Access to television is in many ways still evolving, and as one of the leading TV, phone and internet providers in the United States, Spectrum is thinking beyond closed captions and large-button remotes to innovate across different channels. Their large accessibility team, headed by designers and incorporating people with disabilities to ensure that all products are optimized for all customers, is one of a kind in the industry. And with the recent release of apps such as Spectrum Access and Spectrum News, they've taken huge steps forward in inclusion for people with many different abilities and proficiencies. We sat down with Senior Outreach Manager for Accessibility, Petr Kucheryavy, to learn more about how got into accessibility and what Spectrum is doing different.

Access to television is in many ways still evolving, and as one of the leading TV, phone and internet providers in the United States, Spectrum is thinking beyond closed captions and large-button remotes to innovate across different channels. Their large accessibility team, headed by designers and incorporating people with disabilities to ensure that all products are optimized for all customers, is one of a kind in the industry. And with the recent release of apps such as Spectrum Access and Spectrum News, they've taken huge steps forward in inclusion for people with many different abilities and proficiencies. We sat down with Senior Outreach Manager for Accessibility, Petr Kucheryavy, to learn more about how got into accessibility and what Spectrum is doing different.

When Everybody's Watching

Shell Little actually studied accessibility in college – making her a rare example of someone who didn't "stumble" into accessibility but hit the job market knowing exactly what she wanted to do. Still, she didn't know that she, herself, was part of the demographic that benefitted from inclusive design. Now an inclusive design lead on Wells Fargo's Accessible User Experience team and accomplished speaker in her own right, Shell shares her journey, talks about what a "Cognitive disability" can really mean, and even explains the surprising connection between accessibility and cosmetology.

Shell Little actually studied accessibility in college – making her a rare example of someone who didn't "stumble" into accessibility but hit the job market knowing exactly what she wanted to do. Still, she didn't know that she, herself, was part of the demographic that benefitted from inclusive design. Now an inclusive design lead on Wells Fargo's Accessible User Experience team and accomplished speaker in her own right, Shell shares her journey, talks about what a "Cognitive disability" can really mean, and even explains the surprising connection between accessibility and cosmetology.

Cognitive Dissidents

Martez Mott is a senior researcher at the Ability Group at Microsoft Research, where he works everyday to challenge assumptions and rethink paradigms for how people interact with technology. In one of our favorite interviews yet (on Global Accessibility Awareness Day no less), we chatted with Martez about AR, VR, touchscreens and everything in between.

Martez Mott is a senior researcher at the Ability Group at Microsoft Research, where he works everyday to challenge assumptions and rethink paradigms for how people interact with technology. In one of our favorite interviews yet (on Global Accessibility Awareness Day no less), we chatted with Martez about AR, VR, touchscreens and everything in between.

Rethink the Screen

The author of the beautiful accessibility book  Mismatch, Kat Holmes, comes on to share her own personal journey and how inclusive design can take some of its greatest learnings through examining acts of exclusion.

The author of the beautiful accessibility book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mismatch-Inclusion-Simplicity-Technology-Business/dp/0262038889" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Mismatch</a>, Kat Holmes, comes on to share her own personal journey and how inclusive design can take some of its greatest learnings through examining acts of exclusion.

Perfect Mismatch

Accessibility expert Adrian Roselli comes on the show to share his story, and talk about the questionable implications of the now-popular “accessibility overlay.”

Accessibility expert Adrian Roselli comes on the show to share his story, and talk about the questionable implications of the now-popular “accessibility overlay.”

Adrian and the Overlays

Colleges and universities are proving grounds for digital and physical accessibility. With disabled students living on their own in many cases for the first time, these institutions need to be fully compliant, ADA literate, and not just accessible, but highly accommodating –– and if they're not, students are left out. With the cost of education on the rise and remote learning now a norm,, many are taking a hard look at college and asking if it's even the right path for them. Therefore, we need our institutions of higher education to be more accessible and inclusive than ever. In this episode, Will and Cordelia sit down with accessibility leaders from the University of California, Harvard and the University of Cincinnati to hear about where they're at in their accessibility journey and what they're doing to make sure everyone can get a good college education.

Colleges and universities are proving grounds for digital and physical accessibility. With disabled students living on their own in many cases for the first time, these institutions need to be fully compliant, ADA literate, and not just accessible, but highly accommodating –– and if they're not, students are left out. With the cost of education on the rise and remote learning now a norm,, many are taking a hard look at college and asking if it's even the right path for them. Therefore, we need our institutions of higher education to be more accessible and inclusive than ever. In this episode, Will and Cordelia sit down with accessibility leaders from the University of California, Harvard and the University of Cincinnati to hear about where they're at in their accessibility journey and what they're doing to make sure everyone can get a good college education.

