AccessAbility Works Podcast

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.