AccessWorld

In this episode, Aaron and Tony welcome AFB's new manager for outreach and community engagement, Haley Linville.

This fall, AFB marks 25 years in West Virginia, which served for many years as the home for AFB Tech and continues to be the home of AccessWorld Magazine. They reflect on how Huntington continues to punch above its wait for a small city along the Ohio River, and discuss the rise of tech in the region anchored out of Marshall University. Tony learns the expression "Silicon Holler," which AFB is proud to have supported over the past 25 years.

They share details on the upcoming season for both internship opportunities through the Digital Accessibility Bootcamp and the AFB Scholars Program. Applications for the bootcamp opened up on Oct. 5th, and you can visit https://www.afb.org/internships to learn more on how to apply.

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In this episode of AccessWorld, a podcast on digital inclusion and accessibility, Aaron and Tony sit down with Sriram Ganesh, CEO and developer of the AI app Lumin. Lumin offers a voice controlled solution for managing your inbox and calendar. It offers a hands-free way to tackle that cluttered inbox, and was born out of Sriram's own lived needs for greater accessibility after losing his sight to cone-rod dystrophy.

Sriram shares how his love for video games and past success as an AI developer lead him to creating such a user friendly approach toward bringing together multiple AI models into an app that focuses on making the user experience as simple as possible. (Note: there are a couple moments of brief silence as they demo the app in-between AI responses, so don't worry, it's not your headphones.)

You can learn more about the app at www.trylumin.ai.

Aaron also shares what's in the latest issue of AccessWorld Magazine, which dropped last week. You can check it out at https://afb.org/aw.

AccessWorld is a production of AFB Studios at the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). Feel free to like and subscribe to the podcast, and even consider visiting our site to make a donation to support our work creating a world of endless possibilities for people who are blind or have low vision.

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In this episode of AccessWorld, Tony and Aaron welcome Dr Arielle Silverman and Sarah Malaier from AFB's Public Policy and Research Institute (PPRI). Dr. Silverman is the Director of Research at AFB, and Malaier is the Senior Advisor for Public Policy & Research. They share the latest report released from AFB as part of its series on AI attitudes and perceptions. This report focuses on AI and assistive technology.

To access the report and other reports in the series, visit: https://afb.org/AIResearch2

To vote on AFB's AI related panels for the South By Southwest Conference this spring in Austin, visit: https://afb.org/VoteSXSW27

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Welcome back to another episode of AccessWorld, a podcast on digital inclusion and accessibility. In this episode, Tony and Aaron recap their visit to the annual convention of the American Council of the blind (ACB). They share their take-aways from hitting up the exhibit floor and access-tech sessions. Tony wishes he brought his dog shoes for his guide dog Nougat as they were sweltering under a heat dome in Missouri and dancing over the St. Louis streets that week. But, more reason to stay inside the super chilled convention hotel and get caught up on some of the latest new tech and gadgets. From the high-tech yet retro throwback devices from Blazie Technologies, to the latest cutting-edge AI integrations rolling out from Vispero, Aaron and Tony share their favorites for 2026. Additional shout-outs go to Tactile Engineering's Cadence braille displays and HapWare for their innovative designs in wearable smart wristbands.

Feel free to give your own shout outs on the coolest gadgets you've come across this year at the consumer conferences if you were able to attend NFB or ACB. And if not, still give a shout out on what your own favorite tech is these days. There is definitely a lot of new tech riding the AI wave the past couple of years, and more to come we're sure as we move closer to the holiday shopping season and the CES conference coming in January.

Aaron Preece is editor-in-chief of AccessWorld Magazine, a quarterly e-pub from the American Foundation for the Blind, and Tony Stephens leads communications for AFB. Together, they enjoy geeking out each month on the latest happenings encompassing digital inclusion and accessibility. You can check out AccessWorld Magazine at https://afb.org/aw. And be sure to like and subscribe to this podcast, and you can even support the work of AFB by visiting us online at https://afb.org/.

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In this episode of AccessWorld, a podcast on digital inclusion and accessibility, Aaron and Tony get geared up for attending the annual AFB breakfast at the American Council of the blind's annual conference and convention held this year in St. Louis. They breakdown recent updates in the AI-sphere and contemplate if surfing the web will be a thing of the past, like so many roadside towns before the birth of the interstate. Aaron shares his progress vibe-coding with AI, and Tony wonders if our AI bots will truly become some magical elixir for all of our accessibility headaches.

A production of AFB Studios, the AccessWorld podcast is a companion to AccessWorld Magazine, a quarterly publication published by the American Foundation for the Blind. You can check out the current issue, along with 26 years of back issues, free-of-charge at https://www.afb.org/aw. Aaron Preece is the editor-in-chief of AccessWorld, and Tony Stephens leads communications for AFB. Questions and comments can be sent to communications@afb.org.

