Ep.127 - Why Digital Access Can’t Wait

Ep.127 - Why Digital Access Can’t Wait

Government websites are changing forever — and accessibility is finally taking center stage. 🚨 In this episode, we break down the DOJ’s ADA web accessibility compliance extension and why equal digital access matters right now. 💻 ✅ Explains the DOJ’s extension of ADA Title II web accessibility compliance deadlines ✅ Breaks down what ADA Title II means for state and local governments ✅ Discusses why digital accessibility is now essential in modern government services ✅ Covers the importance of accessible websites, mobile apps, and online documents ✅ Explains WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards in plain language ✅ Highlights how screen readers, captions, alt text, and accessible design improve inclusion ✅ Examines why accessibility is about civil rights, not just technology ✅ Shares why delaying compliance does not delay equal access obligations ✅ Encourages cities and towns to begin accessibility audits and planning immediately ✅ Emphasizes how accessible government services build trust, participation, and stronger communities Digital access is no longer optional — it’s a core part of equal participation in society. Accessible government creates stronger communities for everyone. 🌍 Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Disability Employment Solutions ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://disabilityemploymentsolutions.com/] Ⓒ 2026 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PodPro Entertainment⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podproentertainment.com/] #SaveAsAbility #Ability #Inclusive #Inclusivity #LaborForce #Disability #DisabilityEmployment #ReasonableAccommodation #Accommodation #ADACompliance #WebAccessibility #DigitalAccessibility #AccessibilityMatters #DisabilityAdvocacy #InclusiveDesign #WCAG #ADA #GovernmentAccessibility #AccessibleTechnology #TheNewRadio

Ep.126 - The Hidden Cost of War

The real cost of war isn’t just destruction, it’s lifelong impact. 💔 🌍 Let’s talk about disability, policy gaps, and what Ukraine must build next . 🔍 ♿ ✅ Introduction to international disability issues and Ukraine’s evolving crisis  ✅ War-related disabilities: from blindness to long-term health complications ✅ Data challenges: why estimates range from tens of thousands to millions ✅ The role of organizations like WHO and UNICEF in assessing the crisis ✅ Current system flaw: status-based support limits real opportunity ✅ Weak data sharing creates barriers to effective services ✅ Why pensions alone cannot support long-term independence ✅ The urgent need for scalable rehabilitation and employment pathways ✅ Financial systems must evolve to support sustainable disability services ✅ Defining success: equal access to education, employment, and community life If policy doesn’t evolve, people with disabilities risk being left behind in recovery—real rebuilding means inclusive systems from day one. ⚖️ ♿ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Disability Employment Solutions ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://disabilityemploymentsolutions.com/] Ⓒ 2026 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PodPro Entertainment⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podproentertainment.com/] #SaveAsAbility #Ability #Inclusive #Inclusivity #LaborForce #Disability #DisabilityEmployment #ReasonableAccommodation #Accommodation #HiddenCostOfWar #DisabilityPolicy #UkraineCrisis #InclusiveRecovery #GlobalAwareness #TheNewRadio

Ep.125 - Reflections

Disability isn’t lack, it’s untapped potential waiting to rise . 💡 ♿ This episode dives into employment, media, and the power of showing up. 🎬 🔥 ✅ Reflecting on 125 episodes of impact and advocacy ✅ Why most podcasts fail—and what it takes to keep going ✅ The core mission: dignity, access, and self-determination ✅ “You can’t have disability without ability”—a mindset shift ✅ Employment as the gateway to independence and freedom ✅ The reality of disability representation in media today ✅ Why storytelling changes perception and drives inclusion ✅ Staying positive while addressing real systemic challenges ✅ Leveraging credible data sources to inform conversations ✅ Unlocking talent: why sidelined individuals hurt society as a whole When ability meets opportunity, everything changes. The real work is making sure that door is open for everyone. 🔑 Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Disability Employment Solutions ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://disabilityemploymentsolutions.com/] Ⓒ 2026 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PodPro Entertainment⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podproentertainment.com/] #SaveAsAbility #Ability #Inclusive #Inclusivity #LaborForce #Disability #DisabilityEmployment #ReasonableAccommodation #Accommodation #AbilityOverDisability #DisabilityVoices #PodcastJourney #EmploymentMatters #AccessibilityForAll #MediaRepresentation #TheNewRadio

