What Ablr. does

Ablr. (formerly LCI Tech) is a Durham, North Carolina-based, mission-driven nonprofit organization and division of LC Industries that operates as a full-service disability inclusion provider. The company combines digital accessibility consulting, disability inclusion training, and a state-funded workforce development franchise serving adults who are blind or have low vision. Co-founded by John Samuel (a blind CEO) and Mike Iannelli (CGO), Ablr reports that approximately 70% of its team members have disabilities, and leadership holds CPACC and DHS Trusted Tester certifications.

Ablr's product portfolio is organized around two revenue engines. The first is an enterprise accessibility services stack comprising Ablr 360 (comprehensive accessibility solution), Ablr Assurance (ongoing compliance), Ablr Traction (strategy and tooling), the Ablr Advantage Program (a phased combination of 360 and Assurance), Ablr+ Learning Lab (educational content), and Ablr Usability Experience Testing (testing with real users with disabilities). The core technology combines automated accessibility scanners with manual auditing by certified analysts who themselves use assistive technology such as JAWS and NVDA screen readers. The second engine is a workforce development franchise including Ablr Futures (Pre-ETS for high school and college students), Ablr Works Adult Program (16-week accessibility analyst training with CPACC certification and internship placement), Ablr Accelerated (rapid upskilling for credentialed professionals), and Essential AI Skills for the Workplace (developed with NC State University).

Ablr generates revenue primarily through professional-services contracts. Enterprise accessibility work is sold via direct field sales, with pricing quote-based and not publicly disclosed; named customers span education, technology, retail, sports, and nonprofit verticals. Workforce program seats are funded through State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies and Divisions of Services for the Blind (active in NC, TN, RI, VT, DE, with NE, FL, CA, VA, SC, MA, NJ in process), making those programs free to participants. Distribution is reinforced by channel partners (Unity Web Agency), employer internship/hiring pipelines (Lenovo, ULTA, Verizon, Infosys, Pega), and content-marketing assets such as the Access Granted podcast and an A11y Dictionary. The company reports 87% competitive integrated employment for Ablr Works graduates within 6 months, 100% retention at 6 and 12 months, and a $22/hr average starting wage.

Name

Ablr.

Legal name

Ablr

Website

https://ablr360.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ablr. is a Durham, NC-based, mission-driven nonprofit (division of LC Industries) that delivers digital accessibility consulting, disability inclusion training, and a state-funded workforce development program for adults who are blind or have low vision, with 70% of its team identifying as having disabilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Accessibility Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Educational Support Services (611710), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• Digital accessibility services
• WCAG compliance auditing
• Disability inclusion training
• Workforce development programs
• ADA compliance consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Durham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Digital Accessibility Services: Professional consulting and auditing services for organizations seeking ADA/WCAG compliance, usability testing, and accessibility strategy. Delivered through enterprise engagements with corporate and institutional clients.
2. Disability Inclusion Training: Training programs and courses for business leaders, HR professionals, and diversity and inclusion practitioners covering disability inclusion strategies.
3. Workforce Development Program: Training and placement services for blind and low-vision adults; funded through State Vocational Rehabilitation and Divisions of Services for the Blind — no cost to participants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Ablr is a full-service disability inclusion organization that provides digital accessibility auditing, WCAG 2.1 and ADA compliance consulting, usability testing with people with disabilities, and disability inclusion training for enterprise clients. It also operates a workforce development division that trains and places blind and low-vision adults into technology and digital accessibility careers, funded through state Vocational Rehabilitation agencies.

Product overview

Ablr is a full-service disability inclusion organization offering a portfolio of accessibility services and workforce development programs. The company operates two main divisions: (1) Accessibility Services including Ablr 360 (comprehensive accessibility solution), Ablr Assurance (ongoing compliance), Ablr Traction (strategy and tools), Ablr Advantage Program (two-phased combined approach), Ablr+ Learning Lab (educational content), and Usability Experience Testing (real-user testing with people with disabilities); and (2) Workforce Development Programs including Ablr Futures (Pre-ETS for high school/college students), Ablr Works Adult Program (career training with CPACC certification), Ablr Accelerated Program (rapid upskilling for professionals), and the Essential AI Skills for the Workplace program (AI training developed with NC State University). The company also produces the Access Granted Podcast as a thought leadership and community-building resource.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ablr Futures: A virtual after-school and Summer Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) program for high school and college students who are blind or visually impaired.
• Ablr Works Adult Program
• Ablr Accelerated Program
• Access Granted Podcast