To learn more about AFB, or to support our work, visit https://www.afb.org.

Produced and edited by Tony Stephens at the Pickle Factory in Baltimore Maryland with digital media support from Kelly Gasque and Breanna Kerr.

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In this week’s episode of AccessWorld, Aaron and Tony create their own bracket for the top ten assistive tech tools that have had the greatest impact on expanding independence for people who are blind or have low vision. It’s a fitting tribute in the days leading up to our own nation’s 250th anniversary of independence this weekend, and we hope you will enjoy. Feel free to leave a comment on what AT tops your own list.

Be sure to check out Accessworld Magazine for the latest in digital inclusion and accessibility, and you can access over 26 years of back-issues free of charge on the AW site.

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Welcome back to AccessWorld, a podcast on digital inclusion and accessibility. We've been gone for a couple of weeks as we kick off summer in the heat with a hot new product from Perkins. This week, Tony and Aaron are welcome Kim Charlson and Meghan Gagne of Perkins. Kim is executive director of the renown Perkins Library and Meghan is the director of products for braille innovation. Together, they breakdown an innovative new product from Perkins that makes that classic analog brailler -- the one we all grew up with -- a high-tech brailling machine. The Perkins Braille Bloom is an affordable device that anyone can attach to their Perkins brailler, which will allow you to then connect it as a wireless braille keyboard. It fuses old with new, and presents an affordable option for those who are looking to have connectivity and still type in braille.

You can learn more about the Braille Bloom at: https://www.perkins.org/bloom

https://www.perkins.org/bloomhttps://www.perkins.org/bloom

AccessWorld is produced by AFB Studios at the American Foundation for the blind. A companion to the quarterly publication AccessWorld Magazine, the podcast dives in each episode to news and reviews on all things digital accessibility and inclusion. Aaron Preece is editor-in-chief of AccessWorld, and Tony Stephens leads communications for AFB. To learn more about AccessWorld Magazine, and to access over 26 years of back-issues for free, visit: https://afb.org/aw. And for more details on this program, check out the podcast page HERE!

Produced and edited by Tony Stephens at the Pickle Factory in Baltimore, Maryland with digital media support from Kelly Gasque and Breanna Kerr.

Questions and comments can be sent to communications@afb.org. To learn more about the American Foundation for the blind (aFB), or to make a tax-deductible gift to support our work, visit us online at: https://www.afb.org.

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Welcome back to another episode of AccessWorld, a podcast on digital inclusion and accessibility. In this week's episode, AFB's Aaron and Tony wish everyone a happy Global Accessibility awareness Day (#GAAD), and take a look back at how accessibility has changed over the past 15 years. They then dive into a deeper conversation around the prevalence of isolation for people with disabilities, recognizing the mental health challenges that are often pushed to the sidelines.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and our friends at NAMI have some excellent resources for those struggling with mental health issues and other ways to share your own stories and experiences during #MHAM. Talking through isolation, Aaron and Tony flashback to the pandemic days when the world began to open up over Zoom, which has become a major tool for breaking through the isolation both during and after COVID. The question now is will AI robots become the next solution for that feeling of isolation many may feel in our society, or will it mature into an adolescent bot who sits on the couch watching television and talks snarky to us all the time.

For those interested in the Apple update Tony and Aaron discussed at the top of the episode, you can learn more here:

https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/05/apple-unveils-new-accessibility-features-and-updates-with-apple-intelligence/

Like what you hear? Be sure to subscribe to get the latest episode when it drops, and you can learn more about AccessWorld, including our quarterly online magazine with its 26 years of back issues free and online, by visiting: https://www.afb.org/aw.

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Welcome back to another episode of the AccessWorld podcast, a podcast on digital inclusion and accessibility from the American Foundation for the blind (AFB).

In this episode, Tony and Aaron unpack the power of AI after Tony’s frustrations with taxi and ride share denials on his way back from the Helen Keller Achievement Awards. They steer their way into the potential behind autonomous vehicles and how AI can be the bridge for greater independence. Aaron then gives a preview of what’s in the upcoming issue of AccessWorld magazine as they break into adaptive sports and Tony gets excited for the 2028 Paralympics.

Check out AFB’s latest research on AI’s impact for not just people with disabilities but the broader community. There’s a whole section on transportation, and the AFB team will be releasing a mini-report breaking down transportation even further in the coming weeks.

During their conversation on the rise of driverless cars, Tony references a 2017 study by Ford and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute on attitudes around driverless vehicles, offering an interesting take on how perceived attitudes continue to drive AV’s future prospects almost a decade later.