College Try

Here at 13 Letters, we talk a lot about inclusive design and accessibility – but these terms mean nothing if we don't keep in mind the stories of the listeners who are most affected by bad design and most assisted by good design. That's why we're starting a new feature called "Meet the Letterheads," where we introduce you to a 13 Letters listener whose life is highly impacted by accessibility and everything surrounding it. Paul Parravano is the co-director of Government and Community Relations at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and has been blind since birth. Listen in as he shares stories about everything from growing up in mainstream schools to meeting Andrea Bocelli. And tune in next week for a full new season of 13 Letters!

Here at 13 Letters, we talk a lot about inclusive design and accessibility – but these terms mean nothing if we don't keep in mind the stories of the listeners who are most affected by bad design and most assisted by good design. That's why we're starting a new feature called "Meet the Letterheads," where we introduce you to a 13 Letters listener whose life is highly impacted by accessibility and everything surrounding it. Paul Parravano is the co-director of Government and Community Relations at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and has been blind since birth. Listen in as he shares stories about everything from growing up in mainstream schools to meeting Andrea Bocelli. And tune in next week for a full new season of 13 Letters!

Meet The Letterheads: Paul Parravano

This week on 13 Letters – we take you to the land down under. Sarah Pulis and Andrew Arch are big names in a vibrant and thriving accessibility scene in Australia. Hailing from Sydney and Melbourne, respectively, the two live and breath accessibility at Intopia, a digital accessibility consultancy that Sarah co-founded. You may have seen Andrew and Sarah giving presentations at CSUN, at A11yBytes meetups frequented by Aussie accessibility enthusiasts, or on the web; they're known informally as the “dynamic duo” of all things WCAG. Ultimately, despite all the hats they wear, Sarah and Andrew consider themselves accessibility practitioners. This episode is a great opportunity to get down and dirty with a11y, also known as digital accessibility, and talk about how our favorite companies  (ahem.. Zencastr) can seize the opportunity to make their web presences accessible to everyone.

This week on 13 Letters – we take you to the land down under. Sarah Pulis and Andrew Arch are big names in a vibrant and thriving accessibility scene in Australia. Hailing from Sydney and Melbourne, respectively, the two live and breath accessibility at Intopia, a digital accessibility consultancy that Sarah co-founded. You may have seen Andrew and Sarah giving presentations at CSUN, at A11yBytes meetups frequented by Aussie accessibility enthusiasts, or on the web; they're known informally as the “dynamic duo” of all things WCAG. Ultimately, despite all the hats they wear, Sarah and Andrew consider themselves accessibility practitioners. This episode is a great opportunity to get down and dirty with a11y, also known as digital accessibility, and talk about how our favorite companies  (ahem.. Zencastr) can seize the opportunity to make their web presences accessible to everyone.

Accessibility Down Under

Accessibility is for everyone – not just people with disabilities. That’s why Jennison Asuncion and Joe Devon put their heads together almost ten years ago to conceive of an accessibility awareness day that has quickly turned into a global phenomenon. Cordelia and Will sat down with the co-founders of #GAAD this week, on the occasion of the 9th annual day, to talk about how the event got started, their proudest moments as co-founders, what they love (and what they don't love) about #GAAD, and so much more. For full coverage of Be My Eyes’ GAAD 2020 initiatives, visit http://bemyeyes.com/gaad.

Accessibility is for everyone – not just people with disabilities. That’s why Jennison Asuncion and Joe Devon put their heads together almost ten years ago to conceive of an accessibility awareness day that has quickly turned into a global phenomenon. Cordelia and Will sat down with the co-founders of #GAAD this week, on the occasion of the 9th annual day, to talk about how the event got started, their proudest moments as co-founders, what they love (and what they don't love) about #GAAD, and so much more. For full coverage of Be My Eyes’ GAAD 2020 initiatives, visit <a href="http://bemyeyes.com/gaad" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://bemyeyes.com/gaad</a>.

Global Accessibility Action Every Day

Going with your gut is easier said than done — but for Sumaira "Sam" Latif, Company Accessibility Leader at P&amp;G, trusting her instincts has made some of the most impactful changes to the world of accessibility. For far too long, blind and low-vision people had to rely on the shape of a product to judge what was in the package. Sam challenged all of this with the simple yet empowering idea to put tactile identification on Herbal Essences shampoo and conditioner bottles – an initiative which is now expanding beyond the brand and beyond P&amp;G. We had the amazing privilege to hear Sam's take on getting P&amp;G hooked on accessibility, on supporting both live events and TV commercials with accessible audio description, on hustling to get senior leadership buy-in to fast-track accessibility at work, and much more. 

