Building a digital world that fits people, instead of asking people to fit it.

Real conversations with the people who live digital accessibility, the experts who build it, and the businesses that made it work.

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How every episode opens

Tyler’s lines never change. Melissa’s do.

TylerI had an intro written.

MelissaI know you did.

TylerMelissa's an occupational therapist. I'm an engineer. This is The Access Effect.

MelissaAnd neither of those is the reason you're here. Our guest is.

The intro exchange from every episode of The Access Effect.
The Access Effect cover art: a stacked A and E monogram between sound wave bars.The Access Effect cover art: a stacked A and E monogram between sound wave bars.

Episodes

2nd and 4th Monday

The trailer comes first.

Episode one is Melissa and Tyler on why the show exists. After that, a new conversation every 2nd and 4th Monday.

15 to 20 minutes per episode

Who you will hear from

People who live it
Lived disability experience navigating a digital world that was not built with them in mind.
People who build it
Accessibility and design experts on what actually works, what is overrated, and where to start.
People who saw it pay off
Owners who built accessibility in and can point to what changed for their customers and their team.

The hosts

Melissa O'Neal smiling outdoors in front of a tall saguaro cactus, wearing a denim jacket.

Melissa O'Neal

Occupational therapist

Melissa is an occupational therapist and a USIDHR-certified accessibility specialist. On the show she learns out loud: the guests are the authorities, she asks the questions.

Tyler O'Neal

Engineer

Tyler builds websites for small businesses and has shipped things that shut people out without knowing it. He co-hosts to ask the questions builders should have asked first.

Photo coming

In third grade Melissa was partnered with a legally blind classmate. When his new magnifier made him popular, the teacher said Melissa had always been his partner and would stay his partner. That lesson in being treated normally led her to occupational therapy, and then here.

Be a guest

Recordings run about an hour over video. Before the tape rolls we ask what you need to record comfortably: captions, extra time, a prep doc, breaks, an interpreter.

  • Captions
  • Extra time
  • A prep doc
  • Breaks
  • An interpreter
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