The Accessibility Breakdown

Mark Miller

Each week, we break down the three hottest topics in digital accessibility and celebrate all who “lead by accessibility.”

  1. 5d ago

    Episode 15 - Accessibility Game Theory, AI, and the politics of assistive tech

    Mark Miller, Justin Stockton, and guest Pete from Onward Accessibility break down three accessibility articles that each take a very different angle on the same question: who benefits when accessibility is treated as a business, technical, or political problem. They dig into game theory in procurement, the limits of building for AI instead of people, and the ethical tensions around Meta donating smart glasses in Ireland.

  2. Aug 18

    Episode 14 - Plain Language & Unicorns

    Mark Miller and Justin Stockton break down three accessibility-focused articles covering plain language as an accessibility feature, the myth of the all-in-one accessibility specialist, and how return-to-office mandates can disproportionately harm disabled workers. The episode connects writing, organizational structure, and workplace policy back to a shared accessibility theme: if you design for real people, you improve access for everyone.

  3. Jul 27

    Episode 13 - Mean What You Say & Stoic Accessibility

    Special Guest: Nicolas Steenhout. In this episode, we dive into practical insights on web accessibility through the lens of Stoic principles, evaluate the effectiveness of carousels, and discuss the importance of genuine inclusion in accessibility efforts. Join us as we explore how mindsets and real-world challenges intersect with creating accessible digital experiences.

  4. Jul 17

    Episode 12 - Let's Get Purple and Old Man PDF

    In this episode of Accessibility Breakdown, Mark Miller and Justin Stockton dig into three timely accessibility topics: online retail accessibility, CSUN’s new innovation track, and whether PDFs are finally on the way out.They start with an article by Claire McDonald, based on research from Nexer’s The Hidden Journey report, which highlights how online retail still creates major barriers for disabled shoppers. Mark and Justin discuss why these issues keep happening, how cart abandonment and loyalty intersect with accessibility, and why the problem often comes down to leadership, ongoing integration, and organizational maturity rather than a one-time audit. Next, they shift to CSUN’s upcoming innovation track, a new initiative designed to give accessibility innovators a place to present ideas, get feedback, and connect with vendors and users. They explore how this could become a kind of incubator for assistive technology, and why CSUN continues to evolve as a hub for both established companies and new ideas. Finally, they discuss an article asking whether we’re witnessing the slow death of the PDF. The conversation covers the limits of PDFs on mobile, the challenge of maintaining accessible PDFs at scale, and why HTML often provides a more flexible and user-friendly alternative. They also reflect on how PDFs became so entrenched in the first place and why many organizations are still trying to move away from them.

  5. Jun 29

    Episode 11 - The Accessibility Giving Tree and Missing Pieces of the Big WCAG

    Unlock the hidden disconnect between AI, accessibility, and your website’s future—what you don’t know could be breaking your site’s potential and your search rankings. AI is reading websites in new waysThe accessibility tree matters for visibilityPoor accessibility can hurt reach and complianceNew standards like EN 17161 and WCAG 3 are changing the gameLearn how to future-proof your site in an AI-driven webThe surprising truth about how AI really reads your website—it's not what you think—and why so many sites are breaking as a result. If you're a developer, designer, or business owner struggling with accessibility or SEO, this episode will transform your understanding of the web's future. Discover how the accessibility tree acts as the secret bridge for AI, and why neglecting it can leave your site invisible to search engines and AI bots alike. Finally, we explore the future of web accessibility standards—why EN 17161 might be the most future-proof framework you can adopt now—highlighting the importance of organizational process, issue registries, and proactive compliance. As WCAG 3 promises a more adaptable, person-centered model, learn how to integrate ongoing accessibility management into your workflows, so your website stays relevant—and visible—for years to come. The Accessibility Tree Is How AI Agents Read Your Site & It’s Breaking Slobodan Manic   Design for all, part 4: WCAG’s patient partner Wilco Fiers

  6. Jun 22

    Episode 10 - A Blind Look at AI & More than WCAG to Me

    Understanding the Future of Accessibility and AI: Insights from Wilko Fierce and Jonathan Moson In this episode, we explore groundbreaking perspectives on accessibility standards, AI's role in assistive technology, and societal implications, with deep dives into Wilko Fierce's EN 17161 standard and Jonathan Moson’s compelling article on AI and blindness. Whether you're an industry professional or just curious about next-gen accessibility, this discussion will broaden your understanding of how standards evolve and technology impacts lives.

  7. Jun 9

    Episode 9 - Compliance & Your Face

    The conversation delves into legal compliance topics related to accessibility, covering the Pharmavite ADA Web Accessibility Class Action Settlement, legal updates, standing analysis, and the challenges of age verification using facial recognition technology. The discussion highlights the need for continued exploration and improvement in these areas to ensure accessibility and legal compliance. Takeaways Legal compliance in accessibilityChallenges of age verification using facial recognition technology Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Legal Compliance Topics09:05 Legal Update and Standing Analysis22:10 The Faces Age Verification Cannot Read

  8. Jun 2

    The Accessibility Breakdown - Episode 8 - AI Ownership & X-Ray Accessibility

    The conversation covers the topics of building a general purpose accessibility agent and a structural workbook for AI accessible design systems. It delves into the process, implications, and governance of AI in design systems, providing valuable insights for organizations looking to integrate accessibility into their software development lifecycle. The conversation delves into the themes of ownership and responsibility for AI output, the overlap between coding and design in accessibility, and the implications of the accessible medical diagnosis equipment rule. It explores the need for clear ownership and responsibility for AI output, the intersection of coding and design in accessibility, and the impact of the accessible medical diagnosis equipment rule on medical equipment accessibility. Takeaways * Building a general purpose accessibility agent * Structural workbook for AI accessible design systems Ownership and responsibility for AI output * Overlap between coding and design in accessibility

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About

Each week, we break down the three hottest topics in digital accessibility and celebrate all who “lead by accessibility.”

Information

  • Creator
    Mark Miller
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Mark Miller