On this episode, host Lori Boll speaks with Alexandra “Zandy” Wong who shared her personal journey with hearing loss and her mission to make the digital world more accessible. Zanday’s experience inspired her to found the NextGen Accessibility Initiative, which has reached over 200,000 youth across 119 countries. She discussed key aspects of digital accessibility, including proper captioning, alt text for images, and color contrast considerations. Currently pursuing a master’s in Applied Digital Health at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, Zandy outlined her vision for a fully accessible digital world, emphasizing the need for inherently accessible platforms, cultural shifts in perceiving disability, and ensuring assistive technologies are available to all.
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Bio
Alexandra “Zandy” Wong is studying for a master’s degree in Applied Digital Health as a 2024 U.S. Rhodes Scholar. She recently graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a degree in Public Health. Her research and advocacy focused on creating a world where accessibility is universal and having a disability is celebrated. She has contributed to research surrounding the accessibility of patient education materials, U.S. hospital websites, and the digital public health response to COVID-19. She has also drafted federal legislation concerning the accessibility of U.S. federal agencies’ social media accounts and served as an advisor to UNICEF, UNESCO, and the U.S. Department of Labor on increasing access to education and jobs for youth with disabilities. In the community, she is the founder of the NextGen Accessibility Initiative where she has helped over 200,000 youth across 119 countries gain access to accessible education. She has shared her story of growing up with hearing loss in interviews with the Guardian, the Washington Post, and Teen Vogue and is a 2X TEDx Speaker. In her free time, she enjoys running and playing the piano.