Shows
RNIB ConnectJosh Loebner - Global Head Of Inclusive Design at VMLJosh Loebner, PhD, has 20 years of experience in advertising and inclusive design.
He is partially sighted and supports global brand initiatives centring on inclusive design, disability, and accessibility. He also does research focused on greater disability inclusion within integrated marketing campaigns, and the advertising creative process.
Here he is talking to Amelia about his career so far and the changes he's experienced in the industry.
Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’...
2025-04-1709 min
RNIB ConnectBlind Faith Wearable Tactile Ramadan CalendarRamadan is traditionally observed through visual cues like moon sightings and printed prayer timetables.
Bank Al Etihad and VML Jordan have created a wearable tactile calendar to support blind and partially sighted Muslims engage in traditions independently.
Amelia spoke to Basel Jumaa, Executive Creative Director, and Josh Loebner, Global Head of Inclusive Design, to learn more.
Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.
2025-04-1609 min
egta's Expert Series22 - Josh Loebner (Global Head of Inclusive Design, Wunderman Thompson) on ad accessibilityHow do we create more inclusive and accessible TV and video advertising? In this episode of egta's Expert Series, Josh Loebner, Global Head of Inclusive Design at Wunderman Thompson, shares his expert insights on making advertising and marketing more accessible and inclusive. With over 20 years of experience in the industry and a PhD in advertising and disability, Josh discusses what successful accessibility looks like in advertising and explains how Wunderman Thompson approaches inclusive design.
2023-05-1515 min
Smarter Building Materials MarketingNavigating Lumber Prices in 2023: The Role of Futures and Risk ManagementOnce again, the volatility of lumber prices is a hot topic. But basic pricing isn’t all you need to know about lumber. This week’s guests discuss how futures and risk management play a big role in lumber pricing and those who buy it.Both our guests today are from Sherwood Lumber — Steve Loebner is VP of Commodities and Risk Management and Josh Goodman is SVP of Forest Products, Sales and Supply Chain. They talk with Beth about lumber prices, futures and risk management.
2023-03-1321 min
South of Scruffy with Ben Fields#122- Dr. Josh LoebnerJosh Loebner has devoted his life and career to ensuring that people with disabilities are equitably represented in advertising. Josh has lived with a disability his entire life, but instead of letting his blindness define him negatively, he has spent his career in advertising advocating for marginalized groups, incuding those living with disabilities. Josh and Ben dig into the ways that the advertising industry is moving toward a model that focuses more on diversity, equity and inclusion.
2022-05-021h 12
2021-12-1622 min
ExplorableEpisode 21: Alison Brooks, Director, Destination Experience & Advocacy at Visit MesaVisit Mesa was the first world's first Autism Certified Destination, and Alison Brooks, Director, Destination Experience and Advocacy introduced that groundbreaking message to travelers and the travel industry. Alison's passion is to collaborate with people identifying and implementing ways to evolve, and the Visit Mesa team, community and partners have accomplished revolutionary accessible and inclusive tourism initiatives. No matter where you are on your accessible tourism journey, Alison shares insights and motivations that can propel you forward.
Explorable A Designsensory Original Production.
This is a podcast about travel, disability and inclusion. Join Josh Loebner and...
2021-12-0927 min
ExplorableEpisode 20: Alan Day, Co-Founder, Autism Double-CheckedAlan co-founded Autism Double-Checked to support and guide those that travel with autistic family members. Alan brings together his areas of expertise as a parent with an autistic child and as a travel professional. He has the optimum combination that any leisure traveler could want, with the industry experience, the insider contacts and the specialized tools that are needed. Find out more about Alan and how Autism Double-Checked aims to help families take a very well deserved break and to limit the challenges that they face in doing so.
Explorable A Designsensory Original Production.
This...
2021-12-0221 min
ExplorableEpisode 19: Staci Mellman, Chief Marketing Officer for Visit FloridaFlorida is the nation's top travel destination, and Visit Florida is setting the standard for creating and spotlighting extensive resources for accessible travel. Staci Mellman, Chief Marketing Officer for Visit Florida spearheads category-leading efforts through showcasing the state's accessible destinations. She brings these to life in compelling commercials, immersive marketing and authentically captures disability travel stories in a streaming series. Visit Florida's official website brings connects these accessible travel stories together with robust accessibility and inclusive destination and attraction details at https://www.visitflorida.com/things-to-do/accessible-travel/.
Explorable A Designsensory Original Production.