Going with your gut is easier said than done — but for Sumaira "Sam" Latif, Company Accessibility Leader at P&amp;G, trusting her instincts has made some of the most impactful changes to the world of accessibility. For far too long, blind and low-vision people had to rely on the shape of a product to judge what was in the package. Sam challenged all of this with the simple yet empowering idea to put tactile identification on Herbal Essences shampoo and conditioner bottles – an initiative which is now expanding beyond the brand and beyond P&amp;G. We had the amazing privilege to hear Sam's take on getting P&amp;G hooked on accessibility, on supporting both live events and TV commercials with accessible audio description, on hustling to get senior leadership buy-in to fast-track accessibility at work, and much more.

Household Names

“Accessibility” is more than just a setting on your phone or something you do to help the disabled – it’s the reason we have talking devices, voice recognition and sidewalk ramps. We couldn’t have an inclusive, diverse society without accessibility specialists working behind the scenes to make sure products and services work for everyone. 13 Letters features some of the world’s leading accessibility minds, talking about what they do and how accessibility affects billions of people every day.

Really interesting information and perspectives. A unique, well that out, and extremely well produced podcast. Highly recommend. One of my new favorites!

Awesome podcast!

Whether youre an accessibility pro or just curious, this podcast is worth a listen.

The best in a11y

13 Letters

What’s it like to hide your blindness from the world? Caroline Casey did it for years. Her parents never told her she was “blind,” and, when she got into the working world, she hid it from everyone else. Holding down a high-powered job as a consultant at Accenture for several years while still “in the closet,” Caroline finally came to the realization that it wasn’t worth it anymore – and that’s when her life really started. Caroline chatted with us for the new episode of the Be My Eyes Podcast, about her childhood, her work, and her new initiative to get 500 of the world’s most powerful CEOs to sign a commitment to include disability in their business agenda. This week's episode is from  The Be My Eyes Podcast – interviews with the world's most interesting and dynamic blind people. Subscribe to The Be My Eyes Podcast for more.

What’s it like to hide your blindness from the world? Caroline Casey did it for years. Her parents never told her she was “blind,” and, when she got into the working world, she hid it from everyone else. Holding down a high-powered job as a consultant at Accenture for several years while still “in the closet,” Caroline finally came to the realization that it wasn’t worth it anymore – and that’s when her life really started. Caroline chatted with us for the new episode of the Be My Eyes Podcast, about her childhood, her work, and her new initiative to get 500 of the world’s most powerful CEOs to sign a commitment to include disability in their business agenda. This week's episode is from <a href="https://www.bemyeyes.com/podcasts-show/the-be-my-eyes-podcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> The Be My Eyes Podcast</a> – interviews with the world's most interesting and dynamic blind people. Subscribe to The Be My Eyes Podcast for more.

270 CEOs Can't Be Wrong

PART TWO: Mike Shebanek made Apple products work for everyone. He wasn’t always an accessibility maven, though. Mike worked his way up to become the product manager for some of Apple’s most famous and influential products – from the original iMac to the first-ever iPad. And when he found himself pushing for the failing consumer electronics company to develop and deploy a free, built-in screen reader for what was then considered a niche community of blind students, many might have called him crazy. What followed was not only Apple’s rise as both a mainstream company and an accessibility leader, but a ripple effect which changed the whole industry and motivated our world’s largest companies to show that they, too, could develop technology that works for everyone. Part 1 includes discussion of Mike’s early days at Apple, and the events leading up to the creation of VoiceOver. Part 2 includes discussion of Apple from 2004-2013 and Mike’s ensuing work at Yahoo/Verizon, where he created a model for accessibility departments that has been recreated all over Silicon Valley.

PART TWO: Mike Shebanek made Apple products work for everyone. He wasn’t always an accessibility maven, though. Mike worked his way up to become the product manager for some of Apple’s most famous and influential products – from the original iMac to the first-ever iPad. And when he found himself pushing for the failing consumer electronics company to develop and deploy a free, built-in screen reader for what was then considered a niche community of blind students, many might have called him crazy. What followed was not only Apple’s rise as both a mainstream company and an accessibility leader, but a ripple effect which changed the whole industry and motivated our world’s largest companies to show that they, too, could develop technology that works for everyone. Part 1 includes discussion of Mike’s early days at Apple, and the events leading up to the creation of VoiceOver. Part 2 includes discussion of Apple from 2004-2013 and Mike’s ensuing work at Yahoo/Verizon, where he created a model for accessibility departments that has been recreated all over Silicon Valley.

