AccessAbility Works

Episode 020: Aaron Spelker, Gaming Accessibility Advocate and Reviewer

Episode 020– Meet Aaron Spelker the founder of Apple iPhone iOS Voiceover Compatible Games, where he reviews the usability and functionality of iPhone games for blind and visually-impaired gamers. .

Episode 019: Ana O’Brien, Equestrian Para Dressage Coach, Challenges the Limits Instead of Limiting the Challenges of Equestrian Competitors Who Happen to Have a Disability

Episode 019– Meet Ana O’Brien as she explains how leaving the corporate world to become a para dressage coach and the value her works brings personally and professionally, for herself and the individuals she trains.

Episode 018 Title: Virginia Jacko, President and CEO of the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind, a Leading National Advocate for Accessibility and Authentic Inclusion

Meet Virginia Jacko. She explains how she pivoted from going to the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind for rehabilitation to becoming its president and CEO after she became blind as an adult. She also discusses how her organization is on the vanguard of authentic inclusion and accessibility for people who happen to be blind.

Episode 017: Pat Radel, Attorney and Advocate for Students with Disabilities

Meet attorney Pat Radel as he discusses how he became a disability rights attorney with a focus on education after his son, Mark, was born with Down Syndrome. Pat elaborates on the challenges that students and their families face when attempting to secure inclusive, diverse, and barrier-free education for students with disabilities.

Transcript for Episode 017

Episode 016: Andrew Hibbler and Bing Smith, Friends Sharing Eye-opening Experiences Through Outdoor Adventures

Meet Andrew Hibbler and Bing Smith as they tell their story of coworkers who became friends. Bing was born blind but that does not impede his willingness to try out outdoor adventures with Andrew. You may have first met them through a guest blog on the MBS website, now hear how these friends navigate through life and explore uncharted experiences.

Transcript for Episode 016

Episode 015: Brian McCourt, Founder and CEO of The Able Channel, Making the World More Inclusive and Healthier Through Empowering and Informative Storytelling

Meet Brian McCourt on the AccessAbility Works podcast as he discusses his brainchild The Able Channel and its mission to make the world more inclusive and healthier, one person’s story at a time. He proudly discusses his Telly Award winning productions, including Together We Are Able, which coincidentally features our very own Albert Rizzi, who’s personalized story won a Gold and Silver Telly! Finally, you will get the inside scoop on the cult film classic that Brian helped make the 1990s.

Transcript for Episode 015

Episode 014: Bruce Howell, Accessibility Services Manager at the Carroll Center for the Blind

On the AccessAbility Works podcast, meet Bruce Howell, Accessibility Services Manager for The Carroll Center for the Blind, as he discusses an innovative program that trains stakeholders in the outcomes to improve digital accessibility and usability through their innovative screen reader testers program.

Transcript for Episode 014

Episode 013: Dr. JR Rizzo Makes the World Easier to Navigate for People Who are Blind or Visually Impaired

On the AccessAbility Works podcast, Dr. JR Rizzo discusses his latest medical research on assistive technologies, including mobility solutions for people who are blind or visually-impaired. What makes his work more interesting is that Dr. Rizzo is also a member of the visually impaired and print disabled communities. JR has Choroideremia a visual impairment and was diagnosed with this condition when he was a young boy. Dr. Rizzo is affiliated with the NYU Langone Medical Center and Director of Innovation and Technology for the Department of Physical medicine and rehabilitation at Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine.

Transcript for Episode 013

Episode 012: Robert Hendriks and Janet Di Nola Parmerter Ministering Universal Accessibility and Inclusion for People of Faith

On the AccessAbility Works podcast, Robert Hendriks and Janet Di Nola Parmerter discuss how important true inclusion and digital equity is at JW.org. Regardless of your religious persuasion, JW.org promises access to the Bible and other religious materials in over 200 languages and on multiple platforms, including braille and digitized communications. Robert is the US Spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses and Janet is a Bible teacher at the JW.org blind and low-vision ministry.

Transcript for Episode 012

Episode 011: Debra Ruh, Businessperson and Internationally Known Advocate for the Disability Community

Join us on the AccessAbility Works podcast and Debra Ruh, renowned advocate for the disability community, as she talks about her impact and her projects promoting authentic inclusion and digital equity for PWD. Learn about Debra’s newest initiative Billion Strong—an organization designed to unite and amplify billions of PWD voices together.

Transcript for Episode 011

Episode 010: Paralympian Swimmer Mallory Weggemann, an Elite Athlete and Author Who Also Happens to Have a Disability.

Meet Mallory Weggemann, swimmer, Paralympian, and author. Mallory became a paraplegic after a botched medical procedure when she was 18. While setbacks like these could have crippled others, Mallory took matters into her own hands and became the best version of herself. She’s the author of the book, Limitless: The Power of Hope and Resilience.

