CONTACT: Tony Stephens, Assistant Vice-President, Communications 212.502.7627 | tstephens@afb.org
NEW YORK, NEW YORK (April 17, 2025) — The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is pleased to announce blind business leader Thomas Wlodkowski will be among those to receive the prestigious Helen Keller Achievement Award, which, since 1994 has recognized the finest thought leaders, change-makers, and performing artists committed to carrying on Keller’s mission to create a world of full and equal inclusion for people with disabilities. AFB will present Tom with this award during a special evening ceremony on April 24 in Midtown Manhattan.
For over three decades, Tom has remained one of the leading champions for accessible and inclusive media, working within the broadcast, cable, mobile, and internet industries to make entertainment more accessible for individuals with disabilities. Tom’s career began at public broadcaster WGBH in Boston in 1992, where he worked with Descriptive Video Service, now known as Audio Description. From there, he went to AOL, working on multiple accessible user interfaces for web, video, mobile, and desktop applications during his 10-year tenure. Today, Tom serves as Vice President of Accessibility at Comcast, a global media and technology company, where he leads inclusion efforts for people with disabilities.
“As a result of his leadership in the telecom and entertainment industries, Tom has shepherded significant advancements in the technical delivery and production of accessible media, expanding inclusive programming for tens of millions of consumers with disabilities,” said Eric Bridges, AFB president and CEO. “As a business executive with lived experience, he stands as one of the strongest advocates and allies for inclusion in today’s ever-expanding media landscape.”
Throughout his career, Tom’s work has impacted the expansion of audio-described content and has made home entertainment technologies more accessible. His contributions have demonstrated how media and technology companies can innovate to create more inclusive opportunities for people with disabilities in entertainment and connectivity and deliver accessible content across a wide range of multi-media platforms.
In 2007, Tom spearheaded the creation of the Internet Caption Forum, which convened major internet and media companies to increase availability of closed captions on online video content. Later, under his leadership, Comcast launched Voice Guidance on Xfinity X1, the industry’s first talking guide that provides people who are blind or have low vision with independent access to their television. Tom also spearheaded the introduction of audio description for live broadcasts in 2015 with The Wiz Live!, which became the first live entertainment program in U.S. history to be accessible to people who have a visual disability. Over the last decade, Tom has continued to champion enhanced live audio description throughout Comcast NBCUniversal; his efforts most recently culminated with the most hours of audio-described live content ever across NBC, Peacock, and NBC Sports during the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic games.
For more than 40 years, Helen Keller was AFB’s leading ambassador, inspiring millions worldwide as she demonstrated all that can be accomplished through determination and perseverance. AFB continues to honor Keller’s legacy by recognizing exceptional individuals and organizations from industry, education, and the arts who have distinguished themselves in pursuit of expanding possibilities for those who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision. Past honorees include author and advocate Haben Girma, tech leader and entrepreneur Bernard Newcomb, Chef Christine Ha, filmmaker Shawn Levy, and performing artists Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder.
Founded in 1921, the American Foundation for the Blind creates equal opportunities and expands possibilities for people who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision through advocacy, thought leadership, and strategic partnerships. In addition to publishing the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness (JVIB), AFB is also the proud steward of the Helen Keller Archive, which is available on the AFB website at www.afb.org.
