Xceptional Labs Empowers Disability Entrepreneurs with Innovative Online Event

Founder Mai Ling Chan Discusses Upcoming Exceptional Alliances Event.

In a recent interview with Debra Ruh, Antonio Vieira Santos and Neil Milliken from AXSCHAT, Mai Ling Chan, the founder and CEO of Exceptional Labs, provided insights into the upcoming Exceptional Alliances Epic Online Accessibility Event. The event is set to take place on October 20th and aims to bring together disability-focused entrepreneurs, advocates, and experts to discuss critical issues surrounding accessibility and inclusion.

Exceptional Labs, a venture co-founded by Mai Ling Chan, India Oakes, and Yono Welker, was initially conceived as an accelerator program for disability-focused entrepreneurs. However, due to the changing investment landscape, the team launched the Exceptional Alliances event as their first offering. The event fosters collaboration, promotes universal design, and provides a platform for change-makers in the disability community.

One of the key points highlighted during the interview was the need to break down barriers that prevent entrepreneurs with disabilities from accessing funding and support. Mai Ling Chan discussed the hesitancy some entrepreneurs feel about disclosing their disabilities to potential investors and the importance of changing perceptions and biases within the investment community.

The interview also touched on the challenges faced by entrepreneurs with disabilities, including concerns about losing essential benefits when starting a business. Mai Ling emphasized the importance of accessible resources and support to help individuals navigate these challenges.

Regarding the Exceptional Alliances event, Mai Ling Chan highlighted its comprehensive agenda, including discussions on accessibility ethics, public and private stakeholder involvement, lived experiences, workplace environments, and more. Notable speakers and advocates, such as Dr. Victor Pineda, Molly Levitt, and Edmund Asiedu, are set to participate in these discussions.

The event is open to all and will be accessible with American Sign Language interpretation and closed captioning. Recordings of the sessions will also be made available for those who cannot attend in real time.

To register for the Exceptional Alliances Epic Online Accessibility Event, individuals can visit the official website at exceptionalalliances.com. While the event is free, there is an option to access recordings and additional materials for a nominal fee.

Mai Ling Chan‘s dedication to promoting accessibility, inclusion, and entrepreneurship within the disability community is reflected in the event’s mission, and it promises to be a valuable gathering for those interested in these important topics.

How A Neurodivergent Dating And Community App Gets Built – AXSChat Podcast

A mainstream dating app can feel like speed-running small talk, judgment, and awkward “disclosures.” Holly Fowler built Wable because she saw a different need: a safer, calmer place where neurodivergent people can look for friends, dates, and even jobs without having to explain themselves from square one. After watching Love on the Spectrum during Australia’s lockdowns, she connected the dots between connection, community, and the quiet isolation many autistic and ADHD adults live with every day.We get into how Wable designs for real-world neurodiversity instead of a one-size-fits-all label. Holly shares why the product was shaped with a wide focus group including autistic users, people with ADHD, OCD and dyslexia, plus parents, carers, occupational therapists and other specialists. She explains the platform’s safety-first choices like a more stringent sign-up process, required verification, and blocking links and media, along with sensory-friendly options such as adjustable theme colour schemes. We also talk about practical in-app support, including guidance on messaging pace, conversation basics, boundaries, and staying safe when meeting someone new.Connection is only half the story, so we dig into employment barriers and why Wable is adding inclusive job opportunities, workplace resources, and venue discovery that accounts for access needs like low lighting, lower sound, and wheelchair accessibility. Holly also opens up about fundraising as a founder and what has changed as investor awareness of neurodivergence grows. If you care about neurodivergent inclusion, autism-friendly community platforms, ADHD-friendly design, accessible employment, or safer online spaces, this conversation delivers grounded ideas you can use. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more listeners can find Access.Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow axschat on social media.Bluesky:Antonio https://bsky.app/profile/akwyz.comDebra https://bsky.app/profile/debraruh.bsky.socialNeil https://bsky.app/profile/neilmilliken.bsky.socialaxschat https://bsky.app/profile/axschat.bsky.socialLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/antoniovieirasantos/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/axschat/https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilmilliken/Vimeohttps://vimeo.com/akwyzhttps://twitter.com/axschathttps://twitter.com/AkwyZhttps://twitter.com/neilmillikenhttps://twitter.com/debraruh

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