Welcome to the Season 3 premiere of Pathways to Zero Barriers! In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Sambhavi Chandrashekar, Global Accessibility Lead at D2L (Desire2Learn), to explore how the lines between assistive technology (AT) and mainstream consumer tech are permanently blurring.

We look closely at how the "curb-cut effect" is accelerating in 2026, driven by edge AI, next-generation wearables, and massive market convergence.

📃Episode transcript

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

The Curb-Cut Effect & AI Acceleration: How features like captions and predictive text transition from niche AT to mainstream defaults—and how AI is collapsing this adoption timeline.

Wearables to Watch: A look at the $34.2B global AT market, featuring breakout tech like Meta Ray-Ban glasses, the OrCam MyEye, and the booming $20B health-and-sleep tracking ring industry.

Tech Convergence vs. Mainstream Crossover: Understanding the difference between OS-level accessibility features (Apple, Google, Microsoft) and true tech convergence (where edge AI, IoT, and biotech merge into real-time health advisors).

The $13 Trillion Case for Accessibility: Why 53% of consumers are connected to disability, and why developers must stop designing for the "mythical average user."

About Our Guest:

Dr. Sambhavi Chandrashekar is the Global Accessibility Lead at D2L (Desire2Learn), where she champions inclusive design and digital accessibility at scale. She is a recognized expert in reframing accessibility as a core business strategy and an engine for mainstream innovation.

Pathways to Zero Barriers is a Zero Project podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and subscribe!

Coming soon: the new season of Pathways to Zero Barriers kicks off next week with Sambhavi Chandrashekar, who will provide us with insights into the Assistive Technology (AT) markets.

Together with host Tom Butcher, Sambhavi will explore how Assistive Technology and mainstream technology markets are increasingly interconnected, the economic opportunities available, and the role of AI in the development of different types of AT products.

Pathways to Zero Barriers explores AT innovations from an ecosystem point of view, including current developments and the impact of AI on the markets.

Brought to you by

The Zero Project with the support of the Essl Foundation and its global network of partners committed to advancing disability inclusion worldwide.

Credits

Host: Tom Butcher

Production: Małgorzata Grobelna, Alessandro Gobello, and Judith Hermetter

Audio Engineering: Antina Zlatkova / Mediengarten

Pathways to Zero Barriers: Season 3

In this short introduction Tom Butcher and Judith Hermetter will provide an overview of this season's structure, highlight upcoming topics, and share what listeners can expect in the weeks ahead.

🔗 Zero Project: https://zeroproject.org

📩 Contact: [email protected]

Brought to you by

The Zero Project with the support of the Essl Foundation and its global network of partners committed to advancing disability inclusion worldwide.

Credits

Host: Tom Butcher

Production: Małgorzata Grobelna, Alessandro Gobello, and Judith Hermetter

Audio Engineering: Antina Zlatkova / Mediengarten

Pathways to Zero Barriers

Episode: The mindset of scaling internationally with Małgorzata Grobelna

What does it take to scale disability innovation across borders—and what mindset makes international growth possible?

In this episode of Pathways to Zero Barriers, host Tom Butcher speaks with Małgorzata “Margaret” Grobelna, Programme Manager at Zero Project, about what it truly means to scale disability innovation internationally. Drawing on her experience leading the Scaling Solutions Programme, Małgorzata explains why scaling should be understood not simply as organizational growth, but as the deliberate replication and adaptation of impactful solutions across regions and countries.

Reflecting on lessons from Zero Project Scaling Solutions Fellows around the world, Margaret outlines the foundations of successful scaling: developing a clear roadmap, selecting the right markets, designing pilots, building strong local partnerships, and remaining flexible when circumstances change. She emphasizes that innovators should avoid perfectionism, resist hyper-focusing on details, and instead cultivate resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to learn from failure. The conversation also highlights the importance of co-designing solutions with persons with disabilities from the outset and ensuring that lived experience remains central throughout the scaling journey.

Małgorzata also explores how AI can support scaling: from matchmaking with strategic partners to translation, market research, contextual analysis, and even acting as a strategic brainstorming partner. Her call to action is clear: the world does not lack solutions for persons with disabilities, but it lacks the ambition and systems needed to scale those solutions globally, so they are available to a wider audience.

In this episode:

• Scaling internationally through strategy, partnerships, and local adaptation

• Co-designing with persons with disabilities and building continuous feedback loops

• Using AI as a practical tool for research, matchmaking, and strategic planning

Resources & Links

🔗 Programme website: scaling-solutions.zeroproject.org

📄 Transcript

✅ Key Takeaways Checklist

🌐 Guest: Małgorzata Grobelna Małgorzata Grobelna | LinkedIn / Zero Project

📩 Contact: [email protected]

Brought to you by

The Zero Project with the support of the Essl Foundation, Fundación Descúbreme, GIZ on behalf of BMZ, and Access to Success.

