AXS Lab

Letter from the Board

By Sidd Joag

From garish imitations of disabled voices to the slashing of Medicaid and D.O.E. funding, to the dissolution of the Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and USAID, disregard for the wellbeing of people living with disabilities is palpable.

In just a year, protections for the vulnerable – children, elderly and poor – here and abroad, have been scrapped. At the center of this Venn diagram of dispossession are those who live with all manner of disability. 

Democracies around the world are devolving into necropolitical states, where power and capital determine who lives and who dies, and how. Advances hard won by disability activists over decades are dismantled in days and weeks. The impact on disabled people is compounded by the lopsided effects of conflict and climate change, particularly in the Global South.

The damage being inflicted on the global disability community will take an indeterminate amount of time to fully understand or rectify. Civil society organizations must re-strategize how to effectively advocate for accessibility and humane treatment in this “post-humanitarian” age.

Guided by the principles of inclusion and humanism, the AXS LAB newsletter provides timely updates on our concerted efforts to advance disability rights through AXS LAB, AXS MAP and the AXS FILM FUND, providing opportunities and resources, dispatches from the field, projects we admire, and articles that delve deeper into underreported current events and issues. 

We at AXS LAB remain committed to supporting filmmakers with disabilities, media artists and storytellers who shine a light on the unique experiences of our dynamic international community.

Sidd Joag

I'm continuing this journal because I want to capture all the moments we've shared and the memories that mean so much to me.

Today, I’m writing about that special Christmas train ride we took together in December 2015. I remember watching you get cookies from Santa, and the joy on your face was absolutely priceless. I knew even then that this might be one of those last truly carefree memories before things changed. I didn’t know what the future would hold, but I wanted to savor that moment completely because it was so special to me.

Hi Jase, my sweet boy,

I just wanted to tell you how much I miss you. Today I went down to the water, and while I was looking out, I thought of you right away. I remembered the last time you were here with me, when we stood by the water together. You were so excited to get a quarter for the binoculars, and I can still picture you looking through them, trying to take in everything up close. It was such a simple moment, but it meant so much to me, and I carry it with me every time I go back there.

I wish you were closer so that we could share more of those little moments—the ones that stay with you forever. You are such an incredible person, and every day I’m proud of who you are becoming. I love you more than words can say, and no matter the distance, you’re always right here with me in my heart.

Love always,

I'm sharing how I came up with AXS Map back in my mid-twenties after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. I needed a way to find accessible places because platforms like Google Places or Yelp didn’t have those details. That’s how AXS Map started, so I could get to places just like everyone else.

The video also shows Alberto del Moral talking about how exciting it is to have these accessible options in New York City, and why it’s such an important tool for people with disabilities and their supporters. In the end, the goal is for everyone to share it widely so more people can benefit.

Phil Beder, a board member of AXS Lab, has been one of the key visionaries behind the creation and evolution of AXS Math. From early conversations to daily collaboration in the office, Phil worked closely with me to explore how we could build something that truly served the disability community. Together, we asked the hard questions—how can we make this useful? How do we ensure it fits the real needs of people with disabilities?

His dedication went far beyond oversight. Phil helped shape the foundation of AXS Math by grounding it in practical use and accessibility. He understood that this work had to be more than technical—it had to be human-centered.

“Without Phil’s contributions, we would not be where we are. The Telly Award we received is a direct reflection of that kind of dedication and vision.”

Phil’s commitment and insight continue to guide how AXS Math grows and adapts. This work doesn’t happen by accident—it happens because of people like Phil.

Watch the Video To learn more about Phil’s role and how AXS Math took shape, check out the video below.

Pushing 100 Monthly and Counting

We're thrilled to share that AXS Map has now reached the point where it consistently gets about 100 downloads every month, and that's a milestone we're really proud of. More people are joining in to share details like step-free entries, and accessible bathrooms, so we're making the world more accessible one city at a time. Right now, we're mapping St. Paul, Minnesota for at least the next year to help it become more accessible. You might see us out on the streets, so give us a shout-out if you do, and please share this with others. Keep downloading AXS Map and leaving reviews—it really helps our algorithm and makes the platform even more accessible.

With AXS Map, we’re one step closer to a more accessible world.

iOS - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/axs-map/id554015666 

Android - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bonc.axsmapathon&pcampaignid=web_share&pli=1 

Edward De Silva—my father—has been with me through every step of AXS Map’s journey. Now retired and living in Hawaiʻi, he’s been more than just a supporter; he’s been a collaborator, a sounding board, and an essential part of the mission. From day one, he believed in the work and stayed committed, helping bring it to life in ways few others could.

We’ve worked together on multiple Mapathons, including the one we ran in Honolulu. His perspective was invaluable—not just as a participant, but as someone who truly understands how disability affects daily life. He offered real insight into why there’s such a visible disabled population in Honolulu, and how the city’s general accessibility compares to others across the U.S.

Edward’s contributions are both personal and practical. He represents the kind of intergenerational allyship that strengthens this movement—quiet, consistent, and deeply rooted in care. His presence and dedication have helped shape AXS Map’s path from the very beginning.

