Access Granted with R. David New

About Access Granted with R. David New

The podcast highlights pioneers and changemakers working to make the arts more inclusive.

Publisher

David New

Category

arts · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

27 Oct 2025

Latest episode

1 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

10 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   1 Sept 2026

   Matthew Whitaker - jazz performer

   Today's guest is someone whose extraordinary musicianship has captivated audiences around the world. Matthew Whitaker is an internationally acclaimed jazz pianist, organist, composer, and band leader whose performances combine breathtaking technical brilliance with infectious joy and deep musical soul. Blind since birth, Matthew has never allowed others' expectations to define what is possible. Instead, he has built an exceptional career, performing at some of the world's most prestigious venues, collaborating with legendary artists and inspiring audiences of every generation. His artistry reminds us that true excellence isn't defined by disability. It's defined by passion, dedication, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to one's craft. I also have the privilege of knowing Matthew through the South Beach Jazz Festival, where he has delivered unforgettable performances that have inspired countless music lovers while helping advance our shared mission of celebrating accessibility and inclusion in the arts. Today we'll talk about Matthew's remarkable musical journey, the mentors and experiences that shaped his career, his perspective on accessibility in the performing arts, and what continues to inspire him as one of the most exciting voices in contemporary jazz

2. 

   1 Aug 2026

   Holly Anderson - Podcaster and Audio Editer

   Today I'm excited to welcome someone who works behind the scenes to help bring stories like this one to life. Holly Anderson is a talented freelance audio editor, technology enthusiast, podcaster, and passionate accessibility advocate. While she specializes in editing podcasts, she also enjoys music production and is always exploring new ways technology can empower creativity. She is a familiar voice in the blindness community, serving as a panelist on the MaxisAbility Roundtable podcast, where she and her fellow hosts discuss Apple technology and other innovations that make everyday life more accessible. When she's not editing audio or talking tech, you'll often find her spending Saturday evenings participating in virtual karaoke with the American Council of the Blind or sharing her creativity through the ACB Crafters Group, a vibrant community of blind artists and makers. Holly has a deep appreciation for the arts and a strong commitment to inclusion, making her an invaluable member of the accessibility community. I'm also fortunate to call her the audio editor of Access Granted, where her talent and attention to detail help make every episode sound its very best.

3. 

   1 Jul 2026

   Beth BienVenu - Former Accessibility director of the National Endowment For the Arts

   Today, please welcome Dr. Beth Bienvenu, a respected leader in arts accessibility and disability inclusion. With more than 20 years of experience, she has worked at the intersection of the arts, accessibility, and public policy. As the former accessibility director of the Endowment of the Arts, Dr. Bienvenu led efforts to expand access to the arts for people with disabilities and providing guidance to artists and organizations across the country. She also served as a policy advisor of the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy and has taught arts policy at George Mason University. We will talk about her career, her progress that's been made in arts accessibility and what still needs to be done. Please join me in welcoming Dr. Beth Bienvenu.

4. 

   1 Jun 2026

   Alfred Meyer - Actor, singer, and artist

   Today's guest is Alfred Meyer, a 27-year-old actor, singer, and multidisciplinary artist based in Miami. Totally blind and passionate about storytelling, Alfred has spent more than 14 years studying acting and has performed in over 20 productions, including The Addams Family, Aladdin, and Elf. He has also appeared in campaigns for Amazon, Apple, and Spectrum. In addition to acting, Alfred is a vocalist, saxophone player, and emerging recording artist whose work and advocacy focus on accessibility, representation, and expanding what's possible in performance in media.

5. 

   1 May 2026

   Bill McCann, Founder of Dancing Dots Inc.

