Rewriting Narratives: Tiffany Yu on Disability Inclusion, Allyship, and the Vision Behind Diversability

For International Day of Persons with Disabilities, #IAmRemarkable has partnered with leading organizations that are driving disability inclusion, to share their insights and critical work to support individuals with disabilities in the workplace and beyond.

Tiffany Yu is the CEO & Founder of Diversability, an award-winning social enterprise to elevate disability pride, the Founder of the Awesome Foundation Disability Chapter, and the author of The Anti-Ableist Manifesto: Smashing Stereotypes, Forging Change, and Building a Disability-Inclusive World. Her TED Talk, How to Help Employees with Disabilities Thrive, has over one million views.  She serves on the NIH National Advisory Board on Medical Rehabilitation Research and was a Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum Sustainable Development Impact Summit. As we approach the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Tiffany shared powerful insights on the importance of inclusion and allyship, inspiring us to foster a more equitable and supportive world.

What was the driving force behind founding Diversability, and how did your personal experiences shape your vision for the organisation?

Diversability was born out of my personal journey of embracing my identity as a disabled person. When I was nine, I became disabled in a car accident that also took my father's life. For years, I internalized shame and hid my disability because I felt it made me "less than." It wasn’t until college, when I began sharing my story publicly, that I realized the power of community in rewriting these narratives and owning our stories. I founded Diversability to create a space where disabled people could feel seen, celebrated, and empowered—and where non-disabled allies could learn to champion inclusion in meaningful ways.

The organization reflects my vision of a world where disability is celebrated as a natural part of diversity, and where everyone—regardless of disability status—has the opportunity to thrive. 

What advice would you give to individuals with disabilities who are entering the workforce or aiming to advance their careers?

Disabled people are some of the most innovative, creative, and adaptable people out there, not because we want to be, but because we’ve had to be in a world that wasn’t built for us. We bring unique skills, perspectives, and value to any workplace. 

When I was going through the hiring process, I looked for companies that had a demonstrated commitment to disability inclusion, such as partnering with organizations like Lime Connect or being a part of The Valuable 500 or Disability:IN’s Disability Equality Index. If you are looking to advance your career within your current company, seek out mentors, sponsors, and communities like disability employee resource groups. You could also seek out external groups like industry associations or even our community at Diversability. No one should feel like they have to navigate their careers alone.

Remember that advancing your career is not just about overcoming barriers but about breaking them down for others, too. Every time you succeed, you pave the way for others to follow.

For those interested in exploring how to create disability-inclusive workplaces, my book, The Anti-Ableist Manifesto, offers actionable insights for individuals and organizations alike.

Could you share a tip for anybody who wants to be a better ally to the disability community?

Start with listening and learning. Allyship begins when we stop assuming and start asking: “What do you need? How can I support you?” Educate yourself about the systemic barriers disabled people face, and don’t rely on disabled individuals to teach you everything.

Also, take action. Allyship isn’t performative; it’s about using your voice, privilege, and resources to challenge ableism and fight for accessibility and inclusion. This includes advocating for workplace accommodations, addressing stereotypes, and calling out ableist behavior—even when no disabled person is present.

If you want to go deeper, there is manifesto art that goes with my book The Anti-Ableist Manifesto. There are about 30 statements displayed in an artistic way, such as “disability is not a bad word or a bad thing,” “accessibility and accommodations promote equity,” and “hire us.” These loosely correspond with the chapters of the book, and I use this as the starting point for allies to reflect on which statement(s) on the manifesto art pique their interest. They can then dig deeper by referencing that chapter in the book or do their own research on the actionable ways and tools to rethink how they can support disability inclusion in their everyday life.

What does an inclusive world look like to you, and what role do you see Diversability playing in creating that future?

An inclusive world is one where accessibility is seen as a given, not an afterthought. It’s a world where disabled people are not just included but centered in conversations about equity, innovation, and progress.

At Diversability, our role is to push for that future by celebrating disabled voices and stories, empowering community, and driving systemic change. Part of how ableism continues to persist is by keeping disabled people separate, isolated, excluded, and alone. We’re cultivating a culture where disability is embraced, and we’re encouraging others to join us in reimagining a world that works for everyone.

Through The Anti-Ableist Manifesto, I hope to inspire readers to be active participants in creating that world. Inclusion isn’t just about changing systems; it’s about changing mindsets.

How would you describe the progress we’ve made toward inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities? Are there particular trends or developments that give you hope, or areas where you think more effort is needed?

We’ve made strides in accessibility and representation, thanks to technology and cultural shifts, but there’s still so much more to do. I’m hopeful about the growing awareness around disability justice and the emphasis on intersectionality within advocacy work. I feel hopeful that things like the growth of the Paralympic movement and the increased visibility of disabled leaders show that progress is possible.

However, we still have a long way to go in combating ableism, addressing economic inequities, and ensuring accessibility in every aspect of life. For example, many public spaces and digital platforms remain inaccessible, and disabled people continue to face higher unemployment rates than any other minoritized group.

I’d like to see more ways to meaningfully support disabled people’s livelihoods, whether that is through hiring them, supporting disability entrepreneurship, and dismantling systemic barriers that keep many disabled people in poverty.

Learn more about Tiffany and Diversability. Read Tiffany’s book: The Anti Ableist Manifesto