This is a...
2021-11-2527 min
ExplorableEpisode 18: TravelAbility Summit 2021 RecapThe founder of Travelability, Jake Steinman, shares his point of view on the 2021 Tampa, Florida Travelability Summit. The conference brought together thought leaders and change makers from Visit Florida, Google, Walt Disney World among other major destinations and attractions. We'll take a deep dive into Jake's top takeaways from the conference and what he believes is the future growth and direction of accessible tourism. The TravelAbility Summit is the tourism industry’s premier event for disability insights and resources for tips, training and information connecting disability and destinations.
Explorable A Designsensory Original Production.
This is a...
2021-11-1816 min
ExplorableEpisode 17: Ron Pettit, Director, Disability Inclusion and ADA Compliance with Royal Caribbean GroupWelcome aboard this episode of Explorable as we cruise into accessible tourism conversations with Ron Pettit, Director, Disability Inclusion and ADA Compliance with Royal Caribbean Group. Find out about category leading innovations in crew training, ship accessibility and other ways to create smooth sailing for disabled travelers and staff. Ron shares his lived experiences connected to disability and how he grew his department to lead a team of advocates to operationalize accessibility as scale within the organization.
Explorable A Designsensory Original Production.
This is a podcast about travel, disability and inclusion. Join Josh Loebner and...
2021-11-1137 min
ExplorableEpisode 16: Sasha Blair-Goldensohn, Google Engineer, Disability Advocate & InnovatorIn this episode of Explorable we're finding out about how Sasha Blair-Goldensohn brought innovating thinking Google Maps. Businesses, organizations and others can easily add wheelchair accessibility features on their listing in Google Maps to showcase how explorable their physical spaces are in the real world. Find out how Sasha turned this idea into action with the support of others believing in bringing this new feature to life. Sasha also shares more about his disability journey and advocacy that's making an impact! To find out more about accessibility features in Google Maps, visit https://blog.google/products/maps/wheelchair-accessible-places-google-maps/.
2021-11-0428 min
ExplorableEpisode 15: Troy Otillio, CEO of AiraAira is a service that connects blind and low-vision people to highly trained, remotely-located agents. Through an app on your smartphone, Aira delivers instant access to visual information at the touch of a button – enhancing everyday efficiency, engagement, and independence. We will hear from Aira CEO Troy Otillio on the service and software technology that expands travel and other opportunities for blind and low vision users.
Explorable A Designsensory Original Production.
This is a podcast about travel, disability and inclusion. Join Josh Loebner and Toby Willis as they interview experts, advocates and allies of tourism, de...
2021-06-1741 min
ExplorableEpisode 14: Sara Emmert Director of Tourism Policy and Special Initiatives for I LOVE NYIn 2020, I LOVE NY unveiled Accessible New York, an initiative that showcases the hundreds of accessible and disability inclusive attractions and destinations across the state of New York. Many attractions offer accessibility features, with some even providing specialty programming focused on travelers with disabilities. The Accessible New York website serves as an information hub to publicize accessible attractions for people with accessibility needs. Sara Emmert, Director of Tourism Policy and Special Initiatives shares more about these and other initiatives welcoming all travelers to New York state. Note to listeners, this interview took place in March 2020 when many New York...
2021-06-0826 min
ExplorableEpisode 13: SEA Airport Innovations in Accessibility and InclusionEvery day. Elevate.
This is the message that SEA Airport staff bring to life for all travelers, including those with disabilities. SEA Airport's brand promise is to create through a passionate service culture, an elevated travel experience that’s inspired by the original nature of the Pacific Northwest. The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is ranked 8th among U. S. airports for passenger activity and is a category leader for airport innovations in accessibility and disability inclusion. Join Chelsea Rodriguez, SEA Airport Volunteers & Customer accessibility Manager and Heather Karch, Facilities and Infrastructure Architecture Manager as they share more ab...
2021-06-0123 min
ExplorableEpisode 12: Jeremy Buzzell, National Park ServiceThe National Park Service is committed to making facilities, programs, services, and employment accessible for visitors and employees with disabilities. On this episode of Explorable we're hearing from Jeremy Buzzell, Branch Chief for the Accessibility Management Program National Park Service. Jeremy shares more about his role, key accessibility initiatives and considerations for others to welcome disability inclusion and accessibility in their efforts.
Explorable A Designsensory Original Production.
