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John Robinson speaks with Jack Allen, entrepreneur and founder of IT Equality, about building a Salesforce consulting business while navigating disability, parenting, and entrepreneurship. Jack shares the journey into the tech industry, the growth of IT Equality, and the mission to create opportunities for people without traditional technology experience. With a team made up largely of people with disabilities, IT Equality prioritizes problem-solving, mutual support, and recognizing individual strengths. Jack also discusses the importance of workplace accommodations, understanding personal strengths and challenges, and creating inclusive environments where people with disabilities can succeed. Instagram: @itequality ITequality (@itequality) • Instagram photos and videosFacebook: ITequality | FacebookLinkedIn: ITeq | LinkedInTikTok: ITequalityWebsite: Salesforce Revenue Cloud Consultants | ITeq Email for customers: [email protected]

Inspired by his experience as a father of a son with autism, Michael Lounsbury created Beacon Wayfinding Technologies. It's an AI-powered platform designed to help people navigate complex spaces like airports, theme parks, and museums in ways that meet their individual needs. John Robinson and Michael discuss accessibility, sensory overload, safety, and the challenges of building a business with a mission to make the world more inclusive. Michael also shares how his military background shaped his resilience and why he believes Beacon can change how people experience the world.   Website: Beacon — Every Journey. Every Ability. Every Traveler.  Email for customers: [email protected]“Contact Us” form: Beacon — Every Journey. Every Ability. Every Traveler. Facebook: Michael Lounsbury  (www.facebook.com/michael.lounsbury.3)LinkedIn: Beacon Wayfinding Technologies: Overview | LinkedInInstagram: @michaellounsburyofficial

John Robinson sits down with Chris Casteel, co-owner of A New Life Prosthetics and Orthotics, to discuss entrepreneurship, disability advocacy, healthcare and the importance of voting. After experiencing limb loss himself, Chris turned his personal journey into a career helping others access prosthetic care. He discusses his work as a peer visitor and the importance of separating advocacy from business. Chris shares insights on navigating Medicaid and insurance and why elections and healthcare policies matter to everyone.   Website: Our Team – Anew Life Prosthetics and Orthotics “Contact Us” form: Contact Us – Anew Life Prosthetics and Orthotics Facebook: Anew Life Prosthetics and Orthotics | Detroit MI | FacebookLinkedIn: Anew Life Prosthetics and Orthotics: Overview | LinkedInInstagram: @anewlifeprosthetics

Digital accessibility isn’t just the “right” thing to do-it’s a legal responsibility. On this episode of Disability in the Public Square, John Robinson talks with Pete Bruhn, digital accessibility leader at Onward Accessibility and cofounder of Accessible Web, about why businesses and organizations need to take accessibility seriously. With the ADA Title II digital accessibility deadline approaching on April 26, 2027, they discuss compliance with WCAG 2.2 AA standards, preparing websites and digital content, and building accessibility into everyday workflows rather than fixing problems after launch. Most importantly, they explore why involving people with disabilities in user testing is essential to removing barriers and creating digital experiences that work for everyone.   Instagram: @onwardsearch Facebook: Onward Search | Norwalk CT | Facebook LinkedIn: Onward Search: Overview | LinkedIn   &                                                                             Onward Accessibility: Overview | LinkedIn Website: Onward Search: AI Solutions and Talent   &                                                                        Onward Accessibility: Digital A11y Solutions & Staffing Talent  Email for customers: [email protected]

