The Inventor Behind EyeQChat
Pete Ansell-Chief Technology Officer, Accessible Shell
Inventor of EyeQChat
Pete brings over 30 years of software engineering expertise to Accessible Shell, including 14 years at Microsoft Research. With an honors degree in Computer Science and nine patents in eye-tracking, gesture recognition, and input detection, Pete has consistently transformed cutting-edge research into life-changing technologies.
Driven by a singular mission—to make digital communication more human, inclusive, and independent—Pete has spent decades developing systems that empower individuals with motor and speech impairments. His work on Eye Control for Windows 10, including the predictive keyboard for people with ALS, laid the foundation for his most groundbreaking innovation: EyeQChat.
EyeQChat was born from a series of profound questions:
How can we restore the ability to speak for those who no longer can?
How can technology enable users to interact with voice assistants like Alexa or Siri—without speech?
How can someone in a hospital communicate clearly, even in their native language, when traditional speech is no longer an option?
While developing eye-gaze systems, Pete saw firsthand the limitations of conventional AAC tools—slow, rigid, and often abandoned. He envisioned a new paradigm: one that eliminates the keyboard, accelerates communication, and restores dignity. That vision became EyeQChat, powered by his patented Hierarchical Predictive Navigation (HPN) technology. By dynamically suggesting words and phrases, EyeQChat enables users to communicate faster, more naturally, and with far less effort.
At Accessible Shell, Pete leads product architecture, interface design, predictive modeling, and R&D partnerships. His strategic vision is central to the company’s mission: to redefine communication for individuals with ALS, Cerebral Palsy, and other motor impairments—not just through software, but through restored connection, expression, and voice
Julia Tejera-Chief Executive Officer and V.P. of Communications
Julia is a visionary leader and digital transformation expert with over 25 years of experience in enterprise technology and ERP innovation. At Accessible Shell, Julia drives the company’s business strategy and partnerships—aligning cutting-edge technology with meaningful human impact.
Holding an MBA, Julia combines business acumen with deep technical expertise to guide Accessible Shell’s mission of advancing accessibility, efficiency, and inclusion through technology.
Before co-founding Accessible Shell, Julia led transformative initiatives at Microsoft, supporting global enterprise clients in their digital transformation journeys using Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain, Power Platform, and Copilot Studio. She also founded JT Dynamics, a consulting firm recognized for delivering strategic ERP solutions across North America, Europe, and the Caribbean.
Julia’s career spans full-cycle ERP implementations, business process optimization, and strategic innovation across industries including manufacturing, retail, research, and healthcare. She is a trusted advisor to Fortune 500 companies and a leader known for bridging the gap between business strategy and technology transformation.
At Accessible Shell, Julia brings a global perspective and a deep commitment to empowering every voice. Fluent in English and Spanish, she ensures that accessibility and inclusion remain at the heart of every solution the organization delivers.
Our Partners - The Babel Group
Katie Seaver, MS, CCC-SLP
As co-founder of The Babel Group, alongside Dr. Rachel Levy, Katie brings over two decades of experience bridging the worlds of clinical practice and technology. Through The Babel Group’s three pillars — Consulting, Product Reselling, and Community — she champions inclusive design, accessibility innovation, and workflow optimization across healthcare and education.
Katie is an accessibility-focused consultant with a proven track record in project management, go-to-market strategy, and user experience design. Drawing on her deep expertise in communication and accessibility, she collaborates seamlessly with cross-disciplinary teams to deliver innovative, human-centered solutions that empower individuals with diverse needs.
Her partnership with Accessible Shell reflects a shared commitment to creating technologies that give every person the freedom to connect, express, and thrive.
Dr. Rachel Khasky-Levy, SLPD, CCC-SLP
Dr. Rachel Khasky-Levy, SLPD, CCC-SLP, is the CEO and Co-Founder of The Babel Group. With over 18 years of experience as a Speech-Language Pathologist, she brings deep clinical expertise and a passion for inclusive technology to support therapists and the individuals they serve.
Rachel owned and operated her own private practice for many years, where she specialized in language, articulation, and phonology disorders. For the past five years, she has focused on integrating technology into clinical practice—working at the intersection of accessibility, innovation, and therapy.
Her work centers on equipping clinicians with tools that improve care delivery and expand access to meaningful, person-centered healthcare. She is committed to closing the gap between therapeutic needs and real-world communication tools.
Her partnership with Accessible Shell extends her mission: to ensure every individual—regardless of ability—has access to meaningful, empowered communication.
Kirk Wydner, MS, CCC-SLP
Kirk is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Assistive Technology Professional who bridges clinical expertise with deep technical insight. With over 12 years in information technology and extensive experience in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and assistive technology, he brings a rare blend of empathy and engineering to Accessible Shell’s mission.
Currently serving as an AAC Specialist at Live Life Therapy Solutions and founder of Wydner Assistive Technology Training Services (WATTS), Kirk designs and delivers customized communication solutions for individuals with complex physical and speech challenges. His hands-on clinical work and technical acumen provide invaluable perspective in shaping technologies that are not only functional—but truly life-changing.
In addition to his clinical and technical expertise, Kirk brings invaluable knowledge of grants and grant writing, helping expand access to assistive technology for individuals and organizations seeking funding support.
Holding a Master’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Penn State University and a B.S. in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Portland State University, Kirk brings deep expertise in helping individuals with complex communication needs express themselves more fully and independently.
At Accessible Shell, Kirk plays a key role in advancing user-centered design and accessibility innovation—ensuring every feature supports real-world communication, independence, and empowerment.
Want to Become a Partner?
At Accessible Shell, we believe collaboration drives innovation.
We’re seeking partners who share our mission to make communication accessible for everyone—through technology, creativity, and compassion.
We welcome partnerships with:
-Eye-tracking device manufacturers
-AI and software innovators
-Universities and research programs exploring accessibility and human-computer interaction
-Students and academic teams eager to contribute to a groundbreaking AAC platform
-Hardware developers with technologies that can integrate with our application
Together, we can shape the future of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)—creating solutions that are faster, smarter, and more human.
👉 Let’s make the world of AAC better—together.