Best Debra Ruh Podcasts (2025)

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Teaching Critical Thinking In An AI-Driven World 26:52

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8d ago26:52

26:52

What happens when AI accelerates faster than our ability to question it—and our workplaces grow more diverse just as support for inclusion wavers? We sat down with Professor of Practice Gisele Marcus from Olin Business School to unpack the crossroads of AI ethics, DEI, and the core human skill that ties them together: critical thinking. Gisele take…

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Who Decides What Inclusion Means? 24:21

15d ago24:21

24:21

A fall from a tree, a 42-day coma, and seven years of recovery could have ended a future. For Abdus Sattar Dulal, it sparked one. We sit down with the world president of Disabled Peoples’ International to trace a path from a village in Bangladesh to the halls shaping global disability policy, and we ask what it takes to turn rights on paper into ac…

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AI Can’t Learn Accessibility From A Broken Web 28:38

22d ago28:38

28:38

What happens when accessibility becomes a feature, not a fix? We sit down with Eugene Woo, CEO of Venngage, to explore how a design platform can bake inclusion into every step—from contrast-aware color pickers to exporting PDF/UA files that pass compliance without a remediation gauntlet. Eugene shares Venngage’s origin story, the early pressure fro…

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Tourette’s, Inclusion, And The Power Of Lived Experience 26:42

29d ago26:42

26:42

A life can change with a single word, but only if that word is followed by community. Paul Stevenson joins us to share how late diagnoses of Tourette’s, ADHD, and autism reframed decades of blame and opened a path to strengths, purpose, and international advocacy. We dig into the human story behind the UK box office hit “I Swear,” a film built with…

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Choose The Human First: Rethinking Innovation, Power, And Accessibility 29:23

1M ago29:23

29:23

What if the way your team talks is the blueprint for every product you ship? We sit down with Erica Hall—co‑founder of Mule Design and author of Just Enough Research and Conversational Design—to connect the dots between internal communication, ethical practice, and the systems that end up in people’s hands. From AI hype to accessibility debt, Erica…

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From Mission-Driven Branding To Real-World Accessibility 32:28

1M ago32:28

32:28

What if the most powerful part of your brand is the part most users can’t see? We sit down with designer and agency founder Rochelle Ratkaj Moser to unpack how accessibility becomes a strategic advantage when it’s baked into visual storytelling, not bolted on at the end. From plain-language copy to thoughtful reading order, alt text with meaning, a…

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Why Accessible Toilets Decide Where We Go And Who Gets To Be Welcome 27:40

2M ago27:40

27:40

Need a quick test for whether a city is truly inclusive? Follow the signs to its toilets. We sit down with Gail Ramster from the Royal College of Art’s Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design to unpack how public restrooms quietly govern freedom of movement, confidence, and dignity—especially for people with continence conditions, disabilities, caregivers, …

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Inside Forrester’s Wave: How Accessibility Platforms Stack Up 31:22

2M ago31:22

31:22

The tools that power accessibility are changing fast, but not always in the ways you’d expect. We sit down with Forrester analyst Gina Bhwalkar to unpack the new Wave on digital accessibility platforms and translate its findings into practical guidance for leaders who need results, not buzzwords. Gina walks us through what the Wave actually measure…

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How We Build AI That Includes The Outliers 26:21

2M ago26:21

26:21

AI loves the average—and that’s exactly why too many people get left out. We sit down with David Banes, chair of the Equitable AI Alliance, to explore how we move disability from the margins of tech conversation to the center of how AI is built, funded, and deployed. From Mobile World Congress to major health and education forums, we share what it …

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Building Tech People Actually Want 28:23

2M ago28:23

28:23

Doors that don’t open themselves often open our eyes. That’s where Laura Wissiak journey began—watching visitors struggle with heavy museum doors in Vienna and realizing that access is the start of every user experience, not an afterthought. From there she taught herself UX, learned to code just enough to ship fixes, and found a voice by blogging t…

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Who gets to joke about pain—and why it matters 32:22

3M ago32:22

32:22

What if the fastest way to change a mind is to make it laugh first? We sit down with comedian and writer-performer Julliet Burton to explore how humor can turn stigma into understanding without losing its edge. Julliet shares the craft behind her sold-out Edinburgh Fringe runs and international tours, from relentless note-taking and collaborative r…

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From Developer to Advocate: Building an Accessible Future in Germany 24:18

3M ago24:18

24:18

Marc Haunschild joins AXSChat to share his experiences as an accessibility consultant helping companies navigate the European Accessibility Act and comply with modern digital inclusion standards. Drawing from nearly two decades as a developer, Mark offers practical insights into the challenges and opportunities that arise when organizations commit …

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Are We Losing Ourselves to Artificial Intelligence? 25:13

3M ago25:13

25:13

The fascinating yet troubling relationship between artificial intelligence and human connection takes center stage in this thought-provoking discussion. Debra, Neil, and Antonio dive deep into the paradox of technology that promises connection while potentially undermining genuine human relationships. When does AI shift from helpful tool to harmful…

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Steve Tyler's Vision for Global Disability Leadership 28:03

3M ago28:03

28:03

When Steve Tyler discovered that employment rates for disabled people haven't changed in six decades, he knew something had to give. The system was failing disabled people worldwide despite mountains of legislation and well-meaning initiatives. That realization led him to accept the leadership role at BillionStrong, a global organization representi…

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The Invisible Link: Hypermobility and Neurodivergence 27:28

4M ago27:28

27:28

What happens when our bodies and brains are more connected than medicine has led us to believe? In this illuminating conversation, Jane Green MBE, founder and chair of SEDS Connective, unpacks the profound yet often overlooked connection between hypermobility and neurodivergence. After decades of being dismissed as "dim and a hypochondriac," Jane d…

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Unlocking ADHD in Singapore 31:46

4M ago31:46

31:46

What does it mean to be diagnosed with ADHD at age 50? For Moonlake Lee, it wasn't just a personal revelation – it became the catalyst for creating Singapore's first charity dedicated to supporting people with ADHD. When Moonlake's daughter received an ADHD diagnosis at 15, it sparked questions about her own lifelong patterns of hyperactivity, impu…

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Accessibility Journey: From Casino Dealer to Code Champion 29:15

4M ago29:15

29:15

Julia Undeutsch's path to becoming an accessibility specialist defies conventional career trajectories. From studying musicology and Japanese while working as a poker dealer to becoming a passionate advocate for digital inclusion, her story reveals how diverse experiences shape innovative approaches to accessibility. When Julia first encountered co…

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From Front-End Developer to Accessibility Champion 32:38

4M ago32:38

32:38

Crystal Preston-Watson takes us on her fascinating journey from self-taught coder and journalism dropout to becoming a Senior Digital Accessibility Analyst at Salesforce's Office of Accessibility. With refreshing honesty, she shares how her own visual impairment and an unexpected quality assurance ticket requiring screen reader testing sparked her …

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Myths, Misunderstandings, and Magic Tools: Demystifying the European Accessibility Act 28:10

4M ago28:10

28:10

The European Accessibility Act is in place, and organizations across the EU and beyond are racing to understand what this landmark legislation means for their products and services. In this timely conversation, accessibility expert Susanna Laurin returns to AXSChat to separate fact from fiction about the European Accessibility Act.Susanna reveals a…

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Can Business Schools Bridge the Corporate Inclusion Gap? 32:57

4M ago32:57

32:57

What does it take to lead effectively in today's diverse business landscape? Gisele Marcus, Vice Dean at Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis, brings a refreshing perspective shaped by her extensive Fortune 500 experience at companies like Accenture and Johnson Controls. The leadership skills needed today extend far beyond tra…

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What if deaf people could have truly private phone calls? 28:26

5M ago28:26

28:26

Communication is everything, but what if you couldn't make a private phone call? Tomer Aharoni, CEO and co-founder of Nagish, joins AXSChat to reveal how his team is revolutionizing accessibility for deaf and hard of hearing individuals. For millions with hearing loss, the simple act of making a phone call has historically required dependence on ot…

