. Adams opens up about what socializing felt like as a blind person — reflecting on friendships, loneliness, college life, marriage, and career paths. From his time leading the American Foundation for the Blind to building new solutions through systems-level consulting, he shares how personal experiences have shaped his mission to create economic opportunity and inclusion at scale.

📅️ June 30, 2025
Movers And Shakers Podcast — Dr. Kirk Adams
Walk in Thought Productions | Host: Stephanie D. Sanders

This episode is all about perseverance, purpose, and power moves after the podium. We’re honored to welcome Dr. Kirk Adams, the former President of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) — and a lifelong advocate who continues to make bold strides even after his formal retirement.

Blind since the age of 5, Dr. Adams has spent his life breaking barriers, building bridges, and leading with impact. From the boardroom to the stage, he’s a respected voice for inclusion, equity, and opportunity — not just for the blind and visually impaired community, but for all people striving to live with purpose.

🎙️ In this inspiring episode, we talk about:

✅ His journey as a blind leader in America
✅ Life after AFB and his current mission
✅ Disability, dignity, and breaking stigma
✅ Business, advocacy, and creating legacy work
✅ Why he’s still moving and shaking — on his own terms

Whether you’re an advocate, entrepreneur, leader, or simply someone in search of meaningful motivation — this conversation is packed with heart, insight, and real empowerment.

👀 Tune in, be inspired, and share this story of true leadership.

Only on Movers and Shakers — where change-makers rise, and legacies are made.

📅️ June 27, 2025
From Passion to Programs: Scaling Founder-Led Nonprofits for Sustainable Growth
Brooks Digital Health Nonprofit Digital Marketing Podcast

Many health-focused nonprofits start with a passionate founder but struggle to scale beyond a one-person operation. In this episode, host Spencer Brooks speaks with Dr. Kirk Adams, consultant and former CEO of the American Foundation for the Blind, about a proven model for turning founder-led organizations into sustainable, multi-staffed nonprofits. Communications leaders, nonprofit executives, and funders will benefit from this conversation about crowdfunding, strategic staffing, and digital maturity, especially those working in disability inclusion and healthcare.

📅️ June 16, 2025
CREATE (Center For Research And Education On Accessible Technology And Experiences)
University of Washington

CREATE culminated an eventful year with our annual Community Day and Research Showcase. We thank all of our community members for their continued interest in CREATE, including our generous guest panelists: Kirk Adams, Michael Bervell, Mary Goldberg, Jonathan Lazar, Wilson Ng, Lee Tremblay, and Michele Williams. And we congratulate our students and postdoctoral researchers as they move on to new career opportunities.

📅️ June 13, 2025
Mending the Trust Divide: Strategies for a More Engaged Workforce
HR-Spotlight

🔎 Re-earning employee trust isn’t an HR trend — it’s the lever that decides productivity, retention, and innovation.

HR-Spotlight’s new piece, “Mending the Trust Divide: Strategies for a More Engaged Workforce,” surfaces three moves every leader can make today:

1️⃣ Share decision-making data (transparency > spin)
2️⃣ Align recognition with purpose (including disability inclusion)
3️⃣ Train managers to listen before they direct

As someone who’s built cultures where blind and low-vision professionals thrive, I see trust gaps close fastest when employees can see themselves in leadership’s actions. Inclusion isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s a strategic advantage.

Where has your organization struggled (or succeeded) in bridging the divide? Let’s compare notes.

#EmployeeEngagement #Trust #Leadership #DisabilityInclusion #HR

📅️ March 2, 2025
Podcast: Age Has No Limit: Episode 58: Blind in the Boardroom: How Kirk Adams Became Disability Inclusion’s Secret Weapon
Host: Patrice Davis

What if blindness is a superpower?

Meet Kirk Adams — a visionary leader who’s spent 30 years shattering barriers for people with disabilities; he is on a mission to ignite a revolution in disability inclusion.

After losing his sight at age 5, Kirk rose to become CEO of the American Foundation for the Blind and sat on numerous boards including the World Blind Union. He has two master’s degrees and, in 2019, earned his PhD. Now, he’s advising startups, consulting with Fortune 500 companies, and proving that disability isn’t a liability — it’s a dividend.

