Leadership, Inclusion and ROI The case for investing in disabled founders

As a disabled entrepreneur and advocate, I've witnessed and evidenced the extraordinary potential of disabled business leaders. Our community doesn't just adapt to barriers, we dismantle them, transforming adversity into innovation. The talents we bring to the table are not merely 'inspiring' (I'm not much of a fan of that word but that's for another day), they're economically vital, socially transformative and often ahead of the curve in meeting the needs of an increasingly diverse world.

Myself, I wasn't expected to amount to much. As a young disabled Asian boy growing up in Britain, I was quietly written off—by systems, by society, and sometimes even by the people closest to me. I was told what I couldn't do long before I had the chance to show what I could. But despite the odds, I went on to become the longest-serving CEO of a disability charity in the UK, leading Disability Direct for over 30 years. I've been a Bhangra singer, a local politician, a campaigner, and a man who quietly battled depression and low self-esteem while standing at the front of rooms full of people. What I've learned is that our limitations—whether imposed or inherited—don't define us. What defines us is our willingness to challenge them, reframe them, and use them as a platform to lead with courage and conviction. Now, I'm invited to speak about leadership, resilience, disability, and inclusion on national and international stages—working with businesses, organisations, and communities that are ready to listen, learn, and do better.

Determination is our foundation. Disabled entrepreneurs navigate systemic obstacles daily, from inaccessible infrastructure to outdated perceptions. Yet, this continual state of problem-solving breeds unparalleled creativity. We don't see hurdles as dead ends but as design challenges. Take the tech sector, where disabled innovators have pioneered assistive technologies, voice recognition software and inclusive user-centred design, advancements that benefit everyone. Our lived experience makes us natural futurists, anticipating gaps in the market long before others do. Indeed, many of my own non-disabled peers and indeed contemporaries have often joked about Amo's ability to see around the corner.

Inclusion is our expertise. Many disabled entrepreneurs excel in fields like accessibility consulting, adaptive design and social enterprise because we understand diversity isn't about ticking a box, it's a blueprint. My own efforts are living proof of how businesses led by disabled people often prioritise universal design, creating products and services that are inherently more flexible and user-friendly. This isn't niche, it's a competitive edge. The global disability market controls in the region of £1trillion in annual spending, yet remains vastly underserved. Disabled entrepreneurs bridge that gap, turning exclusion into opportunity.

Collaboration is our strength. Disability teaches the power of interdependence, knowing when to lean on others and when to lead. In business, this translates into collaborative leadership, empathetic team-building and partnerships that amplify impact. I've seen disabled-led startups thrive by implementing cultures of trust and adaptability, qualities that drive long-term success in uncertain economies. Our ability to listen deeply and pivot quickly is a lesson in modern leadership.

Yet, our potential is still underestimated. Too often, disabled entrepreneurs face disproportionate barriers to funding, mentorship, and visibility. Investors overlook the fact that businesses founded by disabled people frequently demonstrate higher survival rates and thus better likelihood of a ROI and profit! When we succeed, it's labelled 'inspirational' rather than 'strategic.' But the truth is, our successes are hard-won proofs of the concept of disability fuelling ingenuity. From sustainable fashion adapted for all bodies to AI-driven accessibility tools, we're not just participating in markets, we're redefining them.

And finally, remember, supporting disabled entrepreneurs isn't charity, it's a catalyst for broader prosperity. Governments must prioritise accessible grants and training. Corporations should partner with disabled-led suppliers. Investors need to recognise that disability inclusion isn't risk, it's an untapped ROI. And society must shift from seeing us as 'beneficiaries' of support to architects of change.

I've spent my career championing a belief that disability innovation benefits everyone. Lowered pavements designed for wheelchairs now ease travel for parents with pushchairs. Subtitles on screens - once just for the hard of hearing – are now used by everyone. Imagine what's next if we empower disabled entrepreneurs not as exceptions but as essential drivers of progress.

The future isn't just accessible, it's ours to build.