AccessAbility Officer

06/08/2026

Not to scare you, but to prepare you.

Aging. Disability. Healthcare.
These aren't issues that affect "other people."

They're part of nearly everyone's future.

That's why recent discussions around the HHS Section 504 accessibility deadline extension matter.

When accessibility gets delayed, so does access to healthcare information, patient portals, forms, services, and resources that millions of people rely on every day.

Accessibility is not just a compliance deadline.

It's about whether people can participate, understand, and receive the care they need.

Read our latest blog to learn what the HHS accessibility deadline extension means and why disability advocates are paying close attention.

https://accessabilityofficer.com/blog/hhs-accessibility-rule-delay-new-section-504-deadlines-and-their-impact-on-disabled-americans

Then listen to the full WCATea Podcast conversation with Bee and Ellie. Link on the comments.

06/04/2026

Thanks for this comment on our YouTube video, Derrick Haudricourt

"Helping them see through the white noise at convention is huge! That’s awesome. She plays such a huge part. It’s apparent that all of the assistance is absolutely appreciated."

We couldn't agree more. Marisa Kathryn Reder isn't our AO Queen for no reason.

She works behind the scenes, keeps us organized, supports our team, helps our blind and disabled professionals succeed, and somehow still manages to show up with a smile...and occasionally in a unicorn onesie 🦄.

This episode is also a shoutout to all the disability allies out there... the people who don't just say they care, but show it every single day through their actions.

We appreciate you, Marisa. Thanks for everything you do.

Give the episode a listen and tell us about an ally who's made a difference in your life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOF1vAjGDFs

06/04/2026

"Just because you have a disability doesn't mean that you deserve anything less or that it should hold you back from anything."
Marisa Reder
Legit Disability Ally
Business Operations Manager
AccessAbility Officer queen

While many companies still overlook disabled talent, Marisa has spent years supporting blind and disabled professionals as they build careers in digital accessibility.

We just dropped this episode today, and we'd love for you to be part of the conversation.

Listen on your favorite podcast platform, then come back and share your thoughts with us. We'd love to hear from you.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-4-accessibility-needs-disabled-talent-interbrews/id1896601148?i=1000771143775

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3u8mpvgaVGkfHblOnItuc3?si=6hoXMU_tTtue8BfwaTw96Q&nd=1&dlsi=7fede2d516f844ec

PocketCast: https://pocketcasts.com/podcast/wcatea/74324a10-3087-013f-49ea-0ee5eb6d1f1b

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOF1vAjGDFs

06/03/2026

The first WCATea Challenge is complete. Thanks to everyone who listened, shared, reviewed, and helped spread the word. Now, let's meet our winners.

Grand Prize Winner:
Dontee Wrenn

Dontee gets to choose one of the following:
Laptop
Meta Glasses
$250 Cash

Dontee Wrenn, we sent you a message, and please reach out to us via messenger or email to claim your prize.

Let's not forget our $50 Winners:

Douglas Porter
Todd Elzey
Mary Ritter
Jillian Milton

Congratulations to all our winners! We appreciate you guys for spilling the tea!

Thank you to everyone who listened, shared, reviewed, commented, and helped spread the word about WCATea Podcast.

Your support is helping us create more conversations about blindness, digital accessibility, remote work, and career opportunities for people with disabilities.

Stay tuned, we're just getting started.

Subscribe and listen from your favorite podcast platform. Links in the comments below.

Watch our latest episode on YouTube, thanks to more than 9,000 views:

In May 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)...

06/01/2026

What's the tea in digital accessibility?

HHS delayed enforcement of its new Section 504 accessibility rules.

Bee and Ellie bring intensity and protest to the conversation, urging all of us to step up and do our part.

What are you gonna do?

Read our blog:
https://accessabilityofficer.com/blog/hhs-accessibility-rule-delay-new-section-504-deadlines-and-their-impact-on-disabled-americans

Listen to the full WCATea Podcast Episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and Pocket Casts. Links are in the comments.

05/29/2026

Have you heard about the HHS accessibility deadline extension?

As if the Title II ADA extension wasn't enough, the federal government has now pushed back Section 504 digital accessibility compliance deadlines for healthcare organizations too.

For many families in the disability community, another year isn't just another year.

It's another year of inaccessible patient portals, online forms, and digital barriers.

Another year of waiting for access, privacy, and independence.

Yet once again, the message seems to be:

You can wait.

In the Episode 3 of the WCATea Podcast, Bee Yang and Ellie Alvarado discuss what this delay means and why many advocates are concerned.

Learn more and join the conversation:

https://accessabilityofficer.com/blog/hhs-accessibility-rule-delay-new-section-504-deadlines-and-their-impact-on-disabled-americans

05/29/2026

05/27/2026

“The biggest disservice a professional can do for a disabled child is to set low expectations.”
Sheri Byrne-Haber

Sheri’s not called an ADA evangelist for no reason.

A huge part of her advocacy journey started with fighting for her daughter, who is deaf, after professionals began telling her what her child supposedly would never be able to do.

Watch the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XYaWPITOuI

05/27/2026

Society still has a blind spot when it comes to blind professionals.

So while others are comfortable… we sharpen our skills.

We learn technology.
We practice communication.
We build confidence.
We stay competitive.

One plus one plus one.
That effort compounds overtime.

And sooner than later, the blind job seeker who kept getting overlooked becomes the remote worker employers fight to keep.

This is exactly why AccessAbility Officer exists.

We help blind and visually impaired professionals build remote work skills, workplace confidence, digital accessibility certifications, assistive technology skills, and hiring strategies designed for competitive integrated employment.

Learn how you may qualify for our FREE vocational rehabilitation programs:
https://accessabilityofficer.com/vocational-rehabilitation