Transcript for Episode 010

Episode 009: Andrew Gurza, a disability awareness consultant, activist, and co-founder of Handi.

On the AccessAbility Works podcast– Andrew Gurza, a disability awareness consultant, activist, and co-founder of Handi, a company that creates products that open up possibilities for people with disabilities to investigate and enjoy sexual pleasure. (WARNING: NSFW- For Mature Audiences- Sexual Language and Adult Content).

Transcript for Episode 009

Episode 008: Mike Paciello, a pioneer and influential figure in the accessibility industry for more than three decades.

Description: On the AccessAbility Works podcast, meet Mike Paciello, one of the Founding Fathers of digital equity, accessibility, and usability. Mike discusses his latest venture, a digital marketing platform called WebAble.

Transcript for Episode 008

Episode 007: Kristin Smedley, advocate for authentic inclusion and digital equity

Description: On the AccessAbility Works podcast, meet Kristin Smedley, a fierce advocate for authentic inclusion and digital equity, thanks to both her sons being born into the blind community. Kristin helps parents learn how to advocate on behalf of their kids who happen to be blind and works to empower kids to self-advocate through her brainchild The Thriving Blind Academy.

Transcript for Episode 007

Episode 006: John Kemp, President/ CEO of The Viscardi Center

Description: On the AccessAbility Works podcast, we speak with friend and colleague, John Kemp, President/ CEO of The Viscardi Center, a nonprofit that brings a lifespan of programs and services that educate, employ and empower children and adults with disabilities. With half a century of direct experience in shaping and guiding the disability movement, John knows what it takes to position Ability alongside Race, Gender, Orientation and Religion in our social and corporate cultures.

Transcript for Episode 006

Episode 005: Caroline Casey, social entrepreneur and staunch advocate for true inclusion of PWD!

Description: In this episode, learn how Caroline and her organization, the Valuable 500, challenge the status quo for true inclusion. Caroline embodies the MBS mantra #DontDisMyAbility and is a fierce advocate for digital equity and authentic inclusion of Ability alongside Race, Gender, Orientation and Religion in both our social and corporate cultures. The Valuable 500 works tirelessly to challenge large corporations to re-think policies around inclusion and invites C-Suite executives all over the world to commit to infusing authentic inclusion into the DNA of their corporate cultures and diversity programs.

Transcript for Episode 005

[PDF] for Episode 005

Episode 004: Kirk Adams, Leading the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) Into Its Next 100 Years

Description:In this episode, you’ll learn about what it was like growing up as a child who happened to be blind, his life’s journey and his trials and tribulations along the way. Dr. Adams shares how he adapted and overcame obstacles to achieve success and what led to his becoming one of the standout leaders in the disability community. Kirk also discusses his plan for the future of the AFB and what lies ahead for its next 100 years.

Transcript for Episode 004

[PDF] for Episode 004

Episode 003: Meet Lori Samuels, a Diversity and Inclusion Warrior!

Description:Our guest is Lori Samuels, the Accessibility Director of NBCUniversal Media. Lori oversees Accessibility Programs for NBC enterprises including NBC Entertainment, NBC Sports, Olympics, cable networks, and its many digital assets. Learn about the progressive steps she is taking to move our agenda of true diversity, digital equity and authentic inclusion forward in both our social and corporate cultures.

During our interview, Lori mentioned the story about a remarkable athlete who happened to be paralyzed. Lori took issue with the tone of Ableism the piece took and we agree.
Here is a link to that article: Quadriplegic stands up from wheelchair for the first time after being paralyzed during rugby match

Transcript for Episode 003

[PDF] for Episode 003

Episode 002 Title: Jonathan’s Story

Description:There are seven types of dyslexia, co-host Jonathan Hermus lives with most of them, joyfully claiming, “I put the sexy in dyslexia!” On this episode, he and co-host Albert Rizzi go over the different types of dyslexia. The boys discuss Jon’s journey and how he has been able to improvise, adapt, and overcome his difficulties in order to succeed in life.

Episode 001 Title: Albert’s Story

Description: In January 2006, fungal meningitis robbed Albert Rizzi of his sight, but not his vision. Refusing to let blindness slow him down, he immediately began learning how to navigate the world as a person who just happened to be blind. You learn how he founded My Blind Spot, a NYC based nonprofit providing digital accessibility and usability testing and remediation reporting services, promoting digital equity while advocating for universal design and development of digital platforms to ensure authentic inclusion of Ability as a minority group in both our social and corporate cultures.

Episode 000 Title: Learn About The AccessAbility Works Podcast Team And Mission

Description: In this introductory episode, you’ll meet Albert and Jonathan! You’ll learn about the mission of the AccessAbility Works podcast and My Blind Spot, the nonprofit that Albert founded in 2009 after dealing with challenges he faced after losing his eyesight.