Best Debra Ruh Podcasts (2025)

1
From Frustration to Delight: Real Accessibility Wins in Everyday Products 35:58

10d ago35:58

35:58

When we're constantly fighting for baseline accessibility compliance, it's easy to miss the quiet victories happening around us. In this candid conversation, returning guest Steve Tyler shares refreshingly positive experiences that demonstrate what's possible when companies truly commit to inclusive design. Steve recounts his surprisingly delightfu…

1
Tristan Lavender on Leading Philips' Neurodiversity Network 27:29

13d ago27:29

27:29

What happens when a global company with 70,000 employees embraces neurodiversity as a driver of innovation? Tristan Lavender, founder and chair of Philips Neurodiversity Network, takes us behind the scenes of building one of the company's largest employee resource groups from the ground up. Diagnosed with autism in his early twenties, Lavender's jo…

1
Virtual Exchange and Global Learning for Disability Inclusion 30:41

20d ago30:41

30:41

Dr. Kelly Tzoumis, professor emeritus at DePaul University and lecturer at Johns Hopkins, discusses virtual exchange programs that make global learning accessible to students with disabilities. These innovative approaches embed intercultural experiences directly into curriculum, overcoming barriers of cost and physical accessibility while building …

1
From Compliance to Advantage: The Hidden ROI of Accessibility 31:50

30d ago31:50

31:50

What happens when accessibility transcends from a legal obligation to a strategic business advantage? That's exactly what Gina Bhawalkar, Principal Analyst for Digital Accessibility at Forrester Research, illuminates in our fascinating conversation about the evolving digital accessibility landscape. Gina brings two decades of experience to the tabl…

1
Can AI Truly Understand Human Needs in Justice Systems? 28:35

1M ago28:35

28:35

Judge Ginger Lerner-Wren brings a rare and powerful perspective to the criminal justice system. With nearly three decades on the bench in Florida and a background in disability rights advocacy, she offers insights you simply won't find elsewhere. Her journey from working directly in a psychiatric hospital to founding America's first Mental Health C…

1
Accessibility Washing Won't Fix Broken Systems 27:49

1M ago27:49

27:49

Lia Raquel Neves,, founder of EITIC Consulting, offers a thought-provoking exploration into the ethical dimensions of artificial intelligence and its profound implications for accessibility and inclusion. Drawing from her background in philosophy and bioethics, Lia challenges the common assumption that technology is neutral, instead arguing that ou…

1
Press Play for Everyone: The Secret Love Story Between Accessibility and Video Games 28:02

2M ago28:02

28:02

Discover the transformative power of accessibility in the gaming world with Verónica Morales Beltrán, an accessibility specialist at Adesso Mobile. Having transitioned from leading localization at Electronic Arts Germany to championing digital inclusion, Veronica reveals how gaming has evolved beyond mere entertainment to become a vital space for c…

1
Eyes Through AI: Bridging the Visual World 30:49

2M ago30:49

30:49

What does independence truly mean for someone who can't see? This question lies at the heart of Envision's revolutionary approach to assistive technology for blind and low-vision individuals. Karthik Kannan's journey began with a simple career counseling visit to a blind school in India. While his sighted nephew dreamed of building cities on Mars, …

1
The Father-Son Journey Through Accessibility and Acting 28:33

2M ago28:33

28:33

Gareth Ford-Williams shares how his son Zak inability to access age-appropriate BBC games sparked a career revolutionizing digital accessibility, culminating in the development of BBC iPlayer with comprehensive accessibility features. • Gareth's journey began when six-year-old Zak couldn't access BBC games designed for older children • Personal con…

1
Breaking Barriers: Inclusive Employment for Disabled Talent 30:55

2M ago30:55

30:55

Jane Hatton, CEO of Evenbreak, shares how her organization is transforming disability employment globally through inclusive recruitment practices and partnerships with local disability organizations. • Evenbreak started as a UK job board for disabled job seekers but has expanded into a global enterprise • Every team member at Evenbreak has lived ex…