This is a podcast about travel, disability and inclusion. Join Josh Loebner and Toby Willis as they interview experts, advocates and allies of tourism, destinations and disability to le...
2021-05-2748 min
ExplorableEpisode 11: KultureCity with Uma Srivastava, Chief Operating OfficerFind out how KultureCity is welcoming disability, neurodiversity, people with autism and others through partnerships at hundreds of destinations across the United States and world. Join us as we share a conversation with Uma Srivastava, KultureCity's Chief Operating Officer to learn more about the benefits of calming rooms, Sensory Inclusive™ Certifications, continuous training, sensory bags, app integration and more. KultureCity makes the nevers possible by creating sensory accessibility and inclusion for those with invisible disabilities to welcome everyone to attractions, sporting events and so many other venues and destinations.
Explorable A Designsensory Original Production.
This is...
2021-05-1935 min
ExplorableEpisode 10: Alaska Airlines Advancing Accessibility and Disability InclusionAlaska Airlines is known for their industry-leading reliability, service and guest rewards, and is also a leader in welcoming disability inclusion and accessibility. Find out more about the airline's inclusion innovations with episode guests Ray Prentice, Director Customer Advocacy; Amanda Matlock, Principle Product Designer; Phoebe Larner, Senior UX Researcher; and Ryan Wilson, Senior Product Designer.
We'll dive into how ingenuity, innovation and passion led to the development of the groundbreaking Fly For All app, the airline's commitment to staff training, and how accessibility is being woven throughout the customer experience journey. Alaska Airlines is the fifth-largest U...
2021-05-1340 min
ExplorableEpisode 9: Srin Madipalli, Entrepreneur, Advocate and World TravelerSrin originally studied to be a research scientist focusing on genetics, before retraining as a corporate lawyer. After discovering he didn’t want to go into law, he went back to school and received an MBA from Oxford. Srin taught himself how to code and started and in 2015 founded Accomable, an accessible travel web application bridging significant digital gaps that often frustrated and hindered disabled travelers when searching online for accessible accommodations. Airbnb acquired Accomable in 2017 and Srin is now an independent investor, disability advocate and he continues to work on new ventures and ideas.
Explorable A De...
2021-01-0626 min
ExplorableEpisode 8: Kerry Mauger, Program Manager, Wings for Autism®Airport experiences, from going through security to boarding an airplane can often be stressful and challenging to navigate for everyone, including for families and individuals with neurodiversity, such as autism and other disabilities. Kerry Mauger, Program Manager for The Arc’s Wings for Autism® spearheads airport rehearsal programs across the United States. This industry-leading training program takes the stress of airline travel through educating and informing and shedding light on the process for travelers, airport staff and airline crews.
Explorable A Designsensory Original Production.
This is a podcast about travel, disability and inclusion. Join Josh Loebn...
2020-12-1622 min
ExplorableEpisode 7: 2020 Disability Inclusion Travel Report from Expedia Group and Leonard CheshireTo reflect on and celebrate International Day of Disabled Persons, we’ve invited Verity Ayling-Smith, Training and Consultancy Advisor with the Leonard Cheshire Organisation and Veronica Velazquez, Senior Manager, Inclusion & Diversity at Expedia Group to find out more about their respective roles, their connections to disability and to learn key insights from the just released disability inclusion travel report.
Expedia Group {https://www.expediagroup.com/}
Lenonard Chesire {https://www.leonardcheshire.org/}
Explorable A Designsensory Original Production.
This is a podcast about travel, disability and inclusion. Join Josh Loebner and Toby Willis as...
2020-11-3041 min
ExplorableEpisode 6: Mark Jones, Manager, Accessibility & Services for Guests with Disabilities, Walt Disney World ResortHow explorable is Walt Disney World for people with disabilities? Find out about the accessibility innovations and disability commitments at the Walt Disney World Resort from Mark Jones, Manager of Accessibility and Services for Guests with Disabilities. Mark shares how his personal ties to disability and a college internship at Walt Disney World led him on an amazing journey to the most magical place on earth.
Explorable A Designsensory Original Production.
This is a podcast about travel, disability and inclusion. Join Josh Loebner and Toby Willis as they interview experts, advocates and allies of tourism...
2020-11-1731 min
ExplorableEpisode 5: Making Kindles Accessible with JoAnna Hunt, Manager Kindle Accessibility Engineering TeamFor avid book readers on vacation, on a commute or simply relaxing at home, Amazon Kindle e-readers are must haves. How explorable are Kindles for people with disabilities? In this episode of Explorable, Amazon’s Manager of the Kindle Accessibility Engineering Team, JoAnna Hunt, shares personal stories and the powerful commitments to e-reader accessibility.
