The Innovative Impact Newsletter By Dr. Kirk Adams for Monday, July 6, 2026 – Issue 116

We Can’t Wait for Someone Else to Build the Future: Become a Founding Supporter of the Community Coalition for Sustainable Diversity & Inclusion Today

Here, Dr. Kirk Adams, Executive Director for ISDI, turns a moment of fear into a call to arms. Writing as diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging come under what he names an orchestrated assault, programs dismantled, leaders pushed out, whole communities told their voices count for less than they did yesterday, he flatly refuses the quiet despair so many in the field are feeling. His answer is not retreat but construction: the Community Coalition for Sustainable Diversity & Inclusion, a national online home built on the Circle platform where practitioners, advocates, allies, and the people hit hardest by the rollback can stop weathering this storm in isolation and start organizing as one. The whole piece hangs on a single defiant question, what if the most important thing we could do right now is simply refuse to stand alone?

And he doesn’t just ask; he leads with his own money on the table. He and ISDI Board Chair Dr. Joseph Marth made the first two gifts themselves, $1,000 toward a $20,000 goal, because, in his words, leadership starts with showing up. From there the appeal builds like a drumbeat: the forces against inclusion are organized, so we must be organized; they spread fear, so we must coordinate hope. Adams lands on the reframe that gives the post its heart, this is not a fundraising campaign, it is an invitation, before he asks readers to give at any level, share widely, and above all send the message that this movement is still here and not giving up. It reads less like a solicitation and more like a rallying cry: urgent, defiant, and unmistakably hopeful. An act of leadership by example.

Help Shape the Future of Healthcare: Join Rare Patient Voice Through Dr. Kirk Adams

If you’re a patient or caregiver who wants to make a difference, I invite you to join Rare Patient Voice through my personal referral link: https://rarepatientvoice.com/rp/DrKirk.

Rare Patient Voice connects individuals living with rare and non-rare conditions to paid research opportunities where your voice directly shapes new treatments, products, and policies. Participants are typically compensated $120 per hour for surveys, interviews, and focus groups. It’s a powerful way to ensure your lived experience helps improve care for others, and you’ll be compensated for your time.

By signing up through my link, you’re also supporting our shared mission of making healthcare more inclusive and patient-driven.

Dr. Kirk Adams, Ph.D.
Advocate, Leader and Keynote Speaker on Disability Inclusion & Leadership
Leading the Way to Accessible Innovation

Institute for Sustainable Diversity and Inclusion (ISDI)
Executive Director
Strengthening individual and organizational capability for creating diverse, inclusive and equitable workplaces.

Innovative Impact, LLC Consulting
Managing Director
Impactful Workforce Inclusion Starts Here

American Foundation for the Blind
Immediate Past President & CEO
To create a world of no limits for people who are blind or visually impaired.

1.) Podcasts by Dr. Kirk Adams: Interview With Joel Snyder, Founder & President, Audio Description Associates, LLC and Founding Director Emeritus, ACB’s Audio Description Project | DrKirkAdams.com | July 2, 2026

Joel Snyder recounts the evolution of audio description from its 1980 origins at Arena Stage to present-day streaming platforms, citing milestones like WGBH’s Descriptive Video Service and the 2010 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act. Snyder contrasts AI-generated narration with trained human voice talents, emphasizing quality and cost factors, and highlights resources like adp.acb.org’s 15,000-title database.

2.) Podcasts by Dr. Kirk Adams: Interview With David Grabias, Documentary Filmmaker, Writer / Director & Producer of Brailled It, Founder of Artifact, LA and Christopher Morgan, Braille Challenge Champion and Co-Director of Brailled It, USA National-Team Goalball Athlete | DrKirkAdams.com | July 1, 2026

Documentary filmmaker David Grabias and 18-year-old Christopher Morgan discuss “Brailled It,” a film about the Braille Challenge made by blind participants using chest-mounted cameras. Grabias details how participants became filmmakers, while Morgan covers editing decisions and his journey from basketball to representing the US in national goalball. The film premiered at Slamdance and will screen at NFB, ACB, and other venues, with updates at brailledit.com.

