March 31, 2026 | Vince Lara-Cinisomo
Student entrepreneur innovates user-centered assistive tech to empower independence
The College of Applied Health Sciences within the University of Illinois has long been known as spearhead of accessibility, thanks to the trailblazing work of Tim Nugent. Nugent, who died in 2015, was the founder of what is now Disability Resources and Educational Services, a pioneer for disability rights and known as the “father of accessibility.” For student entrepreneur Carter Schott, that environment didn’t just shape his education—it reshaped his understanding of what independence could look like.
Schott, a graduate student in the Master of Science in Management program in the Gies College of Business, is the founder of Innovative Independence, a venture dedicated to designing assistive products that center the real, everyday needs of wheelchair users. His work blends engineering, empathy and lived experience into products that aim not just to function, but to empower.
“DRES taught me that accessibility is not just about compliance; it’s about empowering people,” said Schott, who earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in The Grainger College of Engineering. “Working in an environment where accessibility is valued helped me see the value of people’s performance when they don’t have barriers in their way. It’s not just about accommodations; it’s about designing for independence.”
That philosophy is the backbone of his work—and it began taking shape early in his time at Illinois. Schott is affected by a disease called spinal muscular atrophy, a form of muscular dystrophy. He has limited mobility and has used a power wheelchair since he was four.
Living in Beckwith Residential Support Services, Schott found himself surrounded by other students with disabilities, each navigating the world in different ways. The experience proved formative.
“Living in Beckwith and being immersed around other students with disabilities was a big deal for me,” he said. “Seeing how people adapted differently and where existing solutions were lacking encouraged me to think like a designer. This encouraged me to think about real-world usability rather than theory, which is something that impacted Sol.”
Sol, his flagship product, is a wheelchair-mounted visibility light designed to increase safety in crowded or low-light environments. At first glance, it’s a simple idea. But like many impactful innovations, it emerged from a gap hiding in plain sight.
“Sol started with a basic but essential problem statement: visibility,” Schott said. “I realized the difficulty that wheelchair-bound people faced in being seen in crowded or poorly lit spaces, such as our campus environment. There was no solution that was both effective and well-designed, so I set out to create one.”
The emphasis on both effectiveness and design is intentional. Schott noticed early on that many assistive technologies met functional needs but fell short in aesthetics, usability or user experience.
“I also saw a disconnect between existing assistive products and the needs that people actually had in their daily lives,” he said. “There was a lot of old or poorly designed technology out there. I wanted to make products that people would be excited to use, that would enhance their lives without making them feel like they were compromising.”
That mindset reflects a broader critique of the assistive technology industry, one Schott believes is long overdue.
“The biggest gap is in user-centered design,” he said. “There are too many products designed without a deep understanding of the people who will be using them. There is a gap in how to make assistive technology look and feel modern and appealing, not just functional.”
At Illinois, Schott found the rare ecosystem capable of addressing that gap. DRES, he explained, isn’t just a support system, it’s a catalyst.
DRES is not just integrated; it’s embedded. It’s not just accessible; it’s empowering.
Carter Schott
Student and entrepreneur“Illinois is unique in that DRES is not just integrated; it’s embedded,” he said. “It’s not just accessible; it’s empowering. With housing, academic support and innovation spaces like the (dis)Ability Design Studio, students are supported and empowered to create solutions, not just provided solutions.”
Inside the (dis)Ability Design Studio—whose leadership team includes Susann Sears, the assistant director of Academic Services at DRES and Deana McDonagh, professor of Industrial Design in the School of Art + Design—ideas are tested against reality. Students don’t just theorize—they build, iterate and refine alongside the very people their designs aim to serve.
“DRES provides the foundation for innovation by bringing real users and real problems together,” Schott said. “Students have access to real-life experiences and real-life resources, which is not very common. This leads to meaningful innovation.”
That process, he added, is anything but linear.
“It’s taught me that no two users are the same. Creating assistive technology is a constant feedback loop. I’ve learned that simplicity and flexibility are key. In theory, something might work perfectly. But in practice … not so much.”
Collaboration has also played a crucial role in shaping his approach. At Illinois, disciplinary boundaries blur—especially when solving complex human-centered problems.
“Working with individuals from different fields, like engineering, design and healthcare, has been very important,” Schott said. “This ensures not only that the solution you are coming up with is technically viable, but also ‘usable’ and ‘meaningful.’ The (dis)Ability Design Studio really challenges you to think outside your own discipline.”
That cross-functional mindset is embedded in Innovative Independence itself. Schott doesn’t see Sol as a standalone product, but as the first step in a much larger vision.
“Yes, definitely. Sol is just the beginning,” he said. “I’d like to continue creating more products that help people be more independent in their daily lives, especially those with limited mobility. There are a lot of needs that are yet to be met, and I see this as a long-term business.”
His ambition reflects both optimism and urgency. While awareness of accessibility has grown in recent years, Schott believes institutions, especially universities, still have untapped potential to drive innovation.
“There are more things universities can do by providing students with opportunities to work directly with users with disabilities,” he said. “Universities can provide access to users, fund prototypes and provide collaboration spaces. When students can test ideas in a real environment, the quality of the ideas improves significantly.”
For Schott, the lesson is clear: meaningful design begins with listening, and meaningful innovation requires proximity—to people, to problems and to lived experience.
At Illinois, he found all three.
And through Innovative Independence, he’s working to ensure that future assistive technology doesn’t just meet standards but raises them.
Editor’s note:
To reach Carter Schott, email carters7@illinois.edu.
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