🔥 In this inspiring interview, Kirk reveals:

✅ How he’s building the mentorship he never had as a blind child
✅ The high-impact projects accelerating workplace inclusion (spoiler: they’re game-changers)
✅ Behind-the-scenes of his groundbreaking book The Disability Dividend — launched to transform hiring in 2024
✅ Why companies like Google and Microsoft are betting BIG on disability tech

Whether you’re a CEO, HR leader, or someone who believes in inclusive innovation, Kirk’s story will make you rethink what’s possible. Ready to supercharge your bottom line and your purpose? Watch now — and discover why disability inclusion is the future of business.

Featured On The Show:

Dr. Kirk Adams, CEO

https://drkirkadams.com/

Innovative Impact LLC Consulting

Newsletter

Podcast

What You’ll Learn:

How he became blind at five years old
The skills blind children are taught
Why self-advocacy is one of the skills blind children are taught or should be taught
Why he decided to launch a consulting firm
About some of the startups he’s either advising or helping to build
How the national discourse and policies on DEIA is impacting his business
Why he decided to pursue his PhD at 61 years old
Why effective leaders are part of networks
Her definition of a no limit life

Don’t Miss A Single Episode!

Listen on your favorite streaming site: Apple, Spotify, Google, iHeartRadio, YouTube

📅️ January 28, 2025
Podcast: Your Next Business Bestie Episode 33: The Power of Inclusion with Dr. Kirk Adams
Host: Jenn Wayboer Hartt

In this episode of Your Next Business Bestie, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Dr. Kirk Adams, an incredible advocate for disability inclusion and a leader with a seriously inspiring story. From losing his vision at age five to running major nonprofit organizations, Kirk’s journey is a masterclass in resilience and determination. He shared how he helps businesses supercharge their bottom line by tapping into the often-overlooked talent pool of people with disabilities.

Kirk took us through his life story, starting with his supportive parents who literally moved states to get him the best education. He also shared the challenges of job hunting with a visible disability and how he turned those struggles into a mission to create opportunities for others. We talked about his consulting practice, Innovative Impact, and how he connects employers with resources like the vocational rehabilitation system to make workplaces more inclusive. From working with tech companies to advanced manufacturing and even cybersecurity, Kirk is out there breaking barriers and building bridges.

This conversation was packed with heartwarming anecdotes and practical advice on how businesses — and individuals — can make a difference. If you’ve ever wondered how to start supporting disability inclusion or just need a dose of inspiration, this episode is for you. And bonus: Kirk has a great sense of humor and so much wisdom to share. I’m so excited for you to listen in and get to know him as your next business bestie!

📅️ December 29, 2024
Lead From Within Podcast: Episode 94: Creating Inclusive Workplaces for Individuals with Disabilities With Guest Dr. Kirk Adams
Host: Michele Thomson

In this episode I talk to Dr. Kirk Adams about how his disability helped him to develop unique strengths and assets in his personal and professional lives. Dr. Kirk Adams is a Professional Speaker and the founder of Innovative Impact LLC., focusing on groundbreaking, high-impact projects that accelerate the inclusion of people with disabilities in the workforce and supercharges a company’s bottom line.

Dr. Adams earned his PhD in leadership and change. He is known as a master connector of key decision-makers in government, corporate America, the nonprofit sector, and disability advocates guiding them to create collaborative solutions that have a real impact in increasing the employment of people with disabilities.

📅️ December 6, 2024
Living Chronic Podcast: Transforming Corporate Culture Through Disability Employment
Host: Brandy Schantz

In this conversation, Brandy Schantz and Dr. Kirk Adams discuss the importance of disability inclusion in the workforce. They explore the untapped potential of individuals with disabilities, the transformative impact of inclusive hiring practices on corporate culture, and the success stories of companies that have embraced diversity. Dr. Adams shares insights on the challenges faced by disabled individuals in the job market, the historical context of disability rights, and the opportunities for self-employment and entrepreneurship. The discussion emphasizes the need for advocacy, community support, and the importance of self-disclosure in the workplace.

Living Chronic is the empowering podcast that delves into the world of living with chronic illness and offers insights, advice, and stories to help you navigate the challenges while embracing life to the fullest. This podcast is a safe space for anyone seeking to understand, support, or improve their journey through chronic illness.