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Rediscovering Disability in Ancient Rome: The Cambridge School Classics Project 37:00

5M ago37:00

37:00

When was the last time your history book mentioned Julius Caesar's seizures or Hannibal's missing eye? The erasure of disability from our historical narratives isn't accidental—it reveals our modern discomfort with integrating disability into stories of power and achievement. Caroline Bristow, Director of the Cambridge School Classics Project, take…

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The Body You Have is the Only One That Matters 28:09

5M ago28:09

28:09

What if fitness was designed to meet you exactly where you are, instead of demanding that you change to fit into someone else's idea of exercise? That's the revolutionary concept behind Second Skin Society, and founder Lee-Anne Reuber is making it a reality. Drawing from her 22 years of experience in disability support and her background as a yoga …

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The Accessibility Apprenticeship Revolution 27:52

6M ago27:52

27:52

Dimple Khagram, founder and CEO of Purple Beard Training, talks about creating the UK's first Accessibility Specialist Apprenticeship in an interview with Antonio Santos and Neil Milliken. What began as a passion project has expanded into a major educational programme, with seven graduates earning five distinctions and 40 additional apprentices sti…

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Accessibility Champion's Journey at Sanofi 24:58

6M ago24:58

24:58

What happens when a curious quality assurance tester encounters an odd request about color contrast? For Iulia Brehuescu, it sparked a journey that would transform not only her career but also impact accessibility practices across a global pharmaceutical giant. Iulia's story is both inspiring and cautionary. From her early days testing web platform…

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Silicon Savanna Speaks: When Mobile-First Meets Accessibility 29:57

6M ago29:57

29:57

What does digital accessibility look like in a mobile-first continent with 1.4 billion people speaking hundreds of languages across 50+ countries? Irene Mbari-Kirika, Executive Director and Founder of inABLE, takes us on an illuminating journey through Africa's rapidly evolving accessibility landscape. The conversation begins with inABLE foundation…

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The Communication Gap in Tech Accessibility 27:51

6M ago27:51

27:51

Accessibility in mobile technology has evolved from seemingly impossible challenges to remarkable innovations. Join us as we welcome back Sabine Lobnig from the Mobile and Wireless Forum to discuss this fascinating journey. Sabine shares her unique path into accessibility, beginning with linguistics and a fascination with sign language that connect…

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The Invisible Revolution: How Code-Based Graphics Are Changing the Internet 26:34

7M ago26:34

26:34

Accessibility and sustainability collide in this eye-opening conversation with Heather Neff, CEO of Equivalent. She returns to AXSChat to share groundbreaking developments in their mission to transform static graphics into responsive, accessible code. What if every image online could instantly adapt to your device settings, work seamlessly with scr…

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Confusing, Hopeful, and Necessary: Our AI Accessibility Journey 17:33

7M ago17:33

17:33

The most valuable accessibility conversations are happening in unexpected places. In this reflection on recent events, the AccessJet team shares how conferences focused on broader topics yielded surprising insights about disability inclusion, corporate transparency, and AI's potential. At Fair Cultures Barcelona, discussions about corporate transpa…

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

7M 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…

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Tristan Lavender on Leading Philips' Neurodiversity Network 27:29

7M 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…

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Virtual Exchange and Global Learning for Disability Inclusion 30:41

8M 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 …

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

8M 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…

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

8M 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…

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Accessibility Washing Won't Fix Broken Systems 27:49

8M 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…

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

9M 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…

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Eyes Through AI: Bridging the Visual World 30:49

9M 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, …

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

9M 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…

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Breaking Barriers: Inclusive Employment for Disabled Talent 30:55

9M 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…

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

10M 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…

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

10M 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…

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Why Are Banks Struggling with Accessibility? 29:42

10M 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…

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

10M 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…

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

10M 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…

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

11M 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…

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

11M 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…

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Pioneering a New Era in Accessible Technology 29:00

11M 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…

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Advancing Digital Solutions for Disability Inclusion 28:33

11M 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 …

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The Path to Accessibility and Growth 21:52

12M 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…