Think Outside The Vox
Think Outside the Vox is a Massachusetts-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2023 that provides anti-ableist consulting, culturally competent access training, and referral services to performing arts institutions, centering Deaf, Blind, and disabled professionals in arts accessibility work.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersLittleton, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Think Outside The Vox does
Think Outside the Vox (VOX) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2023 and headquartered in Littleton, Massachusetts, that provides arts access consulting and training services centered on disability culture. The organization serves performing arts institutions including theaters, opera companies, orchestras, dance companies, and museums, offering concierge anti-ableist consulting that is custom-fit to each client's needs, culture, and capacity. Core services include consulting engagements, culturally competent access training, referral and onboarding of qualified access providers, and webinars/speaking engagements, supplemented by signature training programs such as the Director of Artistic Sign Language (DASL) seminar series, Culturally Competent Audio Description workshops, and open-source DeafBlind Training Modules developed jointly with Silent Rhythms.
The technical foundation combines web accessibility consulting (HTML, WAI-ARIA, CSS, JavaScript for WCAG 2.1 AA compliance) with proprietary operational frameworks including the DASL role, the Purple Pointers library of curated accessibility solutions, and a novel duo-mixing AD-ALD headset that integrates audio description and assistive listening feeds with independent volume control per ear, developed with Open Door Theater. The team of 7 staff plus a board and consultant network is led by co-founders Sam Gould Kriveshko (President, 20+ years accessibility leadership) and Christopher Robinson (30 years ASL/English interpreting experience), supported by board member Maria Hendricks (multilingual audio describer, 7 Elliot Norton Award nominations in 2024) and Operations Manager Ingrid O'Dell.
The business model combines foundation grants as the primary revenue source (Barr Foundation, Wagner Foundation, Massachusetts Cultural Council, The Lenny Zakim Fund, Boston Cultural Council, The Boston Foundation, Haymarket People's Fund, Sudbury Foundation, National Arts Strategies) with fee-for-service consulting billed under a published fee schedule, multi-year engagement contracts, and a recurring Purple Pointers Subscription for low-touch accessibility consultation. VOX serves 105 organizations, has trained 547 trainees/mentees in 2025, and reached 7,000+ patrons through accessible arts programming. Distribution is primarily regional (Massachusetts) with emerging national reach via NYC partnerships and open-source educational modules.
Think Outside The Vox firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Think Outside The Vox
- Legal name
- Think Outside the Vox, Inc.
- Website
- https://thinkoutsidethevox.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Think Outside the Vox is a Massachusetts-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2023 that provides anti-ableist consulting, culturally competent access training, and referral services to performing arts institutions, centering Deaf, Blind, and disabled professionals in arts accessibility work.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Think Outside The Vox industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Arts Accessibility Consulting
- NAICS
- Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Arts & Culture Service/Support Organizations (Networks, Advocacy, Capacity Building) (BPAGAHAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC), Assistive Technology (AT) & Accessible Learning Tools (EDALAGAB)
Keywords
Where Think Outside The Vox is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Littleton
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Think Outside The Vox business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Consulting and Training Services: Fee-for-service consulting, training, and access services provided to performing arts institutions. Services are custom-fit to organizational needs with a published fee schedule. Revenue supports general operations and program delivery.
- Grants and Fundraising: Primary revenue source from foundation grants and individual donations. Funders include Barr Foundation, Wagner Foundation, Massachusetts Cultural Council, The Lenny Zakim Fund, Haymarket People's Fund, The Boston Foundation, Boston Cultural Council, National Arts Strategies, and Sudbury Foundation. EIN: 92-0996835.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Customized consulting services for arts organizations |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Think Outside The Vox product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Think Outside the Vox provides concierge anti-ableist consulting and culturally competent access training to performing arts institutions (theaters, orchestras, opera, dance, museums) on a fee-for-service basis, with services customized to each organization's needs, culture, and capacity. Offerings span consulting, training, referral/hiring/onboarding of access providers, webinars, and speaking engagements, complemented by free educational programs (DASL workshops, Culturally Competent Audio Description training cohorts, DeafBlind modules, Emergency Preparedness modules). The organization also partnered with ArtsBoston to co-develop the ArtsBoston All Access Calendar, a free searchable calendar of accessible arts events.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- VOX n' ROX: A partnership program with Roxbury International Film Festival (VOX n' ROX) fostering space to activate and organize generosity with arts administrators and community leaders.
Products and services
- Anti-Ableist Consulting Services Concierge anti-ableist consulting for performing arts institutions that helps them implement accessible programming and hire disabled and marginalized artists and experts, custom-fit to each organization's unique needs, culture, and capacity.
- Culturally Competent Access Training Culturally competent access training delivered to Deaf, disabled, and marginalized access providers, covering accessibility best practices for arts organizations and aligned with VOX's universal design framework.
- Referral and Onboarding Services Services aiding performing arts organizations in the referral, hiring, and onboarding of culturally competent access providers (Directors of Artistic Sign Language, Audio Describers, ADA coordinators).
- Webinars and Speaking Engagements Customizable anti-ableist training presentations and webinars on accessibility topics for arts organizations, delivered in accessible formats with ASL interpretation, captions, and audio description.
- DeafBlind Modules Open-source educational modules covering best practices for engaging with DeafBlind patrons in arts and community spaces, available free to access and developed in partnership with Silent Rhythms.
- Emergency Preparedness Modules Educational modules focused on emergency preparedness accessibility for arts institutions, guiding accessible planning, communication, and evacuation practices.
- Director of Artistic Sign Language (DASL) Seminar Series A seminar series for and by the Deaf community focused on the role of Director of Artistic Sign Language (DASL), covering research process, dramaturgy, ASL translations, and production team dynamics.
- Culturally Competent Audio Description (AD) Workshop A four-part workshop series covering core elements of live theater audio description through discussion and mentorship, led by Blind AD experts Thomas Reid and Cheryl Green, primarily for those who identify as Blind/Low Vision, disabled, BIPOC, AAPI or other marginalized identities.
- ArtsBoston All Access Calendar A free accessibility calendar co-developed with ArtsBoston that allows users to search arts events and sort by accessibility features such as ASL, Audio Description, and Open Captions; arts organizations can submit accessible events to promote them.
Quantifiable outcome
- 105 organizations served
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Think Outside The Vox
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Think Outside The Vox technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Think Outside The Vox partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.
- National Arts StrategiescoreOfficial accessibility partner for NAS, integrating accessibility features (ASL interpreters, captioning, audio description) into NAS events and providing professional development on disability accessibility through The Project initiative.
- Esplanade AssociationsecondaryPartnership to identify, improve, and expand accessibility across the Esplanade including wayfinding, programming, staff training, communications, and physical accessibility. VOX conducted accessibility review and training.
- Silent RhythmscoreJoint venture to create DeafBlind Training Modules with experts Kerry Thompson, Cai Steele, Carl Richardson, and Kaitlyn Mielke. Supported by Sudbury Foundation and Massachusetts Cultural Council. Modules will be open source.
- A.R.T./New YorksecondaryPartnership to deliver Culturally Competent Audio Description Training in NYC with Thomas Reid and Cheryl Green leading 15 NYC-based trainees (primarily Blind/Low-Vision artists).
- Huntington Theater CompanycorePartnership for 2025-2026 season (second year) providing ASL-interpreted and Audio Described performances with culturally competent teams. Expanding the pool of culturally competent access providers through mentorship.
- ArtsBostoncoreCo-developed the ArtsBoston All Access Calendar - a free resource allowing users to search arts events and sort by accessibility features. VOX provided accessibility expertise and community input for the calendar's development.
- Commonwealth Shakespeare CompanycorePartnership since 2023 to prioritize accessibility and uplift Deaf, Blind, and disabled access providers in CSC productions. VOX provides DASL/ASL team mentorship, AD and tactile tours, open captioning, and accessibility trainings for Shakespeare on the Common.
- Boston Landmarks OrchestracorePartnership since 2023 for summer concert series at Hatch Memorial Shell. VOX provides ASL performances by Deaf artists/DASLs and hearing interpreters, capturing music with visual vernacular and haptic suits from Not Impossible Labs.
- Open Door TheatercoreSister organization and primary training space for VOX. Open Door Theater serves as the 'test kitchen for access' providing hands-on training opportunities for DASL mentorship, DeafBlind module filming, and accessible performances.
