Every day, millions of people log into their devices, expecting seamless access to the online world, except for those who hit invisible walls. In 2023, a global survey by the Web Accessibility Initiative revealed that 9 out of 10 websites fail to accommodate users with disabilities, leaving tasks like ordering groceries or applying for jobs out of reach for many. It’s not just a glitch in the system, it’s a quiet crisis that’s been simmering for years, locking entire communities out of the digital age many of us take for granted. This isn’t a niche issue. Across the globe, over 1.3 billion people—16% of humanity, live with some form of disability, according to the World Health Organization. That’s more than the populations of the United States, Brazil, and Japan combined. Yet, for many, simple tasks like booking a doctor’s appointment, studying for a class, or applying for a job online turn into battles against poorly designed websites and inaccessible apps. The stakes are high: a 2023 report from the International Labour Organization found that people with disabilities are twice as likely to be unemployed worldwide, often because digital barriers block access to opportunities.
Building A More Inclusive Web: How Nishit Bhasin And Incskill Are Advancing Digital Accessibility For All
Through Incskill’s platform, Nishit helps businesses go beyond compliance—encouraging them to create products that truly serve all users.
The numbers tell a larger story. The World Bank estimates that inaccessible technology costs economies $6.9 trillion annually in lost productivity and potential. Meanwhile, a 2022 Accenture study revealed that businesses prioritizing accessibility tap into a $13 trillion spending power held by the global disability community, a group larger than the population of China. “When we exclude people from the digital space, we’re not just shutting them out of convenience,” says accessibility advocate Jutta Treviranus. “We’re cutting them off from dignity, connection, and a fair shot at life.”
Nishit Bhasin knows this reality. As a co-founder and product leader, he’s motivated by a vision to create the online world a place where no one’s left behind. Growing up in India, he observed firsthand how powerful technology could be—how it could educate, entertain, and empower. But he also saw its limits, especially for friends and collaborators with disabilities who struggled to navigate it. That personal connection drives his work today, blending artificial intelligence with a strong focus on inclusion. “The goal isn’t just to fix what’s broken,” Nishit says. “It’s to build something that works for everyone from the start.”
That belief guides his work at IncSkill, a Techstars-backed startup that’s gained global attention, with support from organizations like Forbes, OpenAI, and Microsoft. But for Nishit, the real reward isn’t global attention—it’s experiences like watching Stevie Wonder visit his accessibility booth at the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference in Anaheim, California. “He smiled. He listened. He asked questions. That one moment made every all-nighter worth it,” Nishit recalls.
Imagine a single mother in rural Kenya, visually impaired, trying to register her child for school online. Or a deaf teenager in Brazil, unable to watch an educational video because it lacks captions. These aren’t hypotheticals, they’re daily realities. The United Nations reports that 90% of websites worldwide fail to meet basic accessibility standards, a gap that’s persisted for over a decade. In Europe alone, the European Disability Forum estimates that 80 million people face digital exclusion, while in Asia-Pacific, the figure climbs to 690 million, per a 2024 UNESCO study. “It’s like handing someone a book they can’t read and calling it progress,” says accessibility designer Sarah Horton.
The solution lies in reimagining how we build technology. Picture a tool that scans a website and flags problems, like missing text descriptions for images, then suggests fixes in plain language a developer can use. It’s not a distant dream; it’s happening now. Over 12,000 people already rely on such tools, transforming more than 1 million web pages into spaces where everyone can click, scroll, and connect. This isn’t about cold compliance, it’s about opening doors. A small business owner in Canada can now reach customers who use screen readers. A student in South Africa can study without hitting invisible walls.
The ripple effects are human, not just technical. “I used to feel invisible online,” shares Maria, a blind user from Spain who tested early versions of these tools. “Now I can shop, learn, even laugh at memes like my friends. It’s not just access, it’s belonging.” Stories like hers are why this work matters. Globally, the accessibility tech market has grown to $1.2 billion, according to a 2023 Gartner report, driven by a demand for tools that don’t just meet laws but meet lives.
Nishit Bhasin and his team are continuing beyond today's fixes. They’re working towards a future where inclusion isn’t an add-on but the foundation, a world where AI not only impresses but also delivers equality. “We’re not here to patch holes,” Nishit says. “We’re here to rewrite the rules so no one’s left out.” That vision has earned nods from top accelerators and international grants, but the real win is in the lives changed—one page, one person at a time.
As our world races deeper into the digital age, accessibility isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. It’s about a grandmother in Japan who wants to video-chat her grandkids, the veteran in Australia managing benefits online, and an artist in Nigeria sharing their work. It’s about equity, yes, but also about joy, independence, and the simple right to be part of it all. “Accessibility is not a checklist—it’s a mindset,” says Jenny Lay-Flurrie, Microsoft’s Chief Accessibility Officer. Through consistent effort, Nishit Bhasin and others like him are turning that vision into reality for everyone.
About Nishit Bhasin
Nishit Bhasin is the Co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Incskill, a company dedicated to making digital experiences more accessible for people with disabilities. At Incskill, Nishit leads the development of innovative tools that help organizations identify and address accessibility issues across websites and documents, streamlining compliance and supporting inclusive design.
One of his contributions includes development of a sound-activated, AI-powered web search tool designed to support individuals with visual impairments. By leveraging advanced technologies, this tool has enhanced how users with disabilities interact with digital platforms, particularly in the e-commerce space. The innovation earned recognition at an international accessibility conference for its user-centric approach and practical impact.
Nishit’s motivation is rooted in a personal story—his co-founder, Kartik, is blind. Kartik’s early challanges navigating inaccessible digital platforms inspired the foundation of Incskill and continue to shape the company’s mission. Nishit often shares this story to highlight the everyday challenges faced by millions and to emphasize that accessibility should be a foundational part of digital development.
Through Incskill’s platform, Nishit helps businesses go beyond compliance—encouraging them to create products that truly serve all users. His work combines empathy, design thinking, and technological expertise, aimed at making digital spaces inclusive, equitable, and barrier-free.
Nishit is also a dedicated speaker and advocate, recognized for making audiences reflect on the real-world impact of digital exclusion and the urgent need for accessible innovation.