AccessNow, Komodo OpenLab among startups receiving support from Ryerson University’s Accessibility Project

Ryerson University’s G. Raymond Chang School has announced 17 finalists for the The Accessibility Project, which it launched in partnership with the DMZ.

The project launched in August 2017 to support the growth of companies working on accessibility technology. AccessNow and Komodo OpenLab were among the finalists.

“Ontario will be at its best when more people with disabilities can contribute to the economy and society.”
– David C. Onley

“Our initiative signals a commitment to work with student-led accessibility solutions to help scale their ideas more quickly,” said Abdullah Snobar, executive director of the DMZ at Ryerson University. “By expanding on the entrepreneurship grants to include accessibility innovation, Ryerson University is strengthening its responsibility to fostering a community of innovators and advocates to improve accessibility for all.”

Ryerson University students and alumni applied for a chance to receive funding from the Accessibility Project’s fund, and support from Ryerson’s Zone Learning network to develop innovative products and solutions for people with disabilities and the aging population.

“As a champion of accessibility and technology, The Chang School is proud to partner with DMZ Sandbox to support accessible innovation from within Ryerson’s entrepreneurial community,” said Marie Bountrogianni, dean of The Chang School. “The Accessibility Project is our way of positively impacting quality of life for people with disabilities and Canada’s aging population.”

From the over 20 applications received, 17 were chosen to be a part of the initiative’s fund, which is based on the startups’ business plans. Select early-stage finalists will receive a workspace at DMZ’s Sandbox and support from Ryerson’s Zone Learning network, including one-on-one mentorship.

“Ontario will be at its best when more people with disabilities can contribute to the economy and society,” said David C. Onley, special advisor on Accessibility and former lieutenant governor of Ontario. “Initiatives like The Accessibility Project are part of the culture change that will see more people with disabilities participate fully in the economy and make Ontario more prosperous for everyone.

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Aeman Ansari

Aeman Ansari is a freelance writer who has been published in many Toronto-based publications, including Hazlitt and Torontoist. When she’s not re-watching Hitchcock movies, she’s working on her collection of short fiction inspired by stories from her grandmother, one of the few women in India to receive post-secondary education in English literature at the time.

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