Accessibility Should Be Free

There was once a time when traveling with a disability was a daunting prospect. Srin Madipalli co-founded Accomable to create a database for disabled individuals to find and book the most accessible accommodation for their trips. Airbnb acquired Accomable in 2017, and Srin went on to work as Airbnb's product manager for in-home accessibility while holding accessibility workshops for hosts across the globe. Airbnb has since increased its focus on improving the accessibility of its products and working to address the problem of uninformed hosts. We sat down with Srin to talk about how an accessibility startup gets  acquired, what his dream is at Airbnb and plotting the “accessible super city” of the future.

There was once a time when traveling with a disability was a daunting prospect. Srin Madipalli co-founded Accomable to create a database for disabled individuals to find and book the most accessible accommodation for their trips. Airbnb acquired Accomable in 2017, and Srin went on to work as Airbnb's product manager for in-home accessibility while holding accessibility workshops for hosts across the globe. Airbnb has since increased its focus on improving the accessibility of its products and working to address the problem of uninformed hosts. We sat down with Srin to talk about how an accessibility startup gets  acquired, what his dream is at Airbnb and plotting the “accessible super city” of the future.

Right at Home

You don’t mess with Lainey Feingold. That’s probably why, after a 25 year career in accessibility and 75 successful, precedent-setting agreements with behemoth companies, Lainey has only had to sue someone once. (Can you guess who??). Based out of a small spare bedroom law practice in Berkeley, CA, Lainey has brought the corporate world to the table, over and over, to commit to accessibility in a process she calls the “structured negotiation.” Rather than the shark stereotype that most lawyers have to deal with and sometimes even ascribe to, Lainey prefers to think of herself using another metaphor: a dolphin. Have your doubts? It worked for Bank of America, every team in Major League Baseball, and many, many more. In this episode Lainey talks about her career as a non-litigious attorney, her successes in public speaking, and what’s really up with the CSUN AT conference.

You don’t mess with Lainey Feingold. That’s probably why, after a 25 year career in accessibility and 75 successful, precedent-setting agreements with behemoth companies, Lainey has only had to sue someone once. (Can you guess who??). Based out of a small spare bedroom law practice in Berkeley, CA, Lainey has brought the corporate world to the table, over and over, to commit to accessibility in a process she calls the “structured negotiation.” Rather than the shark stereotype that most lawyers have to deal with and sometimes even ascribe to, Lainey prefers to think of herself using another metaphor: a dolphin. Have your doubts? It worked for Bank of America, every team in Major League Baseball, and many, many more. In this episode Lainey talks about her career as a non-litigious attorney, her successes in public speaking, and what’s really up with the CSUN AT conference.

How (Not) to Get Sued

Sheri Byrne-Haber self-identifies as a “no excuses type of gal.” The head of accessibility at VMware, public speaker and accessibility expert with degrees in law, business and computer science, Sheri is most well known for her outspoken accessibility writing on her personal blog. Publishing at a steady clip and always raising the bar to outdo her own personal best, Sheri churns out accessibility content covering principles, best practices and simple, actionable tips for those working the field. In this episode, Sheri talks about her blog, her current role at the biggest tech company most people have never heard of, and previous work overseeing accessibility for McDonald’s and others. Also discussed: miniature horses, peacocks, duck eggs, and self-driving wheelchairs.

Sheri Byrne-Haber self-identifies as a “no excuses type of gal.” The head of accessibility at VMware, public speaker and accessibility expert with degrees in law, business and computer science, Sheri is most well known for her outspoken accessibility writing on her personal blog. Publishing at a steady clip and always raising the bar to outdo her own personal best, Sheri churns out accessibility content covering principles, best practices and simple, actionable tips for those working the field. In this episode, Sheri talks about her blog, her current role at the biggest tech company most people have never heard of, and previous work overseeing accessibility for McDonald’s and others. Also discussed: miniature horses, peacocks, duck eggs, and self-driving wheelchairs.

The Mad Blogger

When Whitney Quesenbery talks about elections, she uses phrases like “design tragedy” and “unintended consequences.” Though the number of disabled voters has gone up over the last few decades, the numbers are still scary – and the gap between disabled and non-disabled voters still means millions of uncast votes. A usability and UX leader known for her book “A Web For Everyone,” Quesenbery co-founded the Center for Civic Design to apply UX best practices to promote civic participation. Designing good products by focusing on real human personas and rigorous usability testing in the field, Quesenbery is determined to ensure that not only will voters get a chance to vote but to reduce the chances that a tiny design flaw will cause voters to accidentally vote for the wrong presidential candidate.

