DisabilityTech: Innovation for an Accessible Future

Over his career Bob Ludke has advised policymakers in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, taught at the United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, and provided counsel on sustainability, corporate governance, supply chain management, and environment, social, and governance (ESG) strategies for companies in the retail, oil and gas, transportation, and finance sectors. He also is a leader in advancing competitive, integrated employment for persons with disabilities to drive innovation, expand market opportunities, and create long-term value across the global economy. 

He is the author of two books: First, Case Studies in Disability-Driven Innovation. Published in February 2025, the book showcases the strategies that will not only future-proof businesses but also unlock markets worth trillions of dollars. Second, Transformative Markets, a book about the role of markets in fostering a more sustainable society. Bob also is the creator of the Voices of Nature podcast in partnership with Global Conservation Corps. 

Brittany Palmer is a Managing Partner at Adaptation Ventures, the first angel group in the US that invests in early stage disability and accessible tech startups. 

She is also an Advisory Group Member for the Howe Innovation Center at Perkins School for the Blind. Brittany, born as a bilateral, below-elbow amputee, has adapted to everything throughout her entire life and is excited to support innovations for the disability community. Prior to starting Adaptation Ventures, Brittany was the Founder and CEO of Beeyonder, a live and interactive virtual travel startup with guides around the world that aimed to bring true equal access to travel. Before starting Beeyonder, Brittany practiced law at an international consulting firm as a Principal and In-House Counsel. 

Brittany received a BS in Biology and a BS in Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, as well as her JD from Pace Law School.

Jon Farrell is the Technical Software Lead on the Brailler Innovation Team at Perkins School for the Blind, where he leads the development of software solutions to advance braille literacy. An IAAP Certified Professional in Web Accessibility with over a decade of frontend development experience, Jon has built inclusive educational platforms across industries and now pioneers tools for learners who are blind or visually impaired. He collaborates closely with designers, engineers, and users with disabilities to deliver scalable, WCAG-compliant technologies shaped by real-world feedback and testing 

Meghan Gagne is the Director of Product for Braille Innovation at the Howe Innovation Center at Perkins, where she leads the strategic development of inclusive solutions that expand access to literacy and technology for the blind and low vision community. With over a decade of experience in connected products, Meghan has built a career at the intersection of digital and physical product experiences, with a focus on consumer wearables and health tech. Her work is defined by a commitment to creating accessible, affordable, and empowering solutions for consumers. 

Prior to joining Perkins, Meghan served as Head of Product at two early-stage startups, leading product strategy, scaling cross-functional teams, and launching disruptive technologies. Leading to that, she spent nine years at Bose Corporation, where she helped bring award-winning, category-defining innovations to market that redefined industry standards. 

Samantha Johnson is the founder and CEO of Tatum Robotics, a company dedicated to developing innovative assistive technology for the DeafBlind community. Her journey began at Northeastern University, where she pursued her degree in bioengineering and first encountered the challenges faced by DeafBlind individuals. This experience sparked her passion for accessibility and led to the development of Tatum Robotics’ flagship technology, the Tatum T1—a robotic hand designed to provide first-time independent access to tactile sign. 

Tatum Robotics has grown into a dynamic team partnering with leading institutions such as the Helen Keller National Center, Perkins School for the Blind, and Gallaudet University. She has secured non-dilutive funding through programs like NSF SBIR and participated in incubators such as the MIT Solve and the MassRobotics Accelerator. 

Paul Kent is the Founder of disAbled Life Alliance, a public benefit corporation, and Executive Director of the disAbled Life Foundation, a 501(c)(3), both dedicated to advancing innovation and equity across the disability landscape. His journey into this work began on December 1, 2020, when he underwent a pioneering bilateral below-the-knee Ewing amputation at Brigham and Women’s Hospital—becoming part of a groundbreaking clinical study that ended a decade-long health crisis and reshaped his purpose.

Prior to this chapter, Paul built a distinguished career in financial services, serving in senior leadership at Jefferies and Company, including overseeing U.S. Equity Sales and Trading. He later founded Idlewood Capital Partners to support emerging fund managers and advise ultra-high-net-worth individuals and family offices. Since 2016, Paul has bridged capital markets expertise with philanthropic strategy, helping direct charitable and investment capital toward measurable impact. Now, through disAbled Life, he brings his lived experience and professional insight together to expand opportunity for the disability community.

He is a proud father of two adult sons and grandfather of two beautiful granddaughters.