Blog | UsableNet

25 Years of Progress: How Accessibility, and Mindsets, Have Evolved

Written by UsableNet | May 15, 2025 12:45:00 PM

Celebrating 25 Years of UsableNet on Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) 

This year marks UsableNet's 25th anniversary—a significant milestone in our mission to make digital experiences accessible and inclusive. Since 2000, we've helped organizations across industries navigate accessibility challenges, embed best practices, and stay ahead of evolving expectations. 

To launch our anniversary celebration on Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), we're highlighting the voices of our team. They've seen firsthand how the digital landscape has changed—and how our approach has evolved to meet it. 

Over the years, accessibility has gone from an afterthought to a design and legal imperative. Today, we help clients achieve real results through expert guidance, purpose-built technology, and innovation. 

Below, hear directly from our product, design, client services, engineering, and strategy team members about what's changed and what's next. 


Watch their stories below and explore more at our 25th Anniversary Page. 

"For many companies, The website is the business, and the pressure to deliver amazing experiences for all has never been higher."

Video Description: Jason Taylor is seated in a bright room, wearing a gray shirt. He looks directly into the camera with a focused and confident expression. His tone is clear and conversational as he discusses the evolution of digital accessibility and its importance in every stage of the development process.


Jason Taylor,  Chief Innovation Strategist and Advisor to the CEO, reflects on the expanding role of digital accessibility—and why companies must integrate it into every phase of digital delivery. 

"We invest in humans, making human experiences better." 

Video Description: Reiko Gallo is seated outdoors in front of a brick wall with sky visible above. She wears a white collared shirt under a tan vest and faces the camera directly. Her tone is calm and confident as she speaks, with a steady pace and thoughtful delivery.

Reiko Gallo, Senior Account Manager, sees opportunity in AI—but believes it should enhance, not replace human expertise. She emphasizes UsableNet's commitment to human-led testing even as technology evolves. 

"Accessibility matters now more than ever." 

Video Description: Elijah Kerr-Brown is seated indoors in front of a bright window, wearing a dark sweater. He looks directly at the camera with a steady, engaged expression. His tone is thoughtful and conversational as he reflects on his experience. 
 

Elijah Kerr-Brown, Digital Marketing Specialist, shares how his understanding of accessibility changed after joining UsableNet—and why human intervention will always be necessary, even as AI helps flag issues and streamline fixes. 

"We've always been a consistent advocate for inclusive design." 

Video Description: Brooke Porter is seated indoors against a light-colored wall, wearing a pink top. She looks directly at the camera with an approachable and confident expression. Her tone is upbeat and steady as she speaks.
 

Brooke Porter, Business Development Executive,  shares how the conversation has shifted across industries—and how mission-driven brands take accessibility seriously. 

"Accessibility isn't just a checklist. It's a mindset." 

Video Description: Luca Boškin is seated indoors against a bright white wall, wearing a dark shirt and glasses. He looks directly into the camera with a calm, focused expression. His tone is measured and professional as he speaks.


Luca Boškin, Sr. UX/UI Designer, reflects on how inclusive design has moved from a niche topic to a standard part of the creative process. 

"I love seeing the 'aha' moments when people start to integrate accessibility into their process." 

Video Description: Jeff Adams is seated indoors in a brightly lit room, wearing a black button-down shirt and glasses. He looks directly into the camera with a relaxed and confident expression. His tone is steady and encouraging as he speaks.


Jeff, Vice President of Accessibility Operations, shares how UsableNet supports organizational change—from strategy to delivery—by aligning accessibility with long-term business goals. 

"Inclusion isn't something extraordinary. It's the baseline." 

Video Description: Giacomo Petri is seated indoors in front of a bookshelf, wearing a light blue collared button-down shirt. He looks directly into the camera and briefly raises his hand in greeting at the start. His tone is calm and deliberate as he speaks, with a serious, thoughtful expression.
 

Giacomo Petri, Director of Accessibility Auditors, challenges the industry to move from awareness to assumption, treating accessibility as the standard, not the exception. 

What's Next: Innovation That's Purpose-Built 

As expectations grow, so does the need for more innovative and impactful solutions. UsableNet continues to lead by putting people before compliance, refusing to take shortcuts, doing things the right way, and solving complex accessibility challenges with technology that benefits companies and their customers. 

Celebrate With Us 

Join the celebration, explore more team stories, and register for upcoming webinars as part of UsableNet's 25th Anniversary. 

If you missed it, be sure to check out our first blog in this series, which features reflections on why accessibility is personal to the people behind our work.