Who's ready to engineer a world that works for all? | Vanessa Harris, PE | TEDxChicago

What would the world be like if the disability community designed it?" With this provocative question, Vanessa Harris opens a groundbreaking exploration of universal access. Drawing from her unique perspective as both a licensed engineer and former asylum patient, Harris unveils how businesses are missing out on the world's largest minority market. Through her work producing the Accessible Chicago series, she showcases how thoughtful design and simple accommodations can transform both profits and lives. Harris presents a compelling case for disability-led innovation, demonstrating that true inclusion isn't just about compliance-it's about unleashing untapped potential.
#Accessibility Vanessa Harris, PE, is a licensed civil engineer, problem-solver and artist with multiple disabilities. Amid a 46-year engineering career, she took a documentary class at Hyde Park Art Center that changed the trajectory of her life and led her to establish Strategy for Access. This organization has produced more than 180 videos celebrating and informing Chicago’s vast disability community of their right to access.
Her most recent project was the production of 16 short subjects in a series called Accessible Chicago, which she created to help Chicago become internationally recognized as a disability-friendly city. She covers each subject clearly with her unique sense of humor, helping to empower those with disabilities and giving them a platform to share their experiences, wisdom, and perspectives. Crain’s Chicago Business has recognized Vanessa as a Notable Black Leader and Executive and she is on the grantmaking panels for Illinois Humanities and the Resist Foundation. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx