AXSChat Podcast

Embark on an intimate exploration of the transformative power of accessibility with Nadia Törnroos, a beacon of change in the tech industry. Nadia, a seasoned software engineer and accessibility specialist, recounts her personal voyage from academia under Professor Mike Walt at Southampton University to pioneering an accessibility revolution at Tietoevry. Her narrative is not just a tale of indivi...

Embark on a journey with Lauren Lobrano, the Global Disability Inclusion Leader at Amazon, as she unpacks the complexities of creating a workspace that embraces employees of all abilities. Lauren's vast experience, from her invaluable work with veterans to her current role at Amazon, provides a unique perspective on inclusion within a corporate powerhouse. Our conversation traverses her backs...

Unlock the hidden potential within the disability sector as we uncover the transformative work of the Zero Project. I had the privilege of engaging with Sabine Wachernig, whose passion for disability inclusion and development work sheds light on forging paths for innovations that uplift the lives of persons with disabilities worldwide. Our conversation navigates the strategic methods the Zero Proj...

Join the riveting conversation as we host James Thurston, an eminent figure in the world of accessible technology. Thrust from the halls of Washington DC into the high-tech sector, James has shaped a career that bridges policy and innovation. Across the evolving landscape of accessibility, his tales from Microsoft to his ongoing ventures at ATOS are not only insightful but also punctuated with a s...

When we consider the fabric of our society, it's easy to miss the threads that are only partially woven into the whole, particularly when it comes to the inclusion of individuals with disabilities. Join Antonio, Debra and Neil from axschat to unravel the misconceptions and realities of partial inclusion, where tokenistic gestures often replace genuine integration. We scrutinize the current le...

Unlock the transformative potential of blending accessibility with sustainability as we welcome Mike Gifford back onto AXSChat for a riveting third appearance. Prepare to redefine your understanding of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria through our discussion about the essential role of accessibility in sustainable practices. Mike, a seasoned strategist from Civic Actions, draws...

Be ready to immerse yourself in a riveting journey of workforce development as seen through the lens of simulation, with our extraordinary guest Lindsey Spalding, Director of Workforce Development at the National Centre for Simulation. Lindsay not only unveils the behind-the-scenes of the intriguing work she's leading but also underscores the significance of dismantling silos in STEM educatio...

Ever wondered about the barriers and opportunities in the corporate world for people with disabilities? Join us as we revisit a conversation with Alexandra Nothnagel, our cherished team member at Atos and a fervent disability activist. We trace back our connection initiated via social media and Alexandra's key contributions to our accessibility initiatives. Key discussions revolve around the...

How can Artificial Intelligence revolutionize job opportunities for individuals with disabilities? We're exploring this question and more with our guest, Jourdan Saunders, CEO and founder of The Resource Key. With her background in speech language pathology, passion for marketing and technology, she brings a fresh perspective to this complex discussion. We also consider the potential implicat...

Get ready to take a deep-dive into the oft-overlooked field of alt text and its innate role in content accessibility. Our guest for this enlightening conversation is Caroline Desrosiers, the brains behind Scribly, a trailblazing company that provides top-notch alt text writing services. Hear her riveting journey into the realm of accessibility and her motivation to create Scribly, which is helping...

Imagine having a front-row seat in an enlightening conversation about accessibility and inclusive design. That's exactly what we offer you in our latest episode with our guest, Daniella Decker. Drawing from her unique experiences as a caretaker for her aunt with schizophrenia, Daniella brings the world of disability inclusion into sharp focus. We ponder over the importance of aligning interna...

Have you ever wondered about the intricate world of soccer and the role of play in nurturing creativity? Imagine a heartfelt conversation with Scott Martin, an ardent football coach and storyteller. Listen as he takes you on a nostalgic journey into the authentic days of the North American Soccer League. Scott shares how ethnic backgrounds played a pivotal role in the formation of clubs and how th...

We bring you an uplifting discussion with a change-maker in the neurodivergent community, Gregory White. Founder of 'Drop the Mask CIC', Gregory's personal experience led him to establish this revolutionary enterprise aimed at creating opportunities and accessibility for all, irrespective of age, color or ability. Right before the world was hit by the pandemic, Drop the Mask CIC was...

