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.

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 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.