3.) We Can’t Wait for Someone Else to Build the Future: Become a Founding Supporter of the Community Coalition for Sustainable Diversity & Inclusion Today | DrKirkAdams.com | June 25, 2026

Dr. Kirk Adams announces the launch of the Community Coalition for Sustainable Diversity & Inclusion, a national online platform created by the Institute for Sustainable Diversity & Inclusion to support DEIAB practitioners and allies facing setbacks nationwide. The fundraising campaign, with an initial $1,000 contributed by ISDI leadership, aims to raise $20,000 for digital infrastructure, member onboarding, and resource development.

4.) Podcasts By Dr. Kirk Adams: Interview With Lauren DeVillier, CEO, Exceptional Minds | DrKirkAdams.com | June 24, 2026

Lauren DeVillier, CEO of Exceptional Minds, details her path from TV production and digital strategy roles at Microsoft, Yahoo, and Disney to leading the Los Angeles-based nonprofit that trains autistic young adults for careers in animation, visual effects, and game arts. She outlines the organization’s blended funding model, workforce development priorities, and the launch of career services and employer training for neuro-inclusive workplaces.

5.) Podcasts By Dr. Kirk Adams: Interview With Jerred Mace, Founder and CEO, OneCourt | DrKirkAdams.com | June 23, 2026

Jerred Mace, CEO of OneCourt, details the startup’s tactile sports broadcast device for blind and low-vision fans, following a live FIFA US-Australia debut at Seattle’s stadium. The discussion covers OneCourt’s shift to computer vision tracking, expansion into ten NBA teams and MLB, and its new at-home preorders to stream NBA, NFL, and MLB games to individual devices.

6.) Some People Climb Mountains; Some People Are Mountains: Remembering Jim Whittaker | DrKirkAdams.com | June 22, 2026

Jim Whittaker, the first American to summit Mount Everest, is remembered by Dr. Kirk Adams for his leadership in Project Pelion, guiding a diverse team of climbers with disabilities up Mount Rainier in 1981. Adams recounts how Whittaker’s commitment to inclusion and belief in team members’ abilities shaped his own career in disability advocacy. The story foregrounds how authentic inclusion is a strategic advantage, not charity.

7.) Podcasts By Dr. Kirk Adams: Interview With Robert Annis, Co-Founder, NEURO | DrKirkAdams.com | June 16, 2026

Robert Annis, NEURO co-founder and London-based organizational psychologist, details how a late autism and ADHD diagnosis led him to build NEURO, an inclusion-focused consultancy and charity aiming to make neuroinclusion a strategic advantage for organizations. Annis and Dr. Kirk Adams discuss NEURO’s accreditation standard, early university and industry partnerships, rapid expansion within two months of launch, and a vision to license the model worldwide as a driver for systemic change.

8.) Feeling Every Pitch: My Journey With OneCourt and the Day the Game Comes Home | DrKirkAdams.com | June 15, 2026

Dr. Kirk Adams describes his experience using OneCourt, a patent-pending tactile broadcast device that lets blind and low-vision fans physically feel real-time sports action using official NFL, NBA, and MLB data. OneCourt is now expanding from major venues to homes via a haptic tablet, smartphone app, and All-Access subscription, with early access for American Council of the Blind members.

9.) Podcasts By Dr. Kirk Adams: Interview With Jack Walters, Founder & CEO, Hapware | DrKirkAdams.com | June 15, 2026

HapWare CEO Jack Walters details the ALEYE haptic wristband, which pairs with Meta smart glasses to translate gestures and facial expressions into intuitive vibrations for blind and low-vision users, with response times under 250 ms. The company plans its first shipment by the end of 2026, targeting about 1,000 units through 2027, and is collaborating with the Helen Keller National Center and the FCC on accessibility programs.

