In this powerful episode of Investing in Accessibility, co-hosts Kelvin Crosby and Chris Maher sit down with digital accessibility pioneer Mike Paciello, Chief Accessibility Officer at AudioEye and founder of The Paciello Group. Mike shares his remarkable four-decade journey—from converting print documentation into Braille in the 1980s to shaping web accessibility standards and launching multiple successful ventures.

Now at the forefront of scalable digital accessibility solutions, Mike explains why automation and AI are essential for meeting the growing digital needs of people with disabilities. He shares his vision for a future where accessibility is invisible, integrated, and universal—where technology adapts to users, not the other way around. This episode offers valuable insights into how human-centered innovation can drive both social impact and economic opportunity.

Linke & Resources:

Mike Paciello: Connect on LinkedIn

Mike at AudioEye: michael.paciello@audioeye.com

Mike at WebAble: mpaciello@webable.com

WebABLE: website

COMING SOON!

American Sign Language (ASL) and Captioning for each episode will be provided on our YouTube channel. Go to handle @SamaritanPartners.

In this episode of Investing in Accessibility, co-hosts Kelvin Crosby and Chris Maher dive into the difference between a Lifestyle business and Exit business. Kelvin shares his personal experience with his company, See Me Cane, explaining how he chose to build a Lifestyle business rather than pursue rapid growth through venture capital. He highlights the benefits of having more control, balancing social mission with financial goals, and the creative funding strategies that made his business successful. Chris elaborates on the decision-making process for entrepreneurs, discussing how market size, funding sources, and growth potential influence the choice between Lifestyle and Exit businesses. Entrepreneurs must carefully assess what aligns best with their personal goals, whether it's pursuing venture investment, scaling quickly, and aiming for a liquidity event, or opting for alternative funding sources, maintaining more control, and adopting a slower, more organic approach to growth.

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American Sign Language (ASL) and Captioning for each episode will be provided on our YouTube channel. Go to handle @SamaritanPartners.

In this episode of Investing in Accessibility, co-hosts Kelvin Crosby and Chris Maher sit down with Mike Buckley, CEO of Be My Eyes, to explore how the company is blending cutting-edge technology with human kindness to empower the blind and low vision community. Mike shares his unconventional path from corporate consulting and angel investing to leading one of the most impactful accessibility tech companies in the world.

Kelvin, a longtime user of Be My Eyes, offers firsthand insight into how the platform enhances independence in his day-to-day life—from pottery quality control to building unexpected customer relationships. Mike discusses the company’s innovative use of AI and wearables, the philosophy of building with, not for, the community, and how enterprise partnerships allow the service to remain free for users.

They also dive into the economic impact of accessibility, inclusive design, and the upcoming launch of Be My Eyes for Work, a game-changing tool aimed at reducing workplace barriers and boosting employment for the blind and low vision workforce.

This episode is packed with powerful stories, practical insights, and a bold vision for a more inclusive future.

Links & Resources:

• Be My Eyes Website: click here
• Be My Eyes for Business: click here
• Be My Eyes App: click here
• Be My AI Explainer Video: click here
• Be My AI Customer Testimonial Video: click here
• Be My Eyes + Meta Smart Glasses: click here

COMING SOON!

American Sign Language (ASL) and Captioning for each episode will be provided on our YouTube channel. Go to handle @SamaritanPartners.

In this episode of Investing in Accessibility, co-hosts Kelvin Crosby and Chris Maher sit down with two true leaders of the accessibility movement: Joe Devon and Jennison Asuncion, co-founders of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). Together, they share the incredible story of how a blog post, a tweet, and a Saturday night on Twitter sparked a global movement that now reaches over 200 million people annually.

Joe and Jennison open up about their personal journeys—Joe’s path through tech and entrepreneurship, and Jennison’s lived experience as a blind technologist navigating a rapidly changing world. They reflect on the early days of GAAD, the role of big tech, and the power of grassroots efforts to create global impact.

This episode is packed with insight, humor, history, and hope for a more inclusive future. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, technologist, or advocate, this conversation will challenge you to see accessibility not just as a compliance checkbox—but as a catalyst for meaningful innovation.

Links & Resources:

• GAAD Foundation: Click here
• Global Accessibility Awareness Day: Click here
• Joe Devon: Connect on LinkedIn
• Joe's Newsletter: Joe Dev On Tech
• Jennison Asuncion: Connect on LinkedIn

COMING SOON!

American Sign Language (ASL) and Captioning for each episode will be provided on our YouTube channel. Go to handle @SamaritanPartners.

In this episode of Investing in Accessibility, co-hosts Kelvin Crosby and Chris Maher welcome Hale Pulsifer, Vice President of Customer Insights, Inclusion, and Advocacy at Fidelity Investments, to explore the intersection of business, accessibility, and economic opportunity. Hale shares his transformative journey from corporate finance strategist to a leader in disability inclusion, revealing how companies that embrace accessibility aren’t just doing the right thing—they’re making a smart business decision.

Backed by compelling data, Pulsifer highlights the untapped potential of disability-inclusive businesses. This episode is a must-listen for business leaders, investors, and advocates looking to understand why accessibility isn’t just a social responsibility—it’s a game-changing economic strategy.

