In this episode of Investing in Accessibility, co-hosts Kelvin Crosby and Chris Maher welcome back Steve Ewell, Executive Director of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) Foundation, for a conversation about the growing presence of accessibility, disability inclusion, and age tech at CES 2027.

Steve, who was the podcast's very first guest, returns to share how the CTA Foundation continues to expand its efforts to bring accessibility and inclusive innovation to one of the world's largest technology events.

The conversation explores what's new at CES 2027, including the launch of a dedicated Accessibility Hub in Eureka Park, featuring five innovative startups selected by the CTA Foundation; the return of the award-winning Accessibility Stage; and two startup pitch competitions focused on caregiving and technologies supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Steve also shares several new initiatives designed to make CES itself more accessible, including accessible information kiosks and the introduction of a sensory room, along with the continued growth of the Accessibility Roundtable and networking opportunities that bring together entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and the disability community.

Throughout the conversation, Chris, Kelvin, and Steve discuss the importance of bringing accessibility innovation into the mainstream technology industry, reaching audiences beyond those already engaged in the disability community, and creating opportunities for collaboration that can drive meaningful change.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, technology leader, or advocate for accessibility, this episode offers a preview of why CES 2027 is shaping up to be an exciting event for inclusive innovation.

Links & Resources:

Steve Ewell: LinkedIn

CTA Foundation: Website

CTA Pitch Competition at CES: Application Link

COMING SOON!

American Sign Language (ASL) and Captioning for each episode will be provided on our YouTube channel. Go to handle @SamaritanPartners.

In this episode of Investing in Accessibility, co-hosts Kelvin Crosby and Chris Maher wrap up “Tales from the Innovation Showcase,” a special series of conversations recorded at the Accessible Innovation Showcase at The Schoolhouse Hotel, home of The Accessibility Lab.

For the fifth and final episode of the series, Chris and Kelvin sit down with Idan Meir, co-founder and CEO of RightHear, a company transforming traditional signage into an accessible audio experience that helps people understand and navigate the world around them.

Idan shares the story behind RightHear and how the company is reimagining the way people experience public spaces, from hotels and airports to hospitals, restaurants, and parks. The conversation explores the important distinction between navigation and orientation, the limitations of traditional Braille signage, and how technology designed with the blind and low-vision community can create a better experience for everyone.

We also explore how RightHear is incorporating artificial intelligence through Rita, its new AI-powered concierge, allowing guests to ask questions and receive information about their surroundings.

We then take you to the stage at the Accessible Innovation Showcase where Idan demonstrates RightHear's talking signage technology and shares his vision for a future where accessible information is available to everyone, everywhere.

It's a conversation about independence, dignity, and how disability-driven innovation can transform the way we all experience the world around us.

Links & Resources:

Idan Meir: LinkedIn

RightHear: Website

Rita: Website

COMING SOON!

American Sign Language (ASL) and Captioning for each episode will be provided on our YouTube channel. Go to handle @SamaritanPartners.

In this episode of Investing in Accessibility, co-hosts Kelvin Crosby and Chris Maher continue “Tales from the Innovation Showcase,” a special series of conversations recorded at the Accessible Innovation Showcase at The Schoolhouse Hotel, home of The Accessibility Lab.

For the fourth episode in the series, Kelvin and Chris sit down with Lee-Anne Reuber, founder and CEO of Sekond Skin Society, an inclusive fitness and wellness platform designed to make movement more accessible for people of all abilities.

Lee-Anne shares her journey from a 22-year career supporting people with disabilities to opening a yoga studio and ultimately founding Sekond Skin Society. She explains how the platform was designed to move beyond traditional adaptive fitness by offering multiple versions of the same class so people with different abilities can exercise together. She also discusses how the company is creating new opportunities for people with disabilities to become fitness instructors and leaders in the industry.

The episode then moves to the stage, where Lee-Anne demonstrates Sekond Skin Society at the Accessible Innovation Showcase and shares her vision for bringing more accessible and inclusive wellness experiences into hotels and the broader hospitality industry.

At the heart of our conversation is a simple idea: when we design fitness and wellness to include every body, we create a better experience for everyone.

Links & Resources:

Lee-Anne Reuber: LinkedIn

Sekond Skin Society: Website

COMING SOON!

American Sign Language (ASL) and Captioning for each episode will be provided on our YouTube channel. Go to handle @SamaritanPartners.