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.