Disability/Accessibility Interest

Panel: Breaking Barriers: Accessibility as a Growth Strategy for Small Business

Thursday, 5/8/2025
1:00 - 3:00
Latino/Hispanic Meeting Room A
Latino/Hispanic Meeting Room B
Main Library

100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
United States

415-557-4400

The San Francisco Disability Business Alliance (SFDBA) and accessibility advocates will discuss how inclusive practices contribute to small business success. With 1 in 4 individuals in the U.S. living with a disability, accessibility is more than compliance—it’s a growth strategy. Panelists will share how inclusive physical spaces and digital products can expand customer reach, increase revenue and demonstrate the return on investment of accessibility. The discussion will also cover legal requirements and practical steps for integrating accessibility into daily operations. 

Andre Le Mont Wilson is the Small Business Program Manager at Ability Now. Through this role, Wilson manages, coordinates and assists half a dozen small businesses operated and owned by entrepreneurs with disabilities. 

Joshua Klipp is an attorney, disability access advocate and the Principal, Founder & Certified Access Specialist (CASp) of Made Welcome. Made Welcome offers accessibility consulting and solutions for workplaces, local governments and event planners.  

Michael Hingson is NY Times best-selling author of Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust. Blind since birth and a survivor of the 9/11 attacks, Hingson delivers keynote speeches globally and hosts the Unstoppable Mindset Podcast. 

Eli Gelardin has over 21 years of experience in disability rights, advancing accessibility, equity and inclusion. In 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed him to the California State Rehabilitation Council. Gelardin now serves as Director of the Mayor's Office on Disability. 

The San Francisco Disability Business Alliance (SFDBA) helps individuals with disabilities achieve economic self-sufficiency through small business ownership and entrepreneurship. SFDBA offers business development support, guides system navigation and advocates for policies that create equal opportunities, ensuring the Bay Area benefits from the diversity, expertise and innovation of entrepreneurs with disabilities. 

Connect

SFDBA – Website | SFDBA – LinkedIn | SFDBA – Instagram 

Andre Le Mont Wilson – LinkedIn | Andre Le Mont Wilson – Ability Now Website

Joshua Klipp – LinkedIn| Made Welcome – Website

Michael Hingson – Website | Michael Hingson – LinkedIn

Eli Gelardin – LinkedIn

San Francisco Disability Business Alliance logo

Small Business

Provide support to both aspiring and existing small business owners to boost their entrepreneurial skills and success.

Disability/Accessibility Interest

Events for adults and children with disabilities, their families, friends and allies.

Small Business Week

Founded by the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce in 2004, San Francisco Small Business Week celebrates local entrepreneurs with events, workshops and networking opportunities to help them connect, learn and thrive.

This program is sponsored by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.

Attending Programs

All programs are drop-in (no registration necessary) unless otherwise noted. All SFPL locations are wheelchair accessible. For accommodations (such as ASL), call (415) 557-4557 or contact accessibility@sfpl.org. Requesting at least 3 business days in advance will help ensure availability.

This program will be conducted in English unless otherwise noted.

Notice: This event may be filmed or photographed. By participating in this event, you consent to have your likeness used for the Library’s archival purposes and promotional materials. If you do not want to be photographed, please inform a staff person or the photographer. A sticker will be provided to help identify you so that we can avoid capturing your image.

Public Notice and Disclaimer

This program uses a third-party website link. By clicking on the third-party website link, you will leave SFPL's website and enter a website not operated by SFPL. This service may collect personally identifying information about you, such as name, username, email address, and password. This service will treat the information it collects about you pursuant to its own privacy policy. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of each third-party website or service that you visit or use, including those third parties with whom you interact through our Library services. For more information about these third-party links, please see the section of SFPL’s Privacy Policy describing Links to Other Sites.

The views and opinions expressed in programs presented by groups unaffiliated with SFPL do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SFPL or the City.