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A Year of Inclusion: accessiBe's Product Advisory Board

As we approach Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), accessiBe proudly celebrates the first anniversary of its Inclusive Product Advisory Board. This initiative has focused on ensuring that accessibility tools are developed with valuable input from those who actually use them — individuals with disabilities and experts in the field.

The Inclusive Product Advisory Board is composed of disability advocates, users of assistive technology, accessibility professionals, and representatives from various organizations, including The Viscardi Center and the Blinded Veterans Association. This diverse group brings a breadth of experience and perspectives to discussions about accessiBe's product offerings.

Over the last year, the board has convened quarterly to engage in meaningful discussions about how products can better serve the needs of users. Furthermore, accessiBe has fostered ongoing collaboration with individual board members between these formal meetings, incorporating their feedback throughout the development process rather than simply after decisions have been finalized.

The contributions of board members have influenced several developments within the platform. They have been actively involved in hands-on product testing, appraising accessibility features for their accuracy, clarity, and respectfulness. One notable achievement is the refinement of language within accessibility profiles, moving away from clinical jargon to more respectful and user-friendly terms. For instance, the naming conventions and descriptions across profiles have been adjusted to ensure a more inclusive and respectful framing of the tools available to users.

Another significant change is the transition from rigid user categorizations to a framework focused on functional support. This approach aims to make features accessible to everyone who may benefit from them, steering clear of predefined demographic labels. By applying transparency in product descriptions and avoiding absolute claims, accessiBe strives to better mirror the real-world experiences of users.

The importance of language in accessibility has been a recurrent theme in board discussions. Members continuously emphasize that the terminology used in tools must reflect how individuals identify their own experiences rather than adhere to clinical categories constructed from a system-oriented perspective.

In addition to the advisory board, accessiBe has established accessLabs, a team of blind usability analysts that rigorously test the platform's tools using various assistive technologies on a daily basis. This combination of expert advice and real-world testing creates a comprehensive understanding of where products succeed and where they fall short.

Discussions within the advisory board have also highlighted broader systemic challenges faced by many organizations. Rapid advancements in AI tools and content development have expedited the capacity to generate a high volume of digital materials; however, such content often neglects accessibility considerations. Members have urged organizations to develop solutions that can keep pace with new technology and noted that mere automation is insufficient for ensuring accessibility. How tools are implemented and experienced ultimately determines their success.

Robert Lopez, CEO of accessiBe, remarked, "This past year has been about listening to a wide range of perspectives and recognizing where experiences overlap across very different communities. Our product advisory board brings together voices from across the accessibility ecosystem, and what stands out is that many of the challenges are shared. That insight is shaping how we build and ensures our products reflect real needs, not assumptions. It's vital that we incorporate community feedback as we evolve our offerings."

GAAD provides a unique opportunity for companies to acknowledge their commitment to accessibility. This year, accessiBe's emphasis lies on illustrating how community-driven input has directly informed product updates and decision-making processes.

Dr. Hoby Wedler, a blind internet personality and business owner, shared his perspective, stating, "It's incredible when users in the community who also have expertise in the field like myself are invited into an advisory role so we can help shape the future of the accessible internet with companies that are changing the game like accessiBe."

Looking ahead, accessiBe intends to broaden the diversity of voices within the advisory board program and integrate this input into future product developments and research initiatives. For those interested in participating in GAAD 2026, visit accessiBe's dedicated GAAD hub at accessibe.com/gaad-2026.

About accessiBe

accessiBe is a comprehensive accessibility platform that combines AI automation, developer tools, and expert services to assist organizations in creating inclusive digital experiences at scale. With a mission to level the digital playing field for everyone, accessiBe is trusted by more than 100,000 websites globally. The platform was developed in partnership with the disability community and organizations including United Cerebral Palsy and the Special Olympics USA Games, with a commitment to advancing accessibility through technology and accountability. For further information, visit www.accessibe.com.