Accessibility Accelerator: The Podcast

About Accessibility Accelerator: The Podcast

Accessibility Accelerator: The Podcast introduces you to high-profile global leaders, influencers, and change-makers in all things related to accessibility, disability, inclusion, and Universal design. Join us to hear forward-thinking conversations on how we all can make a difference in making a world more accessible and inclusive of ALL.

Publisher

Accessibility Accelerator: The Podcast

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

8 Feb 2023

Latest episode

20 Jan 2026

Latest episodes

19 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Jan 2026

   Global Purple Vest Mission: Preparedness, Compassion and Inclusion in Times of Crisis for ALL

   Michal (Moked) Rimon, Chief Executive Officer of AccessIsrael, is a visionary leader and global advocate for accessibility and inclusion. Under Michal’s leadership, Access Israel has becomeIsrael’s foremost authority in advancing equal access for people with disabilities and older adults, shaping a society where inclusion is embedded in every aspect of life. Michal credits much of her commitment to being a keeperof all her sisters and brothers to the values and discipline instilled during her formative years at the Ramaz School, where she graduated at the top of her class. She began her career representing Israel on the worldstage as spokesperson for two Ambassadors at the Israeli Mission to the United Nations. She later practiced law in leading technology corporations including M-Systems and SanDisk, gaining deep expertise in legal, corporate, and international affairs. In 2007, Michal joined Access Israel as General Counsel.She soon established and led the organization’s Education and Training Department, creating groundbreaking programs that transformed awareness and practice across government, business, and civil society. Her appointment as Chief Executive Officer in 2011 marked a period of remarkable growth, expanding Access Israel’s national and international influence. Michal is the founder and driving force behind the multi-award-winning Purple Vest Mission, an innovative model of inclusiveemergency preparedness that has evolved into a global movement. The mission has trained thousands of volunteers and built international networks of experts committed to dignity, safety, and inclusion in times of crisis. Michal holds a Law Degree from the Hebrew University ofJerusalem and an MBA from Zicklin Business School in New York City. Two weeks ago, Michal Rimon and Access Israel FounderYuval Wagner were named People of the Year 2025,w by Yediot Achronot, Israel’s largest daily newspaper, recognizing her outstanding impact on society and her unwavering commitment to building a world where accessibility is a fundamental human right.

2. 

   23 Dec 2025

   The Athlete in ALL of Us - Meet: Jake Weiner | ZOOZ Fitness

   Jake Weiner is the Founder and CEO of ZOOZ Fitness, one of the nation’s leading adaptive fitness organizations dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities through personalized,inclusive, and science-based training. With professional roots in special education and personal training and a degree in Psychology and Marketing, Jake saw firsthand how traditional fitness environments often failed to accommodate neurodiverse and physically disabled individuals. In response, he launched ZOOZ with a mission to reimagine what fitness could look like when accessibility, and dignity are at the center. Over the last decade, Jake has trained hundreds of athletes of all ages and ability levels, developing programs that support functional strength, mobility, emotional regulation, and overall quality of life. His approach is built on patience, trust, and the belief that every athlete deserves a program tailored to their unique strengths and goals — not the other way around. Under Jake’s leadership, ZOOZ Fitness has expanded into a state-of-the-art 11,000 sq. ft. facility, offering personal training, adaptive classes, sensory-friendly spaces, and community programming. ZOOZ is now recognized as a model for inclusive fitness nationwide, drawing interest from therapists, educators, and families looking for environments where disabled athletes can thrive. Beyond the gym, Jake is a sought-after collaborator and educator, partnering with schools, nonprofits, and media organizations to promote disability inclusion and adaptive movement. His work continues to advance the understanding that fitness is not just physical — it’s social, emotional, and deeply tied to mental health. ZOOZ website: https://www.zoozfitness.com/ (https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.zoozfitness.com_&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=YDPY_aYb8UAFsX6aFStkMOGi8UZG_YOt_yS9Qz27yYXERR5U3d9rmXpfUbFmm8YP&m=mhyAX1PseJAJyYdF9ca__l9G8Hwle75rGteXaVXxjY7LqQMsYJGHPU4S0Tj3wnbT&s=3XBZA9JrxSJgyF_8rzFQokBtW97cwc4gcKavHGkkTk8&e=) ZOOZ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoozfitness/ (https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.instagram.com_zoozfitness_&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=YDPY_aYb8UAFsX6aFStkMOGi8UZG_YOt_yS9Qz27yYXERR5U3d9rmXpfUbFmm8YP&m=mhyAX1PseJAJyYdF9ca__l9G8Hwle75rGteXaVXxjY7LqQMsYJGHPU4S0Tj3wnbT&s=RKSATYmnf8cmK0omHEOH1cQprI39h1pnel-d1OjQgg4&e=) ZOOZTube Videos:l:  https://www.youtube.com/@zooztubefitness577 (https://www.youtube.com/@zooztubefitness577) ZOOZ competes in Spartan Race, Temecula, CA (mentioned in podcast):  https://tinyurl.com/ZOOZSpartan (https://tinyurl.com/ZOOZSpartan)

