July is Disability Pride Month, a time to recognize the strength and contributions of people with disabilities — including in the field of computing. This month not only commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990, but also serves as a reminder of the importance of accessibility, inclusion, and representation across all industries.
In the world of tech, individuals with disabilities have made profound impacts — from software development and cybersecurity to artificial intelligence and accessibility research. Their experiences inspire innovations that benefit everyone, such as screen readers, voice-controlled systems, and adaptive devices.
Organizations like CMD-IT (Center for Minorities and People with Disabilities in IT) play a critical role in supporting the disability community. CMD-IT’s mission is to drive societal change by providing skill development, opportunities, and resources for our target communities through innovative programs, events and strategies for the computing community. Through conferences like the Tapia Conference, mentorship programs, and visibility efforts, CMD-IT creates platforms where talent is recognized and supported.
Here are a few notable individuals with disabilities who have made significant contributions to computing:
Individuals with Disabilities Who Have Shaped Technology:
 | Chieko Asakawa Disability: Blind since age 14 Contribution: IBM Distinguished Service Professor at Carnegie Mellon University and IBM Fellow Impact: Developed the Home Page Reader, one of the first web-to-speech browsers; a pioneer in digital accessibility and human-computer interaction. |
 | Vint Cerf Disability: Hearing impaired Contribution: Widely known as one of the “Fathers of the Internet” Impact: Co-designed TCP/IP protocols, the foundation of internet architecture. As someone with hearing loss, he has long advocated for accessibility in tech. |
 | Joshua Miele Disability: Blind since age 4. Contribution: TMAP, YouDescribe, WearaBraille, Blind Arduino, Amazon device accessibility. Impact: MacArthur Fellowship, regional and digital accessibility adoption, thought leadership. |
By celebrating the contributions of people with disabilities in computing, we not only acknowledge their achievements — we also take a step toward building a more inclusive, innovative, and empowered tech future for all.