The Vision Behind Participant Assistive Products

In a conversation with Keoke King, the co-founder and CEO of Participant Assistive Products, we got the opportunity to hear him share aboutthe company’s founding, its impact on the disability community, and its commitment to inclusive employment. As a leader in the assistive technology industry, Keoke’s approach to designing high-quality, affordable products while prioritizing inclusive hiring has set Participant apart in the global mobility sector.

The Birth of Participant Assistive Products

Keoke recounted the moment that led to the creation of Participant Assistive Products. On a road trip with co-founder Dave, they discussed recent trips to El Salvador and Nicaragua.he noted a huge difference between the quality of mobility devices available in Canada and those in developing countries.

“We just kind of asked ourselves, when will this change?” Keoke said. “Dave mentioned how grateful the mothers of the children receiving wheelchairs were, to the point that it felt almost embarrassing to him. The quality of mobility aids available in these countries was nowhere near what was available in Canada.”

They realized that not many companies were stepping up to solve this issue. The assistive technology industry was failing people in low-resource settings, offering either outdated, low-quality products or no options at all. “There are places where the technology just isn’t available, and where it is, the quality is often below standard. There is not a good reason for this. It just needed to be done.” he explained.

That realization drove them to establish Participant Assistive Products, a company dedicated to bridging this gap. Their goal was to create high-quality, affordable mobility solutions that would allow persons with disabilities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, to fully participate in their communities.

“Eight years later, we are still one of the few companies doing this,” Keoke stated.

A Workforce That Reflects the Community

One of Participant’s defining strategies is intentionally hiring people with disabilities. This isn’t just a symbolic move, it’s a strategic advantage.

Keoke outlined the multiple benefits of this approach:

• Deep Customer Insight: Employees with disabilities bring firsthand knowledge of the challenges the company aims to solve. “They know the shape of the problem, the depth, and the frequency,” he explained. This lived experience allows the company to design mobility products that meet users’ needs.

• Stronger Marketing & Outreach:  Hiring people with disabilities helps the company build stronger networks within the disability community. “People with disabilities often know each other. When we’re trying to market our products, having those relationships in place is incredibly valuable.” This also leads to finding future employees.

• Passion & Commitment: Keoke noted that employees with disabilities are often deeply committed to the company’s mission. “We see an incredible level of dedication and insight. Many of our workers are personally invested in creating change.”

As of 2024, eight out of ten employees at Participant had disabilities. These employees worked across marketing, sales, and operations, proving that persons with disabilities can thrive in all aspects of business.

Keoke highlighted success stories, including that of David, a CPA in Kenya, who has played a key role in managing the company’s financial operations. “David found us through Riziki Source, a company that specializes in sourcing job candidates from the people with disabilities community. David had just completed his CPA and has since been instrumental in handling thousands of transactions and financial documents for our investors.”

Another example is Bruno from Argentina. Bruno is a career film producer, and video editor who has been a great part of Participant’s marketing efforts. “Bruno has helped with several of crowdfunding campaigns that turned out to be successful. He has helped us establish distribution partnerships across Latin America. He led our marketing for several years. He’s just one person, but he’s managed to do what other companies need entire teams for.”

Navigating Challenges in Inclusive Hiring

Despite the company’s strong commitment to disability inclusion, Keoke acknowledged that hiring people with disabilities comes with challenges.

“The fact that a person with a disability shows up for an interview already tells you they’re exceptional,” he said. Many have had to overcome significant societal and logistical barriers just to be in the hiring process. However, he noted that traditional hiring pipelines don’t always serve people with disabilities well.

“Many people with disabilities haven’t had the same access to education or work experience as their non-disabled peers,” he explained. “That doesn’t mean they aren’t qualified, it just means we need to evaluate their skills and experiences differently.”

When asked about workplace accommodations, Keoke emphasized that most are simple adjustments. “It seems quite intimidating at first, but it’s not. 

Other accommodations include flexible work schedules for employees who require personal caregivers or additional time in the morning due to their disability. “Some of our employees take extra hours to get ready in the morning. That’s just the reality of their situation, so we plan around it. We would do the same for a parent who had a child to drop off at school” he said. One of the most recent, and expensive, accommodations we made was buying me a bigger screen because my eyesight is getting worse!” he joked.

However, Keoke was firm that accommodations don’t mean lower expectations. “We’re not creating a lower-grade product for Zambia, and we’re also not creating easier jobs for employees with disabilities,” he stated. “We set high expectations, and not everyone works out. We need professionals who can achieve a lot. The mission is important and we need high achievers.”

Looking Ahead: Building a More Inclusive Future

As Participant continues to grow, Keoke is focused on strengthening global distribution networks to improve access to quality assistive products.

“The solution isn’t just hiring people with disabilities, it’s about creating environments where they can thrive,” he emphasized. “For real change to happen, we need accessible buildings, proper assistive technology, job training, and inclusive hiring practices across all industries.”

Participant is actively searching for new partners worldwide and will be attending major industry events, like the Global Disability Summit in Berlin, Zero Conference in Vienna, and of course, Rehacare in Germany. 

“We’ve started partnering with persons with disabilities in different countries to build supply chains,” Keoke shared. “If you go to a surgical supply wholesaler and ask if they want to sell high-quality assistive products, they often say no because they assume persons with disabilities don’t have money. But when you partner with someone from the disability community who has business experience, they can create real change.”

When asked what advice he had for job seekers with disabilities, Keoke encouraged a focus on skill development.

“Focus on your personal growth and development. Figure out what you love to do and become great at it,” he advised. “Circulate your job description, build a strong LinkedIn profile, and network. Employers want to see your capabilities and the one you want will look past disability.”

However, he also acknowledged the challenges of job searching as a person with a disability. “Did you know that advertising your disability in a job application isn’t usually a big advantage?” he said. “That’s why networks like Riziki are so valuable, they help employers like us find great candidates with disabilities.”

Final Thoughts

As the interview wrapped up, Keoke shared one of his favorite quotes from Arnold Schwarzenegger: “Be useful. Do things that are directly, practically positive, and measurable.”

He elaborated: “Particularly in the disability field, there’s an alarming amount of talk and not enough action. If in doubt, do something directly useful. Usually, that doesn’t mean having another meeting.” 

With that philosophy at the core of Participant Assistive Products, it’s clear that the company isn’t just providing mobility devices, it’s creating a movement for true participation and inclusion worldwide.

For partnerships or enquiries about mobility devices available at Participant, click here or here to book a chat with Keoke.