Thank you so much for listening to Season 1 of Technically Sick.  

I am so grateful to all of the guests this season, who vulnerably and courageously shared their stories and provided their guidance and expertise with us. It has been such an exciting experience to speak with people on the forefront of innovation about how we can utilize existing tech and what technological interventions are on the horizon.

We have spoken with innovators, physicians, and community members about how existing and future technology can support the chronic illness and disability community. From practical tips like using smart home devices or our phones to support day-to-day living to future advancement in wheelchairs and virtual reality, we have covered a variety of topics that I hope resonated with you. Perhaps my biggest takeaway from these conversations is that the more we call in members of the disability and chronic illness community to contribute to tech advancement, the higher likelihood that innovations will be created to benefit our day to day lives. 

I look forward to a world where technology is accessible and empowers all people, no matter their abilities, to live more independently.  

For more empowering content to support the health of you, your loved ones, and your communities, visit empoweredus.org to check out our other podcasts and projects. Follow the Empowered Us community on Instagram @empoweredusnetwork and Twitter @empowereduspod to stay up to date with all podcast happenings and to connect with us.  

Empowered Us is a storytelling and resource hub led by Good Days, a national nonprofit that lifts the burdens of chronic illness through assistance, advocacy, and awareness. Visit MyGoodDays.org to learn more. 

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Monica speaks with Jen Hardy, an author, podcast host, blogger, coach, and mother. In this episode, Jen shares some of the technologies and apps she uses to help manage parenting, working, and day-to-day life while living with chronic illnesses. 

"There were a lot of people complaining, ‘I'm so sick, I can't get up’, but no one was saying, ‘how do you live your life like that? How do you get through it and live a good life, even when you're like that?’. And so, I pursued it. I started a blog to help others like me.” - Jen Hardy 

• 01:59 How Jen started blogging 
• 04:29 Jen’s favorite apps and gadgets for parenting 
• 07:26 Recommended apps and gadgets for sleep 
• 10:39 How Jen works from bed 
• 14:25 Apps and gadgets for brain fog 
• 16:47 Robot vacuums 
• 18:43 Kitchen gadgets 
• 22:26 Other helpful gadgets 
• 28:51 Jen’s ideal tech 

1) Technology has the capacity to take on a lot of the parenting and home care exhaustion. From using home voice assistance, you can set up timers for when that dog needs to be walked, reminders of chores for the kids, and set up your device to be an intercom between rooms for additional communication.  

2) Many simple tech purchases can make a huge difference: audiobooks, speaker pillows, and even automated potato peelers are little changes that could possibly elevate your lifestyle and reduce effort 

3) There are a variety of apps programmed into your phone that can be so useful, such as the Notes and Reminders app for Apple users or for you Android users - Google Keep. Jen makes use of these to ensure that brain fog does not get in the way of her obligations and productivity  

4) If you are looking to find a bedside setup that's right for you, take a look into dorm rooms and tiny house setups for inspiration. These resources will show ideas of how to organize your small working spaces in creative ways. 

Jen Hardy is an author, podcast host, blogger, coach, and mother to seven children. In her work, she discusses what it's like to be a mom and an entrepreneur while managing her chronic illnesses.

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Monica speaks with Kristen Lopez, a writer and disability advocate in media and also our first community member guest. In this episode, Kristen shares her favorite kitchen devices and hacks to create more autonomy and reduce effort in the kitchen. 

“In a world where disabled people, you know, autonomy is so fleeting for us in many ways, food really does become this element of control, and not in a negative way, although it can be negative, but a way to take back that autonomy.” - Kristen Lopez 

• 01:53 When Kristen realized technology would be such a big help in the kitchen 
• 04:08 Kristen’s favorite kitchen gadgets and transformations 
• 07:27 Products and services that have come out of the pandemic that have been beneficial to people with disabilities 
• 09:16 The ideal disability items for those who are newly disabled 
• 12:02 Finding easier recipes for cooking and autonomy 
• 15:26 The impact of digital accessibility on cooking 
• 18:42 Kitchen gadgets that help with time management and safety 
• 21:14 Examples of ways that kitchen appliances are inaccessible 
• 24:54 The lack of disabled representation in media 
• 29:45 The cost effectiveness of using kitchen gadgets over food delivery 
• 31:02 The stereotypes people with disabilities face around spending 
• 34:23 The impact inflation has on the disabled community 
• 37:31 Where Kristen sees technology going in the future 
• 39:45 The importance of making tech easy to use 
• 42:51 Kristen’s ideal tech 

1. There are tech devices, resources, and apps out there to support you in the kitchen, but not all the tools are gonna be for you and some might require some trial and error. Don’t give up! Keep trying different tools and see what hacks will help support you the most.  