1
Beyond Numbers: Rethinking How We Measure and Support Disability 26:05

3M ago26:05

26:05

Daniel Mont, CEO and co-founder of the Center for Inclusive Policy, shares insights on bridging the gap between disability advocacy and effective policy implementation. The conversation explores how to move beyond awareness-raising to create evidence-based policies that meaningfully improve the lives of people with disabilities. • Center for Inclus…

1
How the Web Almanac Reveals Global Digital Inclusion Patterns 33:26

3M ago33:26

33:26

Mike Gifford from Civic Actions joins us to discuss the Web Almanac, a remarkable project analyzing 17 million websites and 83 terabytes of data to track accessibility trends across the web. He shares insights about comparative accessibility performance across countries, revealing how European websites generally outperform American ones despite the…

1
Why Are Banks Struggling with Accessibility? 29:42

3M ago29:42

29:42

Are traditional banking systems failing those who most need them? In this thought-provoking episode, David Agar and Penny Roberts share their mission to revolutionize financial accessibility through their innovative app, Bankability. Reflecting on their personal journey as parents of a child with disabilities, they delve into the crucial need for h…

1
Transforming Assistive Technology: Steve Tyler on Accessibility, Innovation, and Inclusion 37:06

3M ago37:06

37:06

Unlock the secrets of transforming assistive technology with Steve Tyler, the pioneering Director of Assistive Tech and Transformation at Leonard Cheshire. Join us as Steve shares his compelling journey from the world of clinical psychology to becoming a beacon for disability support and technology integration. With invaluable insights into collabo…

1
Breaking Barriers in European Disability Advocacy with Katrin Langensiepen 27:14

4M ago27:14

27:14

Katrin Langensiepen, the only visibly disabled woman in the European Parliament, joins us to share her compelling journey toward disability inclusion in European politics. Discover how Katrin is pushing boundaries within the institution, advocating for rights and accessibility despite the hurdles. Her efforts to champion the European Disability Car…

1
Transforming Financial Services: Inclusion and Accessibility in Banking 29:11

4M ago29:11

29:11

This episode explores the vital role of accessibility in fintech, highlighting efforts made by industry leaders to create inclusive financial solutions for individuals with disabilities. Through personal stories and expert insights, the discussion underscores the importance of understanding unique user needs and fosters a call to action for the ind…

1
Fostering Unity: The Future of Accessibility and Inclusion in a Changing World 30:51

4M ago30:51

30:51

There is a growing urgency to address the threats faced by DEIA initiatives in the wake of recent political upheavals. The episode highlights the emotional impact of these changes on the disability community, the need for solidarity, and the importance of advocating for inclusive practices amid the ongoing challenges. • Government dismantling of DE…

1
Pioneering a New Era in Accessible Technology 29:00

4M ago29:00

29:00

Ever wondered how accessibility standards are shaping up in Europe? Tune in to hear from Susanna Laurin, the dynamic director of the Funka Foundation, as she uncovers the creative origins of the foundation's name and its pivotal role in empowering people with disabilities across Europe. With a wealth of experience in accessibility and her instrumen…

1
Advancing Digital Solutions for Disability Inclusion 28:33

5M ago28:33

28:33

Carrie Chow takes center stage as our first guest of 2025, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience in accessibility. Her journey, rich with stories from her telecommunications and marketing background, reveals a personal passion that aligns with her professional advocacy for disability inclusion. We explore her involvement in events like the …

1
The Path to Accessibility and Growth 21:52

5M ago21:52

21:52

Get ready to master the platform transition as AXSChat ushers in 2025—the Year of the Snake—with a transformative shift from Twitter to Bluesky. Uncover the reasons behind our departure from Twitter and the impactful introduction of the European Accessibility Act. Join us as Antonio delves into the intricacies of building vibrant communities on Blu…

