Redesigning for disabled individuals benefits everyone in our society.

Hear it Straight

Hey there! Let's dive into the world of Dr. Kush Kanodia, a stalwart advocate for disability rights who's made some serious waves with his groundbreaking campaign, 'Eco Ableism'. This campaign took on the discriminatory effects of London's Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) on disabled folks, and it's now a model for ensuring Clean Air initiatives are inclusive for all. As a reward for his monumental work, he scooped up this year's Campaigner of the Year Award.

Natasha Randhawa, our Editor-at-large, sat down for a no-holds-barred chat with Dr. Kanodia about social entrepreneurship and his remarkable achievements advocating for disability rights.

First things first, Dr. Kanodia, welcome to the interview! Massive kudos on the award. Before we delve into the campaign, let's talk about your own journey. You identify as a 'social entrepreneur'. What does that mean to you, and how did your life experiences inspire the leap from banking to advocacy?

Dr. Kanodia was diagnosed with Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia as a child, a rare genetic condition that caused significant joint pain, leading to him having both hips replaced in 2002 and facing future knee and shoulder surgeries. Initially, he saw his disability as a curse due to the pain, weakness, and societal stigma. Becoming a Torch Bearer for the London 2012 Paralympics transformed his perspective. He realized his disability had instilled in him valuable qualities: humility, compassion, determination, and problem-solving skills. He learned that he could choose the labels associated with his disability. By reframing it from a curse to a blessing, he saw it as a source of strength and purpose. This shift in perspective transformed his relationship with his disability and fueled his passion for being a change-maker and social entrepreneur. Embracing his disability empowered him to focus his energy on making meaningful contributions to society, enriching his life and the lives of others. This helped him transition from an investment banker focused on creating shareholder value and making millionaires billionaires, to a social entrepreneur focused on creating value for humanity and supporting many millions of disabled people in our society.

The Eco Ableism campaign tackles a crucial disconnect between environmental policy and disability inclusion. Climate and social justice issues can't be solved in silos. What actionable advice can companies take to ensure their sustainability efforts are truly inclusive?

Companies can follow the 3 pillars of the Disability Rights movement:

Nothing about us, without us: Emphasize including disabled people in decisions affecting their lives, respecting our voices, needs, and rights for true inclusivity.
Social model of disability: View disability as a result of societal barriers and attitudes, removing these barriers to create a more inclusive and equitable society.
Equality Act and reasonable adjustments: Understand UK law, the Equality Act, and the legal duty of making reasonable adjustments, such as making accommodations for inaccessible environments in public buildings.

When discussing the impact of this campaign, you said, "No person can transform a system by themselves, it has to be from a 'Me' to a 'We'". In April, Ipsos reported that only 27% of the general public are satisfied with democracy in the UK. What role can and should business leaders and brands play in reigniting citizen interest and engagement, especially when faith in the current political system is low?

Business leaders and brands can play a crucial role in rekindling public interest and engagement by addressing the severe lack of representation of disabled people in politics and business. Currently, there's a significant disparity: according to the recent UK parliament, just six out of 650 MPs were on record as being a disabled person. This is alarming considering disabled people make up approximately 24% of the UK population. By reframeing the discussion on disability from charity work to a business case, companies can see the potential benefits of engaging with the disability market, which is larger than China with over $13 trillion in annual disposable income.

Technology plays a significant role in all aspects of society, and it's an area where your work touches on too. How can tech companies collaborate with the disability rights movement to leverage technological advancements in further inclusion efforts and empower disabled people?

Tech companies can partner with the disability rights movement to design innovative products and services that incorporate universal design principles. They can also foster collaboration between the tech and disability communities by showcasing the latest hardware and software innovations for disability inclusion. By leveraging their influence, these companies can advocate for stronger enforcement and better compliance with accessibility standards, ensuring a more equitable digital environment for all.

You were a Torch Bearer for the 2012 Paralympic Games. In 2022, you helped 2.5 million disabled people access critical healthcare during the pandemic through the #NoWheelChairTax campaign. Looking ahead to 2032, what do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities for disability inclusion over the next eight years?

First, we must acknowledge the disproportionate impact of austerity, the pandemic, and the cost of living crisis on the UK's disabled people. There's been no progress since 2016 on 'grave and systemic' violations of disabled people's rights in the UK, as reported by the United Nations in 2024. The Office for National Statistics previously noted that approximately 60% of Covid-19 deaths were among disabled people. Additionally, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation's report on destitution highlighted that nearly two-thirds (62%) of the 4 million people experiencing destitution in 2022 had a chronic health problem or disability.

In 2022, Dr. Kanodia received an Honorary Doctorate from Kent University for leading a campaign that abolished disabled car parking charges at all NHS hospitals in England, described as 'the single largest and most impactful change in the treatment of disabled people in NHS history'. Dr. Kanodia's hope for the next eight years is that future UK governments and stakeholders focus on poverty alleviation and embedding the three pillars of the disability rights movement, recognizing that when we design for disability, we design for everyone.

Dr. Kanodia, when asked about his journey from banking to advocacy, attributed his transformation to his diagnosis of Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia and redefining his disability as a source of strength and purpose rather than a curse.
The Eco Ableism campaign, centered on disability inclusion in environmental policy, emphasizes the importance of the Disability Rights movement's principles: inclusive decision-making, the social model of disability, and adherence to the Equality Act and reasonable adjustments.
In a discussion about the role of business leaders and brands in renewing citizen interest and engagement in politics, Dr. Kanodia stressed the necessity of addressing the underrepresentation of disabled people in politics and business to foster meaningful change.
Tech companies can collaborate with the disability rights movement by designing universally accessible products and services, promoting collaboration between the tech and disability communities, and advocating for stronger enforcement and compliance with accessibility standards.
Looking forward to 2032, Dr. Kanodia acknowledged the challenges posed by austerity, the pandemic, and the cost of living crisis on the UK's disabled population, while expressing hope for future governments and stakeholders to prioritize poverty alleviation and disability rights.