Pathways to Zero Barriers

Welcome to the second episode of the new season of Pathways to Zero Barriers! In this episode, David Betts, shares his story on how assistive technology and AI can restore dignity, voice and human connection for people living with speech-limiting disabilities and conditions.   
The conversation centres on David’s journey following his ALS diagnosis and the creation of “Talk to Me, Goose!”, an AI-powered communication platform designed to support people whose natural speech is impaired or at risk. Beyond the technology itself, the discussion explores broader themes of accessibility, dignity, storytelling, community, innovation, and how AI can be used to strengthen rather than weaken human connection. 
📃Episode's transcript
Key Takeaways from this episode: 
Breaking the Triple Barrier: How “Talk to Me, Goose!” tackles the three biggest challenges in assistive communication—cost, access, and complexity—by leveraging consumer devices, foundation partnerships, creativity and AI-driven tools. 

From Utility to Humanity: Why assistive technology must move beyond basic needs (communicating: "I'm hungry", "I'm cold") to support personality, emotion, storytelling, humour, and meaningful participation in everyday life. 

Giving the Voice Back to the Community: How AI-driven tools can strengthen and rebuild communities, preserve memories and create new opportunities for inclusion 

AI as a Collaborative Partner: Lessons from building “Talk to Me, Goose!” with no coding background, including why the most effective use of AI is not automation alone, but working with AI as a creative and technical teammate. 

About Our Guest:  
David Betts was the leader for Public Health Transformation for Deloitte Consulting. He focused on assisting clients in the public health arena to create a more resilient public health infrastructure. He retired in January 2026 due to his ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) diagnosis. He founded the public benefit corporation, StoryFlight Labs dedicated to restoring dignity, sparking imagination and strengthening human connection, with a focus on people living with speech-limiting disabilities and conditions.  
Pathways to Zero Barriers is a Zero Project podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and subscribe!

Welcome to the Season 3 premiere of Pathways to Zero Barriers! In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Sambhavi Chandrashekar, Global Accessibility Lead at D2L (Desire2Learn), to explore how the lines between assistive technology (AT) and mainstream consumer tech are permanently blurring.
We look closely at how the "curb-cut effect" is accelerating in 2026, driven by edge AI, next-generation wearables, and massive market convergence.
📃Episode transcript

Key Takeaways from This Episode:
The Curb-Cut Effect & AI Acceleration: How features like captions and predictive text transition from niche AT to mainstream defaults—and how AI is collapsing this adoption timeline.
Wearables to Watch: A look at the $34.2B global AT market, featuring breakout tech like Meta Ray-Ban glasses, the OrCam MyEye, and the booming $20B health-and-sleep tracking ring industry.
Tech Convergence vs. Mainstream Crossover: Understanding the difference between OS-level accessibility features (Apple, Google, Microsoft) and true tech convergence (where edge AI, IoT, and biotech merge into real-time health advisors).
The $13 Trillion Case for Accessibility: Why 53% of consumers are connected to disability, and why developers must stop designing for the "mythical average user."
About Our Guest:
Dr. Sambhavi Chandrashekar is the Global Accessibility Lead at D2L (Desire2Learn), where she champions inclusive design and digital accessibility at scale. She is a recognized expert in reframing accessibility as a core business strategy and an engine for mainstream innovation.
Pathways to Zero Barriers is a Zero Project podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and subscribe!

Coming soon: the new season of Pathways to Zero Barriers kicks off next week with Sambhavi Chandrashekar, who will provide us with insights into the Assistive Technology (AT) markets.
Together with host Tom Butcher, Sambhavi will explore how Assistive Technology and mainstream technology markets are increasingly interconnected, the economic opportunities available, and the role of AI in the development of different types of AT products.
Pathways to Zero Barriers explores AT innovations from an ecosystem point of view, including current developments and the impact of AI on the markets.
Brought to you by
The Zero Project with the support of the Essl Foundation and its global network of partners committed to advancing disability inclusion worldwide.
Credits
Host: Tom Butcher
Production: Małgorzata Grobelna, Alessandro Gobello, and Judith Hermetter
Audio Engineering: Antina Zlatkova / Mediengarten

Pathways to Zero Barriers: Season 3
In this short introduction Tom Butcher and Judith Hermetter will provide an overview of this season's structure, highlight upcoming topics, and share what listeners can expect in the weeks ahead.
🔗 Zero Project: https://zeroproject.org
📩 Contact: podcast@zeroproject.org

Brought to you by
The Zero Project with the support of the Essl Foundation and its global network of partners committed to advancing disability inclusion worldwide.

Credits
Host: Tom Butcher
Production: Małgorzata Grobelna, Alessandro Gobello, and Judith Hermetter
Audio Engineering: Antina Zlatkova / Mediengarten

Pathways to Zero Barriers
Episode: The mindset of scaling internationally with Małgorzata Grobelna
What does it take to scale disability innovation across borders—and what mindset makes international growth possible?
In this episode of Pathways to Zero Barriers, host Tom Butcher speaks with Małgorzata “Margaret” Grobelna, Programme Manager at Zero Project, about what it truly means to scale disability innovation internationally. Drawing on her experience leading the Scaling Solutions Programme, Małgorzata explains why scaling should be understood not simply as organizational growth, but as the deliberate replication and adaptation of impactful solutions across regions and countries.
Reflecting on lessons from Zero Project Scaling Solutions Fellows around the world, Margaret outlines the foundations of successful scaling: developing a clear roadmap, selecting the right markets, designing pilots, building strong local partnerships, and remaining flexible when circumstances change. She emphasizes that innovators should avoid perfectionism, resist hyper-focusing on details, and instead cultivate resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to learn from failure. The conversation also highlights the importance of co-designing solutions with persons with disabilities from the outset and ensuring that lived experience remains central throughout the scaling journey.
Małgorzata also explores how AI can support scaling: from matchmaking with strategic partners to translation, market research, contextual analysis, and even acting as a strategic brainstorming partner. Her call to action is clear: the world does not lack solutions for persons with disabilities, but it lacks the ambition and systems needed to scale those solutions globally, so they are available to a wider audience.
In this episode:
• Scaling internationally through strategy, partnerships, and local adaptation
• Co-designing with persons with disabilities and building continuous feedback loops
• Using AI as a practical tool for research, matchmaking, and strategic planning
Resources & Links
🔗 Programme website: scaling-solutions.zeroproject.org
📄 Transcript
✅ Key Takeaways Checklist
🌐 Guest: Małgorzata Grobelna Małgorzata Grobelna | LinkedIn / Zero Project
📩 Contact: scaling-solutions@zeroproject.org
Brought to you by
The Zero Project with the support of the Essl Foundation, Fundación Descúbreme, GIZ on behalf of BMZ, and Access to Success.
Credits
Host: Thomas Butcher
Production: Małgorzata Grobelna, Alessandro Gobello, and Judith Hermetter
Audio Engineering: Antina Zlatkova / Mediengarten