Access Matters

Episode Notes Access Matters  Season 2 Episode 7  Access as Synergy with Matt Ater Synergy is defined when elements combine with a result that is better than the some of their parts. In this episode meet Matt Ater, Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing for Vispero, makers of the JAWS, ZoomText and Fusion screen access programs. You may not have realized that Vispero and Aira have a very synergistic partnership. Matt talks about how visual interpreters support the accessibility work of Vispero and TPGI. We also discuss the new access with JAWS to kiosks, how potential changes in federal funding may affect assistive tech and state-based success stories.  Read the report  https://www.tpgi.com/restaurant-accessibility-for-blind-and-low-vision-customers/  Learn more about JAWS, ZoomText and Fusion at https://www.freedomscientific.com More info about visual interpreting is at https://www.aira.io. Contact us at airacast@aira.io Find out more at https://access-matters.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes In this episode of "Access Matters," host Jeanine Stanley talks with Ron Brooks, founder of Accessible Avenue and Senior director of Policy and Stakeholder engagement with Uzurv. Ron shares his personal journey, highlighting the impact of technology like smartphones and apps on mobility for people with disabilities. He discusses the challenges and advancements in public transit, including the rise of rideshare services and autonomous vehicles. The conversation emphasizes the importance of adaptable, inclusive transit systems in fostering independence for individuals with disabilities. Find Ron's company, Accessible Avenue, at https://accessibleavenue.com. Learn more about Uzurv at https://uzurv.com. Comments or Questions about our podcast? Email us at accessmatters@aira.io. Find out more at https://access-matters.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Vision A Memoir of Justice and Blindness” is an insightful new book from retired federal court of appeals judge David Tatel. Judge Tatel talks with us about his 30-year career with the court, District of Columbia Circuit as well as his long history in the civil rights and civil justice field. How did his impending blindness shape his journey? How do the current decisions and actions of the Supreme Court affect our rights of access? Whether you are a legal scholar or just someone who wants to understand how our justice system works at the federal level, or you just want to know about the gorgeous German Shepherd on the cover of the book, this interview has something for everyone. This book is available in book stores, on line and in audio formats through Audible and the BARD app. Question or comments about the podcast? Email us at accessmatters@aira.io. Episode Notes Notes go here Find out more at https://access-matters.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes So your organization is holding an event. Inclusivity is crucial these days but where do you start? Stephen Cutchins, Senior Manager for Accessibility at CVent, joins Jenine to talk about accessibility in event planning. CVent offers its Big Book of Event Accessibility as a place to guide the industry toward more inclusive spaces. There’s money to be made when doing so and we’ll tell you more in this episode of Access Matters.  For more information about CVent’s Big Book of Event Accessibility visit https://cvent.com/bigbook You can contact Stephen via email at sscutchins@cvent.com or find him, Stephen Cutchins, on LinkedIn.     Read the 2024 Accenture report mentioned in this episode at https://www.accenture.com/content/dam/accenture/final/accenture-com/document-2/Disability-Inclusion-Report-Business-Imperative.pdf Questions or comments about the show? Email us at accessmatters@aira.io.  Learn more about visual interpreting at http://www.aira.io Find out more at https://access-matters.pinecast.co

Episode Notes Race Across America is a 3000 mile trek. Dave Wilkinson is working to become the first solo blind tandem cyclist to complete it. We’ll meet Dave and hear about how he incorporates accessibility into his life and passion for staying active and healthy as  The Speedy turtle. You can follow Dave and the Speedy Turtle team at https://speedyturtle.net. Aira is proud to sponsor Dave’s ride. Be sure to watch our social media posts for his progress.  Resources for accessible fitness:  Cane and Able Fitness https://www.caneandablefitness.com/ Blind Fitness  https://www.blindfitness.org/ Contact us at accessmatters@aira.io. Find out more at https://access-matters.pinecast.co

Episode Notes On April 8, 2024 the country stopped to observe a unique celestial event. Aira was excited to take part in one of the community celebrations, “Total Eclipse of the Park” in Rochester, New York. Event organizer Kiki Smith talks about offering choices about how to take in this eclipse, accessibly and inclusively.  Listen to full coverage of the event at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpKbRLW8CKk&t=14s You can email Kiki Smith at Kirstyn@seacrochester.org. Or contact her by phone at  585-721-2624. Find out more at https://access-matters.pinecast.co

Access Matters Season 2 Episode 1 What matters when accessing sports? Welcome to Season 2! In our first episode, Jenine talks with Marci Carpenter and Ron Brown, two sports fans who share their game day experiences. How does “access” play a role in their enjoyment of the game? Plus, learn about Aira’s newest partnership in the world of sports.  Read more about Aira and the Portland Sea Dogs: https://aira.io/more-accessible-sports-games-with-visual-interpretation/  Questions or comments about the podcast? Email us at accessmatters@aira.io.  Learn more about visual interpreting at www.aira.io.Episode Notes Find out more at https://access-matters.pinecast.co

Episode Notes In our previous episode we heard about county-wide access. Imagine if an entire state had a dedicated department devoted to access for people with disabilities. Theresa Montano, Senior Solutions Architect of Accessibility, and Karen Pellegrin, Senior Manager, Technology Accessibility Program, join Jenine to talk about how the state of Colorado provides services, programs and activities to both residents and visitors. Whether you’re adventuring in a state park, doing business in a state building or navigating a state web site, access isn’t just a state of mind.  You can learn more about Colorado’s Technology Accessibility Program at: https://oit.colorado.gov/about-us/programs  You can contact them via email at: oit_accessibility@state.co.us Comments or questions about the show? Email us at accessmatters@aira.io. Find out more at https://access-matters.pinecast.co