2. Sometimes simple accommodations are so much more effective and helpful than expensive innovations. Calling in the actual needs of the disability community allows for the right accommodations to be made when developing accessible tools.   

3. Cooking can bring joy and autonomy to people in the disabled community. Utilizing technology to help save your energy and reduce the overwhelm allows for more space to enjoy the process of making food. And, I’m gonna bet that cooking at home is going to save you some much-needed money. 

1. If you want to make your kitchen more accessible in a cost-effective way and you just don’t know where to begin, try reorganizing your kitchen to make the things you use regularly as accessible to you as possible. Look into the way that professional kitchens and bakeries are organized. 

2. If you’re interested in any of the tech that we mentioned, go and check out our show notes – all the products will be linked in the resources section. These are products that Kristen and I love, however they do not sponsor our show in any way. 

Kristen Lopez is the TV Editor of IndieWire and a pop culture essayist whose work has been published at Variety, MTV, and Roger Ebert. She writes regularly on disability representation in media. In her free time she contributes to the classic film podcast, Ticklish Business. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Monica speaks with Lucy Greco, a Web Accessibility Evangelist for the Universities of California. In this episode, Lucy shares her personal experience navigating the education system as a disabled student and how she now supports other students to create learning conditions that work for them. 

“A person has to be highly educated to get an education, if you have a disability.” - Lucy Greco 

• 01:58 When Lucy realized her personal and professional experience had come together to help the disability community 
• 06:52 Lucy’s work with UC Berkeley and how it helps disabled students 
• 07:39 The importance of remote access to education 
• 13:20 Other types of tech that can help with college campus accessibility 
• 15:56 Why it is so important to hire employees with disabilities 
• 19:32 Why companies should work with universities and disability centers 
• 21:09 Accessibility and education 
• 23:10 The importance of universal design 
• 27:18 The financial implications of being disabled 
• 29:28 What is the process like to get accommodations in colleges and universities 
• 32:32 How to better advocate for yourself 
• 35:58 Lucy’s favorite technology 
• 37:48 Virtual reality benefits for education 

1) Disabled students have so much to offer, but their capacities are being hindered by technologies that are often not taking their needs into consideration. 

2) In teaching disabled students how to use accessible technology, they are empowered to share those technologies and skills with others. 

3) There are a variety of technological innovations that can be utilized in educational settings like 3D printing for tactile learning, braille embossers, live scribe pens for annotation, and so much more. The key is to get these resources into the hands of the students that need them. 

4) The cost of accommodations are a huge burden on disabled students. Therefore, they often take longer to complete their degrees, and they still have to pay the extra tuition for extended time, which is ultimately inequitable. 

1) Currently students and their guardians may not even be aware of the resources available to them. Make sure to reach out to the accessibility departments at your university and fight for your rights as much as feels possible. Everyone deserves a strong accessible education. 

2) If you are a developer, focus on universal and human centric design to create broad usability. Function must be prioritized over aesthetics. 

3) Consider hiring disabled developers to be a part of the design and innovation process to ensure that your product is easy for everyone to use, and to highlight possible blind spots in the developmental process. 

4) Many educators are not effectively trained and equipped to support and to provide resources to disabled students. If you are part of a school system, consider providing resource teachers and workshops to equip students with the best possibility to succeed in their education. 

Lucy Greco is the Web Accessibility Evangelist for UC Berkeley. She has been blind since birth. She first started using computers in 1985. Upon graduating from college, instead of continuing her interest in literature and physical therapy, Lucy became an accessible technology specialist. Since then, people have come to Lucy asking questions, such as: How can I experience email as a blind person? How can I experience using a word processor as a person with no hands? Lucy’s passion for access technology drove her to find the answers to these questions and more, and today she is working at improving her own and others skills through participation in the BATS community. 

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Monica speaks with Caitlin Schumann, a Product Manager for Firefly Health, a virtual-first care model. In this episode, Caitlin shares her personal experience as a developer and telehealth patient, new telehealth innovations in development, and how telehealth can create a more tailored, personal experience.

