Our Story
ABLE360 was born in Bishop Auckland, in the heart of County Durham, out of one person’s belief that places should be experienced, not just described. This is the story of the charity behind the journey that turned a personal passion into a mission to make immersive 360° virtual tours accessible to everyone.
Eric Knows
What started as a simple idea in 2018 – to make the world more inclusive and understanding – quickly blossomed into Eric Knows.
From the beginning, Eric Knows worked to make information, opportunities, and learning more accessible. The team believed that inclusion shouldn’t be complicated – it should be built into everything we do.
The idea for ABLE360 didn’t arrive all at once. It grew slowly, from a series of moments that made Eric stop and think: there has to be a better way for people to experience places.
Some of those moments were personal. We watched friends and family members who, because of disability, illness, distance, or caring responsibilities, simply couldn’t visit places they loved — museums, historic sites, local businesses, even community venues. Written descriptions and flat photos helped, but they never felt like enough.
At the same time, We saw how many organisations struggled to show off what made their spaces special. Small businesses in Bishop Auckland and across Durham, community groups, and charities often didn’t have the budget or technical confidence for high-end digital experiences. The tools that did exist felt complex, expensive, and out of reach.
The turning point came when we created a simple 360° walkthrough of a local space as a favour. The reaction was immediate: people who couldn’t attend in person were moved to be able to “look around” for themselves, and the organisers suddenly had a powerful way to share their venue with the world. In that moment, the seed of ABLE360 was planted: what if immersive virtual tours could be made easy, affordable, and truly inclusive?
Why “ABLE360”?
The name ABLE360 reflects the heart of Eric Know’s vision. It’s about making people able to experience more of the world, wherever they are and whatever their circumstances. It’s about empowering organisations of every size to showcase their spaces in a way that feels welcoming, human, and real.
ABLE360 stands for accessibility, belonging, learning, and exploration — in every direction. A full-circle view of a space should invite everyone in, not shut people out. For Eric, accessibility is not an optional extra or a technical checkbox; it is the starting point for how tours are planned, captured, and shared.
Building ABLE360 From the Ground Up
Starting ABLE360 was not a straight, easy path. We began with a basic camera, a lot of research, and countless hours spent learning, testing, and refining. Early mornings were spent on location capturing scenes in the best light; late nights were spent stitching, editing, and reworking tours until the experience felt just right.
Slowly and steadily, ABLE360 grew — one carefully crafted tour, one conversation, and one relationship at a time. The process has always been hands-on, collaborative, and grounded in listening first. Every project is approached with the same questions: Who needs to feel welcome here? What might be holding them back? How can this virtual tour make their experience easier, richer, and more inclusive?
That focus leads to practical decisions: clear, intuitive navigation; thoughtful use of hotspots and information points; and a commitment to working with clients to add captions, guidance, and on-page support wherever possible. The goal is simple: a virtual tour should reduce barriers, not create new ones.
ABLE360 is proudly based in Bishop Auckland, Durham, surrounded by a rich mix of history, culture, and community spirit. Eric believes that world-class digital experiences shouldn’t be limited to big cities or big budgets. By working locally and regionally, he helps businesses, venues, and organisations across the North East — and beyond — tell their stories with clarity and impact.
Every project, whether it’s a small gallery, a bustling attraction, a school, or a specialist facility, is treated with the same care and attention. For us, it’s not just about capturing four walls; it’s about capturing the feeling of being there.
The Mission Going Forward
Looking ahead, Eric’s vision for ABLE360 is clear: to make high-quality, immersive 360° tours an everyday tool for connection, inclusion, and storytelling. That means continuing to refine the technology, simplifying the process for clients, and keeping accessibility at the centre of every decision.