Powering Progress: Honoring Trailblazers with Disabilities in Energy, Innovation, and STEM
As we celebrate Disability Pride Month this July, Avangrid proudly honors the remarkable individuals with disabilities who have shaped the world—and the energy industry—with their vision, resilience, and ingenuity. Through advocacy, invention, leadership, and science, these trailblazers have helped build a more accessible and sustainable future.
By Amanda Miner, Chair, CARE
10 Notable Figures Who Inspire Us
1. Franklin D. Roosevelt – Electrifying Rural America
Paralyzed from the waist down due to polio, FDR led the U.S. through the Great Depression and WWII. His creation of the Rural Electrification Administration brought power to millions of Americans, transforming the energy landscape.
2. Stephen Hawking – Expanding the Universe of Knowledge
Despite living with ALS, Hawking’s groundbreaking work in theoretical physics and black holes has inspired generations of scientists and engineers, many of whom now lead innovation in clean energy and quantum research.
3. Judith Heumann – Architect of Accessibility
A pioneer of the disability rights movement, Heumann helped shape the Americans with Disabilities Act, opening doors for people with disabilities to thrive in technical fields, including energy and engineering.
4. Temple Grandin – Engineering Humane Systems
An autistic scientist and engineer, Grandin revolutionized livestock handling systems. Her work intersects with the energy-food-water nexus, promoting sustainability and humane practices in agriculture.
5. Haben Girma – Champion of Inclusive Technology
The first deaf-blind graduate of Harvard Law School, Girma is a leading advocate for digital accessibility. Her work influences how energy companies design inclusive platforms and services.
6. Ralph Braun – Mobility Innovator
Diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, Braun invented the first motorized scooter and wheelchair-accessible van. His innovations have empowered thousands to work in field-based roles across utilities and infrastructure.
7. Dr. Wanda Díaz-Merced – Listening to the Stars
A blind astrophysicist, Díaz-Merced developed sonification techniques to analyze astronomical data through sound. Her work makes space and energy research more accessible to all.
8. Caroline Casey – Global Inclusion Leader
Legally blind, Casey founded The Valuable 500, a global initiative to put disability inclusion on the business agenda. Her work influences corporate leadership in energy and beyond and Iberdrola Group is a proud member of the Valuable 500.
9. Farida Bedwei – Tech Trailblazer in Africa
A software engineer with cerebral palsy, Bedwei co-founded a fintech company in Ghana and advocates for inclusive tech. Her work supports digital and energy access across Africa.
10. John D. Kemp – Empowering Through Advocacy
Born without arms and legs, Kemp co-founded the American Association of People with Disabilities. His leadership has influenced inclusive hiring and accessibility that have helped bring talented individuals into energy and infrastructure sectors.
A Legacy of Innovation and Inclusion
These individuals remind us that disability is not a limitation—it’s a dimension of diversity that strengthens our industries and communities. At Avangrid, we are proud to support this legacy through our CARE Employee Resource Group, which fosters a culture of accessibility and empowerment.
As we look to the future of energy, we honor the past and present contributions of people with disabilities—and we reaffirm our commitment to build bridges and break down barriers and create a workplace where every person has the opportunity succeed.