“[With telemedicine] clinicians can continue to practice and be creative in how they solve problems for their patients and our patients don't feel restricted to what they can get access to.” – Caitlin Schumann 

• 02:04 How Firefly Health helps the disabled and chronic illness communities and Caitlin’s experience 
• 04:25 Chronic disease management using telehealth 
• 06:27 How telehealth provides more options for patients in rural areas 
• 07:51 Urgent care via telehealth 
• 08:57 Catching medical errors 
• 10:48 The benefits of wearables 
• 12:19 Benefits and challenges of medical devices patients can use at home 
• 15:42 Recent advancements at Firefly 
• 18:45 Cost savings with telehealth 
• 21:34 Setbacks to keeping telehealth post-COVID 
• 23:55 How to advocate for telehealth 
• 26:06 Problems with a lack of centralized, universal medical records 
• 29:23 Developing software in the healthcare field 
• 30:29 The ultimate digital product for Firefly 
• 31:39 Who has ownership over our medical records 
• 34:45 Negatives of a universal medical record system 
• 35:55 More choices in physicians with telehealth 
• 39:26 Tech that Caitlin is looking forward to 

1) Telehealth has the capacity to aid your judgment in making big choices about whether you need to go to the emergency room or seek emergency treatment. In being able to speak with a physician remotely, they can provide their expertise on the best step forward. 

2) Telemedical intervention provides additional access to medical experts that might not be available within driving distance.   

3) Online medical care, such as telehealth, is progressing into more than just video calls. As Caitlin mentions, some platforms allow for you to take pictures of certain conditions for feedback, use wearables to track additional health data, and take risk assessments to ensure all preexisting conditions are being monitored.  

4) Some telehealth services are also focusing to aggregate data so that your medication and medical information is all in one place.   

1) If you are in the telemedicine development space - examine the opportunities for additional innovation by speaking with patients and doctors about what would be the most helpful for medical intervention.  

2) If you are a patient - think about where telehealth intervention may be of help in your life or the lives of the people that you take care of. Consider when receiving care remotely would be of the most value to you. 

3) If you are a legislator or a government official - determine how passing telehealth reimbursement programs could benefit people in your state. 

Cait has dedicated her career to enabling better access to healthcare through virtual care and innovative care models. She started her career at Boston Children’s Hospital on the Innovation and Digital Health Accelerator. At Boston Children’s, Cait was responsible for many aspects of launching and growing the direct-to-patient Virtual Visits program, including the rapid acceleration of virtual care during 2020 of the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, Cait is a Product Manager at Firefly Health leading the development and improvement of member experience for primary care patients and health plan members. 

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Monica speaks with Dr. Dustin Cotliar, a telemedicine-focused Physician and Health Policy Consultant. 

In this episode, Dr. Cotliar shares the benefits of telehealth from a doctor’s perspective and the many ways how this varied technology can be useful for patients. Monica and Dr. Cotliar will also discuss the financial benefits of telemedicine and the future innovations being developed in digital health. 

“Let's say I was your doctor, and I say, “You know what? We really need to get you some blood work. We're gonna have a nurse come to your house”. And then, “Oh, I'm going to have your prescriptions delivered and I'm going to make an appointment for you for a cat scan on this day”... You can really have much more time to do things for yourself, and do things that you care about, as opposed to traverse the healthcare system in a way that doesn't work for you.” - Dr. Dustin Cotliar 

• 2:04 Dr. Cotliar shares about the importance of telehealth from his perspective 
• 5:01 Different applications for telehealth 
• 6:08 Some benefits of telehealth for comfortability 
• 7:10 COVID-19's impact on telehealth 
• 8:17 The effects of COVID-19 on appointment availability 
• 9:27 Roadblocks to increasing the use of telehealth 
• 10:32 Options for improving the impacts of computer literacy on telehealth use 
• 12:34 Ways to improve privacy with telehealth 
• 13:25 How telehealth helps create privacy for patients 
• 14:52 How telehealth can benefit care navigation 
• 16:35 How to reduce healthcare costs with telehealth 
• 17:39 Additional applications for telehealth for in-home treatment 
• 19:26 How obtaining visual cues from patients during video visits can benefit their health 
• 20:16 Building rapport with patients in telehealth 
• 22:53 More on the comfort of having appointments at home 
• 25:08 Creating more jobs and job longevity with telehealth 
• 26:16 Using telehealth as a training tool 
• 27:21 The possibility of telehealth creating more time for doctors to write progress notes and see more patients. 
• 28:42 The future of telehealth 
• 32:27 Dr. Cotliar’s ideal tech 
• 34:11 The impact of COVID-19 on patients avoiding doctors offices 

1. Telehealth allows doctors to determine faster if a patient requires in-person emergency care or not.

2. Telehealth helps people with chronic illnesses and disabilities seek out consistent care without having to physically go to the doctor’s office.  

