Accessible Inclusivity,
Enabling Empowerment.
Our Mission
Accessibility Accelerator is committed to advancing a world that is fully accessible and inclusive—where all individuals, regardless of age or ability, can participate equally in every aspect of life.
About Us
Accessible Inclusivity, Enabling Empowerment.
Accessibility Accelerator partners with global organizations, institutions, and governments to advance accessibility and inclusion. We empower people with disabilities and older adults—over 25% of the world’s population—through education, advocacy, and innovation. Accessibility is not an accommodation; it is a human right. We transform research into action, eliminate barriers, and build communities where everyone can live with dignity, equality, and independence.
Of the World Population:
15+%
Have Disabilities
11%
Are Elderly
Universal Design FromInception of Projects
Accessibility Accelerator is a leading advocate for Universal Design, emphasizing the necessity of accessibility from the earliest stages of project planning and implementation.
Buildings, technologies, homes, workplaces, products, and services must be conceived and constructed to meet the diverse needs of all individuals—regardless of age, size, ability, or disability.
Integrating Universal Design principles from inception is both ethically imperative and economically sound, avoiding the costs and limitations of retroactive accessibility measures.
Inclusive design benefits everyone—improving usability, safety, and participation for all members of society.
Buildings
Technology
Homes
Stores
Products
Services
Accessible Travel and Experiential Inclusion
Accessibility Accelerator promotes inclusive travel and experiential learning through our global #AccessibleTogether initiative, which demonstrates that accessibility and adventure are not mutually exclusive.
Our programs facilitate inclusive expeditions where individuals with and without disabilities explore the world together, fostering mutual understanding, leadership, and empowerment.
To date, our teams have undertaken accessible hiking expeditions throughout the United States and achieved international recognition for adaptive climbs of Mount Kilimanjaro, where over 70 participants across three teams successfully reached the summit—the highest free-standing mountain in the world.
These landmark achievements serve as powerful models of inclusion, resilience, and collective capability.
Supporting Advancing Technology
Accessibility Accelerator with its collaborative partners monitors and investigates evolving technologies that serve to assist and improve the quality of life for people with disabilities and the elderly.
Together with our collaborative partners host and participate in global seminars with researchers, tech companies, and potential users to expedite and promote products and hasten their time to market.
Team Members
Executive Director, Accessibility Accelerator
James A. Lassner
Board Member
Born in Bogotá, Colombia, and raised in the United States, Jamie has dedicated his life to helping others find safety, dignity, and belonging. As Executive Director of Accessibility Accelerator, he leads global efforts to build a world where people with disabilities and older adults are never left behind—especially in times of crisis.
Before stepping into the nonprofit world, Jamie spent over 25 years in international commodities business, developing leadership and sustainability expertise that continue to guide his work today.
For more than four decades, he has also served as a volunteer EMT in New York City, an experience that deeply shaped him—particularly during and after the September 11th attacks, when he was injured while responding near the World Trade Center. His recovery and journey through PTSD inspired a profound life shift toward service, education, and compassion.
Since 2021, Jamie has been a leader and active member of the Purple Vest Mission, a global initiative that ensures people with disabilities and older adults are included in every stage of emergency response. From Ukraine and Poland to Uganda and beyond, he has led teams that train volunteers and carry out inclusive evacuations for thousands in need.
Jamie’s vision of inclusion extends beyond crisis zones. Through projects like the #AccessibleTogether Kilimanjaro climbs, he has helped demonstrate that, when accessibility leads, everyone can rise.
A passionate storyteller and speaker, Jamie shares lessons of resilience and hope with audiences around the world. He finds his greatest joy in family, hiking, photography, hiking and the belief that small teams—with big hearts—can change the world.
Advisor for Strategy and Impact
Tamar Schapira
Board Member
Tamar Schapira is the Co-founder and CEO of SenseIT, streamlining accessibility testing so teams can deliver accessible digital products with confidence and ease.
Tamar serves on the Board of Accessibility Accelerator and contributes to the Purple Vest Mission, promoting emergency preparedness and evacuations for people with disabilities and the elderly during emergency times.
A mother, entrepreneur, and marathon runner, Tamar brings endurance, persistence, and resilience to building startups and advocating for accessibility and inclusion.
Alan T. Brown
Board Member
Alan T. Brown is a passionate advocate, entrepreneur, and leader for the paralysis community. At age 20, while on vacation in Martinique, an ocean wave crushed his neck, causing a C5–C6 spinal cord injury that left him a quadriplegic.
Turning tragedy into purpose, Alan founded the Alan T. Brown Foundation to Cure Paralysis, which evolved from focusing solely on research to improving quality of life through peer mentoring, outreach, and direct support for individuals and families living with paralysis.
Over three decades, Alan has become a recognized voice for accessibility, inclusion, and resilience—sharing his story to inspire others and drive awareness. Professionally, he built a successful career in public relations and marketing, working with Slim-Fast Foods, the Florida Marlins during their 1997 World Series season, and later founding PrimeTime Public Relations & Marketing.
Today, Alan serves as Director of New Partnership Engagement at the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, expanding awareness, partnerships, and advocacy efforts nationwide. A three-time NYC Marathoner, skydiver, and scuba diver, Alan continues to push limits. His proudest role is being father to his two sons, living proof that determination and heart can turn challenge into triumph.
A Legacy of Leadership and Service
Accessibility Accelerator was founded in honor of three visionary advocates—Benjamin (Benjy) Brown, Samuel (Sandy) Eisenstat, and Julius (Julie) Lassner—whose lifelong dedication to humanitarian service continues to inspire our mission.
First united in the 1970s through their shared commitment to supporting vulnerable populations, their legacy endures through their sons—Alan, Abe, and Jamie—who have united to carry forward their fathers’ ideals.
Their example guides our ongoing work to advance accessibility, equity, and inclusion on a global scale.