Brittany Déjean’s Mission to Fight Disability Discomfort and Discrimination

Brittany Déjean was just 12 years old when her father became a quadriplegic—and almost immediately, she noticed something that would stay with her for years to come. His wheelchair didn’t just change how he moved through the world; it changed how the world responded to him.

The stares. The hesitation. The discomfort.

Watching this unfold was painful. But Brittany also recognized something uncomfortable in herself. Even as a tween, she knew she’d often been afraid of saying the wrong thing around people with disabilities. Instead of turning away from that discomfort, she chose to examine it, reframing her fear as an invitation to learn.

By the time she entered the workforce, Brittany had developed a clear understanding of how deeply disability discomfort limits individuals, teams, and organizations. She had listened to countless stories, fielded endless questions, and seen firsthand how misconceptions and unspoken fears quietly create barriers where none need to exist.

Those experiences became the foundation for Inclusion Jumpstart, the organization Brittany founded to eliminate disability discomfort and accelerate inclusion by transforming perspective. Today, as a speaker, facilitator, and coach, she helps leaders and teams build empathy—not as an abstract ideal, but as a practical pathway to lasting change.

Have you ever felt like you’re “different?” In what ways has this contributed to your journey as an entrepreneur?

When I was in seventh grade, the accident that paralyzed my dad also took my brother’s life. Back at school, I had a new identity as “that girl” who had endured it. My classmates didn’t know what to say to me. Not wanting to inadvertently hurt my feelings, many said nothing at all. I experienced a profound sense of alienation, often feeling more comfortable in my dad’s hospital room than in the hallways of my middle school. 

This taught me not only that I have to own my story, but also that I can help well-intentioned people understand what it means to not exclude others out of fear of making mistakes. It heightened my awareness of the value of empathy, acceptance, and connection, which has been invaluable in my entrepreneurial journey. 

What were the most difficult and most impactful lessons you’ve learned since your career or starting and running a company?

I’ve had to confront my perfectionism and the toll it was taking on my ability to embrace all parts of the journey. With that came an awareness of my hyper-independence and the difficulty of delegating or asking for help. When I made mistakes, fell short, or felt disappointment, I didn’t know how to handle them in a healthy way. It took some tough moments, time, and advice from others to slowly evolve away from those harmful habits. The benefits of these shifts aren’t necessarily visible from the outside, but have had a huge impact on my approach to work, how I set my priorities, and my own wellbeing. 

Has your definition of success evolved throughout your journey as a leader?

I used to think that success came from external validation—and I sought it. I thought of recognition, awards, and other acknowledgements as proof that I was moving in the right direction. As I’ve moved from entrepreneur to corporate and now back to entrepreneur, my view of success has evolved. Now, I seek internal alignment and purpose. My mission is not driven by trends, nor am I benchmarking myself against external forces. I saw clearly the niche I am positioned to address and the impact I want to have, and my vision for success now comes from doing what feels right for me and knowing that it can have a positive impact on others and society. 

How have you grown as a leader since starting your career? What experiences have contributed to this growth?

I’ve had to learn to trust and believe in myself. I had to learn to own my story and be myself. There were times early on when I tried to “sound right” or “fit in”, but lost my authenticity and connection to my audience in the process.

What would you tell your younger self if you were to start your entrepreneurial journey all over again?

Trust your intuition and the journey. Even the most challenging moments will become opportunities for redirection and growth that you might not have known you needed. Let go of the need to do it all alone and learn how to ask for help. 

Describe the journey you’ve had in a few sentences. Would you do it all over again?

My journey has been the most unpredictable, serendipitous rollercoaster. I didn’t always see the ups and downs coming, but everything has pieced together to get me where I am. For that, I am grateful—and I would do it again in a heartbeat. 

What’s next for you and your career?

I am expanding my keynote speaking to bring this conversation to as many audiences as possible so more people overcome their discomfort about disability for good.