What if the biggest barrier to employment for people with disabilities isn't a lack of talent or skills, but a lack of opportunity?

In this episode of Investing in Accessibility, co-hosts Kelvin Crosby and Chris Maher welcome Mike Hess, Founder and Executive Director of the Blind Institute of Technology (BIT), an organization dedicated to breaking down barriers to meaningful employment for people with disabilities.

After nearly two decades working in technology for Fortune 500 companies, Mike left his successful corporate career to tackle one of the disability community's most persistent challenges: unemployment and underemployment. Today, BIT is helping people with disabilities build careers in technology through industry-recognized certifications, accessible training, and paid apprenticeships with leading companies like Salesforce and Dell.

Mike shares his personal journey, the innovative business model behind BIT, and why he believes the disability community represents one of the world's greatest untapped sources of talent. The conversation also explores the transformative potential of AI to level the playing field for people with disabilities, the importance of corporate partnerships, and a new film produced in partnership with BBC StoryWorks that highlights BIT's impact around the world.

Along the way, Chris, Kelvin, and Mike share a few personal stories, some laughs, and important lessons about advocacy, accessibility, and the power of creating opportunity.

Join us for an engaging conversation about technology, employment, and why investing in the talents and capabilities of people with disabilities isn't just the right thing to do—it's good business.

Links & Resources:

Mike Hess: LinkedIn

Blind Institute of Technology: Website

BBC StoryWorks Film: Here

COMING SOON!

American Sign Language (ASL) and Captioning for each episode will be provided on our YouTube channel. Go to handle @SamaritanPartners.

In this episode of Investing in Accessibility, co-hosts Kelvin Crosby and Chris Maher welcome back Steve Ewell, Executive Director of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) Foundation, for a conversation about the growing presence of accessibility, disability inclusion, and age tech at CES 2027.

Steve, who was the podcast's very first guest, returns to share how the CTA Foundation continues to expand its efforts to bring accessibility and inclusive innovation to one of the world's largest technology events.

The conversation explores what's new at CES 2027, including the launch of a dedicated Accessibility Hub in Eureka Park, featuring five innovative startups selected by the CTA Foundation; the return of the award-winning Accessibility Stage; and two startup pitch competitions focused on caregiving and technologies supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Steve also shares several new initiatives designed to make CES itself more accessible, including accessible information kiosks and the introduction of a sensory room, along with the continued growth of the Accessibility Roundtable and networking opportunities that bring together entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and the disability community.

Throughout the conversation, Chris, Kelvin, and Steve discuss the importance of bringing accessibility innovation into the mainstream technology industry, reaching audiences beyond those already engaged in the disability community, and creating opportunities for collaboration that can drive meaningful change.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, technology leader, or advocate for accessibility, this episode offers a preview of why CES 2027 is shaping up to be an exciting event for inclusive innovation.

Links & Resources:

Steve Ewell: LinkedIn

CTA Foundation: Website

CTA Pitch Competition at CES: Application Link

COMING SOON!

American Sign Language (ASL) and Captioning for each episode will be provided on our YouTube channel. Go to handle @SamaritanPartners.

In this episode of Investing in Accessibility, co-hosts Kelvin Crosby and Chris Maher wrap up “Tales from the Innovation Showcase,” a special series of conversations recorded at the Accessible Innovation Showcase at The Schoolhouse Hotel, home of The Accessibility Lab.

For the fifth and final episode of the series, Chris and Kelvin sit down with Idan Meir, co-founder and CEO of RightHear, a company transforming traditional signage into an accessible audio experience that helps people understand and navigate the world around them.

Idan shares the story behind RightHear and how the company is reimagining the way people experience public spaces, from hotels and airports to hospitals, restaurants, and parks. The conversation explores the important distinction between navigation and orientation, the limitations of traditional Braille signage, and how technology designed with the blind and low-vision community can create a better experience for everyone.

We also explore how RightHear is incorporating artificial intelligence through Rita, its new AI-powered concierge, allowing guests to ask questions and receive information about their surroundings.

We then take you to the stage at the Accessible Innovation Showcase where Idan demonstrates RightHear's talking signage technology and shares his vision for a future where accessible information is available to everyone, everywhere.

It's a conversation about independence, dignity, and how disability-driven innovation can transform the way we all experience the world around us.

Links & Resources:

Idan Meir: LinkedIn

RightHear: Website

Rita: Website

COMING SOON!

American Sign Language (ASL) and Captioning for each episode will be provided on our YouTube channel. Go to handle @SamaritanPartners.