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Story About
Russell Cecchini conceptualized and co-founded ComputerWise in the 1980s to bridge the expansive gap between people living with disabilities and the inclusive, fully accessible work environments they deserve. With a head pointer and keyboard, Russell uses 3-D modeling software to design adaptive equipment for himself and for others who, like him, have struggled to find work that accommodates them sufficiently. ComputerWise was made a reality by a handful of people who shared Russell's vision of a truly inclusive workplace.
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40 years later, Russell is still doing what he loves: working to improve the lives of his peers. Through ComputerWise he has found a community of passionate people with creative minds, building numerous personal and business relationships, and completed a number of projects. But there is more to be done—Russell has no shortage of ambitions for the future; he wants to expand his reach beyond Canada and make connections worldwide. He aims to continue his work and create a variety of accessibility tools, meeting whatever needs arise.
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"Things could still be better. I want to see more advancements. I want to work, and I want my work to be affordable to address the issue of how expensive it is to be disabled."
Elevators and accessible bathrooms are often what cross people's minds when thinking about accessibility in the workplace, but true accessibility is much more involved. For those whose disabilities impact their speech and/or movement, the search for gainful employment is often challenging and disheartening.​
"I want to help all disabled people reach their goals. Adaptive equipment is expensive, so if someone needs something specialized to help with their daily life, I try to make it."
