Accessible Community

We sit down with Bobby Small to talk about living with multiple sclerosis (MS) and what it’s really like day to day. Bobby shares his diagnosis story, how MS has affected work, energy, and routines, and why transparency and self-advocacy matter. They also discuss disability identity, hobbies, and practical takeaways for listeners navigating MS or supporting someone who is.Resources:1. 

Taylor is joined by Diogo Melo—an iOS developer and accessibility specialist from Porto, Portugal—to talk about living with blindness from retinitis pigmentosa, navigating work and daily life with screen readers, and staying active through music and kickboxing. Diogo also shares the real pros and cons of guide-dog independence and why society needs to stop treating disabled people like “inspiring exceptions” and start recognizing them as people living normal lives.

We spend time with Cori as she shares what everyday life looks like navigating blindness as a professional, parent, and strategist. Cori reflects on losing vision over time and how it has shaped her career, identity, mental health, and approach to problem‑solving, while emphasizing the role of adaptability and self‑advocacy. The conversation explores assistive technology, accessibility barriers, parenting, workplace accommodations, and the social assumptions that often accompany disability. Through honesty, humor, and lived experience, Cori offers a powerful reminder that blindness is not one‑dimensional, but a deeply personal experience marked by resilience, capability, and ambition.

In this episode of Accessibility in Practice, we speak with Claire Chang, an advocate, expert, and researcher based in Taiwan. She talks about the landscape of digital accessibility in Taiwan and the Asia-Pacific region, and what applying digital accessibility looks like in the Taiwanese context. We learn from her about an advocacy effort by Taiwanese people with disabilities to keep key messaging platforms accessible. Claire also discusses how advocates can better make the case for accessibility to company leaders, and her own journey into accessibility from the world of color science. Listen to learn lessons that can carry from Taiwan to the US, and hear about an inspiring effort that secured access for people with disabilities.

We sit down with Beth to explore what daily life looks like for a blind woman who has navigated blindness since birth. Beth shares thoughtful and honest insights into everything from education, work, travel, relationships, and assistive technology, to the social misconceptions that still surround blindness today. This conversation highlights the importance of self-advocacy, adaptability, and problem‑solving, while emphasizing that blindness is not a singular experience but a broad spectrum. Through humor, reflection, and lived experience, Beth offers a powerful perspective on embracing blindness, setting boundaries, and finding confidence and joy in everyday life. 

What does it really mean to live, work, and game while blind? In this episode of Day in the Life, host Taylor Dorward talks with Florian Beijers, a fully blind accessibility professional and content creator, about blindness beyond stereotypes. They discuss assistive technology, digital accessibility, gaming, employment, independence, and self‑advocacy—offering real‑world insight for disabled listeners, accessibility professionals, and allies alike.

We are joined by Mike Hess as we explore what life looks like navigating the world as a blind man. He shares a real and honest perspective on the day-to-day challenges, mindset, and experiences that have shaped how he sees the world. More importantly, this conversation highlights how shifting your perspective can change how you approach blindness and turn it into something more positive and empowering.

