Code with a Cause: Natalie MacLees’ AAArdvark Is Redefining Accessibility in the Digital Age

When Natalie MacLees wrote her first lines of code, she wasn’t dreaming of becoming a founder—she just wanted to build something useful. But over the years, her keyboard became a tool of advocacy. After seeing firsthand how inaccessible the internet was for people with disabilities, she knew she couldn’t just walk away. What began as a concern became a calling—and that calling became AAArdvark, a digital accessibility platform helping companies across the globe build inclusive online experiences.

"Access isn’t optional—it’s essential." That belief has turned MacLees into a quiet force in the digital world.

From Developer to Disruptor

Natalie’s path into entrepreneurship didn’t follow the typical trajectory. Raised in a family where risk was something to avoid, not embrace, she found herself stepping into unfamiliar territory. “I grew up in a family that thought business ownership was intimidating,” she says. “It wasn’t something we talked about at the dinner table.” Still, with a background in web development and more than 25 years of experience, she saw a persistent issue most ignored—websites that were unintentionally locking out millions of users.

Something as small as a poorly labeled button or inaccessible navigation could leave someone unable to complete a task online. “I couldn’t unsee it,” she recalls. So she did something about it.

The Solution: A Platform that Empowers

AAArdvark isn’t your standard SaaS tool. It’s a comprehensive ecosystem that blends:

• Automated + manual accessibility testing

• Real-time visual remediation

• Team collaboration dashboards

• Continuous compliance monitoring

With features like Visual Mode that highlights problem areas visually, the platform helps teams move from awareness to action. “We didn’t want to create another checklist product,” MacLees explains. “We wanted to build something that helps people actually fix the issues—something empowering.”

AAArdvark also offers audit services, team training, and hands-on support—creating a full-circle approach to accessibility.

Startup Struggles, Real Stories

Starting a bootstrapped tech company is never easy. Doing it in the crowded SaaS space with a purpose-driven mission and lean resources? Even harder. “Profitability and purpose don’t always go hand-in-hand—especially when you’re small,” Natalie admits. She credits her trusted business partner and laser focus on user value as the keys to survival.

As a woman in tech, breaking into enterprise circles while championing an overlooked issue wasn’t always easy. “Most communities for women in business focused on fashion or lifestyle, not on accessibility compliance,” she shares. Yet she stayed the course, building her team thoughtfully and tuning the platform to real customer pain points.

Her advice to fellow founders? Stay agile, listen often, and solve real problems.

The Bigger Mission

With over 1 billion people worldwide living with disabilities, the need for an inclusive digital world is urgent—and growing. “Accessibility is not a checkbox. It’s the difference between being included or left out,” Natalie emphasizes.

AAArdvark’s development keeps pace with evolving WCAG standards and technological shifts, but the vision remains simple: make accessibility mainstream, manageable, and mission-critical.

“Start Before You’re Ready”

To women hesitant to launch, Natalie offers this candid insight: “I waited too long. I thought I needed more experience, more answers. But all I really needed was the courage to start.”

Her three-part mantra:

1. Trust your instincts

2. Take imperfect action

3. Build your village

“Entrepreneurship is scary. But if your idea serves others—go do it. Don’t wait.”

Tech with a Conscience

Natalie MacLees didn’t just start a business—she lit a spark. In building AAArdvark, she’s not just helping companies comply—she’s helping them care. She’s proving that inclusive design is not only ethical, it’s scalable. And that doing the right thing can be a powerful growth strategy.

"From overlooked code to global change," Natalie’s journey is a reminder that technology’s greatest role isn’t innovation—it’s inclusion. And with AAArdvark, the internet is getting a little better—for everyone.

Website: https://aaardvarkaccessibility.com

Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliemac/