AccessAbility Works Podcast

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Episode 015-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.

Episode 014 – 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.

Episode 013 – 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.

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.

Meet 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.

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'.

(WARNING: NSFW- For Mature Audiences- Sexual Language and Adult Content) Episode 009- On the AccessAbility Works podcast-- Andrew Gurza, a disability awareness consultant, activist, and co-founder of Handi, a company that creates products that opens up possibilities for people with disabilities to investigate and enjoy sexual pleasure. 

In the latest episode of AccessAbility Works, meet Mike Paciello, one of the Founding Fathers of digital accessibility and usability. Mike has been “in the room where it happens” when most of the important decisions were being made regarding technology and PWD. He also discusses his latest venture, a digital marketing platform called WebAble.  

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.

In this episode, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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 non-profit that Albert created in response to challenges he faced after he lost his eyesight.