What does it take to write a story that not only grips its readers but also sparks empathy and resilience? Join us as we unravel this mystery with the talented author and speaker, Carol Van Den Hende. Carol's Goodbye Orchid series has woven these themes into a compelling tale shaped by her personal experiences raising a son with special needs. She shares the transformative journeys of Orchid...

Are barriers truly insurmountable? Explore this question and more in our deep-dive discussion with Mai Ling Chan, CEO of Xceptional Lab. We unravel the multifaceted aspects of disability and its position in the entrepreneurial landscape. Mai Ling, using her experience as a speech therapist, eloquently frames the narrative of disability as a source of creativity and strength, rather than a setback....

Spark your curiosity as we introduce you to Stephanie Sheehy, the devoted founder of Costa Rica Accessible Network. Stephanie has been blazing trails in transforming Costa Rica into an accessible destination for all. Her journey began with setting up the first travel agency in the country specializing in accessible travel, and now she’s working hand-in-hand with the government to ensure accessible...

Ever wondered how grassroots organizations amplify the voices of marginalized communities? Join us as we shed light on BillionStrong, a global identity organization co-founded by our host, Deborah. This episode offers an insight into their inspiring journey, their recent recognition by LinkedIn, and their future plans. It further elaborates on their mission of making the global disability communit...

Are you ready to redefine self-love and acceptance in a world that often emphasizes our differences? This enlightening conversation with Amit Ghose, a passionate advocate for individuals with visible differences, will challenge you to do just that. Born with neurofibromatosis, a condition that causes tumors to grow on nerves, Amit’s journey has been one of courage, resilience, and transformation....

Join us as we journey into the world of corporate diversity and inclusion with our esteemed guest, Nasir Ahmed; an inspiring leader who engraves his footprint as the current chair of Atos' Adapt Employee Network for Persons with Disabilities. Prepare to be enlightened as Nasir pulls back the curtain on his experiences, providing an insider's perspective on promoting inclusivity and menta...

Ready to challenge the status quo in accessible travel? Join us for a candid conversation with  Carrie-Ann Lightley, Head of Marketing at Accessible. Carrie brings a depth of personal and professional insight as we unpack the necessity for a progressive, rather than perfectionist, approach to accessibility. We tap into the significance of bespoke experiences and information, the fallacy of aiming...

Join us as we journey alongside the multi-talented Kurt Yaeger. With his rich experiences as an actor, producer, and disability activist, Kurt takes us through his life's ups and downs - from his glory days as a professional BMX rider to his unexpected career shift into acting after a life-changing motorcycle accident. Kurt brings a unique perspective to the table, shining light on the often...

Imagine a world where inclusion isn't an afterthought but a priority. A world where no one is left out, irrespective of their abilities. This episode brings you Bernd Schramm, from GIZ, a private entity working on behalf of the German government, who shares his insights into creating such a world. We dive into the journey of GIZ in prioritizing disability inclusion, discussing the challenges...

Get ready for an enlightening and stimulating conversation with Stephane LeBlois from Valuable 500. Stefan brings us an inside view of their transformative initiative, Generation Valuable, a ground-breaking program aimed at catapulting the careers of aspiring disabled leaders. This initiative doesn’t stop there; it also provides an eye-opening perspective to existing leaders about the unique hurdl...

We're thrilled to have Andrew Rogoyski from the Surrey Institute for People-Centered AI join us for a deep and insightful conversation about the transformative power of AI. Andrew brings with him the weight of the University of Surrey's three decades of AI research and a potent vision for harnessing this technology for the betterment of human lives. We embark on a journey, examining a ne...

You'll be fascinated by our guest, Katherine Perry, the CEO of BATA UK, as she sheds light on the critical role of Assistive Technology (AT) in international development and health fields. We tackle misconceptions that AT is a 'scam' and delve into how we can better advocate for AT as a community. Throughout our enlightening discussion, we also grapple with the ongoing effects of th...