Designing for Inclusion: Kobi Omenaka Highlights Disney’s Approach to Empathy

In a recent LinkedIn post, Kobi Omenaka highlights a powerful interaction at Disney, using it as a case study for inclusive design and empathetic leadership. The post focuses on a heartwarming moment between a young boy named Luca, who is deaf, and a Disney character, Jessie, from Toy Story.

Omenaka shares the emotional impact of the encounter, describing how Jessie met Luca at eye level and used sign language to communicate with him. This act of understanding and inclusion deeply resonated with Omenaka, prompting him to analyze the underlying principles behind such moments. He notes the profound effect this had on Luca, stating:

“The look on his face when he realised he was being understood in his own language… that’s the moment.”

Intentional Design Over Fortuity

A central theme in Omenaka’s analysis is that such inclusive experiences are not accidental but are the result of deliberate design. He emphasizes that organizations should not rely on luck but actively build systems that foster belonging.

Training for the Edge Cases

Kobi Omenaka argues that effective design involves preparing for a wide range of situations, rather than just the most common scenarios. He outlines this principle, writing:

“Train for the edge cases, not just the average”

This approach, Omenaka suggests, ensures that individuals with different needs or backgrounds are not overlooked. He further elaborates on this point by stating that organizations should:

• Prepare people so no one feels like an outsider
• Make inclusion part of the process, not an afterthought

Applying Engineering Principles to Human Interaction

Drawing from his background as an engineer, Omenaka draws a parallel between designing physical structures and designing human experiences. He likens inclusive practices to what engineers call “designing for tolerance.” This concept, he explains, means building infrastructure that can withstand various conditions, not just ideal ones.

According to Kobi Omenaka, the same logic applies to how we interact with and design systems for people. He asserts:

“You don’t build a bridge for perfect conditions. You build it for every condition.”

This perspective reframes inclusivity not as a “soft skill” but as a fundamental aspect of good, robust design. When systems are designed with this comprehensive approach, Omenaka concludes, the outcome is that nobody is left behind.

Omenaka also credits Callie Foster, Luca’s mother, for sharing the video and encourages readers to follow their journey on Instagram.