Welcome to The AbilityNet Podcast: Disability. Technology. Inclusion. The home of coffee-fuelled chats, insights, and the latest updates from accessibility and digital inclusion communities across the globe. We offer transcripts for every episode and many are also available as videos on our YouTube channel. AbilityNet is a UK charity with a global reach - committed to creating a digital world accessible to all, regardless of ability or age. We offer a wide variety of free online resources, such as this podcast, and our team of experts can help organisations of all types and sizes build accessible digital products and services.
Episodes
Thursday Mar 09, 2023
Thursday Mar 09, 2023
In this week’s podcast, AbilityNet’s Robin Christopherson MBE, Head of Digital Inclusion, and Mark Walker, Head of Marketing and Portfolio, reflect on Apple’s Keynote on Apple, Accessibility, and Innovation.
In this session, we are joined by Sarah Herrlinger Apple’s Senior Director of Global Accessibility Policy & Initiatives.
Sarah joined TechSharePro 2022, to discuss:
- The connections between accessibility and innovation
- Accessibility features of Apple’s products
- Importance of accessibility at Apple
- The future of AI and whether it's the next big thing for accessibility
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Download a transcript of this session from the AbilityNet website.
Get in touch via enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk with feedback, questions, and comments.
Thursday Feb 23, 2023
Thursday Feb 23, 2023
In this week’s podcast, AbilityNet’s Robin Christopherson MBE, Head of Digital Inclusion, and Mark Walker, Head of Marketing and Portfolio, reflect on Google’s Keynote on Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and accessibility at TechSharePro 2022.
In this session we are joined by Google’s Christopher Patnoe, EMEA Lead for Accessibility and Disability Inclusion, John Mueller, Senior Search Analyst and Lizzi Sassman, Senior Technical Writer.
They joined TechShare Pro 2022, to discuss:
- Google crawlers and accessibility practices
- What are the golden rules of Alt Text
- Recommended tools and workflows for SEO and accessibility
- The future of AI and its impact on accessibility (Artificial Intelligence)
You can also access a webinar recording where experts from AXA and Skyscanner share their top tips and advice on how accessibility can improve SEO.
Sign up to AbilityNet’s newsletter for the latest accessibility news.
Download a transcript of this session.
Get in touch via enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk with feedback, questions and comments.
Friday Jan 06, 2023
Friday Jan 06, 2023
David Padmore is the Director of Accessibility for ITV and Matt Simpson is the Head of Technology within the Accessibility Services team for ITV.
They join AbilityNet as the series 2, episode 4 guest in our free Accessibility Insights webinar series.
In this podcast - an audio version of the webinar - David and Matt speaks with Robin Christopherson MBE, AbilityNet's Head of Digital Inclusion, who hosts a monthly online chat with individuals who are each working to improve digital accessibility and digital inclusion.
In the free session David, Matt and Robin discuss:
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The significant changes in TV and the accessibility of digital media delivery in the past 20 year
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What people should expect from ITV's new streaming service, ITVX when it comes to accessibility and inclusion
- The specific challenges for accessibility on streaming platforms
- The regulatory and legal obligations around accessibility ITV faced with its streaming services
- How ITV plans to deliver its services and the implications for digital inclusion in the future
You can download a transcript of this session from the AbilityNet website and view the video recording of the webinar on the AbilityNet website, where you will also find additional Q&As.
Get in touch via enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk with feedback, questions and comments.
Friday Nov 25, 2022
Friday Nov 25, 2022
Natalie Tucker is the Senior Accessibility Lead at Spotify.
She joins AbilityNet as the series 2, episode 3 guest in our free Accessibility Insights webinar series.
In this podcast - an audio version of the webinar - Natalie speaks with Robin Christopherson MBE, AbilityNet's Head of Digital Inclusion, who hosts a monthly online chat with individuals who are each working to improve digital accessibility and digital inclusion.
In the free session Natalie and Robin discuss:
- The role of digital inclusion played in the growth of Spotify
- Spotify's approach to accessibility when it comes to its audio and video content (Spotify uploads music videos as well as audio!)
- The inclusion improvements to help listeners
- How Spotify plans to deliver its services and the implications for digital inclusion in the future
You can download a transcript of this session from the AbilityNet website and view the video recording of the webinar on the AbilityNet website, where you will also find additional Q&As.
Get in touch via enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk with feedback, questions and comments.
Wednesday Oct 26, 2022
Wednesday Oct 26, 2022
Heather Dowdy is the Director of Product Accessibility at Netflix.
She joins AbilityNet as the series 2, episode 2 guest in our free Accessibility Insights webinar series.
In this podcast - an audio version of the webinar - Heather speaks with Robin Christopherson MBE, AbilityNet's Head of Digital Inclusion, who hosts a monthly online chat with individuals who are each working to improve digital accessibility and digital inclusion.
In the free session Heather and Robin discuss:
- What impact the pandemic had on Heather's way of working
- The accessibility benefits and challenges of remote working
- The inclusion improvements to help viewers
- How Netflix plans to deliver its services and the implications for digital inclusion in the future
You can download a transcript of this session from the AbilityNet website and view the video recording of the webinar on the AbilityNet website, where you will also find additional Q&As.
Get in touch via enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk with feedback, questions and comments.
Tuesday Sep 20, 2022
Tuesday Sep 20, 2022
Hector Minto is the Director of Accessibility, Lead Technology Evangelist at Microsoft.
He joins AbilityNet as the series 2, episode 1 guest in our free Accessibility Insights webinar series.
In this podcast - an audio version of the webinar - Hector speaks with Robin Christopherson MBE profile, AbilityNet's Head of Digital Inclusion, who hosts a monthly online chat with individuals who are each working to improve digital accessibility and digital inclusion.