Tune in to Living Chronic and join a community that believes in living life to the fullest, no matter the circumstances. Together, we’ll navigate the twists and turns of chronic illness, share our stories, and empower each other to thrive. Remember, you’re not alone on this journey.

📅️ December 5, 2024
Off The Beaten Path Episode Five — Kirk Adams
Host: Sedona Dave Epstein of Awarewolf Gear

Today we are talking to Dr. Kirk Adams. Kirk and I talk about his blindness journey which started at age five. We dove into what it was like for him growing up in a small town and discovering how there wasn’t much available for blind kids to have developmentally appropriate experiences. This was the catalyst for the direction he took in life -to be an advocate for people with disabilities. I know you will enjoy this episode of Off The Beaten Path!

📅️ November 1, 2024
Remarkable World Commentary: Episode 13: Interview With Dr. Kirk Adams, Renowned Blind Advocate, Consultant and Speaker
Host: Donna J. Jodhan, LLB, ACSP, MBA

In this episode of Remarkable World Commentary Donna interviews Dr. Kirk Adams, a leading blind advocate, speaker, researcher and consultant, about his journey and insights on advocacy and employment for people with disabilities. Dr. Adams shares his early experiences of losing his vision due to retinal detachment and the impact of high expectations and specialized skills on his success. He emphasizes the importance of community, leadership, and self-advocacy. Dr. Adams discusses his PhD research on successfully employed blind adults, highlighting themes like compensation, internal locus of control, and the need for accommodations. He advocates for joining organizations, volunteering, and leveraging unique experiences to succeed, either in the workforce, or in entrepreneurship.

📅️ October 23, 2024
Boldly BVI: Episode 2
Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired

Hosts Brian Anderson and Stephanie Jones interview Austin Maynard, an award-winning videographer; Janet LaBreck, a consultant appointed by the Obama administration; and Kirk Adams, a former Lighthouse and American Federation for the Blind CEO, in the second episode of Boldy BVI.

📅️ October 16, 2024
Reaching All Customers: AI, Talents and Disability Inclusion
Whiskey WinsDay

In this episode of Whiskey WinsDay titled “Reaching All Customers: AI, Talents, and Disability Inclusion,” Dr. Kirk Adams, Advisor at Innovative Impact LLC, joins CEO Kham Inthirath of Compound Effect for a conversation focused on advancing disability inclusion, harnessing AI, and tapping into untapped talent. The discussion offered valuable insights on creating more inclusive workspaces and marketing practices by leveraging technology and thoughtful leadership.

📅️ October 10, 2024
Who is Dr. Kirk Adams?
Deep Dive Team | NotebookLM

Learn more about Dr. Kirk Adams (https://DrKirkAdams.com) and explore the challenges and opportunities of successful employment for blind individuals in American corporations in this AI-Generated podcast by the Deep Dive Team via Google’s NotebookLM (https://notebooklm.google/).

📅️ October 3, 2024
Kirk Adams from Smalltown to Boardroom
David D’Arcangelo | Save As: Ability Podcast

Listen on Spotify. | Watch or Listen on YouTube.

Growing up blind in a rural town with no role models? No problem for Dr. Kirk Adams.

Dr. Adams talks about his experiences breaking down barriers in education and leadership, plus his work to help companies boost their bottom line by embracing disability inclusion.

His advice: Find someone who’s walked your path and learn from them.

📅️ October 3, 2024
The Heart of Influence With Dr. Kirk Adams Show
Sean Callagy, Bella Verita and Dr. Kirk Adams | Unblinded Mastery

I co-host this monthly, virtual, live-streamed event with Sean Callagy, founder of Unblinded Sales Mastery, a Certified Disability Owned Business Enterprise by Disability-In.

During my service as President and CEO of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), I recruited Sean to our board of trustees, where among other things, he was our largest individual donor for each of the three years he served.

My Heart of Influence Show focuses on disability inclusion. I bring together 7 or 8 integrity-based leaders involved in disability owned business, corporate supplier diversity, disability advocacy, disabled entrepreneurship, or assistive technology innovation. People that I believe should know one another and can very likely do business together. Visionaries who believe a rising tide lifts all boats.