Many learning teams still treat accessibility like a checklist. In this episode, we take a different path with Susi Miller, internationally recognized expert, author of Designing Accessible Learning Content, and LPI Learning Professional of the Year 2025 who shows how inclusive design raises the bar for every learner and every program.
The conversation starts with a simple moment of truth: a screen reader user couldn’t navigate a course because of broken heading levels. From there, we unpack the habits that turn obstacles into better outcomes, including plain language, accurate captions, thoughtful color contrast, and predictable, keyboard-accessible interactions.
Susi and host, Bill Banham dig into the blueberry muffin analogy - why accessibility must be mixed into the design from the start - and map practical steps across four access domains: vision, hearing, motor, and cognitive. Susi shares small, repeatable wins that compound over time: crafting strong alt text, building descriptive transcripts, and setting a consistent heading structure that helps humans and assistive tech. We also reframe the business case with new data from BCG suggesting roughly 25% of people report a disability or health condition that affects a major life activity. If a quarter of your workforce can’t fully access learning, excellence is off the table.
AI enters as a force multiplier and a caution sign. Susi explains how generative tools can draft alt text and descriptive transcripts that save hours, especially for complex visuals, while reminding us that human review is non-negotiable to catch context, bias, and tone.
Finally, we focus on leadership: how to move beyond compliance to a mindset where accessibility equals quality. Share stories, set standards, and celebrate progress—because when teams feel that “accessibility spark,” inclusion becomes a reflex, not a retrofit. If you found this helpful, follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick review to help more learning pros find us.
Connect with Susi Miller: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susimiller1/
Connect with Bill Banham: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-banham-a932a0b/
Learn more about Connect Conference: https://thelearning-network.org/event/connect-2025/
Voices of the Learning Network is the Learning Network podcast connecting the learning and development community. https://thelearning-network.org/
