#711: Making accessibility a priority with Make Paciello, AudioEye

The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlstrom

The Agile Brand

Business, Marketing

5 • 2.7K Ratings

🗓️ 28 July 2025

⏱️ 28 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was July 26, so today's episode is a special one. Most companies obsess over SEO, performance, and conversion rates—but overlook 25% of their audience entirely. Why do so many businesses miss the opportunity to serve users with disabilities, and what are they leaving on the table? Today I’m joined by Michael Paciello, Chief Accessibility Officer at AudioEye. Michael is a pioneer in digital accessibility and a longtime advocate for creating inclusive online experiences. While many business professionals focus on growth and efficiency, Michael makes a compelling case that accessibility is not just about compliance—it's a powerful business opportunity. He’s here to help us understand how accessibility can improve everything from reach to reputation to revenue. About Mike Paciello Mike Paciello is the Chief Accessibility Officer at AudioEye, Inc., a digital accessibility company. Prior to joining AudioEye, Mike founded WebABLE/WebABLE.TV, which delivers news about the disability and accessibility technology market. Mike authored the first book on web accessibility and usability, “Web Accessibility for People with Disabilities” and, in 1997, Mr. Paciello received recognition from President Bill Clinton for his work in the creation of World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI). He has served as an advisor to the US Access Board and other federal agencies since 1992. Mike has served as an international leader, technologist, and authority in emerging technology, accessibility, usability, and electronic publishing. Mike is the former Founder of The Paciello Group (TPG), a world-renowned software accessibility consultancy acquired in 2017 by Vispero. Mike Paciello on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-paciello-88a7a0306/ Resources Audioeye: https://www.audioeye.com https://www.audioeye.com The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brandsOnline Scrum Master Summit is happening June 17-19. This 3-day virtual event is open for registration. Visit www.osms25.com and get a 25% discount off Premium All-Access Passes with the code osms25agilebrandDon't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Transcript

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0:00.0	The Agile brand
0:02.0	Welcome to Season 7 of the Agile brand, where we discuss the trends and topics marketing leaders need to know.
0:15.0	Stay curious, stay agile, and join the top enterprise brands and MARTEC platforms as we explore marketing technology, AI, e-commerce, and join the top enterprise brands and Martec platforms as we explore marketing technology,
0:23.1	AI, e-commerce, and whatever's next for the Omnichannel customer experience.
0:27.8	Together we'll discover what it takes to create an agile brand, built for today and tomorrow,
0:32.1	and built for customers, employees, and continued business growth.
0:36.9	I'm your host, Greg Kilstrom, advising Fortune 1,000 brands on Martec, employees, and continued business growth. I'm your host, Greg Kilstrom, advising Fortune 1000 brands on Martec, AI, and marketing operations.
0:43.3	The Agile Brand Podcast is brought to you by Tech Systems, an industry leader in full-stack technology services,
0:49.3	talent services, and real-world application. For more information, go to teK systems.com.
0:56.1	To make sure you always get the latest episodes, please hit subscribe on the app you listen to
1:00.1	podcasts on and leave us a rating so others can find us as well. And now on to the show.
1:07.3	Most companies obsess over SEO, performance, and conversion rates, but overlook 25% of their audience entirely.
1:15.8	Why do so many businesses miss the opportunity to serve users with disabilities, and what are they
1:20.9	leaving on the table? Today I'm joined by Mike Passiello, chief accessibility officer at AudioI.
1:33.3	Mike is a pioneer in digital accessibility and a long-time advocate for creating inclusive online experiences. While many business professionals focus on growth and efficiency, Mike makes a compelling case that accessibility is not just about compliance.
1:41.3	It's a powerful business opportunity.
1:43.3	He's here to help us understand how accessibility can improve everything from reach to is not just about compliance. It's a powerful business opportunity.
1:45.3	He's here to help us understand how accessibility can improve everything
1:47.3	from reach to reputation to revenue.
1:50.0	Mike, welcome to the show.
1:51.7	Hey, Greg, thanks very much.
1:52.7	I really appreciate having me on the Agile Brands.
	...

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