When Whitney Quesenbery talks about elections, she uses phrases like “design tragedy” and “unintended consequences.” Though the number of disabled voters has gone up over the last few decades, the numbers are still scary – and the gap between disabled and non-disabled voters still means millions of uncast votes. A usability and UX leader known for her book “A Web For Everyone,” Quesenbery co-founded the Center for Civic Design to apply UX best practices to promote civic participation. Designing good products by focusing on real human personas and rigorous usability testing in the field, Quesenbery is determined to ensure that not only will voters get a chance to vote but to reduce the chances that a tiny design flaw will cause voters to accidentally vote for the wrong presidential candidate.

Can Disabled Americans Vote?

Larry Goldberg wants every piece of media to be “born accessible.” 40 years ago there was no captioning, no audio description, no secondary audio channels on TV sets for blind viewers or people who speak foreign languages. And for the last thirty years, Larry has presided over great changes in media accessibility that have blazed the trail for our entertainment and education to be more inclusive and accessible regardless of disability. Now working as head of accessibility at Verizon Media, Larry is overseeing the cultural ambassadorship that their accessibility  team is so well known for, pushing innovative awareness and mentorship programs, and looking ahead to exciting new developments in virtual reality, augmented reality and other new media – to make sure those formats will be accessible, too.

Larry Goldberg wants every piece of media to be “born accessible.” 40 years ago there was no captioning, no audio description, no secondary audio channels on TV sets for blind viewers or people who speak foreign languages. And for the last thirty years, Larry has presided over great changes in media accessibility that have blazed the trail for our entertainment and education to be more inclusive and accessible regardless of disability. Now working as head of accessibility at Verizon Media, Larry is overseeing the cultural ambassadorship that their accessibility  team is so well known for, pushing innovative awareness and mentorship programs, and looking ahead to exciting new developments in virtual reality, augmented reality and other new media – to make sure those formats will be accessible, too.

Will VR Be Accessible?

'Fearless' is a word many would use to describe Haben Girma, the first deafblind graduate of Harvard Law School. A disability rights lawyer, memoir author, and public speaker, Haben has certainly pushed the boundaries of how society regards deafblind citizens. Even with her many achievements, Haben would not consider herself fearless, but rather acknowledge fear as something critical in guiding one's life. She's met German Chancellor Angela Merkel, former U.S. President Barack Obama, and now we're lucky enough to sit down and talk with Haben on this week's episode of 13 Letters. On it, we'll discuss how politics affect the disabled, the importance of dance, and why a little bit of fear can push us in the right direction.

'Fearless' is a word many would use to describe Haben Girma, the first deafblind graduate of Harvard Law School. A disability rights lawyer, memoir author, and public speaker, Haben has certainly pushed the boundaries of how society regards deafblind citizens. Even with her many achievements, Haben would not consider herself fearless, but rather acknowledge fear as something critical in guiding one's life. She's met German Chancellor Angela Merkel, former U.S. President Barack Obama, and now we're lucky enough to sit down and talk with Haben on this week's episode of 13 Letters. On it, we'll discuss how politics affect the disabled, the importance of dance, and why a little bit of fear can push us in the right direction.

The Deaf-blind Lawyer

It ain’t always easy being first – that’s why we have brilliant folks like Victor Tsaran to do it for us. Victor was the first blind employee on the Yahoo campus, and has a whole bunch of other “firsts” under his belt from a 20 year accessibility career that starts with the first Ukrainian screen reader and involves, most recently, the first screen reader by Google. Victor chatted with us from Mountain View this week to talk about everything from the state of accessibility in Southeast Asia to our best bets for the accessible future.

It ain’t always easy being first – that’s why we have brilliant folks like Victor Tsaran to do it for us. Victor was the first blind employee on the Yahoo campus, and has a whole bunch of other “firsts” under his belt from a 20 year accessibility career that starts with the first Ukrainian screen reader and involves, most recently, the first screen reader by Google. Victor chatted with us from Mountain View this week to talk about everything from the state of accessibility in Southeast Asia to our best bets for the accessible future.

First to the Party

The best philosophy podcast episodes. Asking questions about how to live a better life, what it means to be and do good, to the idea of God. This topic includes episodes that bring about important questions that everyone should be asking themselves. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Episodes on Practical Philosophy & How To Live

The best podcast episodes of the most interesting stories and things. From skyping someone while they're in space, to tracking down and meeting a telephone scammer in person, to the story of a Galapagos. These episodes will keep you and all your friends entertained and captivated for hours. Learn something new in every episode! Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!