Accessibility for all: Microsoft podcast

On the occasion of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, and inspired by quarantine measures during the Covid-19 pandemic, we created a podcast series called "Accessibility for all." The series explored the imperative of inclusivity, and how we all benefit when we make space for everyone, regardless of ability.

Host Lacey Henderson and the Foster sisters

Due to the pandemic, the podcast utilized Microsoft Teams and Skype to create a unique recording workflow. But the circumstances influenced more than production: They provided a unique opportunity to bring people of all abilities into the conversation, making tangible the isolation many people with disabilities experience every day, and encouraging listeners to imagine a world that’s more accessible and inclusive for everyone.

Steve Gleason

Following production of the podcast episodes, we created a version of the podcast translated into ASL. While transcriptions have long made podcasts accessible to those who can't hear, these versions provided a more accessible and dynamic experience, bringing the intimacy of the audio format to ASL speakers.