ThrivAbility

ThrivAbility is a social venture
driving innovation, education and business
to make our homes, cities and lives
more accessible for all people
– regardless of age or ability.

This Accessible Life Webinar

Our monthly webinar series. Led by influential thinkers, policymakers, executives, startups, VCs, members of the disability community and more.

Everything in your home, your city and your life is about to change. Are you ready?

Don’t miss our new webinar series that airs the 2nd Thursday of every month.

Topics include accessible cities and travel, the booming AbilityTech revolution, transforming lives through adaptive sports, companies missing out on trillion dollar markets – and more. Limited space – register now.

Presenting sponsors

Register now

Accessibility is not a niche

These growing populations are a demographic force and economic powerhouse.

2 billion in 2050

Largest global minority:
People with a physical disability

1.6 billion in 2050

Fastest growing demographic:
The aging population (65+)

ThrivAbility’s system for change

Ability innovations

Drive innovation
of adaptive products and AbilityTech
for Active Mobility and independence.

Thought leadership

Inspire and raise awareness
around inclusive solutions
for accessibility and social progress.

Accessible companies

Co-create accessible companies
through inclusive product design,
engaged employees and impactful stories.

Ability innovations

Official testbed

Our innovation hubs and testbeds
in Detroit, New York, and Boston.

We help discover and accelerate inclusive solutions in adaptive products, AbilityTech and inclusive design. Our testbeds test and pilot new innovations for people with disabilities and the aging population.

In a classroom teacher helps student build robotic arm for design and technology. Encouraging innovation discovery and coding skills in science education. Robot hand. Innovation and technology concept

Detroit

Urban tech exchange

We integrate tech solutions into the city’s built environment using downtown as a living laboratory.

New York

Age tech testbed

We partner with leaders in retirement and assisted living to test and deploy new innovations amongst the aging population.

Boston

Innovation hub

Coming soon.

Challenges (in-person and virtual)

A call for innovations
Winners considered for hubs or TechExpo
Pipeline for international challenges

Testing and funding

Connections and pathways to testing and funding
Invitation for proposals from startups

Calling all startups, investors and mentors
in AgeTech, AbilityTech and inclusive products.

Ready to be part of a $8 trillion dollar market?

Whether you’re looking for a testbed, seeking funding for a groundbreaking idea, eager to mentor,
interested in investing or want to sponsor a tech challenge, we have the opportunity for you.

Reach Out Now

Thought Leadership

Webinars, roundtables and panels.

This Accessible Life webinar series and our roundtables
raise awareness and accelerate change.

We facilitate open discussions driven by necessity.
Our network of changemakers includes influential thinkers,
policymakers, executives, startups and VCs – and always
including members of the disability community.

ThrivAbility in the news

Want a future-ready city? Make it accesbile

Designing tomorrow for universal accessibility

Roundtables

World Economic Forum Urban Transformation Summit

Detroit, MI

Participants: Toyota Mobility Foundation, University of Michigan, Detroit Disability Power, Access Living.

Move United Education Conference

Colorado Springs, CO

Participants: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Toyota Mobility Foundation, Veterans Health Administration, All In Sport Consulting, Tolsma/Stockwell Prosthetics.

Think Sport and The Spot SwissTech Innovation Event

Lausanne, Switzerland

Participants: Airbus, Salomon, adidas, Hopper Running Blades.

Address to the Disability Advisory Committee

Geoffrey Starks
Commissioner FCC

Nothing about us, without us is not a slogan. It should guide every deliberation and action being taken in order to create and sustain a more equitable and just world.

Disability could negatively impact self-esteem, limit participation in recreational and social activities, create the potential for isolation (and) increase the chances of physical and mental health issues…

There is considerable evidence that..adaptive sports have the power to transform lives both in changing how personas with disabilities looks at themselves, as well as in how society treats them. The tow barriers are..expensive sports equipment and lack of awareness that adaptive programs exist.

A new initiative called the Adaptive Sports Movement (now ThrivAbility) is holding Roundtables to address these issues, working with media companies to design strategies to raise awareness and tell more inclusive stories.

Geoffrey Starks
Commissioner FCC

Accessible companies

Become an accessible business.

ThrivAbility empowers organizations to innovate and lead to increase their customer base, product discovery and the bottom line. We believe embracing accessibility and inclusion isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s a smart business decision with significant returns on investment.

Companies lose billions by not being accessible.

90% of disabled customers’ purchase decisions are negatively affected by limitations of design and information.

70% of online consumers abandon a purchase due to poor accessibility.

But accessible business is good business.

93% say it’s important that brands prioritize digital accessibility.

81% of business decision-makers claim accessibility increases customer satisfaction and 79% say brand reputation improves.

Sources: Business Disability Forum, Baymard Institute, Acquia, Level Access

Boost the connection with your brand and drive the bottom line.

Realize the tangible benefits of accessible business.

Attract and retain top talent, expand your market reach and drive innovation with adaptive products. Enhance customer experience to boost satisfaction and loyalty, all while strengthening your brand reputation.

Get a Free Consultation

About us

A letter from the founder

No one should be without community, exercise and easy mobility. No one should question their value in the world because they are different.

I have been involved with active mobility for 20 years through my son who was born with one leg. We discovered adaptive sport through “word of mouth”. Never before have I met people with the self-confidence, personal agency and loyalty of this community.

At the Challenged Athletes Foundation triathlon, I saw people of all ages, all abilities, drop their prostheses, wheelchairs and wayfinding equipment on the sand and dive into the ocean for an open water mile swim. Seeing the beach littered with their equipment changed my view of “ability”. I realized that so much more is possible.

ThrivAbility was launched to co-create a world where accessibility is inclusive, and every person, regardless of age or ability, can participate, connect and thrive.

Thank you for being interested and for your help!

Susan Pinkwater

Our leadership

We are a team of world changing strategists,
business leaders, accessibility experts,
purpose driven innovators, inclusive designers,
brand builders, storytellers, employee engagers,
social activists and inclusion advocates.

We are brought together by the shared belief
that we can create a more inclusive future
while driving growth for our clients.

Susan Pinkwater

Founder
susan@thrivability.org

We are a team of world changing strategists,
business leaders, accessibility experts,
purpose driven innovators, inclusive designers,
brand builders, storytellers, employee engagers,
social activists and inclusion advocates.

We are brought together by the shared belief
that we can create a more inclusive future
while driving growth for our clients.