inABLE is pleased to announce the appointment of accessibility leaders Victor Calise and Jeff Wissel to the inABLE Board of Directors. They will help to address 2022 priorities, including fundraising to scale programs across Africa, enhancing public relations to improve impact visibility, and facilitating the development of the first-ever Kenya National ICT Accessibility Standards.

Commissioner Calise advises the New York City Mayor and agency partners on accessibility issues and is responsible for ensuring that New York City is the most accessible city in the world. He has also facilitated relationships with businesses in different sectors, including technology, finance, government, and healthcare. His legacy includes NYC: ATWORK employment initiative—the first public-private partnership that directly connects job seekers with disabilities and businesses. 

Wissel is the Chief Accessibility Officer at Disability:IN. Before joining Disability:IN, Wissel served in multiple roles at Fidelity Investments for 28 years, including leading customer accessibility, founding the Enable Employee Resource Group for Individuals with Disabilities, and establishing and leading the Procurement Accessibility Program.

“To advance accessibility and inclusion in Africa, we need global leaders with best practice experience,” explains Irene Mbari-Kirika, Founder and Executive Director of inABLE. “Commissioner Calise and Jeff Wissel understand the need for accessibility for all and have worked hard to make this happen for many. This is why I believe that inABLE will benefit from their experience.”

In addition to Calise and Wissel, the inABLE Board of Directors includes:

• Mercy Ndegwa, Head of Public Policy, East & Horn of Africa region Facebook 
• Vincent Aberi, Financial Professional Kenya Commercial Bank 
• Sara Basson, Accessible Googler Experience, President, Disability Alliance Google 
• Joe Kiarie, Senior Business Development Advisor International Rescue Committee (IRC
• Irene Mbari-Kirika, Founder & Executive Director, inABLE 
• Ken Gachanja Githuku, Seasoned Pilot Kenya Airways
• Benard Chitunga, Senior Officer- Partnerships, Donors, and Special Projects African Development Bank