What Knowbility does

Knowbility is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation headquartered in Austin, Texas, founded in 1999 with roots in the first Accessibility Internet Rally (AIR) contest held in 1998. The organization delivers digital accessibility advocacy, training, and consulting services aimed at ensuring equal access to technology for people with disabilities, working with K-12 education, nonprofit, government, and business/enterprise clients. Its portfolio spans three pillars: community/awareness programs (AIR annual web design competition, Be A Digital Ally monthly webinars, K12 Access Summit), education and training (John Slatin AccessU annual conference, the ATSTAR assistive technology course for educators, K12 Access Toolkit, and a Moodle-based Online Learning Center at learning.knowbility.org archiving AccessU content back to 2020), and accessibility services (audits, strategic and leadership consulting, training delivery, AccessWorks usability testing with a database of testers with disabilities, and an Accessibility HelpDesk). The product architecture is service-led rather than software-led — there is no API, no proprietary automated scanner, and no SDK; the platform layers are a self-serve learning environment plus human-convened programs and consulting engagements.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid nonprofit model. Charitable contributions are tax-deductible (Tax ID 74-2902291) and form one leg of revenue. A second leg comes from training pricing: ATSTAR at $50 for individual enrollment and $60 per person for group access, with the Online Learning Center's full-access subscription bundled into donations of $250 or more. A third leg is professional services revenue from accessibility audits, consulting, training delivery, and AccessWorks usability testing engagements sold on a project-inquiry basis. A fourth revenue stream is event sponsorship and in-kind support from technology firms (Salesforce contributed $50,000 as AIR 2022 premier sponsor, alongside Adobe, Rev, Monkee-Boy, Microsoft, and Pearson).

Distribution runs through direct enterprise/consulting sales for services, self-serve enrollment for the Learning Center and ATSTAR, and a community/event GTM that funnels practitioners and prospects into AccessU and AIR. K-12 education and nonprofit organizations are the two primary verticals; government (Section 508/ADA) and commercial/business entities are secondary. All sources indicate the organization focuses exclusively on human-delivered accessibility expertise rather than AI-powered or automated tooling, and its own website is self-attested as fully conformant with WCAG 2.2 Level AA.

The organization is small (1-10 employees) but has 25+ years of operating history, a leadership transition underway (co-founder Sharron Rush retiring in May 2026 with Jillian Fortin joining as incoming Executive Director in February 2026), and institutional backing through ATSTAR's accreditation by the University of Oregon, adoption by Austin ISD, and a research partnership with the University of Southampton.

Name

Knowbility

Legal name

Knowbility, Inc.

Website

https://knowbility.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Knowbility is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1999 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, that delivers digital accessibility advocacy, training, and consulting services — including audits, usability testing, the ATSTAR teacher training program, the John Slatin AccessU conference, and the Accessibility Internet Rally — for K-12 schools, nonprofits, government, and business clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Accessibility Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Accessibility & Web/App Compliance (WCAG) (EDALAGAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Assistive Technology (AT) & Accessible Learning Tools (EDALAGAB), Specialized Learning Support (Dyslexia/LD Coaching, Assistive Strategies) (EDAJALAJ)

Keywords

• Digital accessibility services
• WCAG accessibility auditing
• Accessibility training programs
• Assistive technology education
• Accessibility consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Knowbility is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies on community donations and charitable contributions. Tax ID: 74-2902291. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
2. Training Programs: Revenue from training programs including ATSTAR (individual $50, group $60), John Slatin AccessU conference, and online Learning Center subscriptions ($250/year for full access)
3. Accessibility Services: Fees for consulting services including accessibility audits, leadership consulting, training, and the AccessWorks usability testing program

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Knowbility delivers accessibility testing and auditing, leadership and strategic consulting, professional training, and usability testing services (via its AccessWorks program) for organizations needing WCAG-compliant, accessible digital experiences. It also operates community and education programs such as the John Slatin AccessU conference, the Accessibility Internet Rally (AIR), the K12 Access Summit, the ATSTAR training program, the K12 Access Toolkit, the Be A Digital Ally webinar series, and a Moodle-based Online Learning Center. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, it is funded by donations, sponsorships, and program/service fees.

Product overview

Knowbility is a nonprofit organization operating a multi-faceted portfolio of digital accessibility programs and services organized across three main pillars: (1) Awareness & Community Programs including the Accessibility Internet Rally (AIR) web design competition, Be A Digital Ally monthly webinar series, and K12 Digital Accessibility initiatives; (2) Education & Training including John Slatin AccessU annual conference, ATSTAR assistive technology training for educators, the K12 Access Toolkit, and a Moodle-based Learning Center with archived courses; and (3) Accessibility Services including Testing & Auditing, Leadership & Strategic Consulting, Training, AccessWorks usability testing, and Accessibility HelpDesk. The organization focuses exclusively on human-delivered accessibility expertise rather than AI-powered or automated solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AIR (Accessibility Internet Rally): Annual web design competition pairing nonprofits with development teams to create accessible websites
• John Slatin AccessU
• AccessWorks
• Be A Digital Ally
• ATSTAR
• K12 Access Toolkit

