As the world continues to navigate the impact of the pandemic, one thing has become increasingly clear: designing accessibility into software from the ground up is no longer a nice-to-have, but a must-have. And companies like Fable are leading the charge.
From Seed Round to Series A: Fable’s Journey
Founded in 2018, Fable raised $1.5 million in seed funding in the summer of 2020. The company’s mission was simple: provide on-demand accessibility experts who could help developers create software that is usable by people with disabilities. But Fable’s goal went far beyond just providing a service – it aimed to make inclusive product development the norm.
The Pandemic’s Unintended Consequences
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift to online services, and with it, the spotlight on accessibility shone brighter than ever. As Alwar Pillai, Fable’s CEO, noted: "With the onset of COVID-19, the physical world ground to a halt and everything went online. This put a spotlight on the importance of ensuring that everyone can access digital products and services."
Fable’s Mission: Empowering People with Disabilities
While the pandemic highlighted the need for accessibility, Fable’s mission has always been about empowering people with disabilities to participate, contribute, and shape society. As Pillai emphasized: "Our mission is, and continues to be, to empower people with disabilities to participate, contribute, and shape society."
Scaling Up with a New Funding Round
Fable has now secured $10.5 million in funding, led by Five Elms Capital, with participation from Difference Partners, Disruption Ventures, and several angels. This new influx of capital will enable the company to scale its offerings and pursue its goal of making inclusive product development the status quo.
The Importance of Accessibility Training
While Fable’s core business is providing on-demand accessibility experts, the company has also been developing a new training program called Fable Upskill. As Pillai explained: "While we’ve seen an explosion in the practice of accessibility across organizations, knowledge and skill sets have not kept up."
Fable Upskill: A New Approach to Accessibility Training
Upskill is a video-based training program designed specifically for each team, using the products and processes they already use. Unlike generic one-size-fits-all training programs, Upskill puts accessibility experts – including people with disabilities – front and center.
Putting Experts and Voices Front and Center
As Pillai noted: "The content will also put those experts and their voices front and center so the advice doesn’t come across as abstract." By doing so, Upskill aims to provide training that is both effective and meaningful.
A Shot in the Arm for Fable Upskill
With the new funding round, Fable Upskill is set to receive a significant boost. As Pillai said: "Upskill will be getting a shot in the arm with this $10 million infusion, so don’t be surprised if you see one of Fable’s videos in your own training materials sometime soon."
Conclusion
Fable’s mission to make inclusive product development the norm is more important than ever. With its new funding round and expanded offerings, including Fable Upskill, the company is well-positioned to achieve its goal. As Alwar Pillai emphasized: "Our mission has always been, and continues to be, to empower people with disabilities to participate, contribute, and shape society."
What’s Next for Fable?
With its sights set on making inclusive product development the norm, Fable will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible. As Pillai noted: "We’re committed to working with organizations to create a more accessible digital world – one where everyone can participate and contribute."
About Fable
Fable is a company that provides on-demand accessibility experts who help developers create software that is usable by people with disabilities. Founded in 2018, Fable has raised $10.5 million in funding and is now scaling its offerings to make inclusive product development the norm.
Related Topics
- Accessibility in software development
- Inclusive product development
- Empowering people with disabilities
- Fable Upskill: a new approach to accessibility training
Get Involved
If you’re interested in learning more about Fable’s mission or would like to get involved, please visit the company’s website. As Alwar Pillai emphasized: "We’re committed to working with organizations to create a more accessible digital world – one where everyone can participate and contribute."