Tech Hawks Series: Episode #1 - Breaking Barriers: Digital Accessibility
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In the "Tech Hawks" podcast series, Feliciano School of Business faculty member Dr. David Eisenberg, Assistant Professor in the department of Information Management and Business Analytics, discusses key issues facing business, technology and society. In this episode, Dr. Eisenberg speaks with Dr. Alex Cohen, a legally blind business professor at West Chester University, who is also Chief Marketing and Accessibility Officer of Accessible Pharmacy, Inc. Together, they discuss new research into digital accessibility and technological discrimination, as well as the benefits for business leaders of providing accessible options for workers and consumers alike.
Dr. David Eisenberg is an Assistant Professor in the department of Information Management and Business Analyticshas completed two masters degrees, from Virginia Tech and Rutgers University, prior to completing his PhD at New Jersey Institute of Technology. David has published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and conference proceedings, was named a Georgia Tech Research Institute Fellow, National Science Foundation I-Corps Fellow, George Mason University Mercatus Fellow, Junior Scholar of the American Marketing Association’s Public Policy Conference, Founder's Award recipient and Emerging Scholar of the Society of Business Ethics. He has served as 2023-2025 American Association of Information Systems Future of Work track co-chair, their 2023-2025 Cognitive Information Systems mini-track co-chair, and the 2025 Workplace Equality and Diversity Session Chair for the Society of Business Ethics.
Dr. Alex Cohen, this episode's guest, is an Associate Professor in the Marketing Department at West Chester University, where his research focuses on marketing to the disabled community with the goal of creating a more inclusive marketplace. While earning his Ph.D. in marketing from the LeBow College of Business at Drexel University, he co-authored publications enhancing the assurance of success in online programs for students with disabilities. Prior to beginning his doctoral program, Cohen worked in the hospitality industry for 15 years where his experience includes: holding positions such as director of sales & marketing, general manager, and senior VP of operations. As a non-traditional student, he completed his Master’s degree in hospitality management in an on-line program at Drexel University. Diagnosed at age 20, Cohen has a degenerative retinal disease known as Retinitis Pigmentosa which has robbed him of most of his vision. He lives in downtown Philadelphia with his wife and two young sons, and spends his spare time as an avid runner, novice musician, and remains deeply involved and committed to the Foundation Fighting Blindness.
Chapters
1. Introduction to Dr. Alex Cohen (00:00:00)
2. Personal Journey with Vision Loss (00:00:34)
3. Understanding Different Types of Blindness (00:02:58)
4. Making Impact Through Research (00:05:41)
5. Economic Consequences of Inaccessibility (00:09:03)
6. Employment Barriers for Visually Impaired (00:12:40)
7. Navigating Career Change with Disabilities (00:15:37)
8. Website Accessibility Guidelines and Challenges (00:19:45)
80 episodes