GitHub Accessibility Stories

Anton Mirhorodchenko is a software developer hailing from Ukraine. Anton has cerebral palsy and, as a result, he has difficulty typing and cannot use voice-to-text software. However, Anton found that by embracing GitHub Copilot and other AI tools, he can significantly reduce the amount of code he needs to physically type. These tools not only enable him to build software efficiently but also allow him to communicate effectively with fellow developers by generating detailed comments, documentation, and project descriptions.

Anton’s story exemplifies the power of AI in creating a more inclusive and accessible software development environment. GitHub celebrates the ingenuity of developers like Anton and empowers them to build technology that drives human progress. Through creative collaboration with his AI teammates, Anton has become a force to be reckoned with, and he recently shared his insights in this guide on how to harness the power of generative AI for software development.

Read more about Anton Mirhorodchenko's story.

Becky Tyler is a bright, funny, and incredibly tenacious young woman with quadriplegic cerebral palsy who interacts with her computer exclusively by using her eyes. Becky started off simply wanting to play Minecraft, but the shortcomings of available accessibility tech led her down a path beyond mining ore and into the world of open source software and collaboration. She now attends the University of Dundee, where she studies applied computing.

Read more about Becky Tyler's story.

Dr. Chieko Asakawa is an IBM Fellow and chief executive director of the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan). Dr. Asakawa lost her vision at a young age and was introduced to computers through a programming course that used assistive technology to translate print to tactile sensation. She has since dedicated herself to building assistive technologies to further promote accessibility and autonomy for people with blindness.

Having started with digitizing Braille and creating the world’s first screen reader for the Web, Dr. Asakawa now focuses her efforts on advancing cognitive assistant research to provide blind people with even more autonomy and independence with the help of AI. In recent years, Dr. Asakawa has led a research project to create an indoor navigation system, commonly referred to as the AI Suitcase.

Della Calder and her brother Archer, along with their parents, faced challenges with several costly and proprietary Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) apps that didn’t meet Della’s needs. Determined to find a solution, Archer decided to create an open-source alternative. With Della’s input guiding the design and support from the open-source community, Archer developed the FreeSpeechAAC app, which finally met Della’s needs effectively.

Jamie Teh and Michael “Mick” Curran have significantly impacted the accessibility landscape through their innovative work. They co-founded NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access), a free and open-source screen reader that has transformed the lives of blind and low-vision individuals globally. Their dedication to accessibility extends to OSARA, a project created by Teh for accessing the audio engineering software REAPER to create music. Their contributions have not only provided essential tools for accessibility but have also fostered a supportive community, empowering others to pursue careers in technology and audio engineering.

Read more about Jamie Teh and Michael “Mick” Curran's story.

Paul Chiou, a developer who’s paralyzed from the neck down, is breaking new ground in the field of accessibility automation, while pursuing his Ph.D. Paul uses a computer with custom hardware and software he designed and built, and this lived experience gives him a unique insight into the needs of other people with disabilities. The barriers he encounters push him to innovate, both in his daily life and in his academic endeavors.

He is working to make software more accessible to all. “I believe everyone should have the equal right to access information,” says Chiou. “It shouldn’t be limited just because the developers didn’t consider it during their design.”

Read more about Paul Chiou's story.