Big Ideas If we can make space accessible, we can make any space accessible
Jan 27, 2026
Dwayne Fernandes, accessibility advocate training to be the first double amputee in space and co-founder of Minds at Play, shares bold perspectives on inclusion. He talks about how zero gravity revealed abilities, the power of the social model of disability, practical steps for inclusive design, accessible tech in microgravity, and why making space accessible can transform accessibility everywhere.
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Zero‑G Made Disability Vanish
- Dwayne Fernandes experienced 20s on Mars, 40s on the Moon and five minutes in zero-G and found his disability disappeared in microgravity.
- He used that parabolic flight to test mobility and dexterity and to prove his conditions were gravity-dependent.
Disability Is Conditions Plus Barriers
- The social model views disability as conditions plus barriers, not the person alone.
- Remove barriers and people retain their conditions but are not disabled.
Parabolic Flight Experiments Proved Mobility
- On the Astro Access flight Dwayne led an amputee team and ran a beep-test experiment demonstrating mobility in microgravity.
- He reported clear evidence that his disability did not limit him in zero‑G.
