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Putting inclusion at the forefront of tech
We look back at an organization making headlines this week and how their mission continues to evolve for the better
Alex at TechTO
October 16, 2024
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REWIND
On Wednesdays, we take a deep dive into the TechTO archives to highlight content that remains highly relevant to today’s founders and startup leaders.
Whether you're in the early stages of building, securing your first customer, scaling your business, or expanding your team, you'll find valuable insights and practical advice for every step of your entrepreneurial journey.
For today’s rewind, we’re featuring a Founder and organization that has been in the headlines this week. Alwar Pillai, CEO at Fable (whose company just raised a $25m Series B), joined us at a past TechTO to chat about inclusion.
Why is this cool?
It’s always exciting to look back and see just how far Founders and companies have progressed with their business.
At the time, Alwar was a relatively new entrepreneur and took the stage to discuss how technology's evolution has unintentionally created barriers for people with disabilities, seniors, and other underserved groups.
The big highlight — the need to view inclusion as a technical problem that can be solved by thoughtful design and development. Drawing on personal experiences with technology's complexity for older generations, Alwar emphasized that the challenges faced by people with disabilities in accessing digital tools are a significant, often overlooked issue.
Now, Fable continues on its journey for inclusion, this time with a major focus on AI.
More Highlights for Founders and Entrepreneurs
Inclusion as a Technical Problem
Alwar frames inclusion as a solvable technical challenge, encouraging tech creators to address the needs of seniors and people with disabilities through better design and user interfaces (UI).
Digital Barriers to Physical Participation
A notable example shared from this talk was one of a blind fan who sued Beyoncé’s team because the concert website was inaccessible, preventing them from purchasing a ticket. This highlights how digital barriers can limit participation in real-world events, calling for more accessible digital platforms.
Empathy and Innovation Opportunities
Entrepreneurs should recognize that everyone may eventually face limitations as they age, making inclusive design essential. Instead of focusing on accessibility as a compliance checkbox, founders should see it as an opportunity to innovate and expand their customer base.
The Role of Diverse Teams
Many tech products are designed by able-bodied individuals, which can lead to oversight of accessibility needs. Alwar stresses the importance of involving people with disabilities in the design and development process to create truly inclusive products.
Barrier to Inclusion
The biggest barrier to solving the inclusion problem is the separation between people with and without disabilities. She encourages seeing it as an opportunity for innovation and business, rather than just a compliance issue.
Tech founders should take these insights to heart and consider how they can build more inclusive and accessible products that serve a wider audience, benefiting both their users and their businesses.
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