Disabilities Reimagined

Transforming professional practice and service delivery through authentic disability education, universal design principles, and evidence-based solutions.

Lived Experience + Professional Expertise

We combine authentic lived disability experience with professional credentials. Our unique perspective ensures solutions that are both practically effective and theoretically sound.

Universal Design Expertise

We specialize in universal design principles that create environments and services accessible to all people. Our approach moves beyond minimum compliance to develop solutions that benefit everyone, regardless of ability or background.

Collaborative Methodology

We center disabled voices in all our work, building partnerships rather than prescribing solutions. Our approach creates sustainable capacity within organizations and communities.

Our Mission

NeoBilities empowers organizations to build disability competency while removing practical barriers faced by those with disabilities. We transform professional practices by integrating universal design principles with lived experience, challenging outdated assumptions, and fostering genuine understanding of diverse abilities. Guided by social work ethics and professional expertise, we approach each partnership with integrity, cultural humility, and a commitment to human dignity. Our mission is to build a world where disability competency is embedded in every service, space, and system.

Our Vision

We envision a future where:

Universal accessibility is the foundation of all design, where environments and services naturally welcome and accommodate people of all abilities without afterthought or special adaptation.

Authentic understanding of disability experiences guides all professional practice, with lived experience valued equally alongside academic knowledge and clinical expertise.

Compliance standards serve as a starting point rather than an endpoint, inspiring organizations to exceed minimum requirements and embrace accessibility as an opportunity for innovation.

Professional integrity drives all disability-related work, with practitioners approaching their responsibilities with cultural humility, ethical awareness, and profound respect for human dignity.

Transformative solutions create lasting change in systems, attitudes, and practices, building disability competency that enhances overall quality and effectiveness for everyone.

Our Core Values

Education

Transforming practice through authentic disability understanding.

Excellence

Delivering high-quality, evidence-based solutions.

Impact

Creating measurable, sustainable improvements.

Innovation

Finding creative solutions to complex challenges.

Meet Our Founder

Tessa Bathauer, LMSW is a licensed master social worker, educator, and disability expert who founded NeoBilities with a clear vision: to transform how professionals understand and engage with disability experiences.

With advanced degrees from the University of Texas at Austin's Steve Hicks School of Social Work and specialized portfolios in Nonprofit Management and Critical Disability Studies, Tessa brings a unique combination of academic knowledge and practical expertise to her work.

Tessa's career spans multiple facets of disability advocacy and professional education. Her experience includes educating professionals on disability culture and resources, advocating for individuals' rights and needs in direct service settings, and working at the policy level to develop accessibility guidelines and analyze legislation affecting disability communities. This diverse background allows her to understand disability issues from multiple perspectives—from individual experiences to systemic challenges.

As an experienced educator, Tessa regularly presents at national and regional conferences, including the NASW National Conference and NASW/TX Conference. She serves as a guest lecturer at universities including Texas State University, UT Austin, and Baylor School of Medicine, where she shares her expertise on disability frameworks, policy practice, and professional development. Her leadership extends to founding Disabled Social Workers United and serving on the NASW/TX Conference Planning Committee, demonstrating her commitment to creating lasting change within her profession and beyond.

Her leadership extends to founding Disabled Social Workers United and serving on the NASW/TX Conference Planning Committee, demonstrating her commitment to creating lasting change within her profession and beyond.

Professional Credentials & Affiliations

Licensed Master Social Worker

Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners

Professional Affiliations

National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
The Network for Social Work Management

Areas of Expertise

Professional Disability Competency
Professional Education & Training
Universal Design Implementation
Policy Analysis & Development

Our Services

Build professional disability competency through comprehensive services for social workers, private practices, non-profits, and organizations.

Disability Audits
Consulting
Training
Online Courses
Event Consulting
Public Speaking

Trusted by leading organizations including The Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, Jewish Family Services, Baylor College of Medicine, and Texas State University.

Explore Our Services

Ready to Transform Your Practice?

NeoBilities is committed to helping you build disability competency and create more effective services. Let's work together to enhance your professional effectiveness and improve client outcomes.

Schedule a Discovery Call

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NeoBilities Accessibility Statement

Our Commitment to Digital Accessibility

NeoBilities is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. We continually work to improve the user experience for everyone and apply relevant accessibility standards to ensure our website is accessible to all users.

Accessibility Standards

We strive to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards. These guidelines explain how to make web content more accessible for people with disabilities and improve usability for all users.

We Currently are Working to Ensure All Accessibility Features

Including the following accessibility features:

Alternative text for images and graphics
Keyboard navigation support for all interactive elements
Clear heading structure for screen reader navigation
Sufficient color contrast between text and background
Descriptive link text that clearly indicates destination or purpose
Consistent navigation structure throughout the site
Resizable text that can be enlarged up to 200% without loss of functionality
Form labels that clearly identify required fields and input expectations

Ongoing Improvements

We regularly review and update our website to improve accessibility. Our efforts include:

Regular accessibility audits and testing
User feedback integration
Staff training on accessibility best practices
Consultation with disability community members
Implementation of new accessibility technologies as they become available

Accessibility Support

If you encounter any accessibility barriers on our website or need assistance accessing our content, please click here to contact us.

Please include:

The specific page or content you're trying to access
The accessibility barrier you encountered
Your contact information for follow-up

We will respond to accessibility feedback within 2 business days and work to resolve any issues promptly.

Third-Party Content

Some content on our website may be provided by third-party vendors. While we work to ensure all content meets our accessibility standards, we cannot guarantee the accessibility of all third-party content. If you encounter accessibility issues with third-party content, please contact us and we will work with the vendor to address the issue.

Feedback and Continuous Improvement

Your feedback helps us improve accessibility for all users. We welcome your input on how we can better serve people with disabilities and create a more accessible digital experience.

This accessibility statement was last updated on 07/12/2025 and reflects our ongoing commitment to digital accessibility.

For more information about web accessibility, visit the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) website.