In this episode of AccessWorld, Aaron and Tony breakdown the latest issue of AccessWorld magazine, which dropped on Feb. 24th. It’s Low Vision Awareness Month, and this issue has a number of articles on Google’s low vision accessibility updates. Aaron also wrote an article on a new accessible RPG game and gives a sneak peak into his upcoming presentation slated for the annual CSUN conference in March. They also bid farewell to hopefully winter’s last blast while looking forward to the audio described winter Paralympics. Visit www.afb.org/aw for the latest issue of AccessWorld and be sure to like and subscribe from wherever you get your podcasts.

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In this episode of AccessWorld, Tony and Aaron sit down for a conversation with Jamie Dean, senior corporate counsel on Microsoft’s accessibility team. For over a decade, Microsoft has lead the way toward innovating exciting advancements in assistive technology and digital accessibility. Joining Microsoft in 2021, Jamie shares what lead him to Microsoft after 12 years in private practice as an attorney, and how his perspectives as someone with the lived experience of blindness amplifies his passion toward helping to make the world more accessible for all.

In addition to his service as a member of AFB’s Board of Trustees, he also serves as board chair of the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP).

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(Editor’s Note: During our conversation, we give a shout out to Jenny Lay-Flurrie, who lead Microsoft’s accessibility team. Jenny recently was elevated to head Microsoft’s Trusted Technology Group, which includes the accessibility team along with other key teams under Microsoft committed to “upholding the highest standards of trust, safety, and responsible business standards” as Microsoft develops and deploys new technologies. Jamie shares how the collaboration across these teams creates a positive culture that elevates accessibility, and we’re excited to see how new technologies coming out of Microsoft can empower people of all abilities.)

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Welcome back to another episode of AccessWorld, a podcast on digital inclusion and accessibility. In this episode, host Tony Stephens sits down with Matt Ater, senior vice-president for Vispero, a global leader in access technology and digital accessibility. This episode is also cross-posted on the AFB Possibilities podcast for this month, where listeners can also hear in-depth interviews from a diverse range of blind and low-vision voices. Matt's own story was so interesting, we felt it was worth sharing with both audiences.

Matt has been forging his path forward in the accessibility biz for over three decades, and we're excited to have the opportunity to sit down with him, hear what got him into the industry, and learn about the great work Vispero is leading as we jump feet first into this new era of high-tech tools. Together, Tony and Matt wax nostalgic over the low-tech of their youth and dream about what's just beyond the horizon.

AccessWorld Is a production of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). In addition to the podcast, fans of digital inclusion and accessibility can check out AccessWorld magazine, a quarterly e-zine published by AFB. Alongside his co-host Aaron Preece, editor-in-chief of AccessWorld magazine, Tony and Aaron take time to talk about what's new in access tech and digital accessibility.

Be sure to like and subscribe to AccessWorld from wherever you get your podcasts, and you can read the latest issue of the e-zine along with all of its back issues at: www.afb.org/aw. You can CLICK HERE to also check out the podcast page for past episodes. To learn more about AFB, visit us online at www.afb.org and consider making a tax deductible gift to help support our work creating a world of endless possibilities for people who are blind or have low vision.

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This episode is a repost from episode #14 and is an interview with AW founder Deborah Kendrick. As we wrap up our 25th anniversary celebration of AccessWorld Magazine, we wanted to repost this special episode where Deborah shares the creation of AW. And if you're trying to spend those holiday gift cards, check out Deborah's annual gift guide in our most recent issue. Visitors can also walk down memory lane as we have all 25 years of back-issues available for free. Visit: https://www.afb.org/aw.

Be sure to like and subscribe to AccessWorld via your favorite podcast app and feel free to leave us a comment. To learn more about AFB or to consider making a gift to support our work, visit: https://www.afb.org.

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In this episode of the AccessWorld podcast, hosts Tony and Aaron catch up with Ayan Kishore at the recent AFB Leadership Conference. Ayan is president and CEO of Benetech, a leader in accessible media for people with disabilities. Providers for the popular BookShare service, Ayan shares what's new for Benetech in 2026.

Be sure to like and subscribe to Accessworld via your favorite podcast app and check out the quarterly e-zine at www.afb.org/aw for the latest issue and over 25 years of back issues from AFB's leading publication on digital inclusion and accessibility.

Aaron Preece is editor-in-chief of AccessWorld and Tony Stephens leads communications for the American Foundation for the Blind. To access past episodes and transcripts, visit the podcast page here.

To learn more about AFB and to support our work creating a world of endless possibilities for people who are blind or have low vision, visit our website at www.afb.org.

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The AccessWorld podcast is an extension of AccessWorld Magazine, a quarterly publication from the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). Published each quarter, AccessWorld Magazine offers news and reviews encompassing digital inclusion and accessibility. AccessWorld celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, and we’re excited to share all of our back issues online free for readers. Visit www.afb.org/aw for the latest issues and to access our archives online.

Aaron Preece serves as editor-in-chief of AccessWorld, and Tony Stephensleads communications for AFB. Together, they enjoy meeting up each month to discuss the latest happenings around accessibility. Visit the AFB website to learn more about our exciting work like our groundbreaking research on the impact of AI for people with disabilities. And consider making a tax-deductible donation to help support this podcast and all of our work at AFB. Your support helps us create a world of endless possibilities for people who are blind or have low vision.

The AccessWorld podcast is produced and edited by Tony Stephens at the Pickle Factory in Baltimore, Maryland with digital media support from Kelly Gasque and Breanna Kerr. Theme music is by CauseMonkey, compliments of ArtList.IO, and the podcast is proudly hosted on PineCast. Transcripts are available through Apple Podcast, and AFB provides additional transcripts on the podcast page shortly after each episode drops..

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In this month’s episode of AccessWorld, a podcast on digital inclusion and accessibility, Aaron and Tony kick it old school by reflecting on the impact of one of the first real breakthroughs in mobility and independence, the guide dog. September is Guide Dog Awareness Month, and while these friendly furry helpers are more organic than robotic, the same spirit and undercurrent around mobility and navigation is surfacing again much in the way it did almost a century ago when Morris Frank, a blind insurance salesman, helped found The Seeing Eye, the first guide dog school in the western hemisphere. It all started after he read an article in The Saturday Evening Post titled: “The seeing eye.” Harnessing the spirit people had after reading that article, Tony and Aaron try to think what the next big thing might be for independence. AccessWorld is a production of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). An extension of AccessWorld Magazine, a quarterly publication on digital inclusion and accessibility from AFB, you can check out the current and all 25 years of past issues online for free.

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In this episode of AccessWorld, we look back at 35 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Aaron shares what it was like growing up only knowing about the ADA, while Tony reminisces on what life was like before the landmark legislation for people with disabilities became law. They talk about how the law made our physical world more accessible, and what’s had to happen since then to change attitudes and chart how accessibility eventually grew into the digital space. Aaron then shares what’s in store for the August issue of AccessWorld Magazine.

The AccessWorld podcast is an extension of AccessWorld Magazine, a quarterly online publication on digital inclusion and accessibility published by the American Foundation for the Blind. Aaron Preece is editor-in-chief of AccessWorld, and Tony Stephens leads communications for AFB. Together, they meet up each month for the AccessWorld podcast to discuss all things digital accessibility. Visit www.afb.org/AW to check out the latest issue of AccessWorld Magazine and read through the past 25 years of back-issues, available completely free to readers.

Want to help support our work? Consider making a tax deductible gift to the American Foundation for the Blind. Your support helps create a world of endless possibilities for people who are blind or have low vision. Learn more at www.afb.org.

This podcast is powered by Pinecast.