Episode 356-Accessibility Works When We Stop Treating Disability As Defect with Daniel Hodges

May 19

34 mins

Episode Description

Most people say they support accessibility, but very few can explain what it actually means or why it keeps breaking down in real life. We’re joined by Daniel Hodges, a nonprofit leader and advocate with a law degree who was born blind, to get specific about where the barriers really come from and what “equity” looks like when you strip out bias and bad design.

We talk about Daniel’s childhood in rural America, where the focus stayed on future cures and risky procedures instead of practical skills like Braille, a white cane, and assistive technology. That led to a powerful reframing: disability is not automatically the problem. Daniel breaks down how much of the hardship people associate with blindness is truly intrinsic, and how much comes from societal barriers like inaccessible materials, missing accommodations, stigma, and the constant pressure to prove competence.

From there, we dig into what actually works. Daniel shares how small, honest conversations about disability etiquette and tools can transform community connection, and he introduces the Pieces of Me Foundation mission: education, innovative professional training, and resource connections that help dismantle misconceptions. He also explains the Access Opportunity Tour, a practical Zoom-based way for leaders to get real-time guidance on making their workplace, church, nonprofit, or website more accessible. Along the way, Daniel tells a gripping story about blind parenting, facing CPS scrutiny, and supporting a child through eye cancer treatment, plus the everyday tools he relies on, including iOS VoiceOver and mindset practices grounded in grace.

If you care about disability inclusion, universal design, and accessibility that’s more than a checkbox, hit play. Subscribe, share this with someone building community spaces, and leave a review with one accessibility change you want to see next.

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