Shows
You Can’t Spell Inclusion Without a DEp. 23: The State of Accessibility in Canada (Part 2)In part two of our series on The State of Accessibility in Canada, we go from the bird’s-eye view to a closer look at accessibility — in branding, marketing, advertising and social media content created by businesses in Canada.
This is an important conversation to have, because the accessibility of content for everyone can affect a business’s profitability and brand reputation.
Be sure to listen to this episode especially if you’re in marketing or advertising; or you’re a brand manager; or a social media manager; or a webmaster; or a graphic designer; or even a...2024-06-1854 min
The Human ChallengeEp 19 What are we missing in accessibility? ft Leanne, Jolene, Erica, and JulieWe are locked and loaded in this big episode of The Human Challenge, an AmazonMusic x ACAST "Indie Podcast Amplifier" 2023, featuring four major players in the accessibility space:Lee Anne Reuber - CEO/Founder of Sekond Skin Society (accessible health and fitness app)Jolene MacDonald - Founder of Accessibrand (digital accessibility) and Accessibrand Academy course, "Best Practices for Accessibility in Marketing" hereErica Cole - Founder/CEO of Nolimbits (US-based adaptive apparel brand)Julie Sawchuk - Accessibility Strategist of Sawchuck Accessible Solutions (physical accessibility spaces)We are...2023-12-1845 min
Success Leaves Clues with Robin Bailey and Al McDonaldSuccess Leaves Clues: Ep148 with guest Jolene MacDonald, Founder of Accessibrand™ For over a decade, Jolene MacDonald has known that people with disabilities needed a different work model to be able to give their full potential to their careers. Accessibrand™ is based on Jolene’s 20+ years of knowledge in the graphic design and marketing industry, as well as her 20 years as a successful entrepreneur and award-winning designer. Her own personal disability experience allows her to seek a better understanding of accessibility and advocacy. Accessibrand is a full-service virtual agency that is a collective of professionals that have all been impacted by disability—a team who know w...2023-08-0824 min
Why Access MattersEpisode 10: Alison Tedford SeaweedHello everyone!
Welcome to the 5th and the last episode of our second season and the 10th episode overall of our podcast “Why Access Matters”.
In this episode, I talked to Alison Tedford Seaweed. Alison is an Indigenous Relations consultant based in Abbotsford, BC.
In this conversation, she shares her valuable thoughts and experiences regarding her commitment to working alongside Indigenous
communities, people, and cultures to create transformative change and its intersectionality with her lived experience as an entrepreneur with disability.
And also about how social determinants of health impact the...2023-05-2637 min
IWSCC’s Empowering EqualitySupplier Roundtable with Michelle AuCoin, Jolene MacDonald, and Pamela ShainhouseIn this episode Deidre Guy talks with three IWSCC suppliers about the intersection between running a business, being a woman, and being a caregiver, and dispels some myths about disabled entrepreneurship with Learnability President and Executive Director Michelle AuCoin, Accessibrand Creative Director Jolene MacDonald, and Shainhouse Group President Pamela Shainhouse
You can find more episodes of this podcast, as well as the video version on YouTube here: https://linktr.ee/iwsccpodcast/
Or to learn more about the IWSCC visit: https://linktr.ee/IWSCCOfficial/
2023-05-2550 minIWSCC’s Empowering EqualitySupplier Roundtable with Michelle AuCoin, Jolene MacDonald, and Pamela ShainhouseIn this episode Deidre Guy talks with three IWSCC suppliers about the intersection between running a business, being a woman, and being a caregiver, and dispels some myths about disabled entrepreneurship with Learnability President and Executive Director Michelle AuCoin, Accessibrand Creative Director Jolene MacDonald, and Shainhouse Group President Pamela Shainhouse
You can find more episodes of this podcast, as well as the video version on YouTube here: https://linktr.ee/iwsccpodcast/
Or to learn more about the IWSCC visit: https://linktr.ee/IWSCCOfficial/
2023-05-2550 min
Normalize It - The Business of Accessibility and Disability InclusionWhat Is the Powerful Synergy Between Good Business Decisions and Thoughtful Design Principles? - Jolene MacdonaldGet ready to dive into the fascinating world of design on the latest episode of "Normalize It"! This week, we have the pleasure of welcoming Jolene MacDonald, the brilliant mind behind Accessibrand™.
In this episode, we delve into the crucial topic of designing with accessibility in mind. Jolene will share invaluable insights and strategies for incorporating accessibility principles into your designs and marketing practices. Discover how embracing inclusivity can enhance your brand's impact and reach a wider audience.
But that's not all—Jolene will also explore the intersection of good business and design. Uncover the powe...2023-05-2430 min
Why Access MattersEpisode 9: Alicia JarvisWelcome you to the 4th episode of our second season and the 9th episode overall of our podcast “Why Access Matters”.
To better understand how important it is to break down barriers and address societal openness to accessibility, we talked to Alicia Jarvis. Alicia is a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion researcher and strategist. She is a creative force for change and a thought leader, offering a positive perspective and innovative solutions to complex problems relating to universal usability.
She shared her valuable thoughts about the importance of accessibility, her difficult but fruitful personal journey, and many othe...2023-04-2838 min
Why Access MattersEpisode 8: Allan Redford and Isabella Lamanna
Welcome to the 8th episode of "Why Access Matters."Today, we have two amazing guests, Allan Redford and Isabella Lamanna, who are involved in Little People of Canada, the Little People of Ontario, and the Dwarf Athletic Association of Canada.