Products and services

• Accessibility Testing & Auditing Expert accessibility testing and auditing services to evaluate digital properties for WCAG compliance and identify barriers for users with disabilities, delivered to client organizations.
• Leadership & Strategic Consulting Strategic consulting services that help organizations develop and implement digital accessibility strategies and policies.
• Training Professional development and training programs to build organizational capacity for digital accessibility across staff roles and skill levels.
• AccessWorks Complete usability testing services including test development and participant recruitment from a database of testers with disabilities to evaluate digital accessibility from real user perspectives.
• Accessibility HelpDesk On-demand support services that assist organizations with specific accessibility questions, implementation challenges, and ongoing accessibility maintenance.
• John Slatin AccessU Conference Annual in-person and virtual digital accessibility skills training conference featuring keynotes, pre-conference workshops, and sessions on development, design, testing, and policy.
• Accessibility Internet Rally (AIR) Annual web design competition where teams of developers and designers build accessible websites for nonprofit organizations, community groups, and artists at no cost to the client.
• K12 Access Summit Three-day virtual conference that helps K-12 districts, schools, and teams learn how considering accessibility in the classroom can improve student engagement and achievement.
• Toolkit Tuesdays Monthly webinar series providing tips to create inclusive, accessible learning environments for students with disabilities, covering assistive technology trends, student advocacy, and collaborative ecosystem building.
• K12 Access Toolkit Online training course for educators providing information, resources, and strategies to determine assistive technology needs of students and successfully apply accessibility in K-12 classrooms.
• ATSTAR (Assistive Technology Strategies, Tools, Accommodations, and Resources) Online teacher training program that prepares educational staff to conduct assessments, collect data, and integrate assistive technology into the learning process for students with disabilities; accredited by the University of Oregon.
• Be A Digital Ally (BADA) Free monthly webinar series covering basic skills and principles of accessible digital design for content creators who are newer to accessibility.
• Online Learning Center Moodle-based online learning platform offering courses, training archives (including all AccessU classes since 2020), and educational resources on digital accessibility and assistive technology.
• Donations Program Charitable giving program that funds Knowbility's digital equity mission; donations are tax-deductible and support community programs and organizational operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 150+ volunteers participate in AIR programs annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• WebAIMcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Strategic accessibility organization led by Rob Carr (Strategic Accessibility Coordinator) as lead judge for AIR competitions. Provides expert judging and accessibility guidance.
• University of SouthamptonminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Research partnership conducting case study on AIR program examining the pedagogy of teaching accessibility.
• Oklahoma ABLE TechminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide Assistive Technology Act Program located at Oklahoma State University, funded through the Administration for Community Living of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Provides device demonstrations, device loans, device reuse and exchange, financial loans, and technical assistance on digital accessibility. Supports K12 Access Summit.
• PearsonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal learning company providing world-class learning products. Sponsors K12 Access Summit to support digital accessibility in education.
• RevminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpeech-to-text services provider offering transcription, caption, and global language subtitle services. Provided captioning and transcription services for AIR program and donated 20 minutes of free service to AIR nonprofit clients.
• MicrosoftminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology company committed to accessibility and inclusive design. Supports K12 Access Summit as sponsor.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• AccessiBe: AccessiBe sells an AI-powered web accessibility overlay and audit product targeting SMB and mid-market customers. It competes with Knowbility's lower-end audit services through a self-serve, automated model that contrasts with Knowbility's human-led approach.
• AudioEye: AudioEye provides an automated digital accessibility platform combining AI remediation with human audits. It targets enterprise and government buyers with a managed-service model that competes for the same customers Knowbility serves.
• UsableNet: UsableNet provides accessibility testing, remediation, and monitoring services (including the AQA platform). It overlaps with Knowbility's audit and HelpDesk offerings but emphasizes automated and managed-service delivery more than community programs.

Direct peers

• WebAIM: WebAIM is a nonprofit provider of web accessibility training, evaluation, and consulting based at Utah State University. It directly overlaps with Knowbility's audit, training, and community programs (WebAIM is also a strategic AIR partner and lead judge).
• Deque Systems: Deque is a leading for-profit provider of digital accessibility software, services, and training (including the axe-core testing engine). It competes head-to-head with Knowbility in WCAG audits, training, and enterprise consulting, though at significantly greater scale.
• Benetech: Benetech is a nonprofit that runs the Bookshare accessible library and GDI (Global Digital Inclusion) initiatives. It is comparable to Knowbility as a mission-driven organization focused on technology access for people with disabilities, though its product focus differs.
• CAST: CAST is a nonprofit education research and development organization that creates inclusive learning technologies (including the UDL Guidelines). It is a direct peer in the K-12 and higher-ed accessibility and assistive technology space where Knowbility's ATSTAR and K12 Access Toolkit compete.
• Level Access: Level Access is a large commercial accessibility services and software firm offering enterprise audits, managed services, and AMP (Accessibility Management Platform). It overlaps directly with Knowbility's Accessibility Testing & Auditing and Leadership Consulting services.
• TPGi (The Paciello Group): TPGi provides accessibility consulting, auditing, and assistive technology expertise to enterprises. It competes with Knowbility's professional services and training offerings and shares a similar customer base across business and government.

Others

• International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP): IAAP is a membership-based professional organization that certifies accessibility practitioners and runs conferences. It is an ecosystem peer to Knowbility's AccessU and AIR programs, serving overlapping audiences of accessibility professionals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/knowbility
• GitHubgithub.com/knowbility
• Facebookfacebook.com/knowbility
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/knowbility

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Knowbility