Access Granted

Hosted by Ablr

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Aug 2026

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About the show

"Access Granted," hosted by Mike Iannelli, Ablr's co-founder, isn't your typical podcast. It's raw, real, and dives headfirst into the messy, gritty reality of disability inclusion. Mike, an advocate with his boots on the ground, brings not just expertise but real-life tales and hard-earned insights to the table. Each episode, we're in the trenches with Ablr's eclectic mix of clients, employees, and partners - hearing unfiltered stories that aren't just heartwarming but eye-opening, sometimes uncomfortable, and always authentic.

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33 recent

August 11, 2026Episode 3323 min

A New Chapter for Ablr | John Samuel Reflects on Six Years as CEO

Access all podcast transcripts here: https://ablr360.com/category/videos-podcasts/ In this special episode of Access Granted, Mike Iannelli sits down with Ablr co-founder and CEO John Samuel to reflect on the journey of building Ablr and share an exciting announcement about the company's future. After six years leading Ablr, John is stepping down as CEO to serve as the new Director of the Division of Services for the Blind in North Carolina. Mike will step into the CEO role as Ablr enters its next chapter. Together, they look back on the moments that shaped the company, the challenges they never expected, and the lessons they've learned about leadership, accessibility, and building a mission-driven organization. John shares the milestones that defined Ablr's growth, from landing its first major contracts to launching workforce development programs and creating a community centered around accessibility and inclusion. He also reflects on the importance of vulnerability, trust, and staying committed to a mission while building a sustainable business. Mike discusses his vision for the future of Ablr, including continued innovation in digital accessibility, expanded workforce readiness programs, new AI initiatives, and the leadership team that will help guide the organization forward. Whether you've been part of Ablr's journey from the beginning or are discovering our mission for the first time, this conversation is a look back at the people, partnerships, and purpose that have shaped the organization, along with an exciting look at what's ahead. 💬 Comment below with your thoughts and questions! Learn more about Ablr: https://ablr360.com/ Learn more about Ablr Works: https://ablr360.com/ablrworks/ Stay connected with us on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ablr360/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ablr360/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ablr360/ Mike’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iannellim/ John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johngsamuel/ More about Ablr: Ablr is a Digital Accessibility and Inclusion company that was founded on the key principle that all digital content, including websites, videos, and applications, are accessible for everyone, no exception. Ablr offers the optimal blend of technology + humanity. Watch our podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpTerF3wW6qSJg6_6Ztbu5sr13Y1ynuB0&si=h5W4BMeG56Y4rAWE See if your website is accessible with a risk-free assessment: https://ablr360.com/risk-free-assessment/ #Inclusion #Resilience #DisabilityAwareness #AccessGrantedPodcast #Ablr #DigitalAccessibility #CPACC #AblrWorks #DEI

May 26, 2026Episode 321 hr 8 min

Accessibility Shouldn’t Be an Afterthought | Catalyst Education on Building Better EdTech

Access all podcast transcripts here: https://ablr360.com/category/videos-podcasts/ What happens when a commitment to accessibility gets baked into a company's DNA from day one? In this episode of Access Granted, Mike sits down with Jamie Caras, CEO of Catalyst Education, and Mandy Dark, product owner, to talk about what accessibility commitment looks like inside a company that serves a quarter million students a year. Jamie is a chemist-turned-entrepreneur who has spent three decades building learning technology, and Mandy brings both scientific training and hands-on product experience to the work of making digital education usable for every student. Jamie shares how watching his mother navigate higher education with progressive hearing loss shaped his thinking long before accessibility was a legal requirement, and how that experience became one of the founding pillars of Catalyst Education. Mandy walks through the work of writing alt text for complex chemistry problems, redesigning table navigation for screen readers, and learning firsthand that accessible design almost always makes the product better for everyone. This conversation is an honest look at what it means to treat accessibility as a standard of quality rather than a compliance checkbox, and why the companies that figure that out early are the ones that end up ahead. 💬 Comment below with your thoughts and questions! Learn more about Ablr: https://ablr360.com/ Learn more about Ablr Works: https://ablr360.com/ablrworks/ Stay connected with us on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ablr360/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ablr360/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ablr360/ Mike’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iannellim/ Jamie's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamescaras/ Mandy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amdark/ More about Ablr: Ablr is a Digital Accessibility and Inclusion company that was founded on the key principle that all digital content, including websites, videos, and applications, are accessible for everyone, no exception. Ablr offers the optimal blend of technology + humanity. Watch our podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpTerF3wW6qSJg6_6Ztbu5sr13Y1ynuB0&si=h5W4BMeG56Y4rAWE See if your website is accessible with a risk-free assessment: https://ablr360.com/risk-free-assessment/ #Inclusion #Resilience #DisabilityAwareness #AccessGrantedPodcast #Ablr #DigitalAccessibility #CPACC #AblrWorks #DEI