Credits

Host: Thomas Butcher

Production: Małgorzata Grobelna, Alessandro Gobello, and Judith Hermetter

Audio Engineering: Antina Zlatkova / Mediengarten

Episode: Innovations on a global stage: Reflections on #ZeroCon26 with Varun Chandak 

"The conference doesn't end with the last session". In this special episode, guest host Judith Hermetter sits down with Varun Chandak, Founder and Executive Director of Access to Success, to recap the high-energy days of the Zero Project Conference 2026 (#ZeroCon26) at the United Nations in Vienna. 

As the implementation partner for the Zero Project Scaling Solutions Programme, Varun and his team provide training, matchmaking, and resources necessary for Programme Fellows to take their innovations to new regions and countries. Varun shares his first-hand observations—from the intensity of stage rehearsals at the UN to the emotional experience of presenting at the Austrian Parliament. 

Tune in to hear Varun’s insights into networking with intent, the role of AI in conference planning, and why the most important part of any presentation is a clear call to action. 

Resources & Links

🔗 Programme website: scaling-solutions.zeroproject.org

📄 Transcript

✅  Key Takeaways

🌐 Guest: Varun Chandak

📩 Contact: [email protected]

Brought to you by

The Zero Project with the support of the Essl Foundation, Fundación Descúbreme, GIZ on behalf of BMZ, and Access to Success.

Credits

Host: Tom Butcher

Production: Małgorzata Grobelna, Alessandro Gobello, and Judith Hermetter

Audio Engineering: Antina Zlatkova / Mediengarten

It’s mid-season for Pathways to Zero Barriers, and we have a short announcement regarding what’s coming up next.

Until now, each episode has featured a single innovator sharing their insights on scaling solutions. For the remainder of the season, we’re diving deeper - joined by experts from around the world to explore some of the topics in greater detail.

Subscribe now so you don't miss these deep-dive conversations!

Pathways to Zero Barriers

Episode: When healthcare adapts to the individual with Dr. Shalhav Malamud

How can person-centered care transform access to healthcare for persons with disabilities?

In this episode of Pathways to Zero Barriers, host Tom Butcher speaks with Dr. Shalhav Malamud, Medical Director of the Dental Clinic at Beit Issie Shapiro in Israel. Dr. Malamud shares how adapting healthcare environments, communication, and clinical practices to individual needs can improve access to dental care for persons with disabilities.

Drawing on her experience developing a person-centered, sensory-informed dental care model, Dr. Malamud discusses how trust-building, multidisciplinary approaches, and professional education can reduce reliance on general anesthesia and support patients to build confidence in receiving routine care. The conversation also explores systemic barriers within healthcare training and service delivery, the importance of integrating disability-focused competencies into medical education, and the responsible use of AI as a supportive tool in professional training and service improvement.

Dr. Malamud’s call to action highlights the importance of ensuring that patients feel seen, safe, and respected, and encourages academic institutions and professional organizations to embed disability-focused training as a core component of healthcare curricula.

In this episode:

Adapting healthcare systems, environments, and communication to individual needs

Reducing reliance on general anesthesia through person-centered care models

Addressing systemic barriers through education and professional training

Resources & Links

🔗 Programme website: scaling-solutions.zeroproject.org

📄 Transcript: Download Transcript

✅ Key Takeaways Checklist: Download

🌐 Guest: Dr Shalhav Malamud / Beit Issie Shapiro: link

📩 Contact: [email protected]

Brought to you by

The Zero Project with the support of the Essl Foundation, Fundación Descúbreme, GIZ on behalf of BMZ, and Access to Success.

Credits

Host: Thomas Butcher

Production: Małgorzata Grobelna, Alessandro Gobello, and Judith Hermetter

Audio Engineering: Antina Zlatkova / Mediengarten

Episode: Making neurodivergent lives visible with Melissa Muñoz-Flández

How can technology support autistic people across their entire lifespan, without excluding those who cannot afford it?

In this episode, host Thomas Butcher speaks with Melissa Muñoz-Flández, Founder and CEO of Prisma Neurodivergente and creator of Autistapp. Launched in June 2024, Autistapp is a free mobile application designed for pre-teens, teenagers, and adults – an age group often overlooked in autism-related technologies.

The app offers ten integrated tools, including pictograms, relaxation resources, an emotions diary addressing alexithymia, autism-related information, and a curated services marketplace. It is financed through ethical advertising and certifications via Prisma Neurodivergente, ensuring users are not required to pay for support.

Melissa shares the challenges of scaling a social technology initiative in Chile, reflects on the importance of building a team, and describes how being named among the 35 Innovators Under 35 in LATAM by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology became a turning point in her journey.

In this episode:

• Autism inclusion must extend across the lifespan, not focus only on children

• Business models must reflect the economic realities of autistic adults

• Inclusion must be designed with neurodivergent people, not without them

Resources & Links

🔗 Programme website: scaling-solutions.zeroproject.org

📄 Transcript

✅ Key Takeaways Checklist

🌐 Guest: Melissa Muñoz-Flández / Autistapp

📩 Contact: [email protected]

Brought to you by

The Zero Project with the support of the Essl Foundation, Fundación Descúbreme, GIZ on behalf of BMZ, and Access to Success.

Credits

Host: Thomas Butcher

Production: Małgorzata Grobelna, Alessandro Gobello, and Judith Hermetter

Audio Engineering: Antina Zlatkova / Mediengarten

Pathways to Zero Barriers

Episode: From personal barriers to systemic change with Prateek Khandelwal

How can lived experience of disability drive scalable, city-level accessibility?

In this episode of Pathways to Zero Barriers, host Tom Butcher speaks with Prateek Khandelwal, Founder and Managing Director of RampMyCity, an Indian accessibility startup advancing inclusion in public spaces for persons with disabilities and older people.

Prateek reflects on how a spinal cord injury revealed the scale of inaccessibility in Indian cities and led him to found RampMyCity. He discusses the personal, social, and structural barriers he faced, including stigma, weak enforcement of accessibility standards, and the practical challenges of auditing inaccessible spaces as a wheelchair user.

The conversation explores how RampMyCity has scaled modular, pragmatic infrastructure solutions, starting with ramps, across more than 700 locations in 10 cities with a small core team. Topics include regional differences within India, the opportunities of Tier 2 cities, the use of AI-enabled accessibility audits, and the importance of starting small, validating deeply, and staying mission-driven while building financial sustainability.

Prateek’s call to action is clear: inclusion starts with individual responsibility and concrete action in the spaces we influence.

Resources & Links

🔗 Programme website: scaling-solutions.zeroproject.org

📄 Transcript

✅ Key Takeaways Checklist

🌐 Guest: Prateek Khandelwal / RampMyCity

📩 Contact: [email protected]

Brought to you by the Zero Project with the support of the Essl Foundation, Fundación Descúbreme, GIZ on behalf of BMZ, and Access to Success.

Credits

Host: Thomas Butcher

Production: Małgorzata Grobelna, Alessandro Gobello, and Judith Hermetter

Audio Engineering: Antina Zlatkova / Mediengarten

 Making the most of conferences with  Michael Fembek   

How can you turn conferences into meaningful opportunities for impact, networking, and scaling your work?

In this episode of Pathways to Zero Barriers, Dr. Michael Fembek, CEO of the Zero Project and Tom Butcher, the host and a Zero Project Ambassador, will share their tips on making the most of conferences. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience organising and attending global events, Michael and Tom share practical advice on preparation, networking strategies, and follow-up that help participants move beyond passive attendance. 

Michael reflects on the evolution of the Zero Project Conference over the past 13 years and explains why conferences are central to the organisation’s mission of identifying and scaling innovations that support persons with disabilities worldwide. The discussion explores how technology – including AI, matchmaking platforms, and live captioning – is improving accessibility and enabling more inclusive participation.

Together, Tom and Michael outline concrete “dos and don’ts” for conference-goers, from researching participants in advance and crafting an elevator pitch to approaching speakers, joining group conversations, and building a focused “hit list” of priority contacts. They also highlight the importance of meaningful follow-up and maintaining quality connections rather than collecting business cards.

The episode concludes with tailored advice for innovators attending the Zero Project Conference, including how to use the conference platform strategically and identify sessions on scaling, impact investment, and replication. Michael also introduces the Zero Project’s Equitable AI initiative, which addresses the risks of bias and discrimination in AI systems.

In this episode:

Practical strategies to prepare for conferences, approach speakers, and build meaningful professional connections

How digital tools and AI are improving accessibility, matchmaking, and multilingual participation at events

Targeted advice for innovators on using conferences to scale solutions and maximise impact

Resources & Links

🔗 Programme website

📄 Transcript

✅ Key Takeaways

🌐 Guest: Michael Fembek / Essl Foundation – Zero Project: [Guest Website]

📩 Contact: [email protected]

Brought to you by

The Zero Project with the support of the Essl Foundation, Fundación Descúbreme, GIZ on behalf of BMZ, and Access to Success.

Credits

Host: Thomas Butcher

Production: Małgorzata Grobelna, Alessandro Gobello, and Judith Hermetter

Audio Engineering: Antina Zlatkova / Mediengarten