We’re Proud to Share: Indre Karlove Is Lithuania’s First IAAP Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS)

Who We Are at June/Karlove

Formerly known as VJS Agency, June/Karlove began over a decade ago as a boutique design, branding, and web development company. Our first venture into accessibility happened about three years ago when a client asked us to ensure their website was accessible. We discovered that true accessibility goes far beyond overlays or simple fixes—it demands a deep understanding of rigorous standards, laws, and guidelines. That moment sparked our curiosity, driving us to learn everything we could about digital accessibility.

Today, we’re proud to serve as a consulting partner to both private and public organizations—including the National Agency for Education (Ministry of Education, Science, and Sport of the Republic of Lithuania), Vilnius City Municipality, the Office of the President of the Republic of Lithuania, Telia Company AB, Telia Lietuva, EdTech Centras, Kaunas University of Technology, and more. We pioneered rigorous accessibility evaluations and developed an internal certification system (Accessibility Registry) for our own projects. As a result, we’ve helped numerous organizations across Lithuania—and beyond—embrace, implement, and truly appreciate the essence of accessibility.

About Indre Karlove

As our Lead Web Accessibility Specialist, Indre Karlove brings over eight years of experience in UX, UI design, and front-end development. She audits websites and applications against rigorous standards—particularly Harmonised European Standard EN 301 549 and Web Content Accessibility Guidlines (WCAG) up to the highest version 2.2 at AAA level and —and has a solid understanding of the Web Accessibility Directive (WAD) and European Accessibility Act (EAA) requirements.

Indre’s thorough testing process involves expert manual evaluations using a variety of methods and techniques, including assessments with assistive technologies such as NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack screen readers, complemented by a range of automated accessibility tools. Beyond identifying issues, she delivers comprehensive reports, clear remediation steps, and user-friendly accessibility documentation—ensuring clients both meet standards and understand them.

Why the IAAP Certification Matters

While Indre’s extensive hands-on experience already qualifies her as an accessibility expert, earning the IAAP Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS) certification provides formal, internationally recognized validation of her skills. IAAP is a leading professional association dedicated to advancing the accessibility profession through education, networking, and certification programs. To earn its stamp of approval, candidates must demonstrate not only an in-depth grasp of core accessibility principles, but also advanced technical specifications.

Indre’s status as the first specialist in Lithuania to earn this certification not only sets a new benchmark for accessibility expertise in the region, but also raises overall awareness of inclusive digital solutions. Her accomplishment paves the way for broader discussions around accessibility standards and inspires other professionals and organizations to follow suit.

For Indrė, this certification was about confirming her expertise, fostering continued personal growth, and demonstrating to our clients (and the broader community) our commitment to the highest professional standards. While formal certification isn’t strictly necessary to excel in digital accessibility, we saw this as an opportunity to further strengthen our credibility and reinforce the depth of Indrė’s skill set.

“For me, this certification represents much more than just passing an exam — it's about reaffirming my commitment to designing digital experiences that accommodate people of all abilities and make their lives easier online. Most importantly, it's a reflection of my dedication to continuous learning. Accessibility laws, technologies, and best practices are constantly evolving, and I’m determined to stay at the forefront.” – says Indre.

Unpacking the Value of the IAAP Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS) Badge

So what does it mean to be a WAS? This advanced credential from IAAP certifies a professional’s ability to design, build, and remediate accessible digital content. Achieving WAS status involves specific competencies, a strong ethical commitment, and ongoing learning in a rapidly evolving field:

• In-depth Expertise.
  The WAS designation confirms a practitioner’s in-depth expertise in creating and maintaining accessible digital experiences.
• Core Competencies.
  Candidates must have 3–5 years of documented experience in web accessibility, demonstrate proficiency in at least 10 of 13 essential accessibility areas, and pass a proctored 75-question exam.
• Commitment to Ethics.
  WAS holders pledge to uphold IAAP’s Code of Conduct, ensuring honesty, professionalism, and respect for diverse users.
• Ongoing Development.
  Certification maintenance requires continuous learning, knowledge-sharing, and leadership within the accessibility community.

For WAS-certified specialists, this achievement validates their technical excellence and passion for developing truly inclusive digital environments.

Our Ongoing Commitment and Future Plans

June/Karlove remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of accessibility. We believe standards should evolve alongside technology, and our mission is to help more businesses and organizations navigate these changes with confidence. Here are some of the things we’re looking forward to:

• Educating Clients and the Community.
  We’ll continue providing clear, actionable guidance on complicated regulations like EN 301 549, WAD, and EAA. This means hosting workshops, creating in-depth guides, and offering consulting to those who want to improve their digital presence.
• Expanding Our Accessibility Services.
  From audits and user testing to hands-on development, strategic consulting, and integrating accessibility into the overall software development cycle, our goal is to make accessibility a seamless part of every project.
• Growing Accessibility Awareness in Lithuania and Beyond.
  Our team is determined to broaden the conversation around inclusive design, demonstrating how accessibility benefits everyone and not just a specific group of users.

Join Us in Celebrating!

We couldn’t be more proud of Indre for achieving this major milestone. Her IAAP certification showcases the tireless curiosity, compassion, and expertise that drive June/Karlove forward. We hope you’ll join us in congratulating her on this accomplishment.

If you’re eager to learn more about accessibility best practices or are ready to make your digital platforms more inclusive, we’d love to connect. Let’s work together to shape a digital landscape where everyone has equal access and the opportunity to thrive.