Welcome to today’s episode on the Inner Edison Podcast with host Ed Parcaut and guest Maxwell Ivey. In this insightful episode, they dive into the topic of accessibility online, especially in regards to websites and digital platforms. Here are the key highlights:

• Maxwell Ivey’s Background: Max shares his personal journey of losing his vision due to retinitis pigmentosa and how it led him to become known as the “blind blogger.”
• Podcasting Experience: Max talks about his decade-long experience as a podcast guest and host, as well as his journey to becoming a paid host for Hearsay Shorts.
• Accessibility Advocacy: Max is passionate about making digital content more accessible. He emphasizes a collaborative rather than a compliance-based approach.
• Challenges with Current Platforms:
  • Only about 5% of the Internet is considered accessible.
  • The limitations and frustrations he faces with platforms like WordPress and website calendars.
  • The need for better integration of alternative text descriptions that follow images across platforms.
• Benefits of Accessibility:
  • Discussion on how investing in accessibility can lead to significant business growth.
  • Companies that focus on accessibility may see 1.7 times growth in sales and up to 4.1 times the profit.
• Tips for Web Accessibility:
  • Importance of choosing the right font and high contrast color schemes.
  • Ensuring forms and links support keyboard navigation.
• Audio Description:
  • Max suggests providing audio descriptions for podcasts to create an inclusive listening experience.

This episode is a great resource for anyone looking to understand the importance of web accessibility and how small changes can make a big difference for reaching a broader audience. Tune in now to learn more from Max’s unique perspective and experience!