By Patricia Tsebe, Chief Research Officer
Good [morning/afternoon], everyone.
It’s a privilege to join you today on Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2025, a moment not only to reflect—but to recommit. At SayPro, we believe accessibility is not simply a value—it’s a vision powered by research, evidence, and lived experience.
As Chief Research Officer, I see firsthand the power of information to inspire change. But data without inclusion is incomplete. And innovation without accessibility is inequity in disguise.
Over the last year, SayPro has focused our research efforts on one core truth: you cannot design for what you do not understand. That’s why we’ve transformed our research agenda with accessibility at the center—not at the sidelines.
Here’s how:
- We’ve embedded inclusive user research protocols into every project—from usability testing to early concept validation—ensuring we learn directly from people with disabilities.
- We’ve launched a longitudinal accessibility insights program, tracking how users with a wide range of abilities interact with our products over time, so we can identify gaps, solve pain points, and forecast future needs.
- And we’ve expanded our research participant panels to ensure diverse representation across ability, age, geography, and socio-economic status.
This is more than good research. It’s the foundation of ethical, equitable innovation.
Looking ahead, we’re committing to three strategic goals:
- Inclusive Insights at Scale
All major product research initiatives will incorporate accessibility-specific metrics—because what we measure is what we improve. - Accessibility Foresight Labs
We’re establishing cross-functional teams that explore emerging technologies—AI, extended reality, wearable tech—through the lens of accessibility from the very beginning. - Community-Led Research Models
We’re building deeper partnerships with organizations led by and for people with disabilities to co-create research, not just conduct it. Our job isn’t to study communities—it’s to listen, learn, and act together.
Let’s be clear: accessibility research isn’t niche. It’s essential. It helps us design products that are not only inclusive—but smarter, more resilient, and more human.
Because when we include more voices in our research, we discover insights that benefit everyone.
On this GAAD 2025, I’m calling on my fellow researchers—within SayPro and beyond—to ask deeper questions, challenge assumptions, and expand the boundaries of what inclusion in innovation truly means.
At SayPro, we’re not just gathering data—we’re advancing equity. We’re turning feedback into features. And we’re building a future where everyone can participate fully, because accessibility is not an outcome—it’s a process we all share responsibility for.
Thank you—and let’s continue to make knowledge a bridge, not a barrier.
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