The Accessibility Conversation You’re Not Having (But Should Be) | L. Denise Wells | TEDxAtlanta
We say we believe in inclusion, but how often do we include disability in that conversation?In this provocative and heartfelt talk, accessibility advocate and DEI practitioner L. Denise Wells invites us to rethink what true inclusion looks like, why it’s not just a moral imperative but a driver of innovation. From elevators to texting, some of the technologies we rely on every day were originally designed for people with disabilities. So why are so many still excluded from the rooms where decisions are made?As the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act approaches, this talk challenges business leaders, educators, and changemakers to stop seeing accommodations as extras—and start recognizing them as launchpads for better design, better workplaces, and a better future for everyone.
L. Denise Wells is dedicated to advancing diversity,
equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) across
industries.A John C. Maxwell-certified speaker and award-winning author, she brings over 25 years of experience as a storyteller, DEIA advisor, and
transformational leadership coach, helping individuals and organizations create more inclusive and equitable spaces.Her commitment to empowerment is evident in her acclaimed book, “An Anthology of Sisterhood,” a 2013 NAACP-nominated collection amplifying the voices of 22 dynamic women. With a foreword by the late Ruby Dee, the book has received multiple literary honors and is required reading in ethnic studies at Santa Barbara College.Denise co-benefacts the Ruby Dee Legacy of Sisterhood Scholarship and holds degrees from the University of Georgia and Central Michigan University. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
More from TED
- 16:36How Gen Z can build financial confidence | Mercedes Gaztambide | TEDxTorontoMetUMercedes Gaztambide is a reporter at CBC Toronto. She graduated from Toronto Metropolitan University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Journalism and began her media career through a work-study position producing student recruitment content. That role sparked her interest in on-camera storytelling and led to opportunities in both digital and broadcast media.In 2020, she became blogTO’s first TikTok host and producer, helping grow the outlet’s reach with original, youth-focused content. She later joined CBC to host and edit the reboot of Street Cents, a financial literacy show for teens. She has hosted live award shows, co-hosted CBC Marketplace, earned a Webby nomination, won a Kidscreen Award, and worked as a producer at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.Mercedes combines storytelling, education, and authentic connection to inspire the next generation of journalists and creatives. She hopes to empower others to embrace curiosity, take risks, and tell stories that matter. Mercedes Gaztambide is a reporter at CBC Toronto. She graduated from Toronto Metropolitan University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Journalism and began her media career through a work-study position producing student recruitment content. That role sparked her interest in on-camera storytelling and led to opportunities in both digital and broadcast media.In 2020, she became blogTO’s first TikTok host and producer, helping grow the outlet’s reach with original, youth-focused content. She later joined CBC to host and edit the reboot of Street Cents, a financial literacy show for teens. She has hosted live award shows, co-hosted CBC Marketplace, earned a Webby nomination, won a Kidscreen Award, and worked as a producer at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.Mercedes combines storytelling, education, and authentic connection to inspire the next generation of journalists and creatives. She hopes to empower others to embrace curiosity, take risks, and tell stories that matter. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 10:47Pixels and Perspectives: Finding Meaning in the Details | Daniyal Harris | TEDxIBAWhat if the smallest, most overlooked moments in your life held the key to who you're meant to become? In this talk, Daniyal Haris explores how life’s tiniest “pixels”—the hardships, rejections, and quiet victories—can come together to form a meaningful picture. Drawing from his journey as a filmmaker and student, Daniyal argues that it's not about fitting into someone else’s frame—it's about building your own image, one pixel at a time. This talk is a reminder that no one else defines your potential, and sometimes, the clearest perspective comes from the blurriest beginnings. [Filmmaker - Storyteller]An IBA student with a filmmaker's soul, Daniyal Harris crafts stories that blur the line between memory and magic. His nostalgic style of filmmaking doesn't just tell a story - it transports you into it. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
