What Centre for Inclusive Design does

Centre for Inclusive Design (CfID) is an Australian not-for-profit social enterprise that delivers inclusive design consulting, training, and accessibility services. The organization helps government, corporate, education, and not-for-profit clients design products, services, and digital experiences that are accessible to people with disabilities, older Australians, and other edge users. CfID operates from offices hosted at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion and traces its institutional heritage to the Australian Caption Centre founded in 1982; the current CfID brand was established in 2017 to address accessibility at the design stage rather than retrofitting after release.

The organization's portfolio comprises seven service lines: Inclusive Design Lab (a research and prototyping facility linked to the global SMARTLab network), Accessible Document Service (WCAG-compliant remediation of PDFs, Word, and PowerPoint documents), Customer Experience consulting, Technology (WCAG 2.1/2.2 AA/AAA audits and accessibility implementation), Training (workshops plus the Professional Certificate in Web Accessibility delivered with the University of South Australia), Innovation services, and Leadership & Change / People & Culture consulting. CfID supplements its services with proprietary research including The Inclusion Compass (AI-assisted analysis of over 700k online conversations combined with six months of in-person workshops) and The Benefits of Designing for Everyone (conducted by PwC and co-commissioned with Adobe and Microsoft), plus tools such as Mapping the Edge Cards, content series like the 'With, Not For' podcast and Match/Mismatch, and the Inspiration Series resource library.

CfID generates revenue through bespoke consulting engagements, training programs, and document remediation services on a quote-based pricing model with no publicly disclosed rates. Its go-to-market is sales-led, event-driven, and community-led, anchored by flagship partnerships with Adobe and Microsoft and a relationship network including W3C (as the Australian Chapter), the Inclusive Design Research Centre at OCAD University, the Australian Computer Society, Capgemini, Hudson, and UTS. Named customers span SBS, Adobe, Deakin University, Choice, NPS MedicineWise, 1800RESPECT, and the ANZAC Memorial Hyde Park, distributed across broadcasting, technology, education, consumer advocacy, healthcare, and cultural sectors.

Name

Centre for Inclusive Design

Legal name

Centre for Inclusive Design

Website

https://centreforinclusivedesign.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Centre for Inclusive Design is an Australian not-for-profit consultancy delivering inclusive design, accessibility, and training services to government, corporate, education, and non-profit clients. It helps organizations build products and digital experiences accessible to people with disabilities and edge users.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Inclusive Design and Accessibility Consulting Services

NAICS

Other Specialized Design Services (54149)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Accessibility, ADA Compliance & Universal Design Audits (EDAEAKAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Accessibility & Universal Design Consulting (HSABAJAB), Professional Development for Inclusive Practices (General Education Staff) (EDAKABAL)

Keywords

• Accessibility consulting services
• Inclusive design advisory
• Digital accessibility audits
• WCAG compliance services
• Accessibility training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Windsor

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Consulting and Advisory Services: Bespoke consulting engagements including inclusive design audits, strategy development, and implementation support for organizations seeking to improve accessibility and inclusion.
2. Training Programs: Workshop-based training including document accessibility training, inclusive design series, website accessibility training, and edge user experience workshops. Also includes Professional Certificate in Web Accessibility delivered with University of South Australia.
3. Accessible Document Remediation: Service to make documents accessible and WCAG compliant, including PDF, Word and PowerPoint documents for digital platforms.
4. Research and Reports: Publication and distribution of research reports including The Inclusion Compass and Benefits of Designing for Everyone report, commissioned in partnership with Adobe and Microsoft.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Centre for Inclusive Design is an Australian not-for-profit social enterprise that delivers bespoke inclusive design consulting, digital accessibility audits, document remediation, training and research services to organisations across government, corporate, education and not-for-profit sectors. Its core offering is built around seven solution areas — Inclusive Design Lab, Accessible Document Service, Customer Experience, Technology (WCAG audits), Training, Innovation, and Leadership and Change / People and Culture — supplemented by published research reports and tools that help clients embed inclusive practices into products, services and operations.

