In this week’s podcast, Russ is joined by Ed Gray and Slau Halatyn to explore the challenges around developing audio software for visually impaired and non-sighted people. As our tools have moved from hardware into software some developers have worked hard to make these tools accessible to all but there is still a lot to do. We discuss the issues and the solutions.

Ed Gray

Ed Gray is Director, Partnering Programs and Accessibility for Avid and, as a blind user himself, he has played a key role in driving accessibility into Pro Tools, Sibelius and Avid’s website and other programs.

He is a money-losing musician who plays keyboards, drums and tuba and is the lead singer of the Model Citizens, who play Devo, Talking Heads and Ramones covers in San Francisco.

A 25-year veteran of Digidesign and Avid, Ed also leads the audio developer program. He lives in Half Moon Bay, California and has a wife and a son who is destined to make a better living with his drumming and guitar playing.

Slau Halatyn

Slau Halatyn is a recording engineer, producer and studio owner in New York City

His studio, BeSharp, specializes in jazz, classical and musical theater recordings as well as rock and pop with projects ranging from singer/songwriter to full orchestra.

Slau has recorded, mixed and mastered records for multiple Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony-winning artists from musicals such as Avenue Q, Book of Mormon, Cats, Hello Dolly and Hamilton as well as members of steely Dan, King Crimson, The Smitherines, James Taylor, Hall & Oates, Christian McBride, Rufus Reed, Cassandra Wilson and The Wynton Marsalis Band.

As a blind producer, Slau has worked closely with Avid since 2006 to help make products like Pro Tools and Sibelius accessible to other blind and visually impaired engineers and musicians.

Talking Points

• How did you get into making music?

• Please describe explain your own challenges, were they from birth or did they develop over time?

• Has technology made dealing with those challenges easier or harder?

• Do you think software and hardware designers consider the needs of those with disabilities when designing products?

Find Of The Week

• Slau - Andrew Talks To Awesome People Podcast on PureMix.net

• Ed - History That Doesn’t Suck Podcast

• Russ - Adam Grant’s method for getting feedback.