On March 12, 2016, Gary Birch, Executive Director of the Neil Squire Society, was a speaker at TEDxBCIT in Vancouver. Is Your Innovation Disabled?, his perspective-bending talk, provides an insight into the great innovations that have been spurred on by people with disabilities, and yet which benefit all of us. This perspective can bring tremendous value to the workplace that hires persons with disabilities.

Is Your Innovation Disabled?
By Gary Birch

Innovation hinges on seeing problems from a new perspective. But few would-be innovators have considered the profound perspective shift that comes with a disability. This perspective can bring tremendous value to the workplace that hires persons with disabilities. Furthermore it explores how innovation hinges on seeing problems from a new perspective. In fact, most of us simply compartmentalize disabilities as disadvantages. This perspective-bending talk gives us an insight into the great innovations that have been spurred by those with disabilities – innovations that have benefitted every one of us. Prepare to get a new perspective on how to get a new perspective.

Gary Talks About his TEDxBCIT Talk on Marc Stoiber’s “Didn’t See It Coming” Podcast

Direct link (new window) to the podcast.

Read a transcript of this podcast.

Gary Birch, O.C., Ph.D, P.Eng

Gary Birch was appointed Director of Research and Development at the Neil Squire Society in 1988 and then in 1994 was appointed Executive Director. Dr. Birch was appointed an Officer in the order of Canada in December 2008.

What is TEDxBCIT

TEDxBCIT 2016 is dedicated to illuminating the opportunities that are unfolding rapidly. The full day event will explore opportunity through connection, innovation, society and learning. TEDxBCIT will give you a full day of exciting, innovative and unique thinkers that will inspire and teach. This is a great opportunity to meet and network with some of today’s forward thinkers.

Visit TEDxBCIT (new window) for more information about this event.

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