10.) Podcasts By Dr. Kirk Adams: Interview With James Dykstra, Founder, CodeStack Systems | DrKirkAdams.com | June 9, 2026

James Dykstra, founder of CodeStack Systems and a former Amazon and Microsoft leader, argues that most businesses see their AI initiatives stall due to fragmented, poorly tracked data. In a conversation with Dr. Kirk Adams, Dykstra explains a ‘work backwards’ data consolidation approach and anticipates agentic AI and rapid cost declines as robotics, language models, and sensors converge by 2029.

11.) The Time for Quiet Concern Has Passed | DrKirkAdams.com | June 1, 2026

Dr. Kirk Adams announces the launch of the Community Coalition for Sustainable Diversity and Inclusion, led by the Institute for Sustainable Diversity and Inclusion, to strengthen collective advocacy against weakened civil rights and voting protections in the US. The coalition will provide members with data, storytelling tools, and resources to move from isolated efforts to coordinated, sustainable impact.

12.) When the Signs Come Down: Turning Resistance Into Lasting Power | DrKirkAdams.com | June 1, 2026

Dr. Kirk Adams, Executive Director of the Institute for Sustainable Diversity and Inclusion, details the launch of the Community Coalition for Sustainable Diversity and Inclusion. The coalition aims to shift inclusion advocates from isolated action to strategic, collective power, with key milestones on May 1 (Circle onboarding), Juneteenth (GoFundMe campaign), and July 20 (founding members opening).

July 6, 2026 | 2026 National Federation of the Blind Convention | NFB

The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members and all blind people in the United States. Each year, we come together for important discussions, decisions, and information sharing. As an attendee, you will have the opportunity to: Network with thousands of blind people. Connect with leaders in the field of blindness. Attend presentations on a variety of empowering topics. Learn about the latest technology and innovation. And much more. The convention is open to all. If you are attending the convention in Austin, Texas, register for the 2026 NFB National Convention now! Online registration is $25 and closes May 31. Registration will be available on-site at the convention, but the cost will increase. By registering, you will gain access to the largest gathering of blind people in the world, the agenda, the app, and timely convention news and communications. Virtual Experience Registration. If you cannot attend the convention in Texas, we offer opportunities for engagement and connection through the Virtual Experience. The registration fee is $10. Register for the 2026 NFB National Convention Virtual Experience. Your registration includes access to the app, the ability to stream sessions from anywhere, and the opportunity to win door prizes.

July 7, 2026 | 2026 National Federation of the Blind Convention | NFB

The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members and all blind people in the United States. Each year, we come together for important discussions, decisions, and information sharing. As an attendee, you will have the opportunity to: Network with thousands of blind people. Connect with leaders in the field of blindness. Attend presentations on a variety of empowering topics. Learn about the latest technology and innovation. And much more. The convention is open to all. If you are attending the convention in Austin, Texas, register for the 2026 NFB National Convention now! Online registration is $25 and closes May 31. Registration will be available on-site at the convention, but the cost will increase. By registering, you will gain access to the largest gathering of blind people in the world, the agenda, the app, and timely convention news and communications. Virtual Experience Registration. If you cannot attend the convention in Texas, we offer opportunities for engagement and connection through the Virtual Experience. The registration fee is $10. Register for the 2026 NFB National Convention Virtual Experience. Your registration includes access to the app, the ability to stream sessions from anywhere, and the opportunity to win door prizes.

July 8, 2026 | 2026 National Federation of the Blind Convention | NFB

The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members and all blind people in the United States. Each year, we come together for important discussions, decisions, and information sharing. As an attendee, you will have the opportunity to: Network with thousands of blind people. Connect with leaders in the field of blindness. Attend presentations on a variety of empowering topics. Learn about the latest technology and innovation. And much more. The convention is open to all. If you are attending the convention in Austin, Texas, register for the 2026 NFB National Convention now! Online registration is $25 and closes May 31. Registration will be available on-site at the convention, but the cost will increase. By registering, you will gain access to the largest gathering of blind people in the world, the agenda, the app, and timely convention news and communications. Virtual Experience Registration. If you cannot attend the convention in Texas, we offer opportunities for engagement and connection through the Virtual Experience. The registration fee is $10. Register for the 2026 NFB National Convention Virtual Experience. Your registration includes access to the app, the ability to stream sessions from anywhere, and the opportunity to win door prizes.