And as always, you can visit the AccessWorld page for all the back-issues of AccessWorld magazine for free. Thanks for checking us out, and be sure to like and subscribe. And if you’re so inclined, you can learn more about our work at AFB and even consider making a gift to support us at https://www.afb.org.

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Welcome back to AccessWorld, a podcast on digital inclusion and accessibility. In this week’s episode, Aaron flies solo, but isn’t alone as he welcomes back Lee Huffman from APH. Lee breaks down some of the exciting new low vision products and discusses ways blind and low vision consumers can get involved and have their voices heard. Check out the below links for more details.

Interested in being a part of Monarch RISE or MSPP? Fill out the Monarch Projects Application on our website!

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=CPcnAZSSjkmhc2poUynnP45TXtU6mz5Bg2Hb2Ur-r_1UNFZDRk9VRE8xUERDWENPSVcwTFlWTlVIMyQlQCN0PWcu

Each year, APH selects a research focus to guide new product development. This year’s focus is Low Vision Technology, and we want to hear from you about what works, what’s missing, and what needs improvement!

Take a Survey

Vision Professionals Survey – for teachers and professionals who support individuals with low vision

https://greatquestion.co/american-printing-house/innl889x

Adult Consumers / Parents & Guardians Survey – for adults with low vision and parents of children with low vision

https://greatquestion.co/american-printing-house/d61fkylw

Become a Tester of APH Products

https://www.aph.org/blog/how-to-become-a-tester-for-aph-products/

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In this episode of AccessWorld, Tony and Aaron catch up after CSUN, where Aaron presented on accessible video gaming and had a chance to hit the exhibit floor. From AI to smart glasses, they breakdown some of the exciting tech launching this year and look forward to what’s on the horizon.

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 26 years of past issues online for free.

Aaron Preece is editor-in-chief of AccessWorld Magazine and Tony Stephens leads communications for AFB. Together, they enjoy meeting up each episode to talk through the latest trends and breakthroughs in access technology. To learn more about AFB, visit https://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. Learn more at https://www.afb.org.

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In this episode of Accessworld, a podcast on digital inclusion and accessibility, Aaron and Tony talk with the research team at AFB’s Public Policy and Research Institute on their latest round of research found in the new report released this week: “The AI Quagmire: Benefits, Risks, and Aspirations of AI Through a Disability Lens.”

You can access the report at: https://www.afb.org/airesearch2.

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 of our past issues online for free.

Aaron Preece is editor-in-chief of AccessWorld Magazine and Tony Stephens leads communications for AFB. Together, they enjoy meeting up each epsiode to talk through the latest trends and breakthroughs in access technology. To learn more about AFB, visit https://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.

This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Welcome back to another episode of AccessWorld, a podcast on digital inclusion and accessibility. This week co-host and AccessWorld Magazine editor-in-chief Aaron Preece gives a preview of his presentation he’ll give this week at the annual CSUN conference in Anaheim, California. The presentation builds off a post Aaron published last October where he reviewed the Wicked Quest video game. The presentation demonstrates how innovations from non-visual games can guide mainstream developers in making video games accessible to blind and low vision players.

The session, titled “Game Accessibility 101: Translating Visual Gameplay into Sound,” will take place on Wednesday, March 11th, at 10AM in Grand A/B. For those attending, be sure to stop buy and give a shout-out to Aaron.

The AccessWorld podcast is a production of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). A companion to AccessWorld Magazine, you can check out the latest issue and browse through the entire catalog of past issues at https://www.afb.org/aw. And, as always, be sure to like and subscribe from wherever you listen to podcasts to make sure you don’t miss out on the latest episode when it drops. To learn more about AFB, or to support our work creating a world of endless possibilities for people who are blind or have low vision, visit us at www.afb.orgrev.com

https://www.afb.org.

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In this episode of AccessWorld, Aaron and Tony break down 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 peek 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 https://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).

Follow Jamie on LinkedIn.

(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.)

Visit the podcast page for past episodes and transcripts.

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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: https://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 https://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 https://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 https://www.afb.org.

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In this episode of the AW Podcast, Aaron and Tony give a preview of the upcoming AFB Leadership Conference in November. They also look at all the activity taking place this October as we celebrate Blindness Awareness Month, which includes International White Cane Day on October. 15th, and National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM).

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 https://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 https://www.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.

Aaron Preece is editor-in-chief of AccessWorld Magazine and Tony Stephens leads communications for AFB. Together, they enjoy meeting up once a month to talk through the latest trends and breakthroughs in access technology. To learn more about AFB, visit https://www.afb.org and consider making a tax deductible gift to help support our work.

This podcast is powered by Pinecast.