They will share their experiences and insights into the organization and their work to raise awareness and acceptance around dwarfism.
Please check the links below to no more about their fabulous works:
https://littlepeopleofontario.com/
https://littlepeopleofcanada.com/
https://dwarfathletics.ca/
Please feel f...2023-03-3155 min
Why Access MattersEpisode 7: Cam BeaudoinWelcome to the second season and the 7th episode of our podcast “Why Access Matters”! It is also our 2nd episode of season 2.
This episode will not only cover the question about the connections between accessibility and advocacy but also will cover lots of thought-provoking topics about accessibility.
In this episode seeking a better understanding of how important it is to address that everyone –including non-disabled people- can and should do their part towards a more equitable and accessible world, I spoke to Cam Beaudoin, the founder of “Accelerated Accessibility.”
In our conversation, he spoke n...2023-02-2441 min
Why Access MattersEpisode 6: Aditya BikkaniWe want to welcome you to the second season and the 6th episode of our podcast “Why Access Matters”!
In this episode, we talk about how important it is to break down barriers to make a more inclusive and accessible world, and also we address the intersection with neurodiversity.
In this topic, we talked to Aditya (Adi) Bikkani, the CEO and Founder of AdvancedBytez, a company with the mission “to ensure all users of the web are included while using your products and services.”
Please feel free to share your feedback and suggestions with us...2023-01-2730 min
Why Access MattersEpisode 5: Edward Faruzel“How can people without disabilities make policies and decisions for the disabled without having the benefits and information provided by our lived experiences?”
This very important question sums up the theme of our 5th episode of “Why Access Matters” and the very important topic of disability and inclusion.
Our incredible guest in this episode is Edward Faruzel.
Edward is the Executive Director of KW AccessAibility. In our conversation, he shared his valued lived experiences with us and specially addressed key points about how to move toward a more accessible world.
Please feel free to...2022-10-2841 min
Why Access MattersEpisode 4: Andrew Tutty“How do people who cannot see your website well or at all, use your website or products?”
This question is something we will be touching upon in the 4th episode of our podcast, “Why Access Matters.”
In this episode, and with continuing focus on “Making your brand accessible,” we want to talk about people with visual difficulties and other visual disabilities and how accessibility is crucial for them too.
Our guest speaker in this episode is Andrew Tutty. He is the lead auditor and web tester at Accessibrand.
Please check out these two ve...2022-09-3037 min
Why Access MattersEpisode 3: Jessica Oddi“Make your branding Accessible!” is the topic of our 3rd Episode of Why Access Matters, where we also briefly review the concept of “Universal Design.” We talked to Jessica Oddi, one of our team members at Accessibrand! She introduces herself as “A disabled designer with an ethical approach,” and in the podcast, she speaks about her lived experience and addresses many key points about how to move toward a more accessible world via more inclusive design.
Transcript is available at https://accessibrand.com/podcast.htm
Host: Jolene MacDonald
Production Manager: Farshid Sadatsharifi2022-08-2640 min
Why Access MattersEpisode 2: Maayan Ziv“Make your business Accessible!” What do you think of when you hear that? Elevators, Automatic push buttons at the entrance, and ramps?
As a business owner, would you be worried about the extra work and money you would need to spend? Or would you consider making your business accessible as an investment in your clientele?
To better understand how important it is to break down barriers, I talked to Maayan Ziv, the CEO of AccessNow: a startup which arose from experiencing the frustration of going to inaccessible places.
Rather than being passive, she was...2022-07-2935 min
Why Access MattersEpisode 1: Dave DameEvery time we as a society innovate, invent and educate, we solve problems. Accessibility is no different! To quote the brilliant Dave Dame, the Director of Accessibility at Microsoft, “Accessibility is the solution but the disability is the opportunity!”
To find out where that line came from, and to hear other gems and thoughts regarding Accessibility, check out Episode 1 of Accessibrand’s new podcast Why Access Matters, coming to pod-catchers and podcast platforms this Friday, June 21st, 2022. Transcript is available at https://accessibrand.com/podcast.htm!
Host: Jolene MacDonald
Production Manager: Farshid Sadatsharifi2022-06-2436 min
Why Access MattersWhy Access Matters, Pre-episode: With Jolene MacDonaldHi everyone!
Welcome to the pre-episode of “Why Access Matters.”
This episode published on Friday, May 27, 2022, 2 days before a very important week: National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) in Canada, which spans from May 29th to June 4th, 2022.
This year the theme for National AccessAbility Week is “Inclusive From the Start” and we profoundly believe that listening to the lived experiences of people with disabilities and how and why they consider accessibility a vital element of our society is one of the major steps to make it “Inclusive From the Start.”
In this pre-episode, Farshid Sada...2022-05-2713 min
Why Access MattersWhy Access Matters - TeaserTune into Why Access Matters this Friday, May 27th, to find out how important Accessibility is; from the people who need and use it to the people who work for it. In honour of GAAD (Global Accessibility Awareness Day), join us at Accessibrand in spreading awareness on this important topic.
Here you can find a teaser of the Podcast and those we have interviewed so far. Please check it out and share it with your network!
PS: You can see the transcript on our website.
Host: Jolene MacDonald
Production Manager: Farshid...2022-05-1803 min