Explorable A Designsensory Original Production.
This is a podcast about travel, disability and inclusion. Join Josh Loebner and Toby Willis as they interview experts, advocates and allies of tourism, destinations and disability to learn about how they’re traveling the world, the...
2020-11-1126 min
ExplorableEpisode 4: Open Doors Organization’s Program Coordinator & Lead Trainer Craig KennedyWe’ve got a high-impact, high-energy episode with Craig Kennedy, Program Coordinator & Lead Trainer with the Open Doors Organization who will share loads of powerful data and positive stories of disability inclusion. Listen and find out why tourism organizations, airlines, large corporations and others across the globe turn to the Open Doors Organization to reach and serve the disability market through research, training and guidance.
{https://opendoorsnfp.org/}
Explorable A Designsensory Original Production.
This is a podcast about travel, disability and inclusion. Join Josh Loebner and Toby Willis as they interview experts, advocates an...
2020-10-3031 min
Marketing VanguardDisability Inclusion Summit - Adweek DEI Virtual EventFor the Disability Inclusion Summit, eight leaders in marketing and advertising brought their hearts and perspectives forward, sharing the virtual stage to open up about their personal experiences and unifying sentiments around areas for advancement. Each of the panelists are part of the Disability community and shared important perspective on awareness, understanding and alliance. For anyone trying to access this podcast who may have a hearing impairment, please note the full video that includes a sign language interpreter is available here: https://www.adweek.com/agencies/leaders-with-disabilities-urge-brands-and-agencies-let-us-tell-own-stories/The Panelists included: Becky Kekula, director, Disability Equality Index KR Liu, head of...
2020-10-021h 27
ExplorableEpisode 3: Universal Design with Rosemarie RossettiOn this episode, Rosemarie Rossetti, PhD, joins Josh and Toby to talk about universal design. Find out what it is and why it's important to travel and tourism, and some simple steps to bringing universal design into your home, hotel or business. Rosemarie is a powerful, internationally known speaker, trainer, consultant and author of the Universal Design Toolkit. She built, and lives in, the Universal Design Living Laboratory.
{https://www.rosemariespeaks.com/}
{https://www.udll.com/about/}
Explorable A Designsensory Original Production.
This is a podcast about travel, disability and inclusion...
2020-09-0125 min
ExplorableEpisode 2: TravelAbility Summit founder Jake SteinmanToday we’re hearing from the founder of TravelAbility Summit, Jake Steinman. The TravelAbility Summit is the tourism industry’s premier event for disability insights and resources for tips, training and information connecting disability and destinations. Find out how Jake unexpectedly connected with disability travelers, why he launched the summit and how it’s changing for 2020.
http://travelabilitysummit.com/
Explorable A Designsensory Original Production.
This is a podcast about travel, disability and inclusion. Join Josh Loebner and Toby Willis as they interview experts, advocates and allies of tourism, destinations and disability to learn about...
2020-08-2626 min
ExplorableEpisode 1: John Morris, founder of WheelchairTravel.orgIn this episode, Josh and Toby welcome the founder of WheelchairTravel.org, John Morris. He is a triple amputee exploring and advocating for inclusion at destinations across the globe. Find out John’s valuable insights about the power of disability advisory boards, economic incentives of welcoming disabled travelers and how he brings it all together on his website.
{https://wheelchairtravel.org/}
Explorable A Designsensory Original Production.
This is a podcast about travel, disability and inclusion. Join Josh Loebner and Toby Willis as they interview experts, advocates and allies of tourism, destinations and disability to...
2020-07-3119 min
Best Behavior Creative ClubGetting Accessible / A Conversation with Josh LoebnerHow has COVID impacted the perception of the disabled? What are the pitfalls of Ableism during these troubling times? On this episode of Best Behavior, Designsensory's Director of Strategy, Josh Loebner, breaks down the past, present, and future of disability and inclusion.
Josh is an adjunct faculty member of King College, teaching upper-level communications courses including Rhetoric & Persuasion. He currently serves as diversity coordinator for District 7 of the American Advertising Federation, which represents 23 affiliate advertising clubs and federations in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee, and is a frequent contributor to ADWEEK.
Josh’s passion in life is to bring co...
2020-04-2800 min