Couverture de Remarkable World Commentary Episode #75: Interview with Richard Marion, Accessibility Professional

Remarkable World Commentary Episode #75: Interview with Richard Marion, Accessibility Professional

Remarkable World Commentary Episode #75: Interview with Richard Marion, Accessibility Professional

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 🎙️ Remarkable World Commentary Episode #75: Interview with Richard Marion, Accessibility Professional | Donna J. Jodhan, LLB, ACSP, MBA https://donnajodhan.com/rwc-02-12-2026/ In this thought-provoking episode of Remarkable World Commentary, Donna J. Jodhan welcomes longtime mentor and friend Richard Marion ("Rich") for a wide-ranging conversation about disability advocacy, inclusive transit, and what real accessibility looks like in daily life. Richard shares how his work has evolved over roughly 35 years, spanning behind-the-scenes advocacy, peer support around access technology (especially mobile devices), and a deep focus on public transit accessibility through multiple roles with TransLink, including years on its Access Transit Committee. He also reflects on how identifying as Métis and as a member of the LGBTQ+ community has shaped his equity work and broadened how he brings disability issues into other communities, while continuing to center lived experience and practical solutions. Donna and Richard dive into specific, street-level changes that make systems usable, most notably TransLink's system-wide rollout of Braille and tactile bus-stop signage (which Richard helped technically advise, down to ensuring Unified English Braille conventions and fixing real-world dot/spacing issues as materials changed). They explore common mistakes agencies make, consulting too late, treating "accessibility" as wheelchair-only, and overlooking the needs of Deaf riders, neurodivergent riders, and people with sensory disabilities, alongside the "make-or-break" features for blind travelers (tactile cues, clear faregate tap points, reliable audio/wayfinding, and human assistance when needed). Richard also unpacks the promise and limits of high-tech tools (GPS shines; camera-based wayfinding often struggles outdoors; smart glasses and services like Be My Eyes can be powerful but aren't always seamless), arguing that low-tech, always-there design must remain the foundation, especially as cities introduce complex street redesigns like floating/island bus stops near bike lanes. The episode closes with Richard's "what's next" (more accessible arts and travel), a nod to his leadership history in the blindness community, and a direct message to younger advocates: social media helps, but lasting change still comes from organized, in-person community advocacy and advisory work. TRANSCRIPT Advertisement: This podcast brought to you by Pneuma Solutions. Advertisement: I can't see it. Advertisement: ADA Title II has a real compliance deadline. April 2026. Public entities are required to make their digital content accessible, including websites, PDFs, reports, applications, and public records. If a document cannot be read with a screen reader, it is not compliant and if it is not compliant, blind people are still being denied equal access. For a clear explanation of what the rule requires, visit www.title2.info. It's one of the leading resources explaining what agencies must do and when. This message is brought to you by Pneuma Solutions, we have remediated hundreds of thousands of pages in days, not months or years, aligned with WCAG 2 AA guidelines at a fraction of traditional costs. Accessibility isn't a privilege, it's a right. Now that you know, ask your agencies a simple question, are your documents actually accessible? Podcast Commentator: Donna J. Jodhan, LLB, ACSP and MBA, invites you to listen to her biweekly podcast, Remarkable World Commentary. Here, Donna shares some of her innermost thoughts, insights, perspectives, and more with her listeners. Donna focuses on topics that directly affect the future of kids, especially kids with disabilities. Donna is a blind advocate, author, sight loss coach, dinner mystery producer, writer, entrepreneur, law graduate, and podcast commentator. She has decades of lived experiences, knowledge, skills and expertise in access technology and information. As someone who has been internationally recognized for her work and roles, she just wants to make things better than possible. Donna Jodhan, LLB, ACSP, MBA: And hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of Remarkable World Commentary. I'm Donna Jodhan, a lifelong disability advocate and one who sees the world mainly through sound, touch and stubborn optimism. I am a law graduate, accessibility consultant, author, lifelong barrier buster who also happens to be blind. You may know me from a few headline moments, as in November 2010, I won the Landmark Charter case that forced the Canadian government to make its websites accessible to every Canadian, not just recited once. And in July of 2019, I co-led the Accessible Canada Act with more than two dozen disability groups to Turin, equal access into federal law, and most recently on June 3rd, 2022. I was greatly humbled by Her Late Majesty's Platinum Jubilee Award for tireless commitment to removing barriers. When I'm not in a courtroom or a committee room or in a pottery ...
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