Global Disability Innovation Hub

A research and practice centre driving disability innovation for a fairer world the Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) leads the AT2030 programme.

More than a product, service, or policy, GDI Hub believes that disability innovation is a way of thinking to address disability challenges by co-designing solutions and sharing knowledge.

GDI Hub is formed of an Academic Research Centre (based at UCL) and a Community Interest Company (a non-profit, mission-led organisation).

(Vicki Austin and Community Leader in Sierra Leone. Photo credit - Angus Stewart)

Domains

GDI Hub works across 5 interacting domains;

• Research - creating solutions and products
• Innovation - growing inclusive ecosystems
• Programmes - testing what works
• Teaching - learning and sharing knowledge
• Advocacy - evidence based outreach

The approach

GDI Hub vision is of a world without barriers to participation and with equitable opportunity for all.

Stimulating entrepreneurship by developing bold approaches, partnerships and ecosystems to accelerate change - the GDI Hub believe disability innovation is part of a bigger movement for disability inclusion and social justice.

Our expertise

GDI Hub are solutions-focused experts in Assistive Technology, Inclusive Design and Culture and Participation - using bold approaches to accelerate community-led solutions to shape mainstream programming.

Based in East London as a legacy of London 2012 Paralympic Games GDI Hub delivers world-class research, ideas and inventions to create new knowledge, solutions and products, shaping policy and programmes through co-creation, participation and collaboration.

The team

A dynamic, multi-disciplinary team working with partners from across academia, the private sector, governments, international organisations and NGOs.

Formed within an ecosystem of innovation and enterprise, GDI Hub creates unique collaborations and disruptive partnerships to overcome the barriers that exclusion and poverty create in relation to disability.