Language warning: This episode contains a swear word. Episode DescriptionIn this episode of Accessibility in Practice, host Adam Fishbein sits down with Peter Slatin, a longtime advocate, writer, and trainer in the disability and accessibility space. Drawing on his lived experience as a blind person and his background in journalism, architecture, and hospitality training, Peter offers a wide-ranging and deeply thoughtful conversation about what accessibility really means, and why social and cultural barriers are often the biggest obstacles of all.From the difference between physical, digital, and social accessibility to the challenges of disclosure in the workplace, Peter challenges listeners to rethink common assumptions and move beyond compliance toward genuine understanding and respect.What You Will Find in This EpisodePeter Slatin’s personal journey into disability and accessibility workWhy social accessibility is often the most overlooked—and most important—form of accessThe difference between being “included” and already belongingHow physical and digital accessibility are connected to cultural attitudesCommon misconceptions about disability and how they show up in everyday interactionsWhy “helping” without asking can be harmfulDisability as the most intersectional dimension of diversityPractical steps organizations can take to create more accessible workplacesThe tension between civility, advocacy, and picking your battlesHow allies can find their strengths and contribute meaningfully to disability rightsAccessibility technology Peter is excited about—and why “nothing about us without us” still mattersExamples of organizations making real progress in accessibility, especially in hospitalityKey TakeawaysAccessibility is not one-size-fits-all—and it never has beenDesigning for accessibility from the start is far easier than retrofitting laterCultural attitudes toward disability shape every other accessibility outcomePeople with disabilities do not need permission to be “included”—they already belongThe most effective advocacy starts with listening, humility, and lived experienceAbout the GuestPeter Slatin is a blind accessibility advocate, writer, and trainer with decades of experience across journalism, architecture, and hospitality. He works with organizations to improve customer service, workplace inclusion, and cultural understanding of disability, with a particular focus on social accessibility. He is based in New York.About the HostAdam Fishbein, MPA is a disability policy and advocacy professional committed to advancing inclusive systems and practices. He is based in Maryland.Call to ActionIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the Accessible Community podcast. Share this episode with colleagues, friends, and anyone interested in building a more accessible world.

Pedro discussing advocating for himself. 

In this episode of our Day In The Life series, Taylor sits down with Thea Walther an autistic woman with ADHD, a digital accessibility specialist — for a thoughtful and deeply personal conversation about neurodivergence, identity, communication, and thriving in a world not built for autistic people.Thea shares her lived experience navigating autism and ADHD, discovering her diagnosis later in life, and finding empowerment through community, self‑understanding, and unmasking. She offers candid insight into sensory needs, communication differences, workplace accommodations, and the ways autistic traits can be both challenging and joyful.This episode is for anyone who wants to better understand autism through the real voice of someone who lives it every day.What You’ll Hear in This EpisodeThea’s journey discovering she is autistic later in life and how that changed everything for herHow autism and ADHD shape her communication, sensory experience, and daily routinesWhat a typical workday looks like for her as a digital accessibility specialistThe dynamic relationship between autism, ADHD, identity, and communityThe challenges of masking, navigating neurotypical communication, and sensory overwhelmThe strengths and “autistic abilities” Thea embraces, from sound recall to intentional movementThe importance of inclusive workplaces, remote work options, and clear communication normsHow community and connection transformed her sense of belongingAdvice for autistic people — and for anyone wanting to create more inclusive spacesWho This Episode Is ForAutistic and otherwise neurodivergent individualsPeople exploring late‑in‑life diagnosis or self‑discoveryEmployers, managers, and coworkers who want to better support autistic employeesAccessibility professionals, disability advocates, and alliesAnyone interested in authentic stories about neurodivergence, identity, and inclusionFollow the Accessible Community Podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear more conversations centered on accessibility, lived experience, and inclusion.

Episode Description: In the first episode of our Day In The Life series, we sit down with Rachel Profitt, a Principal Program Manager at Microsoft, for an open and honest conversation about living and working as an autistic woman. Rachel shares her personal experiences navigating accessibility, inclusion, and professional life in tech, offering insight into what true support and understanding can look like in the workplace and beyond.This episode is designed for anyone who wants to better understand autism, accessibility, and inclusive practices through real lived experience.What You’ll Hear in This Episode: Rachel’s journey as an autistic woman in the tech industry What a typical day looks like for her How accessibility impacts productivity and wellbeing Challenges and strengths of neurodivergence at work The importance of inclusive culture and understanding autism Advice for organizations and individuals who want to be more inclusiveWho This Episode Is For: Autistic and neurodivergent individuals People interested in accessibility and inclusion Employers, managers, and coworkers in tech and beyondFollow the Accessible Community Podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear more conversations centered on accessibility, lived experience, and inclusion.Video of Interview