- Boston Lyric OperasecondaryProvided ASL competency training for cast and crew of Macbeth production. DASLs supported Deaf actor Léon Jerfita with accessibility training.
- Mass MoCaminorPartner organization receiving accessibility consulting support and training referrals.
- Guerilla OperasecondaryPartnership for accessibility support for world premiere of Ululations and Gurgles of the Invisible, providing access for Deaf dancers and audiences.
- The Theater OffensivesecondaryProvided accessibility coordination for Queer [Re]Public Festival including captioning, ASL interpretation, and audio description.
- Abilities Dance BostonminorPartner in disability arts community, featured in VOX community spotlight for Intersections V4 event.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Think Outside The Vox competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- StageText: UK charity providing captioning, audio description, and touch tours for theater and live performance. Operates the same core accessibility-services model as VOX for performing arts audiences, though regionally focused on the UK.
- VocalEyes: UK-based charity delivering audio description and touch tours to theaters, museums, and galleries. Directly comparable service portfolio to VOX's AD and accessibility offerings, though geographically focused on the UK.
- Audio Description Associates: Independent audio description consultancy providing live and recorded AD services for theater, museums, and cultural institutions. Comparable to VOX's audio description training and event services, though focused specifically on AD rather than the full accessibility stack.
- Theatre Development Fund (TDF): NYC-based nonprofit that runs the Theatre Access Program (TAP), providing accessibility services — including ASL interpretation, audio description, and open captioning — to performing arts audiences. TDF is the most directly comparable organization to VOX in mission and service model, though larger and more established.
Others
- National Arts Strategies: National nonprofit supporting arts leaders and organizations through professional development, research, and convenings. VOX is their official accessibility partner; comparable in nonprofit arts-support model though NAS focuses on leadership rather than direct accessibility services.
Broad incumbents
- Gallaudet University: The leading U.S. institution of higher education for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students, with a strong Deaf arts and culture program. Comparable to VOX's Deaf-cultural-anchored accessibility work but operates as a university rather than a consulting/services nonprofit.
- WGBH (Media Access Group / NCAM): Boston-based public media organization and pioneer of audio description and captioning for television. Operates a much larger national-scale accessibility infrastructure that overlaps with VOX's mission but serves broadcast and digital media in addition to live arts.
- VSA / Kennedy Center: The Kennedy Center's disability and arts program, operating nationally to increase access to the arts for people with disabilities. Comparable in mission (arts + disability focus) but significantly larger in scale and reach than VOX.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Think Outside The Vox social profiles
Digital presenceThink Outside The Vox financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Think Outside The Vox leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Think Outside The Vox funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Think Outside The Vox M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Think Outside The Vox
What does Think Outside The Vox do?
Think Outside the Vox provides concierge anti-ableist consulting and culturally competent access training to performing arts institutions (theaters, orchestras, opera, dance, museums) on a fee-for-service basis, with services customized to each organization's needs, culture, and capacity. Offerings span consulting, training, referral/hiring/onboarding of access providers, webinars, and speaking engagements, complemented by free educational programs (DASL workshops, Culturally Competent Audio Description training cohorts, DeafBlind modules, Emergency Preparedness modules). The organization also partnered with ArtsBoston to co-develop the ArtsBoston All Access Calendar, a free searchable calendar of accessible arts events.
Is Think Outside The Vox a public or private company?
Think Outside The Vox is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Think Outside The Vox founded?
Think Outside The Vox was founded in 2023. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Think Outside The Vox based?
Think Outside The Vox is headquartered in Littleton, United States, in the North America region.
How does Think Outside The Vox make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Consulting and Training Services are the primary driver. The others are grants and Fundraising.
Who are Think Outside The Vox's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are StageText, VocalEyes, Audio Description Associates and Theatre Development Fund (TDF). National Arts Strategies is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are Gallaudet University, WGBH (Media Access Group / NCAM) and VSA / Kennedy Center.
Does Think Outside The Vox have an API?
No public API is recorded for Think Outside The Vox.
What industry is Think Outside The Vox in?
Think Outside The Vox's product category is Arts Accessibility Consulting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAHAL, Arts & Culture Service/Support Organizations (Networks, Advocacy, Capacity Building), with a secondary code of BPAGAHAC, Arts Education & Community Arts Programs. Its NAICS code is 71 and its SIC code is 8742.