1
Empowering Inclusion in Cyber Defense 32:34

6M ago32:34

32:34

Discover how cybersecurity is being reshaped to be more inclusive and accessible for everyone, especially those with disabilities. Join us as we host an enlightening conversation with Lauren Iglehart, CISA's Chief of the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility, and Bob Nadeau, the Partnerships Branch Chief within Strategic Relatio…

1
Challenges and Opportunities in Inclusive Leadership 29:51

6M ago29:51

29:51

What does it mean to truly embrace disability inclusion in the business world? Join us for a revealing conversation with Diane Lightfoot from the Business Disability Forum, as we unravel the complexities of making disability inclusion a central pillar of corporate responsibility. Highlighting insights from the Global Business Disability Network con…

1
From Personal Journey to Global Impact: Berna Bouwer on Inclusive Education in the UAE 32:21

6M ago32:21

32:21

What happens when an educator's personal journey intersects with a mission for global inclusion? Berna Bouwer, the Corporate Head of Inclusion at GEMS Education, shares her compelling journey from South Africa to Dubai, fueled by her passion for special needs education, a journey deeply influenced by her own experiences with ADHD and her son's cere…

1
Championing Disability Inclusion: Mike Liebman's Mission to Transform Corporate Culture at Bloomberg 29:20

6M ago29:20

29:20

What drives a leader to champion disability inclusion and transform corporate culture? Meet Mike Liebman, lead of the Bloomberg Abilities Community B-ABLE for the United States, as he shares his compelling journey through personal health challenges and his relentless efforts to grow Bloomberg's B-ABLE. From dissociative disorders to PTSD and a dege…

1
Overcoming Barriers: BBC, Johny Cassidy on Accessibility, Journalism, and Advocacy 30:31

6M ago30:31

30:31

Join us for an enlightening discussion with Johny Cassidy, an inspiring BBC journalist and the leader of their Disabled Staff Employee Network, as he shares his remarkable story of overcoming accessibility challenges in journalism. Johny's journey is one of resilience and innovation, where he creatively turned barriers into opportunities, leveragin…

1
Fostering Authentic Conversations in the Workplace 29:55

7M ago29:55

29:55

Rachel Billington, AECOM's Director of People and Culture, shares her intriguing transition from policing to leading diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at a major global infrastructure company. Rachel recounts an inspiring moment when her impactful speech sparked enhanced maternity leave support. As we navigate the complexities of DEI amid cont…

1
Empowering Communities with Inclusive Sports Events 32:50

7M ago32:50

32:50

Paralympian and trailblazer Sophia Warner joins us to share how she's reshaping the landscape of inclusive sports with the Superhero Series. With events like Winter Wonder Wheels and Superhero triathlon, Sophia is breaking down barriers by allowing participants to tackle courses in any way they can—whether being towed, pushed, or using other adapti…

1
The Intersection of Sustainable Design and Inclusive Technology 29:18

7M ago29:18

29:18

Explore the synergy between sustainability and accessibility in digital design with our insightful guest, Alexis, Senior Product UX Designer at IKEA. We promise a rich discussion on the shared goals of enhancing life and the planet, while tackling the challenge of fragmented reporting under the European Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive.…

1
Redefining Representation in Disability News 37:25

8M ago37:25

37:25

Discover the captivating journey of Peter Torres-Fremlin, the visionary behind Disability Debrief, as he reveals how a platform dedicated to disability reporting came to be. Through his experiences with international organizations and his commitment to amplifying voices from the global south, Peter takes us on a tour of the crucial role investigati…

1
The Power of Storytelling in Social Change 37:49

8M ago37:49

37:49

In this episode of AXSChat, with John Graham, founder of the Giraffe Heroes Project, talks about his adventurous life, the importance of storytelling in inspiring action, and the need for individuals to take risks to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). John shares his transformative journey from seeking adrenaline rushes to finding purp…