Episode Notes Access Matters  Episode 9: Access at the County Level with Heidi Johnson  The global pandemic proved that access to local government information is crucial. In this episode Jenine takes a look at access at the county level with Heidi Johnson, ADA Coordinator for Miami-Dade County, Florida. Did you know there are 3207 counties or county equivilants in the United States, including the parishes of Louisiana. You might be surprised at how many services are provided at the county level in your area. Heidi tells us about everything from public health to parks, libraries, voting and even the water that comes from your tap in Miami-Dade County, and how her office helps all of the agencies involved provide inclusive environments.   Access, and more specifically the ADA, involve social equity in all programs, services, activities and facilities at the state and county levels. Heidi’s own life experience in the regulatory field as well as being someone with a disability has served her well in her current role. Join us for a virtual trip around Miami-Dade County and all it has to offer.   Learn more about Miami-Dade County services at: https://www.miamidade.gov Phone: 305-375-2013  For a list of ADA coordinators by county department, visit: https://www.miamidade.gov/global/ada-coordinators.page  Contact the podcast at accessmatters@aira.io. Thanks for listening.  Find out more at https://access-matters.pinecast.co

Episode Notes Access Matters Episode 8 Access at work for all Featuring Dan Frye and Joy Mistovich  In our second podcast spotlighting National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we talk with Dan Frye, Director of Employment and Professional Development with the National Federation of the Blind. Dan has held various roles in state agencies and private industry. We’ll hear his crucial points that lead to success in  job seeking and workplace accessibility. An example of such accessibility is Joy Mistovich, Education Department Assistant and Digital U X Accessibility Specialist at the Butler Institute of American Art. In fact, it’s her job. Joy tells us about her journey.  Learn more about Dan and his work at the National Federation of the Blind at https://nfb.org. You can email him at dfrye@nfb.org. You can call him at NFB’s national office, 1.401. 659.9314 Ext. 2393.   Learn more about the Butler Institute of American Art and Joy’s work in accessibility at https://butlerart.com  You can email her at joymisto@gmail.com.  The Butler is one of our Aira Access Network locations. You can get visual interpreting assistance to browse their collections and web site.  Find out more at https://access-matters.pinecast.co

Episode Notes Access Matters  Episode 7: Access in a room full of elephants with Jonathan Mosen  October marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month in the United States. That means Jenine and her guests will be talking about access in the workplace. The subject isn’t limited to the US though.   A familiar name within the blind and low vision community, Jonathan Mosen MNZM currently serves as CEO of Workbridge, the largest New Zealand-owned agency dedicated to the employment of disabled people. He also hosts the popular Living Blindfully podcast, heard by members of the blind community in more than 113 countries. The “elephants” they’ll discuss include disclosure in the hiring process, career advancement and how technology will affect disabled people in the future.  You can learn more about Jonathan and find helpful links to his podcast at https://livingblindfully.com.  Learn more about Workbridge at https://workbridge.co.nz. Comments about the show? Email us at accessmatters@aira.io. Find out more at https://access-matters.pinecast.co

Episode Notes Access Matters  Episode 6: Practical Access with Anthony Corona  What causes someone to strive for greater access to the community? For Florida Council of the Blind’s Governmental Affairs Chair, Anthony Corona it comes down to listening from the human heart. This native New Yorker and former AP East Coast Entertainment Editor shares his story and how he works toward more extensive access in the Miami area. Continuing the theme of practical access, Everette Bacon demonstrates how one feature of an app can provide security through access to visual information.  Listen to Anthony on ACB Radio Sunday Edition, https://www.acbmedia.org/category/se/, email sundayeditionac@gmail.com. You can also catch him on the Pride Connection and Take 2 Radio Soaps podcasts. ,  Learn more about visual interpreting at https://aira.io.  Have questions or comments about the show? Email us at accessmatters@aira.io.  Find out more at https://access-matters.pinecast.co

Episode Notes Access Matters  Episode 5 Access on Target with Steve Decker  “Accessibility shouldn’t just be a box you check. It should be cool.” … Steve Decker  Shopping,  whether it’s on-line or in a store, involves many factors when it comes to access. Target was one of Aira’s initial national retail partners with nearly 2000 locations and  400,000 team members throughout the US, plus their web site and mobile apps. Target’s Senior Manager of Accessibility, Steve Decker, talks about how his team has built inclusion through accessibility into the Fortune-50 retailer’s offerings. Jenine will take a look at how access to retail services happens, and as always, she’ll have thoughts.  To learn more about Target’s accessibility efforts, visit https://target.com/accessibility. Share your experiences with Target both in-store and on-line at accessibility@target.com  Questions or comments? Email us at accessmatters@aira.io.  Find out more at https://access-matters.pinecast.co

Episode 4: From Acting to Accessibility Everette Bacon joins Aira as our Vice President of Blindness Initiatives. In this episode Jenine talks with him about his journey and what access means to him. We’ll also contemplate what it means to both be an actor regarding one’s disability and designing systems that don’t force people to “act”.  Everette Bacon can be reached at everette@aira.io.  Learn more about visual interpreting on our web site, http://aira.io. Episode Notes Find out more at https://access-matters.pinecast.co

Episode Notes Access Matters  Episode 3: Business Travel and More! Are You in? In this episode we continue to talk about travel, this time in the context of employment with Jeff Wissel, Chief Accessibility Officer with DisabilityIn. From the Disability Equality Index to the Procure Access initiative, over 450 corporations are involved with a vast range of DEI&A resources. Jenine and Jeff discuss disclosure and how it’s played a role in their personal journeys. Jeff also talks about   their upcoming conference. For more information about any of these resources, visit http://disabilityin.org. You can contact Jeff at accessibility@disabilityin.org. Follow the hash tag #AreYouIn to keep up with events and more with DisabilityIN.  Find out more at https://access-matters.pinecast.co