   Today's guest is someone who has been at the forefront of accessible music technology for decades. Bill McCann is the founder of Dancing Dots, a pioneering company dedicated to making music accessible to people who are blind and visually impaired. Through innovations in music notation, assistive software, and education, Bill has opened doors that were once firmly closed, empowering musicians to read, write, and produce music independently. His work doesn't just adapt a system, it reimagines it. In today's conversation, we'll explore how accessibility fuels creativity, the evolution of music technology for blind musicians, and what the future of inclusive design in the arts can and should look like.

6. 

   1 Apr 2026

   Georgina Kleege, a writer, scholar, and leading voice in disability studies and the arts

   Today, we're honored to welcome Georgina Klieg, a writer, scholar, and leading voice in disability studies and the arts. Georgina is a professor emerita at UC Berkeley and the author of several influential books, including Sight Unseen and More Than Meets the Eye, where she challenges traditional ideas about blindness and visual culture. Her work has helped reshape how museums, artists, and audiences think about accessibility and inclusion. Through her writing, teaching, and advocacy, Georgina has been a powerful force in making the arts more welcoming to people of all abilities

7. 

   2 Mar 2026

   Sina Bahram, the president and founder of Prime Access Consulting,

   Sina Bahram is the president and founder of Prime Access Consulting, or PAC. PAC is an inclusive design firm that helps welcome the widest possible audience to all digital and physical spaces. Sina has served as an expert witness, spoken at the United Nations, and contributed to landmark disability cases at all levels, including the Supreme Court of the United States. He also serves on and chairs multiple corporate, academic, and nonprofit boards. As an Astro Access Ambassador, Sina took part in a groundbreaking program that brought people with lived experience as close as possible to space. Flying aboard GeForce One, a specially modified Boeing 727-200, he helped test how astronauts with disabilities could navigate spacecraft, shaping the future of a more inclusive space program.

8. 

   1 Feb 2026

   Joy Mistovich, Assistant Education Director and Digital Accessibility Specialist at the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio.

   Today's guest is Joy Mistovich, Assistant Education Director and Digital Accessibility Specialist at the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio. Joy is a passionate advocate for accessible and inclusive museum experiences, combining her background In art education, technology, and accessibility to make art available to all. A blind visual artist, author, and accessibility pioneer, Joy considers her blindness a gift that fuels her mission to break barriers and challenge misconceptions.* She's presented at national conferences, serves on multiple accessibility boards, and was named the Ohio Museums Association Emerging Professional of the Year in 2024.*

9. 

   30 Dec 2025

   The Art Basel Special Edition

   Step inside an exclusive Art Basel special edition of Access Granted, where creativity takes center stage. This episode unlocks behind-the-scenes conversations, bold ideas, and the cultural moments shaping today's art world—bringing you closer to the artists, stories, and inspirations that make Art Basel unforgettable.

10. 

    27 Oct 2025

    Trish Maunder, Creative Director and Co-Founder of Philly Touch Tours

    Today, I'm thrilled to welcome a true pioneer in accessibility, arts education, and inclusive cultural programming Trish Maunder .* Trish is the Creative Director and Co-Founder of Philly Touch Tours, where she designs groundbreaking tactile and sensory experiences in museums and cultural institutions for blind and visually impaired audiences. * Her work has transformed how people connect with art, history, and culture *from the Penn Museum and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, to the Mutter Museum, The Museum of the American Revolution, and countless others.* At the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, she taught courses on art, inclusive education, and museum practices, mentoring the next generation of educators and advocates. * Beyond the classroom, Trish has led accessibility initiatives, designed programs with institutions across the U.S., and presented at the national and international conferences on multi-sensory engagement, access, and social justice in the arts.* Her career spans decades of creative leadership from working with the Faith Ringgold Foundation to developing family programs at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts * always with a focus on inclusion. equity, and the transformative power of art.* She's been featured on NBC Nightly News, PBS, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and the Associated Press for her groundbreaking work, and continues to be a leading voice for accessibility and advocacy in the arts.* Send feedback to: eoweraccessgranted@gmail.com Feel free to visit our website: Poweraccess.com

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.