Innosearch AI and National Federation of the Blind Announce Strategic Partnership to Advance Digital Accessibility for Blind and Low-Vision Communities

From the Editor: On May 15, 2025, which was the annual celebration of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, the National Federation of the Blind announced a partnership with Innosearch AI, a shopping service specifically designed with blind people in mind. Readers may recall reading about this service in the May issue of this magazine in an overview of AI tools by Jonathan Mosen or have heard about it on the Federation’s Access On podcast, which Jonathan hosts. If not, visiting its website, https://innosearch.ai, will allow you to check out this fully accessible and uncluttered AI-powered shopping experience. Among other things, you can quickly and easily search its extensive database of retailers and their products, get descriptions of product images, and ask the service’s chatbot any questions you have about the product for which you are shopping. Importantly, you can also access this experience by calling 1-855-SHOP-GPT (1-855-746-7478).

Below is the official press release announcing the partnership between the Federation and Innosearch AI, which incorporates additional benefits for Federation members and supporters. We note that the “Round-up to Donate” feature discussed in the release is already available, as is the unique referral link for a ten-dollar shopping credit, which Federation members can access via their member profile at https://nfb.org. Here is the press release:

Mountain View, CA — May 15, 2025—The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the transformative membership and advocacy organization of blind people, is proud to announce a formal partnership with Innosearch AI, an innovative AI-powered accessibility and shopping platform.

This groundbreaking collaboration aims to transform the digital experience for blind and low-vision users by combining Innosearch’s cutting-edge technology with the NFB’s deep expertise in advocacy and community empowerment. Together, Innosearch AI and the NFB are committed to building a more accessible internet—where shopping, travel, and digital services are designed with everyone in mind. 

“We are thrilled to join forces with the NFB, an organization with a long-standing legacy of advocacy and empowerment,” said Patrick Long, CEO and Co-founder of Innosearch AI. “Our shared commitment to independence, innovation, and access for all makes this partnership a natural fit.” 

The strategic partnership will develop meaningful, community-driven initiatives that make digital services more accessible and helpful for blind and low-vision users. 

“The National Federation of the Blind has always been at the forefront of ensuring that blind people are on the cutting edge of new tools for accessing information, and this is especially crucial in digital shopping spaces. We’re not just waiting for solutions—we’re helping shape them. Through our collective experience and expertise, we provide valuable insights about what works and what doesn’t for blind consumers,” said Mark A. Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. “This partnership with Innosearch AI demonstrates that the collaborative approach into new, high-impact areas of technology and commerce can truly meet the needs of blind consumers and the broader market.” 

Making a Great Impact, Together 

Innosearch AI and the National Federation of the Blind will work together to establish the following: 

• “Round-up to Donate” Feature: Innosearch AI will implement a “round-up” donation feature at checkout, allowing shoppers to round their purchases to the nearest dollar, with the change going directly to the NFB. This small action will generate recurring support for critical programs and advocacy efforts. 
• Welcome Credit for New Users: The partnership includes a ten-dollar welcome credit for new Innosearch users who sign up via a unique referral link. This incentive promotes digital inclusion and encourages users to explore the growing suite of services offered through the Innosearch platform. 
• Shaping the Platform’s Development: The NFB will engage in quarterly strategy sessions with Innosearch leadership to share feedback, guide accessibility improvements, and identify future collaboration opportunities. Real users will help shape the platform’s development, so it continues to serve the community’s evolving needs. 
• Promoting to the Nation’s Blind: The NFB will promote Innosearch AI throughout our national networks and channels such as digital communications, physical publications, and events, ensuring that the Nation’s blind are informed and empowered to benefit from this next-generation platform. 
• Advancing Digital Accessibility and Features: The two organizations will collaborate on training, outreach, and service programs to empower users with the tools they need to navigate the online world independently. This includes joint workshops on how to use Innosearch’s accessible features with popular screen readers and magnification software, as well as continued exploration of ways to embed Innosearch’s services into the NFB’s outreach and support work. 

The National Federation of the Blind and Innosearch AI are excited to promote and improve digital literacy. Together, we transform dreams into reality.