Links to Research and Resources Hale Referenced:

Hale's LinkedIn

American Institutes of Research: A Hidden Market

Progressive Policy Institute: Disability-and-Changes-in-the-Workplace.pdf (progressivepolicy.org)

Accenture: The Disability Inclusion Imperative (accenture.com)

Disability:IN: https://disabilityin.org/

COMING SOON!

American Sign Language (ASL) and Captioning for each episode will be provided on our YouTube channel. Go to handle @SamaritanPartners.

In this episode of Investing in Accessibility, co-hosts Kelvin Crosby and Chris Maher speak with Bob Ludke, co-founder of Value Inclusion and author of "Case Studies in Disability-Driven Innovation." Bob shares his background in disability policy with Senator Tom Harkin and his journey through public policy, sustainability, and ESG.

Universal Design as a Business Strategy:
The heart of Bob's message is that universal design isn't just good for society but also a strategic business imperative that expands market reach and drives long-term profitability. He highlights companies like Microsoft, Apple, and Disney Shanghai as examples of inclusive design driving profitability. Bob also shares the inspiring story of Daniel Toops, an autistic entrepreneur who created JT Firestarters using recycled materials.

Bob's book, "Case Studies in Disability-Driven Innovation," is a master class about potential. It's about the potential of people, it's about the potential economic value that can be created through disability-driven innovation, and it's about the potential impact that it has to make our lives richer, more valuable, and healthier for all. Ultimately, it's about creating a better future through an inclusive economy.

To Learn More About Bob Ludke:

Bob's LinkedIn

Bob's company Value Inclusion

Bob's new book: "Case Studies in Disability-Driven Innovation"

COMING SOON!

American Sign Language (ASL) and Captioning for each episode will be provided on our YouTube channel. Go to handle @SamaritanPartners.

In this episode of Investing in Accessibility, co-hosts Kelvin Crosby and Chris Maher speak with Alvaro Silberstein, co-founder and CEO of Wheel the World, an accessible travel platform revolutionizing the way people with disabilities experience the world. Alvaro shares his personal journey from Chile to the U.S., his experiences traveling as a quadriplegic, and how those challenges inspired him to create a company that ensures people with disabilities have the information and resources they need to travel confidently.

From hiking in Patagonia to launching a global platform that maps accessible destinations, Alvaro discusses how Wheel the World is empowering travelers and working with tourism organizations to create more inclusive experiences. The conversation also delves into the economic impact of accessibility, highlighting the $120 billion travel market opportunity for destinations and businesses that prioritize inclusion.

Tune in to hear how Alvaro turned a personal challenge into an innovative solution, and why investing in accessibility isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s also good business.

About Wheel the World
Wheel the World is a travel platform that empowers people with disabilities to explore the world without limits. Through detailed accessibility data and a seamless booking experience, we help travelers find and book accommodations and experiences that meet their unique accessibility needs.

Beyond travel bookings, Wheel the World collaborates with destinations through Destination Verified, a program that enables tourism boards, hotels, and attractions to assess and showcase their accessibility through verified data. By ensuring accurate and reliable accessibility information, Wheel the World makes travel more inclusive for all.

Links:

Website: https://wheeltheworld.com

Destination Verified: https://wheeltheworld.com/destination-verified-partners

Become an Accessibility Mapper: https://careers.wheeltheworld.com/jobs

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wheeltheworld_

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wheeltheworld

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WheeltheWorld

COMING SOON!

American Sign Language (ASL) and Captioning for each episode will be provided on our YouTube channel. Go to handle @SamaritanPartners.

In this episode of Investing in Accessibility, co-hosts Kelvin Crosby and Chris Maher speak with Steve Ewell, Executive Director of the CTA Foundation, about the evolution of technology in relation to accessibility and age tech. They explore Steve's background, the foundation's mission, the growth of accessibility at CES, and the importance of innovative startups in the disability space. The discussion also highlights the role of Samaritan Partners in supporting entrepreneurs serving the disability community, and the future plans for the CTA Foundation.

If you are looking for more information on the CTA Foundation:

CTA Foundation homepage: http://www.CTAFoundation.tech

• On this page there are links to some of their CES activities like:
  • Eureka Park Accessibility Contest https://www.cta.tech/Who-We-Are/CTA-Foundation/Eureka-Park-Accessibility-Contest
  • Health Innovation Challenge https://www.cta.tech/Who-We-Are/CTA-Foundation/Pitch-Competition/CTA-Innovation-Challenge-Digital-Health
  • Pitch Competition https://www.cta.tech/Who-We-Are/CTA-Foundation/Pitch-Competition
  • Shalam Award https://www.cta.tech/Who-We-Are/CTA-Foundation/Shalam-Award

CES homepage: https://www.ces.tech/

• Link to CES 2025 Accessibility Content:
  • https://www.ces.tech/discover/?type=Video&q=Accessibility&year=2025
  • Pitch Contest Video: https://www.ces.tech/videos/2025/january/cta-foundation-pitch-contest-presented-by-next50/

COMING SOON!

American Sign Language (ASL) and Captioning for each episode will be provided on our YouTube channel. Go to handle @SamaritanPartners.