April 21, 2026Episode 3148 min

How Sam Seavey Built ‘The Blind Life’ and Changed Accessibility Online

Access all podcast transcripts here: https://ablr360.com/category/videos-podcasts/ What happens when a childhood diagnosis leads to an international platform for advocacy and innovation? At age 11, Sam Seavey was diagnosed with Stargardt disease, a juvenile form of macular degeneration. In this episode of Access Granted, Mike sits down with Sam, the creator of the influential YouTube channel "The Blind Life," to discuss his 30-year journey from his roots in Raleigh, North Carolina, to becoming a leading voice in assistive technology. Sam takes us through the evolution of his career, from hiding his vision loss while making Android "hacking" videos to fully embracing his identity and launching his own channel in 2013. You’ll hear about the liberating power of self-acceptance, Sam’s work helping seniors regain independence through technology, and his experiences demoing tech for icons like Stevie Wonder. Sam’s story is a powerful reminder that accessibility is about community, empowerment, and removing the mental barriers to a thriving life. Whether you are a tech enthusiast or seeking inspiration for your own journey, this conversation will change how you think about resilience and the impact of authentic representation. 💬 Comment below with your thoughts and questions! Learn more about Ablr: https://ablr360.com/ Learn more about Ablr Works: https://ablr360.com/ablrworks/ Stay connected with us on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ablr360/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ablr360/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ablr360/ Mike’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iannellim/ Sam’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-seavey/ More about Ablr: Ablr is a Digital Accessibility and Inclusion company that was founded on the key principle that all digital content, including websites, videos, and applications, are accessible for everyone, no exception. Ablr offers the optimal blend of technology + humanity. Watch our podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpTerF3wW6qSJg6_6Ztbu5sr13Y1ynuB0&si=h5W4BMeG56Y4rAWE See if your website is accessible with a risk-free assessment: https://ablr360.com/risk-free-assessment/

February 10, 2026Episode 3052 min

From Vision Loss at 19 to Accessibility Advocate With Colin Shouse

Access all podcast transcripts here: https://ablr360.com/category/videos-podcasts/ What happens when a life-altering moment forces you to redefine your entire future? At just 19 years old, Colin Shouse lost his sight and underwent a facial prosthesis following a traumatic incident. In this powerful episode of Access Granted, Mike sits down with Colin to discuss how he refused to let that moment define him and how he’s now building a career in digital accessibility. Colin takes us through the connections that led him to Ablr and his journey from the anxiety of "Can I do this?" to earning his CPACC certification. You’ll hear about the "iron sharpens iron" environment of the Ablr internship, the technical skills he’s mastered, and the incredible support system that helped guide him toward a new vision for his life. Colin’s story is a profound reminder that accessibility is about people, opportunity, and the importance of removing barriers. Whether you’re a business leader or someone facing your own uphill climb, this conversation will change how you think about resilience and the power of inclusive hiring. 💬 Comment below with your thoughts and questions! Learn more about Ablr: https://ablr360.com/ Learn more about Ablr Works: https://ablr360.com/ablrworks/ Stay connected with us on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ablr360/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ablr360/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ablr360/ Mike’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iannellim/ Colin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-shouse-8a7902359/ More about Ablr: Ablr is a Digital Accessibility and Inclusion company that was founded on the key principle that all digital content, including websites, videos, and applications, are accessible for everyone, no exception. Ablr offers the optimal blend of technology + humanity. Watch our podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpTerF3wW6qSJg6_6Ztbu5sr13Y1ynuB0&si=h5W4BMeG56Y4rAWE See if your website is accessible with a risk-free assessment: https://ablr360.com/risk-free-assessment/ #Inclusion #Resilience #DisabilityAwareness #AccessGrantedPodcast #Ablr #DigitalAccessibility #CPACC #AblrWorks #DEI