3. Telehealth can be used for more than just a doctor’s visit. The potential applications are limitless in considering remote care options.  

1. If you are a patient, consider giving a telehealth option a try the next time you seek out care.  

2. Think about utilizing wearables you may already own, such as a smart watch, in order to track data about your own health.  

3. If you are a physician, consider implementing telemedicine services or recommending these services to patients if their care feels like it could benefit from that. 

Dustin Cotliar is a future-centric Physician and Health Policy Consultant who is passionate about digital health, patient advocacy, and healthcare navigation. His research has been featured in articles by NPR, Politico and Vox, and CNBC. He enjoys helping private clients with complex medical needs leverage technology to find top doctors, get a second opinion, navigate insurance plans, fight medical bills, organize medical records, and communicate better with their medical team. He can be reached on Twitter and LinkedIn and would love to connect with those looking for assistance.   

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Monica speaks with Dr. Amanda Wilson and Dr. Lisa Chiodo - Co-Founders of North-Star Care, Inc. an alcohol use disorder treatment space leveraging the use of virtual reality. In this episode, Dr. Wilson and Dr. Chiodo share how and why virtual reality therapy can be an effective option for therapeutic intervention. You’ll learn about the future applications of VR for a means of therapy and recovery. Monica, Dr. Wilson, and Dr. Chiodo also discuss how addiction is considered a chronic illness and how to best support loved ones while in recovery. 

“When you have anonymity, you can ask anything...and the ability to be so free, it's a level of freedom that we just didn't even realize how powerful that would be...” - Dr. Amanda Wilson 

• 03:34 How North-Star Care uses VR for Alcohol Use Disorder treatment 
• 10:05 The problems with using immersion experiences for individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder 
• 12:13 Peer support in VR 
• 12:50 Creating support groups in VR 
• 14:30 Types of rooms for VR group therapy 
• 15:35 Accessibility and comfort of VR therapy for individuals with disabilities 
• 18:31 Applications for different avatars in VR 
• 22:38 The flexibility of using VR for therapy and rehabilitation 
• 24:34 How to help loved ones with addiction
• 26:29 How VR can help family members of individuals with addiction
• 28:41 The need for autonomy in recovery
• 31:27 The importance of defining addiction as a chronic illness. 
• 38:42 What is coming for the future of VR
• 40:52 How to incorporate VR more in therapy 
• 42:42 Dr. Wilson and Dr. Chiodo’s idea of ideal technology

1. The use of virtual reality in therapy and support spaces can allow for anonymity in ways that in person and video conferencing can’t. Using avatars and voice changing technology, patients and therapists can create and present a persona that works for their particular session.  
2. Addiction is a chronic disorder and it should be treated as such. We can reduce stigma and increase support to our loved ones who are struggling by reframing and understanding it as a chronic disorder. 
3. In VR, support groups can be created to target specific demographics, such as caregivers with young children or people who have PTSD. This allows for increased opportunity for connection. This is possible due to schedule and location flexibility. 
4. VR allows for an increased sense of focus due to its fully immersive capabilities, which reduces the opportunity for distraction. 

1. If someone in your life has disclosed addiction or a chronic illness to you, try to actively listen and start from a place of compassion. It really important to make sure that you’re also taking care of yourself. When both you and your loved one are in a place to be able to support one another, try to stay present and open-minded.  
2. If you’re looking for therapeutic support for yourself, find what works best for your physical and your emotional comfort level.  
3. If you’re considering VR for therapy, take a moment and reflect on what supportive environment would look like and feel like for you. Be specific. This way you can really customize the best therapeutic opportunity for yourself. 

Dr. Amanda Wilson is a thought leader in the addiction space. Board Certified as an Addiction Medicine Physician, in 2009 she founded CleanSlate Centers, Inc., the first national, award-winning, office-based, clinical program for treating addiction. As the Founder and Chairwoman of the Board, she charted new territory in the development of a Harm-Reduction focused program for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Recognizing the significant barriers introduced by in-person treatment, in collaboration with Dr. Chiodo, they conceptualized a telehealth solution for opioid treatment and Boulder Care was founded in 2017. Boulder uses an enhanced mobile platform as a means of both increasing access to and addressing multiple treatment barriers experienced by people with OUD. While these companies continue to thrive and provide exceptional care, the inadequate options available today for patients with AUD inspired the development of North-Star Care, Inc., a novel approach to alcohol treatment leveraging modern technology. 

