In a recent LinkedIn post, Kobi Omenaka shares a deeply moving experience watching a video of a young deaf fan named Luca interacting with the character Jessie from Toy Story. Omenaka uses this heartwarming encounter to highlight crucial principles of inclusive design and leadership, emphasizing that true inclusion is a deliberate act of design, not a happy accident.
The post begins by recounting the interaction, where Jessie, upon realizing Luca’s hearing impairment, immediately adapts her approach. Omenaka describes the profound impact of this moment:
“Jessie dropped to one knee, met him at eye level, and signed back. J-E-S-S-I-E. Then she asked for his name. He proudly signed L-U-C-A. The look on his face when he realised he was being understood in his own language… that’s the moment.”
This powerful scene, Omenaka argues, is a testament to intentional design. He challenges the notion that such inclusivity is a matter of luck, stating:
“They’re purpose built, not stumbled into. Disney didn’t just get lucky here. They built something.”
Designing for the Edges, Not Just the Average
Kobi Omenaka draws a parallel between this Disney interaction and principles from his engineering background, specifically the concept of “designing for tolerance.” He asserts that effective design, whether for physical structures or social interactions, must account for the full spectrum of users and conditions, not just the most common scenarios.
Omenaka elaborates on this by outlining key takeaways from the Disney example:
- Train for the edge cases, not just the average
- Prepare people so no one feels like an outsider
- Make inclusion part of the process, not an afterthought
He reinforces this idea by stating, “You don’t build a bridge for perfect conditions. You build it for every condition. The same logic applies to people.” This perspective reframes inclusivity not as a ‘soft’ consideration, but as a fundamental aspect of robust and effective design.
Inclusion as Good Design
The core message Omenaka conveys is that thoughtful design ensures that no one is overlooked. He suggests that when systems and processes are intentionally built with inclusivity in mind, the outcome is a more equitable and functional environment for everyone.
“When the system is right, nobody gets left behind.”
Omenaka concludes by emphasizing that this approach is not merely about being kind or empathetic; it is about intelligent, strategic design. He calls it “good design,” suggesting that businesses and leaders who prioritize inclusive practices are, in essence, employing superior design principles that lead to better outcomes for all stakeholders.
The post also provides links to the original video creator, Callie Foster, and encourages readers to follow her and her son’s journey, further underscoring the value of highlighting and celebrating inclusive moments.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Kobi Omenaka on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on June 27, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →