Access Tech Live

Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo dive into cybersecurity. Headlines include ChatGPT memory rollout, AI-powered phishing threats, India’s Kibo accessibility tech on Shark Tank, and the dangers of teen app Wizz. Tech expert Amber Mac joins to discuss deepfakes, online safety, and parenting in the age of AI. Later, Rajiv Gupta from the Canadian Centre for Cybersecurity outlines Canada’s cyber threat land...

A packed episode featuring: • Google’s Pixel 8 Guided Frame spotlighted in a Super Bowl commercial, showing how AI helps low-vision users take better selfies. • Safer Internet Day updates, including Microsoft’s new Minecraft “Good Game” safety edition. • Breakthrough tech like stair-climbing wheelchairs and Cambridge’s AI-powered robotic Braille reader. • A candid interview with Rachelle Manette,...

Audiobooks take center stage as Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo welcome Ramya Amuthan and Jacob Shymanski, co-hosts of Audiobook Review. The group debates whether listening counts as reading, the accessibility of audiobooks for people with disabilities, and the future of AI narration. A special quiz challenges guests to tell human voices apart from AI—a test with surprising results. The episode also...

Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo celebrate Canada Day, the Fourth of July, and Disability Pride Month with a special focus on outdoor technology. From smart grills and connected thermometers to pool robots, lawn care systems, and solar lighting, they spotlight tools that make summer more accessible and enjoyable. Chris Peltz from the Blind Grilling Experience podcast joins to share practical tips for...

The holiday special turns the spotlight on the Access Tech Live team. Behind-the-scenes staff including Jordan, Stacey, Caitlin, Eliza, Kingsley, Madison, and Michelle share their favorite moments of the season, from landmark interviews with Canada’s Chief Accessibility Officer Stephanie Cadieux to Apple’s Jay Blahnik on Fitness Plus inclusivity, Greg Westlake on prosthetics, and Tara Volker on Xb...

As the year wraps up, Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo are joined by broadcaster Kelly MacDonald to reflect on 2023’s biggest accessibility and tech stories. The discussion spans AI’s rise, Apple’s Vision Pro debut, Be My Eyes launching “Groups,” and gaming breakthroughs like Forza Motorsport winning for accessibility innovation. Other highlights include Apple Watch patent disputes, Meta’s Ray-Ban gla...

This education-focused episode features Ryan Lufkin from Instructure, makers of the Canvas learning platform, discussing the rollout of AI in classrooms worldwide. The conversation highlights how AI tools can empower teachers, improve accessibility, and maintain equity in education systems. Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo also address broader concerns about ensuring that students with disabilities ar...

Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo cover a busy week in accessibility and technology. The episode features Heather Dowdy, Netflix’s Director of Accessibility, who shares insights into how the streaming giant builds inclusive entertainment experiences. Jordan Whelan also joins to discuss digital accessibility advocacy and strategies for making online spaces more inclusive. The show rounds up major access...

Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo unpack the dramatic week at OpenAI as Sam Altman is fired and rehired in Silicon Valley’s biggest leadership shake-up. Headlines also feature robotic exoskeleton breakthroughs from Simon Fraser University, Chicago’s Sound Shirt for deaf opera-goers, and Black Friday accessibility shopping advice. AMI’s Alex Smyth joins to share his lived experience with hearing aids, f...

This episode blends health, fitness, and technology. Marc Aflalo sits down with Apple’s Vice President of Fitness Technologies, Jay Blahnik, to explore the origins of Apple Fitness Plus, its inclusive design, and how trainers ensure workouts are accessible to all. Fitness expert Bobbi Jansen, host of Healthy at Home, joins to discuss adaptive routines, the link between physical and mental health,...

AI and accessibility take center stage. Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo break down OpenAI’s Dev Day announcements, including GPT-4 Turbo and new text-to-speech models. Be My Eyes CEO Mike Buckley joins to explain how “Be My AI” is transforming visual interpretation and what faster, cheaper AI models mean for accessibility. Five-time Paralympian Greg Westlake shares personal insights on prosthetics, f...

Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo cover the latest accessibility news across social media, AI, and sports. Former USC long snapper Jake Olson, the first blind athlete in Division I football, joins to share his journey and how technology plays a role in both training and everyday life. The episode also addresses shifts at Twitter/X affecting accessibility teams, broader concerns about inclusivity in mai...

This week, Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo explore the world of accessible virtual reality. Special guest Duffy Crawford, Head of Accessibility at Meta, joins to discuss the Quest 3, the upcoming Vision Pro, and how inclusive design is shaping VR and AR experiences. The conversation covers both the challenges and the breakthroughs that can make immersive technology usable for people with disabilities...

This week’s Access Tech Live dives into the future of AI-powered accessibility. Hosts Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo are joined by Dave Dame, Microsoft’s Senior Director of Product Accessibility, for a candid discussion about inclusive design, the philosophy of Nothing About Us Without Us, and the company’s five-year accessibility goals. Dave shares personal insights on living with cerebral palsy, t...

This episode centers on gaming accessibility. Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo welcome Tara Volker, Senior Accessibility Lead at Xbox Game Studios, and Mark Barlet, founder of AbleGamers. Together, they discuss how adaptive controllers, inclusive design, and community advocacy are reshaping the gaming world. The headlines include Sony’s new accessibility controller, Android 14 updates like accessible...

Live from CES Unveiled in Amsterdam, Steven Scott brings the latest in accessibility-driven tech innovations. From AI breakthroughs to robotics, smart home trends, and digital health, the episode previews what’s coming at CES 2024. Brian Comiskey from the Consumer Technology Association joins to highlight global technology shifts and how accessibility and AI intersect. Chad Lehman of Neil Squire’s...

Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo break down Google’s hardware event, spotlighting the Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and Pixel Watch 2. From upgraded health tracking to AI-powered photography, the hosts analyze what’s meaningful for accessibility and how these devices compare to Apple’s latest lineup. Special guest Ardra Shepard, host of Fashion Dis and creator of Tripping on Air, joins live from Toronto to di...

Amazon’s latest hardware showcase takes center stage. Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo unpack new Echo devices, Fire TV upgrades, and fresh AI-driven tools designed with accessibility in mind. From voice controls to smarter home automation, the hosts break down what matters most for people with disabilities and how these updates affect daily life. The episode also features broader conversations about...

This episode of Access Tech Live delivers a roundup of the week’s biggest accessibility and technology stories. Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo dive into fresh developments across the industry, highlighting how major platforms like Microsoft and LinkedIn are integrating accessible tools for dyslexia awareness and inclusive communication. The discussion also explores shifting trends in streaming, new...

Discover what the iPhone 15 lineup, Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, and iOS 17 actually mean for accessibility and everyday use. Hosts Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo launch Access Tech Live with honest, practical takes—and real‑world perspectives from author/broadcaster Shelley Brisbane and Canada’s Chief Accessibility Officer Stephanie Cadieux. Across this debut episode, Steven and Marc unpack Ap...