Dr. Lisa Chiodo is a developmental psychologist and statistician with more than 30 years of experience leading large-scale longitudinal studies, and is a recognized expert in data management as well as sophisticated statistical analyses. In addition to being the Chief Science Officer of North-Star Care, Inc., she is the CEO of the Addiction Research and Education Foundation (AREF), a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to improve the understanding of care outcomes in patients with addictive diseases. The Foundation has published numerous peer-reviewed studies and has demonstrated thought leadership at the national level, impacting policy in the addiction treatment space. A respected professor and researcher, she has published over 70 peer-reviewed manuscripts and has earned numerous teaching/research awards at both the University of Massachusetts and Wayne State University. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Justin shares the importance of technology, innovation, and smart design in the creation of smart personal mobility devices and how these smart chairs can create autonomy and allow for new experiences. You’ll learn about what makes a smart wheelchair different than a traditional power wheelchair, and the different ways mobility devices can support a variety of users. Justin and Monica also discuss the importance of able-bodied people testing out the mobility device technology they work on, and the future of mobility aide technology in airports, hospitals, malls, and beyond.   

“We’ll get random emails, of stories of how our device has changed their ability to get out, and be social, and have just a bit more of a fulfilling life being able to be more independent, and all kinds of stories.” - Justin Gagnon 

• 4:17 When Justin first realized the impact of his work on the disability community  
• 5:34 What makes a wheelchair smart? 
• 7:55 Whill’s adjustments to their products based on customer feedback 
• 10:10 Possible upgrades for smart wheelchairs 
• 11:24 Personal mobility devices versus wheelchairs 
• 12:31 Insurance coverage for smart wheelchairs 
• 13:43 Funding for Whill’s products 
• 14:27 Business use for Whill’s products 
• 16:24 Payment options for public/shared smart wheelchairs 
• 17:07 Benefits of autonomous smart wheelchairs for airports 
• 18:52 Benefits of autonomous smart wheelchairs for hospitals 
• 20:07 Justin’s opinion on the ideal future for smart wheelchairs 
• 21:45 Roadblocks to expanding smart wheelchair use 
• 25:08 Reduced liability concerns for business 
• 26:46 Physician acceptance of wheelchairs 
• 28:59 Technology Justin would love to see in the future 

1. Smart mobility devices differ from traditional power wheelchairs for a variety of reasons. While both are run through electricity, smart wheelchairs are fit with a lot of other functionalities, like Bluetooth capability, easy disassembling, and an increased attention to design for ease of use. Every smart wheelchair is different with so many different features.  
2. While it’s been standard for even supermarkets to have scooters or wheelchairs, some venues are beginning to embrace the use of smart wheelchairs in hopes of creating more autonomy and independence for people who need additional mobility support.  
3. Using a mobility aide does not have to be a 24/7 way of getting around. Some people only use their mobility devices on days they feel they really need it or in a situation they would otherwise have to be on their feet too long. This allows for people who would otherwise have to opt out of activities, such as taking a long walk with a friend, a museum visit, or a shopping trip to be able to participate in a way that’s comfortable for them. 

1. If you’re a transportation office, a changemaker, or a developer, reach out to smart wheelchair companies and see how you can make these mobility devices available in your venues and give them a test drive yourself. 
2. If you’re considering a mobility device for yourself, take a real honest assessment of your pain levels while moving. Remember, your wheelchair does not need to be something you use all of the time, but it might be really helpful to have on hand for those times where you need a little extra assistance.  
3. Consider checking out Whill and other smart wheelchair companies. You will be so surprised by the amount of innovation that is happening in this space. To learn more, check out our show notes for additional information. 

Justin Gagnon is an MBA graduate from the Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba, and holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Honours in Business Administration with a Major in Marketing and Minor in Political Science from the University of Windsor. 

Justin has been working with WHILL for the past four years in various sales and marketing management positions now holding the title of Vice President of Sales for WHILL North America. WHILL Personal Electric Vehicles are bringing a fresh perspective to personal mobility with innovative design and state-of-the-art technology. In his role (based out of Winnipeg, Canada), Justin is responsible for the development and execution of WHILL’s North American sales strategies. Along with his team he is developing multiple sales channels and working closely with the marketing team on various campaigns/programs to bring WHILL’s new technology to the forefront in the North American market.   

