Ability App founder Alex Knoll honored for work promoting inclusion, accessibility

He helps others go places with confidence, and this young man is already going places, too.

Post Falls 15-year-old Alex Knoll has been honored with the prestigious Diana Award for his creation of the Ability App and his years of striving to help the world become more accessible for people of all abilities and disabilities. This international award and its nonprofit were established in memory of Princess Diana of Wales in 1999 to recognize outstanding young people who are selflessly creating and sustaining positive social change.

"It's very exciting," Alex said Tuesday. "It's an honor receiving the Diana Award. I'm grateful, I think this is going to be an awesome platform to continue to spread the word of inclusion and accessibility to others."

Alex began working on the Ability App when he was just 9. He recognized the need for something to help people with disabilities navigate in places such as restaurants and stores. His vision was to develop an app that could be used by anyone to map and rate locations depending on their accommodations, including menus with Braille for those who are blind and visually impaired or aisles and doorways wide enough for wheelchairs.

After years of networking, connecting with investors, speaking at events and even appearing on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," the Ability App launched in May.

"All you've got to do is find a problem and create a solution," Alex said. "It's wonderful to be able to spread the word of accessibility and inclusion and also inspire others to solve problems in the world."

As a Diana Award recipient, this incoming Coeur d'Alene High School sophomore is in good company. Other recipients are young people who are championing bullying, water conservation, mental health, education for underprivileged children and a whole spectrum of other social issues. Required for the award are: vision; youth led; inspiring others; social impact; and service journey.

Alex has exceeded these requirements and was nominated for the award by his colleague and Ability App CEO James Moss. Alex learned he had been nominated and selected for the award just a few weeks ago.

"It was a fun surprise," Alex said.

Alex's parents, Anne and Brian Knoll, couldn't be prouder of their son.

"We’re so proud of Alex and all that he has accomplished over the last six years to help people with disabilities and educate businesses about the things they can do to be more accessible and inclusive," they said in a shared statement. "He has poured his heart into Ability App and his mission to make the world a better place for people with disabilities."

The Ability App is now fully usable at www.theabilityapp.com, where people around the world are already leaving reviews and photos to help Alex in his mission of inclusion. He said the next step is to secure funding to get the Ability App on Google Play and the App Store. Alex encourages anyone and everyone to check it out and contribute their data.

"Go out and use the app, review your favorite restaurant," he said. "There's so many things you can look out for.

"You'll be able to help people with disabilities in our area and all over the world."