3. 

   15 Nov 2025

   Meet Allison Norlian - A Compassionate Filmmaker: Advancing Inclusion from Community to Kilimanjaro

   Allison is a three-time Emmy-nominated journalist, filmmaker, writer, and disability advocate whose latest documentary, Meandering Scars, world premiered at the Dances With Films Festival in Los Angeles. She is the co-founder of BirdMine, a production company committed to amplifying underrepresented voices — particularly those in the disability community — through narrative and documentary storytelling. At BirdMine, Allison writes, directs, and produces films that aim to challenge perceptions and inspire social change. In addition to Meandering Scars, Allison co-wrote and co-directed the award-winning short film Thirteen, a deeply personal narrative inspired by her mother and profoundly disabled sister. Thirteen has screened internationally, including at the Austin Film Festival, Austin Jewish Film Festival, and the California Women’s Film Festival, and is now distributed educationally through New Day Films. Allison’s storytelling roots are in journalism. Over the course of her reporting career, she worked in multiple newsrooms across the country and wrote for digital outlets including Forbes Women, Healthy Women, and Business Insider. Her reporting — often focused on disability rights, mental health, and social justice — earned her a Catalyst for Change award from The Arc of Virginia and multiple Emmy nominations, including one for an investigative series exposing abuse at an assisted living facility. Driven by her lived experience as the sister of a profoundly disabled woman, Allison has dedicated her career to ensuring people with disabilities are not only seen, but portrayed with dignity, authenticity, and humanity. Whether through the lens of a camera or the written word, her goal remains the same: to elevate the voices of those too often overlooked. Off set, Allison’s coaching and creating content at ZOOZ Fitness, a gym for people with disabilities—or curled up at home with her husband and their kitty. A link to THIRTEEN's trailer/distribution: https://www.newday.com/films/thirteen (https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.newday.com_films_thirteen&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=YDPY_aYb8UAFsX6aFStkMOGi8UZG_YOt_yS9Qz27yYXERR5U3d9rmXpfUbFmm8YP&m=2-r3qw_k_fam6ocR7U-nrWaRGEQ-e-VR-PEMHooJTXWJA8bTo_E4fDbKGVHbjVmI&s=k78w1jiIFGj3yjEnqo5pqlTCVFu47FBsbHu3ZE2RIeU&e=) Meandering Scars website: https://www.meanderingscars.com/ (https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.meanderingscars.com_&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=YDPY_aYb8UAFsX6aFStkMOGi8UZG_YOt_yS9Qz27yYXERR5U3d9rmXpfUbFmm8YP&m=2-r3qw_k_fam6ocR7U-nrWaRGEQ-e-VR-PEMHooJTXWJA8bTo_E4fDbKGVHbjVmI&s=Y5ALdVv_aAR1VX0aKgr4XBIEzc8U00z003LdJAPL7pk&e=) Meandering Scars trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8WQ_E9p1Po (https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.youtube.com_watch-3Fv-3Dv8WQ-5FE9p1Po&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=YDPY_aYb8UAFsX6aFStkMOGi8UZG_YOt_yS9Qz27yYXERR5U3d9rmXpfUbFmm8YP&m=2-r3qw_k_fam6ocR7U-nrWaRGEQ-e-VR-PEMHooJTXWJA8bTo_E4fDbKGVHbjVmI&s=QO7FvrND24TgukdI24-vLEoP3xxEOzkTe-z8IVqVy8c&e=) Instagram: @birdminestories @meanderingscars @thirteen_short_film Website: https://www.birdmine.com/

4. 

   28 Apr 2025

   Sarah Todd Hammer: Effective Advocacy with a Smile

   Disability advocate Sarah Todd Hammer shares her experiences and insights on effective advocacy, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a positive attitude, in this interview.