July 8, 2026 | Creating Graphs And Charts That Meet WCAG 2.2 Level AA Accessibility Requirements (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Join Rachel Reeves from Access Ingenuity for a detailed look at making data visualizations accessible under WCAG 2.2 Level AA standards. She explains key requirements including color contrast, text alternatives, and structural decisions that ensure charts communicate effectively to all users.

July 11, 2026 | The Kindle App And Kindle Skill For Alexa | Technology User Group At Maryland Library For The Blind And Print Disabled

7:00 AM PT, 8:00 AM MT, 9:00 AM CT, 10:00 AM ET, 2:00 PM GMT
Join the Technology User Group at Maryland Library for the Blind and Print Disabled for an in-depth session exploring the Kindle app for iOS and the Kindle skill for Alexa as powerful reading tools for the visually impaired. The discussion covers accessibility with VoiceOver, usability challenges, practical workarounds, and whether Kindle Unlimited delivers real value for everyday reading needs.

July 15, 2026 | Jaws And Excel: Reading, Navigating, And Working With Spreadsheet Data (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Join Marisa Church from Access Ingenuity for a practical session on using JAWS with Microsoft Excel. She covers essential commands and strategies for efficiently reading, navigating, and understanding spreadsheet data with a screen reader.

July 22, 2026 | Making Accessible Excel Spreadsheets: Accessible Design And Table Settings (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Join Rachel Reeves from Access Ingenuity to learn how to design Excel spreadsheets that are accessible to all users. The session covers table structure, formatting techniques, named ranges, and writing meaningful descriptions for charts and data.

July 28, 2026 | Tech It Out | Hadley

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM GMT
Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.

July 29, 2026 | Topaz Desktop Magnifier: Getting The Most From Your Low Vision Workstation (Acvrep Ce Approved, Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Join Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity and Joe McDaniel from Vispero for an in-depth look at the TOPAZ desktop magnifier and its capabilities. They explore features such as magnification, contrast modes, and camera positioning to help optimize a low vision workstation for productivity and comfort.

August 14, 2026 | EnAble Learning Office Hours | National Organization on Disability

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET
NOD’s EnAble Learning Office Hours give HR, talent development, and DEI leaders a 45-minute walkthrough of the on-demand disability training platform. In-house experts cover Disability 101 content, accommodations, ADA frameworks, neurodiversity and mental-health modules, and how the platform supports manager effectiveness, retention, and workplace culture.

August 20, 2026 | Member-Only Event: Everyday Accessibility Mistakes | National Organization on Disability

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET
A 25-minute virtual session for NOD Leadership Council members covering the most common accessibility missteps organizations make and how to avoid them. Access is restricted to Council members; non-members can join the Leadership Council to attend this and similar exclusive briefings on accessible practice.

August 25, 2026 | Tech It Out | Hadley

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM GMT
Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.

September 14, 2026 | Leadership Council Open House | National Organization on Disability

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET
A 45-minute virtual open house introducing the NOD Leadership Council, a community of companies including JP Morgan Chase, L’Oreal USA, and Toyota North America that work to advance disability inclusion in the workplace. Senior HR leaders meet NOD’s Disability Inclusion Specialists, hear about 2026 membership benefits, and learn how to scale inclusion efforts.

September 15, 2026 | Leadership Insights: Disability Inclusion Dialogues | National Organization on Disability

9:00 AM PT, 10:00 AM MT, 11:00 AM CT, 12:00 PM ET
A 90-minute virtual peer-focused discussion for senior-level NOD Leadership Council members on disability inclusion and workforce retention. The session features insights from Candee Chambers, Director of the Office of Public Liaison at the U.S. Department of Labor, who joins industry leaders to address strategic retention challenges.

