Josh Basile is a C4-5 quadriplegic, power wheelchair user, disability rights advocate and lawyer. In 2004, at the age of 18, Josh was paralyzed below the shoulders in a beach accident. Soon after he formed a 501(c)3 nonprofit to empower newly injured families. He created the world's largest paralysis video mentoring network on SPINALpedia.com with 21,000 videos searchable by physical functionality. He is an active board member of the United Spinal Association.
As a medical malpractice lawyer and disabilities rights advocate, Josh serves persons with disabilities both in the courtroom and through policy initiatives. As a community leader and changemaker, Josh works tirelessly to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities and to continuously break down existing barriers to access and inclusion. In 2021, to improve web accessibility and usability, Josh joined accessiBe and the accessFind initiative as the Community Relations Manager.
Josh graduated Cum Laude from the University of Maryland in Communications and three years later Magna Cum Laude from David A. Clarke School of Law.
Episode Description
In this conversation, accessibility advocate Joshua Baisel shares his personal journey following a spinal cord injury and how it shaped his views on accessibility.
He discusses the creation of Spinalpedia, a resource for individuals with spinal cord injuries, and his role at AccessiBe, where he emphasizes the importance of community engagement and education in promoting accessibility.
Joshua highlights the challenges businesses face in embracing accessibility, the balance between quick fixes and long-term solutions, and the impact of laws and regulations. He also explores the future of accessibility, the role of AI, and the branding opportunities associated with investing in accessibility.
Hope you enjoy!
Main Discussed Topics
How a life-changing injury led to navigating a "world of barriers."
The importance of giving the disability community "a seat at the table" in tech development.
Why a "lack of knowledge" is the biggest barrier for businesses adopting accessibility.
Balancing scalable AI accessibility solutions with deeper, manual code fixes.
How accessibility laws (like the EAA and ADA) drive education and accountability for businesses.
The future role of AI in making web accessibility scalable.
TAKEAWAYS
Accessibility is a journey that requires continuous effort.
People with disabilities are the best problem solvers.
Community engagement is crucial for accessibility advocacy.
Education is key to helping businesses understand accessibility.
Accessibility laws create accountability for businesses.
AI can significantly enhance accessibility solutions.
Businesses should view accessibility as a smart investment.
Quick fixes should complement long-term accessibility strategies.
Screen readers can transform the educational experience for users.
Branding around accessibility can attract more customers.