October 28, 2025Episode 2935 min

Celebrating Ablr's 5-Year Journey: Breaking Barriers, Building Futures

Access all podcast transcripts here: https://ablr360.com/category/videos-podcasts/ Join us in celebrating five incredible years of Ablr!!! Our journey has been one of ups and downs, but our unwavering mission to remove barriers for people with disabilities has always guided us. From humble beginnings, we've grown into a passionate team, driven by our GRIT core values: Growth mindset, Relationships, Initiative, and Trust. We're proud of the impact we've made, not just in numbers, but in changing lives. Our focus on usability, not just compliance, and our commitment to our candidates and clients, has led to incredible success stories and a high employment rate for those in our programs. Looking ahead, we're excited to explore the power of AI to further augment disabilities in the workplace and expand our apprenticeship opportunities. We believe in connecting the dots and transforming organizations from the inside out. Thank you to our amazing team, partners, and clients for being a part of this humbling and rewarding journey. Here's to many more years of making a difference! Learn more about Ablr: https://ablr360.com/ Learn more about Ablr Works: https://ablr360.com/ablrworks/ Stay connected with us on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ablr360/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ablr360/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ablr360/ John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johngsamuel/ Mike’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iannellim/ More about Ablr: Ablr is a Digital Accessibility and Inclusion company that was founded on the key principle that all digital content, including websites, videos, and applications, are accessible for everyone, no exception. Ablr offers the optimal blend of technology + humanity. #Inclusion #Diversity #DisabilityAwareness #JobDevelopment #Empathy #Kindness #Ablr #AccessGrantedPodcast #AccessGranted #ADA #DEI

September 19, 2025Episode 2821 min

Accessibility in Action: Making Digital Content Usable for All

Access all podcast transcripts here: https://ablr360.com/category/videos-podcasts/ What does it mean to build digital content that everyone can use, and how do you design for the many ways people perceive it? In the latest episode of Access Granted, Mike sits down with our training specialist, Shannon Garner, who leads Ablr’s Accessibility Analyst Training Program. Shannon shares her story of losing sight at age six, clears up common misconceptions about blindness and braille, and shows how assistive technologies like screen readers only work when content is created accessible from the start. You’ll hear practical guidance you can apply: why contrast matters, how headings and keyboard navigation guide the experience, and what POUR (perceivable, operable, understandable, robust) looks like in everyday design. Shannon also walks through our growing training cohorts, what candidates learn on the path to CPAC certification, and how our team supports both job-seekers and employers to make inclusive hiring stick. If you want clarity on what accessibility means in practice, this conversation is for you. You’ll leave with a sharper lens for building usable content, a better understanding of assistive tech, and a roadmap for creating opportunities for talent that’s too often overlooked. 💬 Comment below with your thoughts and questions! Learn more about Ablr: https://ablr360.com/ Learn more about Ablr Works: https://ablr360.com/ablrworks/ Stay connected with us on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ablr360/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ablr360/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ablr360/ Shannon's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-garner-98109868/ Mike’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iannellim/ More about Ablr: Ablr is a Digital Accessibility and Inclusion company that was founded on the key principle that all digital content, including websites, videos, and applications, are accessible for everyone, no exception. Ablr offers the optimal blend of technology + humanity. #Inclusion #Diversity #DisabilityAwareness #JobDevelopment #Empathy #Kindness #Ablr #AccessGrantedPodcast #AccessGranted #ADA #DEI

August 22, 2025Episode 2726 min

Losing Sight and Finding Purpose With Angus Kola

Access all podcast transcripts here: https://ablr360.com/category/videos-podcasts/ What does it really take to start over and find purpose after losing your sight in a world built for the sighted? In this episode of Access Granted, our co-founder, Mike Iannelli (TAG), sits down with our very own Angus Kola (TAG), Senior Accessibility Analyst at Ablr. Angus shares his journey from growing up in South Africa, to suddenly losing his sight while serving abroad, to rebuilding his life and career from the ground up. We talk about what it takes to adapt when everything changes overnight, the role of family and community in finding your path, and how accessibility is directly tied to independence, dignity, and opportunity. You’ll also hear how Angus uses his lived experience to lead accessibility audits, mentor future accessibility professionals, and give back to blind communities in South Africa. This episode is about resilience, purpose, and the power of inclusion. Comment below with your thoughts and questions! Learn more about Ablr: https://ablr360.com/ Learn more about Ablr Works: https://ablr360.com/ablrworks/ Stay connected with us on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ablr360/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ablr360/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ablr360/ Angus's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anguskola/ Mike’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iannellim/ #AccessGranted #Podcast #DigitalAccessibility #Ablr