5. 

   9 Apr 2025

   Farryl & Alexis: The Power of WE

   Athlete and author Farryl and her mother Alexis share how family support and shared passions fuel Farryl's athletic and creative pursuits, highlighting the power of a strong support system in achieving personal goals; this is an interview.

6. 

   19 Feb 2025

   accessibleGO: Making Travel more Accessible to All

   Miriam Eljas of accessibleGO discusses creating an accessible travel platform for people with disabilities, offering bookings, reviews, and community information in this interview.

7. 

   1 Nov 2024

   Author Kris Burbank: Embracing Another Normal: Resilience Stories and Strategies for Raising Children with Disabilities

   Author Kris Burbank discusses resilience strategies for parents raising children with disabilities, drawing from her book and coaching experience in an interview, offering support and perspective.

8. 

   3 Oct 2023

   Eric Lipp: Behind the Scenes of Making International Air Travel Accessible

   Eric Lipp, Founder of Open Doors Organization, discusses his advocacy for accessible travel and tourism, highlighting his work with airports and carriers globally in this interview.

9. 

   22 Sept 2023

   John and Mark X. Cronin: Spreading Happiness via our Global Social Enterprise

   Father-son team John Cronin and Mark X. Cronin discuss building John's Crazy Socks as a social enterprise that employs people with differing abilities and spreads happiness, showcasing their advocacy work in an interview.

10. 

    14 Sept 2023

    Husnah Kukundakwe: Encouraging the world to be the best version of themselves.

    Paralympian Husnah Kukundakwe discusses her journey as a young athlete, her achievements in para swimming, and her advocacy for disability inclusion, inspiring others to pursue their dreams in this interview.

11. 

    5 Sept 2023

    Christine Hemphill:  Why Broader Perspectives Create Better Solutions

    Christine Hemphill, disability inclusion expert, discusses how inclusive research and design creates better solutions for businesses and society, in an interview with the host.

12. 

    23 Aug 2023

    Bernard Chiira: Leadership Determined to Build Innovative Ecosystems that Positively Make a Difference in the Lives of People with Disabilities

    Bernard Chiira discusses his work developing innovative ecosystems that improve the lives of people with disabilities through assistive technology and social entrepreneurship in Africa; this is an interview.

13. 

    21 Aug 2023

    Professor Breandan Ward: The Two-Way Road of Disclosing One's Disability(ies)

    Professor Breandan Ward discusses his experiences with progressive sight loss and how it informs his work as a consultant, coach, and professor in this interview.

14. 

    8 Aug 2023

    Rebecca Alexander: Host of Protactile: A Language of Touch on PBS

    Author Rebecca Alexander discusses her experiences as a disability rights advocate who is deafblind and the host of Protactile: A Language of Touch on PBS in this interview.

15. 

    11 Jul 2023

    Robin Tim Weis: Uniting the Globe to Work as One

    Robin Tim Weis, Director at the Zero Project, discusses uniting global efforts to remove barriers for people with disabilities, highlighting the Zero Project's international activities in this interview.

16. 

    21 Mar 2023

    Jonathan Marriott: Creating Gateways to Travel for All

    Jonathan Marriott from Rick Hansen Foundation discusses creating accessible travel policies and built environments, emphasizing holistic approaches to community inclusion in this interview.

17. 

    27 Feb 2023

    Christopher Patnoe: “There are few things in the world better than giving back”

    Christopher Patnoe, Google's Head of Accessibility, discusses his extensive tech background and passion for accessibility within immersive technologies, highlighting the importance of giving back through inclusive design in this interview.

18. 

    17 Feb 2023

    Jonathan Kaufman: Finding Solutions: The Intersection of Business, Disability, Innovation, Leadership, and Culture

    Jonathan Kaufman shares his personal journey and insights on the intersection of business, disability, innovation, leadership, and culture, offering a deeper understanding of personal and professional growth in this interview episode.

19. 

    8 Feb 2023

    Ambassador Luis Gallegos: Seizing Every Opportunity to Make a Difference in the World

    Ambassador Luis Gallegos shares his experiences as a global representative and his work on the U.N.'s Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in this interview.

Who has been a guest on Accessibility Accelerator: The Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Sarah Todd Hammer
• Farryl
• Alexis
• Miriam Eljas
• Kris Burbank

Reach and audience

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

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 24 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

35

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact Accessibility Accelerator: The Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

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