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 create authentically inclusive environments 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 We transform professional practices by integrating universal design principles with lived experience, challenging outdated assumptions, and fostering genuine understanding of diverse abilities.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
Meet Our Founder
Tessa Bathauer, LMSW is a licensed master social worker, educator, and disability advocate 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.
Professional Credentials & AffiliationsÂ
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
- Disability Justice & Advocacy
- Professional Education & Training
- Universal Design Implementation
- Policy Analysis & Development
Our Services
Transform accessibility and inclusion through comprehensive disability services for social workers, private practices, non-profits, and organizations.
- Disability Audits
- Consulting
- Training
- Online CoursesÂ
- Event Consulting
- Public Speaking
Ready to Transform Your Practice?
NeoBilities is committed to helping you create more accessible, inclusive, and effective services. Let's work together to build disability competency in your organization.
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