July 31, 2025Episode 2633 min

Inclusive Leadership and Accessibility in Action: AENC on the Future of Associations

Access all podcast transcripts here: https://ablr360.com/category/videos-podcasts/ What happens when inclusion becomes part of your mission—not just a line in your playbook? In this episode of Access Granted , Ablr’s Mike Iannelli sits down with Rich Phaneuf, CEO & Executive Director of the Association Executives of North Carolina (AENC), to talk about the power of small moments and how they can spark lasting organizational change. It all started with a missing question on a registration form—an oversight that became a turning point in how AENC shows up for its members. Rich shares how that single moment led to a deeper commitment to accessibility across the organization, from inclusive event planning to digital design that meets real needs. Together, Mike and Rich explore: Why accessibility must be a strategic priority, not an afterthought The role associations play in setting industry standards What it takes to lead with empathy, intention, and vision How future-ready organizations are baking inclusion into every layer of their work Whether you're in leadership, membership engagement, or just curious about what inclusive excellence really looks like—this conversation is for you. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your shows. 🔗 [Link in bio] or stream on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vlhB7Kerwu0

April 25, 2025Episode 2549 min

Why Accessibility Isn't a Checkbox — Lessons from a 20-Year Accessibility Leader

Access all podcast transcripts here: https://ablr360.com/category/videos-podcasts/ What does accessibility actually mean in the workplace, and how can we move from meeting just the basic requirements to creating something that actually works for everyone? In the latest episode of Access Granted, Mike sits down with Kim Casey, Ablr’s Director of Accessibility, and someone who’s been driving this mission for more than 20 years. Kim didn’t set out to work in accessibility—she started in a mailroom reading mail aloud for her blind boss. That job opened a door. And she’s been pushing for meaningful change in how we build digital experiences ever since. They talk about the difference between compliance and usability. Why a perfect score on an automated accessibility tool doesn’t always mean your product is accessible for someone using assistive technology. Kim also breaks down what makes Ablr different—the people, the process, and the commitment to seeing the work all the way through. Learn more about Ablr: https://ablr360.com/ Learn more about Ablr Works: https://ablr360.com/ablrworks/ Stay connected with us on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ablr360/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ablr360/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ablr360/ Kim’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kncasey/ Mike’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iannellim/ More about Ablr: Ablr is a Digital Accessibility and Inclusion company that was founded on the key principle that all digital content, including websites, videos, applications, are accessible for everyone, no exception. Ablr offers the optimal blend of technology + humanity. #Inclusion #Diversity #DisabilityAwareness #JobDevelopment #Empathy #Kindness #Ablr #AccessGrantedPodcast #AccessGranted #AI #ADA #DEI

March 21, 2025Episode 2450 min

The Future of Accessibility: AI, DEI, and the ADA in 2025

Access all podcast transcripts here: https://ablr360.com/category/videos-podcasts/ How do you build a more inclusive workplace while challenging businesses to do better? John Samuel and Michael Iannelli are showing us how. In the latest Access Granted episode, John and Michael dive into the Ablr Works program and what it takes to create real opportunities for people with disabilities. They share their experiences as co-founders of Ablr, breaking down how companies can go beyond good intentions and take real action in accessibility and hiring. Tune into this episode to learn more about accessible business practices, the Ablr Works program, and driving change 💬 Comment below with your thoughts and questions! Learn more about Ablr: https://ablr360.com/ Learn more about Ablr Works: https://ablr360.com/ablrworks/ Stay connected with us on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ablr360/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ablr360/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ablr360/ John’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johngsamuel/ Mike’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iannellim/ More about Ablr: Ablr is a Digital Accessibility and Inclusion company that was founded on the key principle that all digital content, including websites, videos, and applications, are accessible for everyone, no exception. Ablr offers the optimal blend of technology + humanity. #Inclusion #Diversity #DisabilityAwareness #JobDevelopment #Empathy #Kindness #Ablr #AccessGrantedPodcast #AccessGranted #AblrWorks #AI #ADA #DEI