September 22, 2026 | Tech It Out | Hadley

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM GMT
Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.

October 1, 2026 | Technology and the Disability Experience | National Organization on Disability

NOD’s annual in-person event in New York City brings together business, technology, and advocacy leaders to explore how AI, extended reality, and smart devices are reshaping accessibility and workforce inclusion. The evening at the Times Center features a tech showcase, panel discussions, an award ceremony, and live entertainment.

October 9, 2026 | EnAble Learning Office Hours | National Organization on Disability

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET
NOD’s EnAble Learning Office Hours give HR, talent development, and DEI leaders a 45-minute walkthrough of the on-demand disability training platform. In-house experts cover Disability 101 content, accommodations, ADA frameworks, neurodiversity and mental-health modules, and how the platform supports manager effectiveness, retention, and workplace culture.

October 27, 2026 | Tech It Out | Hadley

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM GMT
Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.

November 19, 2026 | Member-Only Event: Practices for Accessible Virtual Meetings | National Organization on Disability

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET
A 25-minute virtual session for NOD Leadership Council members focused on practical, hands-on strategies for making virtual meetings more inclusive and accessible to all participants. The full briefing is restricted to Council members; non-members can join the Leadership Council to attend this and similar exclusive members-only sessions.

November 24, 2026 | Tech It Out | Hadley

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM GMT
Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.

December 17, 2026 | CEO Office Hours: Looking Back/Looking Forward | National Organization on Disability

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET
NOD President and CEO Beth Sirull hosts a 45-minute virtual CEO Office Hours for a year-end reflection on disability inclusion milestones and a preview of the strategies shaping the coming year. The informal session invites participants to connect directly with Sirull and discuss what will drive greater impact in 2027.

December 22, 2026 | Tech It Out | Hadley

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM GMT
Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.

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Distribution: Dr. Kirk Adams

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Distribution Since: 2025

As of April 7, 2025 the distribution of the Innovative Impact Newsletter By Dr. Kirk Adams is made possible by Dr. Kirk Adams, a leading disability inclusion advocate, workforce accessibility expert and business strategist dedicated to fostering inclusive workplaces and leadership development worldwide.

Any time the Innovative Impact Newsletter By Dr. Kirk Adams Newsletter carries less than its Sponsor limit, Dr. Kirk Adams donates the remaining dollars necessary to keep the publication running.

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Publisher: Dr. Kirk Adams

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Publisher Since: April 7, 2025

Location: Seattle, Washington

Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time (PST/PDT) (GMT-2/GMT-1)

In addition to serving as Publisher for the Innovative Impact Newsletter, Dr. Kirk Adams also serves as the Managing Director for Innovative Impact, LLC, an award-winning firm where he leads strategic consulting, workforce inclusion initiatives, and leadership development programs focused on creating accessible, equitable, and high-performing workplaces. Through his consultation work with https://innovativeimpact.consulting to his speaking engagements and direct marketing initiatives via https://drkirkadams.com, Dr. Adams advises and assists Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations on advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives to drive meaningful, systemic change.

As Publisher, Dr. Adams oversees the monthly distribution of the Innovative Impact Newsletter By Dr. Kirk Adams on behalf of Dr. Kirk Adams.

” Inclusion isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s a strategic advantage. “

Dr. Kirk Adams, Ph.D.
Advocate, Leader and Keynote Speaker on Disability Inclusion & Leadership
Leading the Way to Accessible Innovation

Institute for Sustainable Diversity and Inclusion (ISDI)
Executive Director
Strengthening individual and organizational capability for creating diverse, inclusive and equitable workplaces.

Innovative Impact, LLC Consulting
Managing Director
Impactful Workforce Inclusion Starts Here

American Foundation for the Blind
Immediate Past President & CEO
To create a world of no limits for people who are blind or visually impaired.

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