1
Shaping an Inclusive Future in Tech 32:03

8M ago32:03

32:03

Darryl Adams, a luminary in the field of accessibility, joins us to share the extraordinary path that defined his 28-year career at Intel, shaped profoundly by his personal experiences with retinitis pigmentosa and single-sided deafness. Darryl's story is a heartfelt exploration of how Intel's inclusive culture, coupled with his relentless passion,…

1
Empathy and Innovation in Online Retail 32:45

8M ago32:45

32:45

How do you transform a major online retailer into a beacon of accessibility? Join us as we sit down with Tzveta Dinova, the pioneering accessibility lead at ASOS, who shares her compelling journey from design and education to becoming a trailblazer in inclusive practices. Discover the story behind Sveta's transition into accessibility in 2018 and h…

1
Equity in Tech: Making Applications Accessible 30:26

8M ago30:26

30:26

What if the applications we use every day were designed with everyone in mind? Join us on AXSChat as we welcome Sara Faatz, Director of Community Relations at Progress, who shares her expertise on the importance of human-centric software and accessibility in the digital realm. Discover why a whopping 98% of application developers and IT decision-ma…

1
Driving Progress in European Web Accessibility 32:26

9M ago32:26

32:26

Could the future of web accessibility hinge on nuanced grading systems rather than binary pass/fail ratings? Join us as we sit down with Detlev Fischer, Managing Director of Dias and a key figure in the development of the German test procedure for WCAG 2. Detlev shares his eclectic career path, from studying film in Hamburg and visual arts in the U…

1
From Design to Code: Achieving True Inclusion 32:59

9M ago32:59

32:59

Ever wondered how to make your digital products truly inclusive? Join us on AXSChat as we feature Erik Kroes, an independent accessibility consultant with a compelling transition from photography and industrial design to spearheading accessibility initiatives at IKEA and ING. Erik brings his love for structure and efficiency to the forefront, shari…

1
Empowering Innovation Through Accessibility: A Conversation with Malin Hammarberg 32:23

9M ago32:23

32:23

Ever wondered how accessibility can boost rather than restrict innovation? Join us for an illuminating conversation with Malin Hammarberg, a dedicated UX designer and accessibility specialist at the Funka Foundation. Malin’s journey began with a project on "design for all" and has since evolved into a passionate commitment to inclusivity. Together,…

1
Innovative Steps Towards Disability Inclusion at Merck 34:19

9M ago34:19

34:19

Unlock the secrets behind Merck's groundbreaking digital accessibility policy as Dr. Stephen Framil, the Corporate Global Head of Accessibility, joins us to share his invaluable insights. Learn how Merck's Disability Inclusion Strategy Council catalyzed the creation of an inclusive digital environment, ensuring all users, including those with disab…

1
Advancing Disability Inclusion in Recruitment 31:12

10M ago31:12

31:12

Discover how to transform your hiring process with insights from Donna Bungard, the Senior Marketing Accessibility Program Manager at Indeed. In this episode, Donna sheds light on her role in promoting disability inclusion and accessibility within Indeed's brand and partnerships. Learn how Indeed's global commitment to a skills-first hiring approac…

1
Exploring Disability and Societal Attitudes 40:21

10M ago40:21

40:21

Ever wondered how language shapes our perception of disability? Join us on Access Chat for an engaging conversation with Professor Gregor Wolbring, a distinguished Disability Studies Scholar from the University of Calgary. Born in Germany and personally affected by thalidomide, Gregor takes us on his transformative journey from biochemistry to disa…

1
Personal Journeys in Disability Rights 32:55

10M ago32:55

32:55

Unlock the secrets of impactful autism advocacy with our inspiring guest, Ben VanHook. Ben is a master's student in public policy at George Mason University and a notable disability activist and speaker. He takes us through his personal and professional journey, highlighting his advocacy efforts and vision for a more inclusive society. Discover how…

1
Punchlines with Purpose: Sweta Mantrii on Comedy and Inclusion 32:10

10M ago32:10

32:10

What does it mean to truly advocate for accessibility and inclusivity? Join us on AXSChat as we spotlight Sweta Mantrii, a dynamic advocate and stand-up comedian, who has navigated the complexities of living with spina bifida while challenging societal norms. From childhood struggles and school restrictions to her parents' unwavering support, Sweta…

1
Redefining Disability Through Inclusive Media 30:28

10M ago30:28

30:28

How can we change the narrative around disability in media and advertising? Join us as we welcome Lara Davis and Sarah Bartlett from the Business Disability Forum to talk about their revolutionary campaign, "Changing the Image of Disability." In this episode, Lara and Sarah share their extensive research that underscores a glaring lack of authentic…

1
Reimagining Access with Innovation and Collaboration 30:41

11M ago30:41

30:41

What if the accessibility challenges we face today could be solved by a crowdsourced platform and an engaging, educational app? Join us on Access Chat as we welcome Peter Gibson and Anubha Singhal, the co-founders of EnableMeAccess, who are on a mission to revolutionize accessibility in India. Hear Peter's deeply personal journey as a carer for his…

1
Breaking Barriers in Education and Social Justice 31:20

11M ago31:20

31:20

Imagine being denied an education simply because of who you are. Aquayemi Claude Akinsanya's journey from exclusion to advocacy is a testament to resilience and the power of fighting for change. This episode sheds light on his personal story, where systemic injustice fueled his passion for policy reform in education and social justice. We explore t…

1
Overcoming Odds: Empowering Disabled Youth with Creativity 31:56

11M ago31:56

31:56

Join us on AXSChat as we sit down with the inspiring Praise Akobo, a Programme Associate and Disability Advocate from Abuja, Nigeria. Praise's personal journey as a person with a disability who overcame immense odds to pursue education is nothing short of remarkable. She shares her impactful work with Yield Up Development Initiative, where innovati…

1
Navigating the Challenges of Invisible Disabilities 38:09

11M ago38:09

38:09

Join us for an enlightening discussion with Anjali Vyas from the Pune chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of India. Anjali's journey, starting from her initial symptoms of optic nerve pain and vision loss to her eventual diagnosis, is a powerful testament to resilience. As a chemical engineer and IELTS trainer, she shares her compelling story…

1
Breaking Barriers: Media and Disability Advocacy 36:34

12M ago36:34

36:34

What does it take to shift from a visually-driven career in media to becoming a fervent advocate for disability rights? Meet Shruti Pushkarna, our inspiring guest who made this transition and is now a prominent voice in disability advocacy from Delhi, India. Shruti shares her enlightening journey from a mainstream media producer to working directly…

1
Transforming Workplace Culture Through Authenticity 16:38

12M ago16:38

16:38

How do societal movements intersect and diverge when it comes to identity and inclusion? On this special Pride Month episode of Access Chat, we're celebrating the vibrant intersections between the LGBTQIA+ and disability communities. We explore the profound challenges and victories that shape these communities, with Deborah sharing her personal jou…

1
Bridging Gaps: Youth Well-Being and Mental Health in Kenya's Urban Landscape 32:35

1y ago32:35

32:35

What if the fragmentation of society is creating a crisis in youth well-being? Join us as we welcome Winnie Orodi, the Head of Curriculum Involvement and Monitoring and Evaluation at New Dawn, Kenya, who unravels the deep-seated challenges young people face in Kenya's urbanizing landscape. Winnie takes us through the psychosocial support programs s…

1
Banking without Barriers Insights into the European Accessibility Act 39:23

1y ago39:23

39:23

Prepare to unlock the doors to financial inclusion as we host Bianca Prins from ING and Paul Geerts from SIA Partners, leading voices in the quest for accessible banking. This episode is a treasure trove of insights, revealing how the European Accessibility Act is reshaping the landscape for financial institutions. We'll navigate through the nuance…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Debra Ruh Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide