Creating a Sustainable Digital Accessibility Business Plan

Scott Ready is a visionary entrepreneur and advocate who has dedicated his career to improving the lives and experiences of individuals with disabilities. As the Founder and CEO of Elevate Access, he has made it his mission to transform environments to ensure inclusivity and accessibility for all.With an unwavering commitment to a human centered approach, Scott has become a leading voice in the field of accessibility. He doesn't just envision change; he "possibilitizes" it. Through his compelling speeches and tireless efforts, he champions the cause of creating environments that benefit everyone, recognizing that true progress is achieved when the needs of individuals with disabilities are met.Scott's journey in the world of accessibility is deeply rooted in his personal experiences. Growing up with parents who were deaf, he learned from a young age the importance of effective communication and access. Guided by their experiences and inspired by a community of deaf leaders who mentored him throughout his life, Scott embarked on a path to make a difference.Throughout his career, Scott Ready's influence has extended across a range of industries, including Interpreting, Relay Services, Government, Education, Corporate, and Technology. His expertise played a pivotal role in establishing the third statewide Relay Service Center operated by Southwestern Bell Telephone back in 1989, a significant achievement that predates the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). He also pioneered the first online Interpreter Training Program in 1999, pushing the boundaries of accessibility, education, and technology within the field. More recently with the development of AI, Scott has presented and worked with companies to ensure that accessibility isn’t an afterthought but rather built into the innovation.Scott Ready's hope is that his passion for accessibility and his relentless pursuit of a more inclusive world has left an indelible mark on the lives of countless individuals.

Jonathan helps companies become accessible. He is a design thinker and always asks questions! As someone with ADHD, his mind works fast and jumps around, allowing him to make powerful counterintuitive connections. He is known globally for designing future-facing frameworks and innovative systems incorporating inclusive design. Acting as Head of Accessibility for Pearson and Atlassian, he established their accessibility foundations and multifaceted programs to integrate accessibility initiatives across both enterprises. Thurston currently heads up digital accessibility strategy as Director of Digital Accessibility for Walmart’s new Accessibility Center of Excellence (A.C.E.)

Greg Pollock, VP of Business Development at CSD, boasts over 11 years of corporate expertise. Armed with a degree in Professional Technical Communications from RIT, Greg excels in communications, marketing, compliance, and program management. His forte, however, lies in human-centered experiences, steering high-level UX/UI strategy and employee experience for Fortune 500 companies. Beyond his professional endeavors, Greg is deeply committed to disability inclusion. He co-chairs the Pittsburgh Disability Inclusion Consortium and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf and the Epilepsy Association of Western and Central PA. An avid nature enthusiast, Greg enjoys embarking on hiking and backpacking adventures with his trusty fur companions, Moose and Pepsi. A proud Steel City native, Greg now calls Pittsburgh home after stints of living in New York, Louisiana, and Michigan.

Joe Devon is a technology entrepreneur and accessibility advocate. He co-founded Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) and serves as the Chair of the GAAD Foundation, focusing on promoting digital accessibility and inclusive design. Joe explores artificial intelligence’s potential to revolutionize digital accessibility.