Disability is truly the mother of invention

My overarching mission is to bring more lived disability experience to mainstream design, and more thoughtful design to accessible experiences.

Connecting Dots — A Blind Life

A memoir by Joshua A. Miele with Wendell Jamieson

About Josh Miele

Joshua A. Miele is a blind scientist, designer, author, and disability scholar.

He writes, advises, and collaborates widely on accessible design, disability-inclusive research methods, and the disability experience, often with emphasis on blindness and low vision.

MieleLab Blog

Personal and professional musings on disability, accessibility, and design, as well as reports from my own blind experience.

  • Getting Started — Learning About Disability Basics

    Sometimes it’s hard to know where to get started learning about a complex topic like disability. If you haven’t had exposure to disability, or if you are just beginning to think about it in your own life, There can be a lot of confusing and conflicting messages. History, literature, and popular culture offer quite a […]

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  • Working with Wood

    Working with Wood

    Most of the accessibility work I do is digital in one form or another. It’s satisfying to create digital experiences, but they usually lack a certain concrete durability. Maybe that’s why one of my favorite hobbies is woodworking.

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Upcoming Events

Joshua’s work bridges technology and disability, striving for accessibility across all aspects of the digital and physical world.

  • Connecting Dots at the New York Public Library – Josh Miele in conversation with Andrew Lealand

    June 26, 2025 at 6:30 pm (Eastern)

    Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (455 Fifth Avenue New York, NY), 7th floor

    Dr. Miele is honored to be discussing his memoir, Connecting Dots – A Blind Life, at The New York Public Library on the evening of June 26. In conversation with acclaimed journalist and author, Andrew Lealand, and using Dr. Miele’s memoir as a framework, attendees can anticipate a fascinating public dialog about blind identity, disability representation, and accessible design. Copies of Connecting Dots will be available for sale, with opportunity for audience Q&A and book signing to follow. RSVP here for in-person or online attendance.

MacArthur Fellowship Award

The MacArthur Fellowship award celebrates individuals who demonstrate extraordinary creativity, significant accomplishments, and the promise of future impactful work.

Josh’s recognition by the MacArthur Foundation underscores his groundbreaking contributions to accessibility, supporting blind and visually impaired (BVI) individuals in accessing information and everyday technologies. His work crosses traditional lines of accessibility, focusing on practical, affordable, and readily available solutions.