Disability rights belong in every election conversation. In this episode of Disability in the Public Square, John Robinson discusses his thoughts on the candidates, disability employment, healthcare, and representation ahead of the midterm elections. He examines how candidates address disability policy and why decisions about the ADA, Social Security, healthcare, and employment opportunities have real consequences for people with disabilities. His message is simple: do your research and find out where your candidates stand on disability rights. These issues affect our communities, our economy, and our future.   - https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-candidates-9-key-races-quiet-about-social-security-benefits-cliff - https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-launches-fifth-annual-new-york-state-disability-rights-and-employment New Hampshire: - Chris Pappas for Senate | Official Campaign Website - John Sununu for U.S. Senate Alaska: - Home - Senator Dan Sullivan - Mary Peltola | Fish, Family, Freedom. Texas: - Ken Paxton for U.S. Senate - Talarico for Texas - Official Campaign Website of James Talarico for U.S. Senate Ohio: - Home - Senator Jon Husted - Sherrod Brown - Fighting for Ohioans Georgia:  - Jon Ossoff – Official Campaign Website - Mike Collins for Senate – Join the ride!

John Robinson talks with Joe Baumgartner, owner of Joe Safety to discuss entrepreneurship, workplace safety, and running a business for nearly 25 years. Through safety consulting and risk prevention, Joe Safety helps organizations reduce hazards and prevent workplace injuries. Joe discusses the importance of building strong client relationships and why putting people before profits has been central to his success. Joe also offers advice to entrepreneurs with disabilities, emphasizing perseverance, problem-solving, and learning from setbacks. Together, John and Joe explore how overcoming challenges can build valuable business skills and why persistence and dedication matter when pursuing entrepreneurial goals.   The Joe Safety episode is out now on your favorite podcast platform. To learn more about Joe Safety, visit: - Website/ Contact Us form: Joe Safety  |  Joe Safety – Contact Us - LinkedIn: Joe Baumgardner | LinkedIn   -  Email: [email protected]

John Robinson talks with LaNorma Shores, founder of Baby Drip LLC, about entrepreneurship, disability, motherhood, and creating more inclusive children’s fashion. LaNorma discusses her vision for a children’s fashion brand that celebrates individuality while offering adaptive and sensory-friendly options. She shares what it took to build Baby Drip over six years, including funding the company herself and developing a vision that extends beyond clothing to include resources and support for families.  LaNorma also discusses her experiences as a veteran and woman with disabilities, the importance of community, and the challenges of building a business. She shares why perseverance remains central to her mission.   Listen now and hear the story behind Baby Drip LLC! To learn more about Baby Drip, visit: - Website: babydripllc.com  - Facebook: Baby Drip | Tampa FL | Facebook  -  Instagram: @shop.babydrip

John Robinson talks with entrepreneur, marketing guru, and travel advisor Karen Morales about entrepreneurship, disability, and making travel more accessible. Karen shares her expertise in building a business around helping others experience travel with fewer barriers. They discuss the role of lived experience in helping travelers identify accommodations, the importance of self-advocacy, and the need for the travel and hospitality industries to better understand accessibility. Karen also explains how accessible travel can benefit businesses by reaching a massive customer base that is often overlooked, while giving travelers greater independence and more opportunities to experience the world.  The full episode is available now, on your favorite podcast platform. To learn more about Karen Morales, Joyward Travel Co or Fora Travel, visit Joyward Travel Co - Accessible Travel or complete her Contact Form at Contact — Joyward Travel Co You can find Fora Travel on: Website: Fora: The Modern Travel AgencyFacebook: Fora | Facebook   &   Fora Community | FacebookLinkedIn: Fora Travel: Overview | LinkedIn

In this episode of Disability in the Public Square, John Robinson talks with entrepreneur, technologist, and C4 Consulting founder Todd Stabelfeldt. Todd shares his journey as a C4 quadriplegic, how he built a successful business in database management, and how adaptive technology has helped him navigate both work and everyday life. From Switch Control and Voice Control to humor and entrepreneurship, Todd offers a powerful perspective on accessibility, independence, and what’s possible.  The full episode is available now, on your favorite podcast platform To learn more about Todd Stabelfeldt, C4 or his upcoming book, visit ToddStabelfeldt - Speaking, Assistive Technology or email Todd and his team at [email protected] Facebook:  Todd Stabelfeldt | Facebook   LinkedIn: Todd Stabelfeldt | LinkedIn

In this episode of Disability in the Public Square, John Robinson sits down with fellow entrepreneur Jim Speer, founder and CEO of Mobility Roadside Assistance. Jim shares how a conversation with a wheelchair user at a VA hospital inspired him to create a new approach to roadside assistance for people with mobility needs. They discuss entrepreneurship, identifying overlooked opportunities, building an international business, and the importance of creating solutions that support independence and dignity. Jim also shares lessons from more than 60 years in business and why entrepreneurs should be willing to take the next step when they see an opportunity to make a difference. To learn more about Mobility Roadside Assistance or to become a customer, visit Accessible Roadside Assistance | Mobility Roadside Assistance or email Jim Speer at [email protected] Instagram: @MobilitysupportsolutionsFacebook: Mobility Roadside Assistance | Facebook LinkedIn: Jim Speer - Bothell, Washington, United States | Professional Profile | LinkedIn

AI is transforming how companies find and screen job candidates- but what happens when disability isn’t properly represented in the data? In this episode of Disability in the Public Square, we explore Our Ability’s collaboration with Microsoft, the development of disability-inclusive AI and candidate-matching technology, and why representation in data sets matter. We also discuss the recent lawsuit involving Workday, where plaintiffs allege that AI-powered screening tools discriminated against applicants with disabilities and other personal characteristics. As employers increasingly rely on AI in hiring, we ask an important question: Who gets seen, and who gets screened out?

Edited Audio - In this episode of Disability in the Public Square, John Robinson reflects on the documentary Get Off Your Knees: The John Robinson Story and the unexpected way it changed his life. What began with a conversation about climbing Mount Jo became a powerful opportunity to reflect on family, disability, perseverance, and achievement. Eighteen years later, John looks back on how the documentary led to speaking opportunities, new perspectives, and ultimately the creation of Our Ability- a company focused on connecting people with disabilities to employment. John shares why his story isn’t about inspiration for inspiration’s sake, but about effort, possibility, trying, failing, and continuing to move forward. To watch the documentary for free, please visit: Get Off Your Knees: The John Robinson Story (Born Different Documentary) | Real Stories

What happens when you can’t see the words on a page, hear the lyrics in a song, or navigate a website? You’re not missing convenience- you’re missing information. That’s why Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act exists: to require accessible digital information for everyone, including people with disabilities. From websites and PDFs to mobile apps and government systems, accessibility means information must be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. John Robinson explains why waiting to “fix” accessibility often fails, how WCAG shapes the current standards, and why abli.ai has been developed to help organizations identify accessibility problems before they become barriers. Visit Our Ability - Make PDF Accessible if you'd like to learn how to make your documents more accessible. If you're interested in becoming a beta tester for abli.ai, reach out to John at [email protected] to learn more.

John reflects on disability history after re-watching the documentary, Crip Camp. He discusses how Camp Jened gave young people with disabilities the opportunity to make friends, increase their independence, and provide a sense of belonging that helped inspire disability-rights activism, including the fight for equality and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Robinson connects this history to his own childhood, when he was excluded from Little League. Luckily, he and his parents created other adaptive opportunities through the sport of golf. John also emphasizes how much progress came from earlier advocates like Judy Heumann, and challenges today’s generation to continue creating accessible opportunities in education, employment, recreation, transportation, and housing for those who come next. Click or copy the link to watch Crip Camp for free: CRIP CAMP: A DISABILITY REVOLUTION | Full Feature | Netflix - YouTube

In this episode of Disability in the Public Square, John speaks with advocate David Pino about disability employment, subminimum wage, and the importance of meaningful opportunities to work and live independently. David shares his experience about working for eight years in a sheltered workshop, where he earned significantly less than minimum wage, and contrasts that experience with his current career at McDonald’s. They discuss how employment can affect financial stability, independence, self-confidence, and mental health, while also exploring David's advocacy efforts in Wisconsin. David’s firsthand perspective offers insight into the challenges and possibilities facing people with disabilities seeking competitive, community-based employment.