Products and services

• Ablr 360 Comprehensive digital accessibility solution that works closely with client teams to deliver fully universal and inclusive digital experiences through planning, audits, remediation, and usability testing.
• Ablr Assurance Program Ongoing accessibility compliance program that gives organizations flexibility and consistency in achieving and maintaining digital accessibility compliance (WCAG 2.1 Level AA, ADA, and Section 508) over time.
• Ablr Traction Strategy and tooling engagement that equips organizations with the tools, insights, and strategy needed to drive lasting accessibility progress across teams and digital properties.
• Ablr+ Learning Lab Educational content and training video library equipping internal teams with the knowledge needed for effective accessibility remediation, internal collaboration, and ongoing team training.
• Ablr Usability Experience Testing Usability testing service that uses real users with disabilities, leveraging assistive technology such as JAWS and NVDA, to evaluate external platforms and internal systems so users can engage, work, and succeed without barriers.
• Digital Accessibility Services End-to-end digital accessibility services for organizations seeking ADA, WCAG 2.1 Level AA, and Section 508 compliance, covering planning, assessments, manual audits, usability testing, content validation, consulting, and training.
• Disability Inclusion Training Flexible disability inclusion training programs for business leaders, HR professionals, and D&I practitioners, including the 'Putting Untapped Talent to Work' course and customizable accessibility training sessions.
• Ablr Futures Program Virtual Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) program for high school and college students who are blind or visually impaired, focusing on career exploration, skill development, and self-advocacy.
• Ablr Works Adult Program Employer-aligned education, career readiness, and job placement services for adults who are blind or have low vision, including technical upskilling, CPACC certification training, internships, and ongoing career support.
• Ablr Accelerated Program Rapid upskilling program for adults with visual impairments who already hold degrees or professional training, providing professional skills, networking opportunities, internship experience, and job coaching to secure meaningful employment.
• Essential AI Skills for the Workplace AI training program co-developed with the NC State University Data Science and AI Academy, designed for screen reader users and professionals who are blind or have low vision, teaching practical AI skills for workplace productivity, prompt engineering, and responsible AI use.

Quantifiable outcome

• 87% of Ablr Works graduates obtain competitive integrated employment within 6 months
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers25 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Carolina HurricanescoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 October 2023The Carolina Hurricanes selected Ablr as their official Accessibility and Inclusion partner in October 2023. The partnership aims to transform digital and physical experiences to be more inclusive for fans and visitors with disabilities.
• Unity Web AgencyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Ablr and Unity Web Agency announced a strategic partnership in January 2021 focused on increasing web accessibility and inclusion for mutual clients.
• NC State University Data Science and AI AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAblr developed its Essential AI Skills for the Workplace program in collaboration with the NC State University Data Science and AI Academy. The partnership combines Ablr's accessibility and workforce development expertise with NC State's leadership in data science and AI. The curriculum helps participants understand how AI works, how it is transforming workplaces, and how professionals can use these tools effectively.
• Catalyst EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCatalyst Education partners with Ablr to embed accessibility into their EdTech platform from the ground up. Ablr provides accessibility auditing, training, and advisory services to help Catalyst Education ensure their platform serving ~250,000 students annually is fully accessible. The partnership has been ongoing for approximately 3-4 years.
• State Vocational Rehabilitation and Divisions of Services for the Blind (NC, TN, RI, VT, DE)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAblr partners with State Divisions of Services for the Blind and Vocational Rehabilitation agencies to deliver workforce development programs. These state agencies refer candidates and provide funding, while Ablr delivers the training, certification, and job placement services.
• LC IndustriescoreOthersAblr is a division of LC Industries, a parent organization that has long served the blindness community. LC Industries has leaders with disabilities and provides the organizational foundation and mission alignment for Ablr's work.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Deque Systems: Deque Systems is the most direct peer in digital accessibility testing, offering manual audits, automated scanning tools (axe), and training. It competes head-to-head with Ablr's accessibility services for enterprise WCAG/ADA compliance engagements.
• Level Access: Level Access is a long-established accessibility services and SaaS firm providing audits, training, and an accessibility platform. It directly competes with Ablr 360, Ablr Assurance, and the company's enterprise accessibility engagements.
• TPGi (The Paciello Group): TPGi provides digital accessibility consulting, testing, and training services similar to Ablr's accessibility practice. It is a direct competitor in the enterprise WCAG audit and remediation market.
• eSSENTIAL Accessibility: eSSENTIAL Accessibility delivers digital accessibility compliance, remediation, and disability inclusion services alongside assistive technology distribution. It overlaps directly with Ablr's accessibility services and disability inclusion training offerings.
• National Industries for the Blind (NIB): NIB is a nonprofit that creates employment opportunities for people who are blind through AbilityOne and partner agencies, with parent organizations similar to LC Industries. It mirrors Ablr's mission-driven, blindness-employment focus.

Regional players

• AbilityNet: AbilityNet is a UK-headquartered disability and accessibility consultancy offering audits, training, and workplace inclusion services. It mirrors Ablr's accessibility-and-inclusion positioning, though it primarily serves UK and European markets.

Broad incumbents

• AudioEye: AudioEye sells an automated accessibility remediation platform plus audit services to enterprise and government buyers. It competes with Ablr in the digital accessibility market with a more productized, SaaS-led model.
• AccessiBe: AccessiBe provides an AI-powered automated accessibility overlay for websites, positioning itself as a low-cost alternative to manual auditing. It competes with Ablr on the buyer side and shapes market expectations around automation.
• Siteimprove: Siteimprove offers a digital governance platform that includes accessibility scanning, SEO, and content quality tools. It competes with Ablr's automated scanning capabilities and overlaps in the enterprise buyer segment.

Emerging players

• Perkins School for the Blind: Perkins runs workforce development, transition, and career programs for people who are blind or visually impaired, including corporate employer partnerships. It is a comparable organization to Ablr Works on the talent-development side.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ablr360
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCcrBtnJUMGqo6kkkGgNtjjQ/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/Ablr360
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ablr360
• Instagraminstagram.com/ablr360

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Ablr.