By Nicole Ward, Data Journalist, Research & Innovation
In the Dallas Regional Chamber’s continuing celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Founder and CEO of VisioTech Tiffani Martin shared her experience as a blind entrepreneur.
She leads a social impact technology company focused on helping others address their accessibility needs.
“In simple terms, we help companies become more inclusive through AI and other technologies,” said Martin. “We ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, can access and enjoy digital experiences.”
VisioTech’s innovative approach is inspired by real life.
“Led by those who understand firsthand, we align our organization with the needs of our entire customer base, building deeper connections and making a lasting, positive impact,” said Martin.
Some companies believe that becoming more accessible will be too difficult and costly to offset the benefits. Martin shared that it is okay not to know exactly how to become more inclusive of the disability community – there are plenty of people and organizations that can help. It is the effort that matters.
“When I think about integrating accessibility into a business strategy, it is about embracing inclusion and equity. This means hiring decision-makers with disabilities in key roles to ensure diverse perspectives shape our decisions,” said Martin. “When businesses embrace accessibility, they are not just complying with laws—they are creating spaces where every person feels valued and included.”
While Martin’s company specializes in accessibility tools designed for a subsect of people, they are often a benefit to everyone. For example, video call captions enable people who are deaf or hard of hearing to follow along, but also benefit people who struggle to make sense of large amounts of spoken information.
“Some organizations have taken meaningful steps to hire more employees with disabilities and honor their rights and accommodations, creating a more inclusive culture,” she said. “However, in many cases, progress is slow, and there is still a gap between awareness and action.”
To learn more about VisioTech, visit their website.
To learn more about the DRC’s work in Diversity, Inclusion & Community Engagement, visit our website. Also, explore our Disability Inclusion Toolkit.