Coinciding with the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), July is Disability Pride Month. AUVSI’s DE&I Advisory Group works to foster an environment that values the contributions of all people no matter their physical ability or other protected status. AUVSI is committed to leading the industry forward toward one that fosters a culture of inclusiveness – which we know supports innovation and solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems. We understand that this work is ongoing and requires a deliberate approach based on integrity, respect, transparency, and a desire for growth.

During a session on “Accelerating Innovation Through Diversity of Thought” at XPONENTIAL 2022, attendees discussed how diversity and inclusiveness impact the uncrewed systems community, the technology we design, and how our systems integrate into society. Sherrilene Classen, Professor and Chair, University of Florida, Department of Occupational Therapy, presented her research findings on how autonomous vehicles can be designed to support populations with limited mobility and how uncrewed systems can be equitably integrated into society.

Classen encouraged attendees to consider availability, acceptability, adaptability, and affordability of their systems and roll-out plans and to consider design issues beyond hardware, including perception. She also urged the entire industry take more actions to ensure that people with limited mobility have opportunities to provide feedback on the systems we design.

At the open-ended Sandbox discussion session, XPONENTIAL attendees shared feedback on how they are increasing their focus on inclusivity, including striving to ensure inclusivity of individuals with disabilities. One respondent shared their perspective that, “More holistic solutions can be achieved in our industry through improved understanding of diverse end-users’ needs and improved rollout to ensure that all users and communities can benefit from our technologies.”

AUVSI is committed to conducting continual examination, taking impactful actions, and long-term growth that leads to a more inclusive industry. We invite the entire uncrewed systems community to share their insights, research, or best practices on these topics during AUVSI’s upcoming events. Learn more about open calls for presentations on topics like inclusivity in design, vehicle accessibility and adaptability, and social equity.