Ep.124 - Universal Design & Disability Innovation

From limitation to liberation 💥 This episode proves accessibility creates opportunity—for everyone 🔓 ✅ Andrew Houghton shares his journey from injury to global impact ✅ How adaptive sports helped shape leadership and resilience ✅ The role of mentors, community, and exposure in creating opportunity ✅ What universal design really means in today’s built environment ✅ Why accessibility laws were just the beginning—not the finish line ✅ How companies are using inclusive design to attract and retain talent ✅ The business case for accessibility in global organizations ✅ A deep dive into innovative tools transforming accessibility audits ✅ How lived experience drives better design and better outcomes ✅ The next frontier: AI, genetic tech, and the future of disability inclusion When you design for the margins, you unlock possibilities for the mainstream. 🔑 Website: https://disabilityinclusion.com/ [https://disabilityinclusion.com/] Andrew Houghton is a global disability expert who has used a wheelchair since a 1986 motorcycle accident resulted in paraplegia. Andrew has served as a consultant on disability issues and programs around the world, including Bosnia, Kosovo and Vietnam and has served in the public sector as a presidential and gubernatorial appointee. He is the founder and CEO of Disability Inclusion Solutions (DIS), a small business specializing in the development of programs and services that promote full inclusion for people with disabilities. Andrew is an expert in implementing Universal Design strategies into built environments and is often a featured subject matter expert at conferences, trade events and educational sessions. As a founding board member of the Global Universal Design Commission (GUDC), he participated in the creation of Universal Design standards used to help business achieve a more inclusive work environment. In addition, he helped lead Merck & Company, Oracle, Amazon, DHL, Nationwide Insurance, CUNA Mutual Group, and many other Fortune 500 organizations live their values by creating truly inclusive environments across their global footprint. Since 2017, his expert team has helped customers implement universal design strategies into offices, manufacturing, laboratories, distribution, and workspace facilities in thirty countries and across the US.  In 2016, Andrew partnered with Bender Consulting Services to develop the iDisability Enterprise-Wide eLearning Solution. iDisability is a catalogue of 55 digital eLearning modules designed to educate organizations and ensure employees have the knowledge to effectively communicate with, interview, hire, accommodate, and engage people with disabilities in the workforce. iDisability has over five million users on platform with a 99% retention rate among existing customers.  Disabilityinclusion.com Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Disability Employment Solutions ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://disabilityemploymentsolutions.com/] Ⓒ 2026 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PodPro Entertainment⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podproentertainment.com/] #SaveAsAbility #Ability #Inclusive #Inclusivity #LaborForce #Disability #DisabilityEmployment #ReasonableAccommodation #Accommodation #DisabilityInnovation #UniversalAccess #InclusionMatters #AccessibleWorld #DesignForAll #DisabilityLeadership #FutureInnovation #AdaptiveLiving #InclusiveWorkplace #TechInnovation #AccessibilityFirst #TheNewRadio

Ep.123 - Lights, Camera, Inclusion!

This is more than a movie—it’s a movement powered by love and creativity. 🎞️ 💫 See how confidence grows when your voice is truly supported! 🙌 ✅ The story behind The Iron Family and its heartfelt origins ✅ How Jazmine’s family shaped her confidence and creative voice ✅ Using storytelling as a tool for self-expression and growth ✅ Overcoming challenges through creativity and persistence ✅ The importance of inclusive storytelling in today’s media landscape ✅ From community spaces to film production—making it happen ✅ Exploring different creative paths: acting, directing, and podcasting ✅ Building connections that open doors in entertainment ✅ Why representation matters for future generations ✅ Encouraging others to embrace their creativity and share their story Confidence grows when your story is heard—and creativity is the bridge that gets you there. 🎤 ✨ Website: https://ironfamilyfilm.com/ [https://ironfamilyfilm.com/] Jazmine Faries lives in Iron River, MI. She has Down syndrome and is obsessed with soap operas, Barbie dolls, and Matthew McConaughey. For the past five summers, her family has performed her original stage plays for a small audience in their town of Iron River, Michigan. Jazmine is the subject of the recently released documentary, IRON FAMILY, which won the 2022 Slamdance Audience Award.  Chad Faries is the co-producer and co-subject of the award-winning documentary, Iron Family, a story of community, resilience, and Jazmine, his sister who lives with Downs Syndrome. He is a “Yooper" with a PhD in Creative Writing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where he edited for Cream City Review and received a Fulbright Fellowship to Hungary. His current poetry collection, Amasa Speaker Factory, is available from Modern History Press.  He has published two other poetry collections and a memoir, Drive Me Out of My Mind. When not telling stories with words, he creates stories with repurposed wood and found objects. His home, Diamond Oaks Treehouse and vintage camper project The Glam Camp—with their whimsical carpentry and design—have been featured in This Old House Magazine, Flea Market Décor, South Magazine, and Savannah Magazine. When not teaching at Savannah State University or petting his cats in Thunderbolt, Georgia, Faries is likely lost somewhere in the world on a motorcycle or practicing breathing and yoga handstands with his son, León Karlo del Rocío Faries Leal. Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Disability Employment Solutions ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://disabilityemploymentsolutions.com/] Ⓒ 2026 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PodPro Entertainment⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podproentertainment.com/] #SaveAsAbility #Ability #Inclusive #Inclusivity #LaborForce #Disability #DisabilityEmployment #ReasonableAccommodation #Accommodation #TheIronFamily #IndieFilm #FilmMaking #Storytellers #FilmIndustry #ContentCreation #DreamChasers #MediaRepresentation #AuthenticityWins #DreamersAndDoers #FilmMotivation #VoicesThatMatter #TheNewRadio