Previous to working with WHILL Justin was an Account Director for a full-service marketing agency headquartered in Winnipeg with offices in Toronto, Calgary and Portland, OR. He served as his client’s primary contact working with them to develop strategic marketing plans, marketing campaigns and execute tactical marketing projects to support larger initiatives.   

Earlier in his career, Justin held the positions of Director of Marketing for a software development company, Manager of Investor Relations in the biotech industry and Business Development and Account Manager for a digital marketing agency. 

Justin, along with his wife Ashley, enjoys travelling, participating in many, sometimes extreme, outdoor activities and spending time with family and friends.   

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Monica speaks with John Samuel, co-Founder and CEO of Ablr360 – a Disability Inclusion and Digital Accessibility company that aims to remove barriers for all people with disabilities.   

In this episode, John shares his story of losing his eyesight and the impact that had on his career. You’ll learn about the accessibility barriers that exist in physical and virtual workplaces, on the web at large, and in employment opportunities and training. John and Monica also discuss current and future solutions, including how to make your website accessible today right now and how we can encourage disabled professionals moving forward. 

“I always say ’Proximity Builds Empathy’- I don’t want people to think about accessibility as a line of code, but rather as a human experience.”

– John Samuel

• 1:32 – When John first realized the impact of his work on the disability community 
• 3:36 – Where there are gaps in the digital divide for accessibility 
• 5:10 – Accessibility in education and voting 
• 6:48 – Barriers to accessibility on websites 
• 8:26 – Recommended adjustments to make your website more accessible 
• 9:56 – Changes for accessibility that help the general population 
• 10:57 – Setting disabled employees up for success 
• 12:34 – Making the process of finding and hiring disabled employees easier 
• 14:22 – How to build a more accessible environment for your employees 
• 16:46 – Options to give blind employees autonomy and assistance navigating 
• 18:06 – New technology that John is excited for in the future 
• 18:52 – Extended Reality (XR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR) and their benefits for the disability community 
• 21:54 – Tools to find people with disabilities to hire and to help you test your products 
• 23:17 – How John advocates for the disability community 
• 24:33 – Technology John would love to see in the future 

1. Disability inclusion is an essential aspect of the modern-day workplace. Through removing barriers to reduce the digital divide, companies can expand their outreach of qualified and talented workers no matter their physical ability.
2. Barriers to entry for employment goes beyond the workplace. Job training, applications, and contact forms need to be accessible to people of varying abilities as well.
3. Proximity builds empathy. Accessibility is more than building codes and accommodating needs. It’s about lifting up the human experience.

1. Hire disabled workers. When creating increased methods of accessibility in your workplace, these workers can bring their perspective to ensure the problems that need to be solved are being prioritized.
2. There are some things you can do to make your website and workplace more accessible right now, even without any coding experience. Add captions to your videos and video calls, create transcripts for audio content, and add a skip link to your site.
3. Put an accessibility statement on your website, so that if someone has a challenge navigating, they can reach out for assistance.

John Samuel is the Co-Founder and CEO of Ablr360 – a Disability Inclusion and Digital Accessibility company that aims to remove barriers for all people with disabilities. They do this by eliminating the digital divide, changing the mindsets of people and organizations, and creating pathways for employment. John’s passion for his work is very personal, as he is blind. He wants to make sure the obstacles he has faced are removed for others.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Technically Sick is a podcast that explores how technology can improve access to education, employment, transportation, and improve socialization for the disabled and chronic illness community. 

On this show, I'll be covering how to use and optimize the technology currently available as well as discussing the future of accessible tech on the horizon.  

I’ll be interviewing technology experts, innovators, community advocates, and more.

Monica Michelle is a Bay Area-based artist, writer, and creator of the Invisible Not Broken Network. She has developed an audience of 40K+ social media followers and newsletter subscribers through Invisible Not Broken.

Monica’s work has been deeply informed by her chronic illnesses - Ehlers Danlos Type 3, Fibromyalgia, and POTS. Through her experiences, she has devoted herself to building communities focused on increasing empathy and educating the public about a variety of chronic illnesses and disabilities.

She is deeply curious about how technological advancements can be made to increase accessibility for everyone. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.