Product overview

Centre for Inclusive Design is a consultancy offering a portfolio of professional services rather than a unified software platform. The core offering consists of seven service lines: Inclusive Design Lab (research and prototyping space), Accessible Document Service (document remediation), Customer Experience, Technology (digital accessibility and audits), Training (workshops and PCWA certification), Innovation, Leadership and Change, and People and Culture. These services are complemented by published research reports (The Inclusion Compass, The Benefits of Designing for Everyone), practical tools (Mapping the Edge Cards), and content series (With, Not For podcast, Match/Mismatch series, Inspiration Series). The company operates as a services-led organisation where individual engagements are tailored to client needs across government, corporate, education, and not-for-profit sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• With, Not For (WnF): A podcast initiative by Centre for Inclusive Design where CEO Dr Manisha Amin facilitates conversations with people working in and with communities to design a world that works for humans. Explores what the world can look like when designing with, not for communities.
• Inclusive Design Lab
• The Inclusion Compass
• The Benefits of Designing for Everyone

Products and services

• Inclusive Design Lab Australia's first Inclusive Design Lab — a collaborative space for research, development and design that brings in diverse community members. Features SMARTLab equipment including 3D printers usable by blind users and AR/VR infrastructure for academic, industry, and government partners.
• Accessible Document Service Document remediation service that ensures PDFs, Word and PowerPoint documents are WCAG 2.1 compliant and accessible for assistive technologies. Backed by a team with over 15 years of industry experience.
• Customer Experience Service and customer experience design using edge user consultation, research, usability testing, and co-design to improve experiences across digital and physical touchpoints.
• Technology (Digital Accessibility) Digital accessibility services including visual identity checks, design and prototype reviews, WCAG 2.1 and 2.2 AA/AAA audits, usability testing, and accessible document creation for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, InDesign, and PDF.
• Training Inclusive design workshops and courses including document accessibility training, website accessibility training, Inclusive Design series, Edge User Experience workshop, and the Professional Certificate in Web Accessibility (PCWA) delivered in partnership with the University of South Australia. Online self-paced courses are also offered via Teachable.
• Innovation Innovation services using inclusive design to identify design failures and create unique solutions, including inclusive service design workshops, UX and usability testing, sensory mapping, and creating diverse teams.
• Leadership and Change Culture assessment, audits, governance and risk reviews, guest presentations, inclusive leadership workshops, and challenge partnering to create inclusive working environments.
• People and Culture Customised Inclusive Design workshops, employee engagement programs, bias training, and challenge partnering to build inclusive cultures within organisations.
• The Inclusion Compass Report AI-powered research report analysing over 700k online conversations combined with six months of in-person workshops, providing insights into how inclusive Australian society is and identifying shortfalls and solutions for an inclusive society.
• The Benefits of Designing for Everyone Report PwC-conducted research revealing that inclusively designed products and services can reach four times the number of intended consumers, covering education, retail, and financial services sectors in Australia. Commissioned by CfID with Adobe and Microsoft.
• Mapping the Edge Cards Practical card-based tool for mapping edge cases in design processes to identify inclusivity gaps during design and innovation work.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3-4x customer reach through inclusive design methodology
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• AdobeflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdobe is a global technology and digital experience leader and one of the first organizations worldwide to recognize the importance of understanding customer needs as part of design. They have inclusive design roles within their teams driving transformation. Partnership includes commissioned research 'The Benefits of Designing for Everyone' report and joint efforts to evangelize inclusive design in Australia.
• MicrosoftflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMicrosoft's mission is to empower every person and organization to achieve more through technology. They are innovators in inclusive design with dedicated accessibility teams. Partnership includes co-commissioning research on inclusive design benefits and promoting inclusive design practices across Australia.
• CapgeminicoreTechnology or IntegrationCapgemini is a global leader in consulting, technology services and digital transformation. They are at the forefront of innovation and believe that a human-centered approach to technology makes the crucial difference. Collaboration focuses on delivering inclusive design outcomes for shared clients.
• HudsoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHudson has a fresh vision and firm focus on creating value for customers and people through digital transformation, sophisticated analytics and innovation. Partnership supports inclusive design thinking in recruitment and talent solutions.
• UTS Centre for Social Justice & InclusioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentre for Inclusive Design is currently based out of the Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion Offices at UTS. Together, both organizations work to advance inclusive practice within UTS and further principles of Inclusive Design to benefit the broader community. CfID CEO Dr Manisha Amin works at the Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion.
• Inclusive Design Research Centre (IDRC) at OCAD UniversitycoreTechnology or IntegrationThe IDRC is a research and development centre at OCAD University in Toronto where an international community works together to ensure emerging information technology and practices are designed inclusively. CfID's Three Dimensions of Inclusive Design framework is based on research by IDRC partners.
• Australian Computer Society (ACS)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerACS is the leading professional association for Australia's technology professionals. Together, CfID and ACS are promoting a digital world free from barriers to participation through joint advocacy and awareness efforts.
• W3C (World Wide Web Consortium)coreTechnology or IntegrationW3C is an international community where Member organizations work together to develop Web standards. CfID is an Australian Chapter of W3C, working with people creating the technology of the future on accessibility and inclusive web standards.
• Web DirectionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWeb Directions conferences bring together the web industry's leading experts from around the world to educate and inspire attendees with a unique editorial approach to conference content.
• SMARTLabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMARTLab is a global network of connected scholars and practitioners created to ignite social change with 17 incubation spaces globally. CfID's Inclusive Design Lab is linked to the global SMARTlab network, promoting user-driven, transdisciplinary research leveraging creative technology innovations for social change.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Level Access: Digital accessibility platform and services company combining managed audits, training, and an enterprise AMP platform. Directly comparable to CfID across accessibility audits, training, and enterprise program support.
• AbilityNet: UK-based charity providing digital accessibility services, training, and workplace consultancy. Closely comparable to CfID in mission, services mix (audits, training, advisory) and non-profit/government-facing client base.
• Deque Systems: US-headquartered leader in digital accessibility offering WCAG audits, axe-core testing tools, and enterprise training. Directly competes with CfID on WCAG audit and accessibility training services for large enterprises and government.
• TPGi (The Paciello Group): Accessibility consultancy and tooling provider (part of Vispero) offering audits, advisory, and platform-based accessibility testing. Comparable to CfID on enterprise accessibility consulting and WCAG audit delivery.
• Knowbility: US-based non-profit focused on digital accessibility, offering training, audits, and community programs such as the AccessWorks matching platform. Comparable to CfID in non-profit structure, training emphasis, and inclusion-focused mission.
• AccessibilityOz: Australian accessibility consultancy providing WCAG audits, VPATs, training, and remediation. Most direct same-market competitor to CfID, competing for Australian enterprise and government accessibility budgets.
• UsableNet: Digital accessibility consultancy and assistive technology provider offering WCAG audits, remediation, and ADA compliance services. Directly comparable to CfID on accessibility audits and consulting for enterprise clients.
• WebAIM: Non-profit accessibility organisation based at Utah State University providing WCAG evaluations, training, and widely used accessibility tools (WAVE). Closely comparable to CfID on training and audit services with a non-profit/government-facing model.

Others

• G3ict (Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs): UN-affiliated advocacy initiative promoting digital accessibility policies and the CRPD. Comparable to CfID as a policy/advocacy counterpart in the inclusive design ecosystem, though it does not sell consulting services.

Emerging players

• AudioEye: Public digital accessibility platform using automated remediation and auditing technology for WCAG compliance. Adjacent competitor to CfID that targets the same enterprise compliance budget via a SaaS model rather than bespoke consulting.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CFIDAus
• Facebookfacebook.com/centreforinclusivedesign
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cfid

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 Centre for Inclusive Design