In the free session Hector and Robin discuss:
- What has changed significantly in accessibility
- Microsoft's recent additions to the specialist tech market
- Where does AI fit in with Microsoft's current strategy
- Where will Microsoft be focusing it's energies going forward in terms of legislation, awareness or tools
You can download a transcript of this session from the AbilityNet website and view the video recording of the webinar on the AbilityNet website, where you will also find additional Q&As.
Get in touch via enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk with feedback, questions and comments.
Thursday Sep 15, 2022
Thursday Sep 15, 2022
Anita Mortaloni is the Director of Accessibility of Xbox at Microsoft.
She joins us as the December guest in our free Accessibility Insights webinar series, now on its 18th episode.
In this podcast - an audio version of the webinar - Anita speaks with Robin Christopherson MBE, AbilityNet's Head of Digital Inclusion, who hosts a monthly online chat with individuals who are each working to improve digital accessibility and digital inclusion.
In the free session Anita and Robin discuss:
- Xbox Adaptive Controller and gaming
- Gaming's accessibility progress
- How the digital community can learn from an inclusive approach to gaming
- The future of gaming
- Microsoft's Gaming and Disability Player Experience Guide
- Diverse experiences and abilities in gaming development
You can download a transcript of this session from the AbilityNet website and view the video recording of the webinar on the AbilityNet website, where you will also find additional Q&As.
Get in touch via enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk with feedback, questions and comments.
Tuesday Dec 07, 2021
Tuesday Dec 07, 2021
Anita Mortaloni is the Director of Accessibility of Xbox at Microsoft.
She joins us as the December guest in our free Accessibility Insights webinar series, now on its 18th episode.
In this podcast - an audio version of the webinar - Anita speaks with Robin Christopherson MBE, AbilityNet's Head of Digital Inclusion, who hosts a monthly online chat with individuals who are each working to improve digital accessibility and digital inclusion.
In the free session Anita and Robin discuss:
- Xbox Adaptive Controller and gaming
- Gaming's accessibility progress
- How the digital community can learn from an inclusive approach to gaming
- The future of gaming
- Microsoft's Gaming and Disability Player Experience Guide
- Diverse experiences and abilities in gaming development
You can download a transcript of this session from the AbilityNet website and view the video recording of the webinar on the AbilityNet website, where you will also find additional Q&As.
Get in touch via enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk with feedback, questions and comments.
Tuesday Dec 07, 2021
Tuesday Dec 07, 2021
Ted Drake is Global Accessibility and Inclusive Design Leader at Intuit, a financial software company that creates TurboTax and QuickBooks.
He joins us as the November guest in our free Accessibility Insights webinar series, now on its 17th episode.
In this podcast - an audio version of the webinar - Ted speaks with Robin Christopherson MBE, AbilityNet's Head of Digital Inclusion, who hosts a monthly online chat with individuals who are each working to improve digital accessibility and digital inclusion.
In the free session Ted and Robin discuss:
- Accessibility Champions at Intuit
- Ted's thoughts about the future of tech and digital inclusion
- Intuit's inclusion and diversity practices
About Ted
“Accessibility is more than making sure images have alternate text. I work with engineers, product managers, and designers to understand how accessibility impacts the users, set realistic deadlines, and create the solutions to provide a delightful experience to all users, regardless of their physical, sensory, or cognitive ability,” says Ted, who leads the accessibility efforts for Intuit's desktop, web, and mobile products.
Ted is the co-founder of the Intuit Abilities Network for employees and promotes Intuit’s diversity in hiring programmes. Prior to Intuit, Ted co-founded Yahoo’s Accessibility Lab and was a developer evangelist. Ted speaks regularly at technology conferences and is a co-chair of the 2020 and 2021 Web4All Conference for accessibility research.
You can download a transcript of this session from the AbilityNet website and view the video recording of the webinar on the AbilityNet website, where you will also find additional Q&As.
Get in touch via enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk with feedback, questions and comments.
Tuesday Oct 12, 2021
Tuesday Oct 12, 2021
Jonathan Mosen MNZM is CEO of Workbridge, an organisation that "gives employers access to skilled and capable workers, and gives people with disabilities a fair go in the workforce."
He joins us as the October guest in our free Accessibility Insights webinar series, now on its 16th episode. This podcast is
Jonathan speaks with Robin Christopherson MBE, AbilityNet's Head of Digital Inclusion, who hosts a monthly online chat with individuals who are each working to improve digital accessibility and digital inclusion.
Workbridge is New Zealand's largest disability employment agency, and Jonathan is a veteran disability rights campaigner.
A Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) and winner of the Impact Award for his contribution to the disability community, Jonathan’s advocacy has led to significant legislative change in New Zealand, including the passage of New Zealand’s world-leading copyright legislation which ultimately led to the Marrakesh Treaty. Additionally, Jonathan has held senior leadership positions at global assistive technology companies HumanWare, Freedom Scientific and AIRA.
Jonathan also has lived experience of disability, being totally blind and hard of hearing. He hosts the weekly Mosen At Large podcast, which brings a global community together for a live radio show and podcast discussing tech, living with blindness and more.
On this webinar recording, Jonathan and Robin discussed topics including:
- Disabled people in education and the workplace
- Changes to disability rights and cutting edge technology
- The role assistive technology plays in the world today
- Leadership, values and the needs of a diverse workforce
You can download a transcript of this session from the AbilityNet website and view the video recording of the webinar on the AbilityNet website, where you will also find additional Q&As.
Get in touch via enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk with feedback, questions and comments.