Watch the Video To hear more about Edward’s involvement and reflections on accessibility in Hawaiʻi, check out the video below.

Margaret Mies, based at the University of Hawaiʻi, was one of the early AXS Map users who helped push the platform beyond the continental U.S. Working directly with people living with disabilities, Margaret led efforts to map accessibility in Oʻahu and Honolulu. But she didn’t stop at outreach; Margaret personally visited different facilities, testing their accessibility firsthand. She worked closely with blind users to understand what truly made a space usable—not just technically accessible, but functionally inclusive.

“Margaret went the extra mile. She didn’t just input data—she walked into buildings, asked questions, and experienced the space alongside blind users to see if accessibility was real, not just on paper.” - AXS Map founder Jason Dasilva

Her work in Hawaiʻi stands as an early example of how AXS Map could empower local communities to take accessibility into their own hands. By connecting with residents and encouraging grassroots participation, she helped expand the platform’s reach and impact in ways we’re still building on today.

Watch the Video To see more about Margaret’s role and the mapping efforts in Hawaiʻi, watch the video below.

Back when AXS Map was just beginning to take shape, David Heagy, was right there at the start. As a computer science student at Columbia University, he brought not only technical insight but real hands-on commitment. Together, we picked up the phone and started calling businesses ourselves, asking about their accessibility features and inputting them directly into the platform.

“The early work that we did was crucial to giving AXS Map its insights early on. We really gave it a human touch—calling businesses ourselves, asking real questions, and entering real answers. That spirit is still what drives the platform today.” – AXS Map founder Jason Dasilva

David’s contributions weren’t just technical, they were personal, direct, and mission-driven. His early involvement helped shape the spirit of AXS Map, and that legacy continues in everything we do today. If it weren’t for David’s early work, we wouldn’t have been in line for a Gold Telly Award.

Watch the Video To see David in action and hear more about those early days of AXS Map, check out the video below.

Since joining AXS Map in 2017, Naomi Middleton has played a vital role in refining and evolving the platform’s user experience. She was instrumental in transitioning AXS Map from its original 1-to-5 star rating system to a more intuitive and meaningful binary format. Her ability to analyze systems from a user-first perspective helped guide that shift—ensuring that our accessibility data became clearer, more reliable, and more actionable for everyone.

Naomi didn’t just propose changes—she tested them. She ran comparisons between the old and new systems, listened to feedback from our community, and worked through every detail to make sure the new model would serve the needs of real users, especially those living with disabilities. Her persistence during this critical phase helped carry AXS Map forward into its next chapter.

“Without Naomi’s eye for detail and commitment to accessible design, the platform wouldn’t be nearly as strong as it is today. She helped us reimagine the way accessibility gets communicated—and that has had a lasting impact.”

Naomi’s contributions reflect the heart of AXS Map: clarity, empathy, and community-driven innovation. Her presence continues to shape how we grow—with integrity, and with purpose.

Watch the Video To hear Naomi’s reflections and learn more about her impact on AXS Map, check out the video below.

Spotlight on Naomi Middleton: Designing with Purpose

John Jones has been a central design partner in the growth of AXS Map since 2013. Back then, he was at Fjord, and his fresh perspective immediately brought clarity to how we could make the platform more user-friendly and accessible. Over the years, our collaboration continued across multiple organizations—from Fjord to PwC, and now at Chase—where John has remained a steadfast advocate for thoughtful, inclusive design.

Working together, we reimagined the interface and interactions behind AXS Map, ensuring the experience stayed rooted in the needs of our users. John helped bring a modern design sensibility to the platform without ever losing sight of its mission: to serve people living with disabilities through practical, everyday tools.

“John has always asked the right questions. He made sure we designed for real people, not personas or assumptions. That approach is baked into everything AXS Map does now.”

His design leadership helped establish the clean, accessible foundation we continue to build on. More than just a collaborator, John has been a true partner in the vision—committed, consistent, and always pushing the work toward greater impact.

Watch the Video To learn more about John’s design influence and years of collaboration, check out the video below.

Since AXS Map’s founding in 2009, Leigh has been there—on the ground, helping turn an idea into action. He played a key role in launching our very first AXS Mapathon in New York City’s East Village, where we mapped three avenues and laid the groundwork for what would become a global accessibility movement.

But Leigh’s contributions didn’t stop there. From 2013 to 2015, he joined me in cities across the globe—from Istanbul to Georgia—where we hosted Mapathons and brought people together to collect meaningful accessibility data. Wherever we went, Leigh brought energy, humor, and a deep commitment to inclusion.

“Leigh believed in the mission from day one. He showed up, rolled up his sleeves, and helped create a culture of mapping that was fun, effective, and community-led.”

His early work set a tone for what AXS Map has become: collaborative, user-powered, and driven by lived experience. Leigh’s dedication continues to inspire how we expand and engage communities worldwide.

Watch the Video To see Leigh in action and hear more about those early days of AXS Map, check out the video below.