Welcome to another episode of Beyond Barriers. Beyond Barriers is a series of conversations with leaders and community evangelists that delve into the challenges of navigating effective accessibility strategies. Today, Brian Gavin, co-founder of Wally, speaks with Jeff Luna, whose career has spanned across technology, healthcare, and accessibility, exploring how these fields intersect and the impact they create.
You can listen to the full audio or read the transcript below.
Jeff’s Journey into Accessibility
What led you to enter the accessibility space and pursue a career that combines tech and healthcare?
Jeff: "My journey began at Cisco Systems as a director of software engineering, but my path to accessibility was set long before that. I didn't have a traditional computer science background; I worked my way through school, assisting a professor with a disability who needed help with library research. Witnessing her challenges in navigating her workspace left a lasting impact. Later, I was fortunate to see her dedication to her field as the leading obesity research doctor in the US, which fueled my drive to ensure technology could help everyone, regardless of physical ability."
What experiences shaped your view on inclusive technology for aging adults?
Jeff: "Working as a program manager at Sacramento's Agency on Aging introduced me to community members with mobility challenges. Our office wasn’t fully accessible, which led me to spearhead efforts to move it to a better location. This was one of my first major roles, and it drove home the importance of accessible spaces. I also began creating software that could determine which social services would be most beneficial, later selling it to a company still in business today."
Transitioning to Tech: Insight from a Consulting Career
What impact did your consulting experience have on your accessibility mission?
Jeff: "My transition into Dell and later consulting roles opened my eyes to the physical demands that tech work can place on people. Some individuals couldn’t lift servers or hardware; these stories added layers to my accessibility perspective. As I moved from Dell into consulting, including work at the County of Los Angeles, I saw firsthand how an aging workforce faced barriers within their physical workspace. This fueled my mission to make accessibility integral to tech solutions."
How did your experience at large companies influence accessibility initiatives?
Jeff: "At Microsoft, my role allowed me to work closely with big healthcare and government clients on early detection tools and even initiatives for Alzheimer's research. My work went beyond selling products—it became about solving real problems with technology. The company's support, and working with mission-aligned individuals, empowered us to create technology that could positively impact lives, like early Alzheimer’s detection."
Challenges and Setbacks in Implementing Accessibility Solutions
What challenges have you faced in scaling accessibility solutions, especially with large corporations?
Jeff: "One early challenge was expanding our online presence to support multiple languages—back in 2003, well before Google Translate. This set the stage for future accessibility work, from adding high-contrast modes to testing app compatibility for people with low vision. Later, while at Microsoft, we had to navigate legal issues with AI and machine learning projects, facing occasional cease-and-desist orders, but learned to use these experiences to improve how we built solutions."
How do you see the role of tech partnerships in advancing accessibility?
Jeff: "Working alongside companies like Cisco and Microsoft allowed me to explore how accessibility could integrate into all phases of product development, not just as an afterthought. It’s crucial to make accessibility seamless, and partnerships help amplify our impact. Building a shared service for Los Angeles County or creating healthcare prototypes for Microsoft became my way to make accessibility integral to larger tech solutions."
The Role of AI and Emerging Technologies in Accessibility
What impact do you see AI and machine learning having on accessibility?
Jeff: "AI has tremendous potential. My team worked on Alzheimer's early detection using AI to scan thousands of MRI images quickly and accurately. I also developed an idea for monitoring street conditions for people with mobility issues, using sensors to track rough surfaces. This can ultimately improve lives for people in wheelchairs, on scooters, and more, by helping them navigate safely."
Advice for Aspiring Accessibility Advocates
What advice would you give to others pursuing a career in accessibility?
Jeff: "Don’t get discouraged. Accessibility work doesn’t always pay the same as tech roles, but the rewards are different. You don’t have to work at a big tech company to make a difference—anyone with a passion for accessibility can find ways to contribute. The emergence of low-code platforms and tools like GPTs has opened doors for people to create apps and accessibility tools themselves."
Jeff’s insights underscore the impact of a lifelong commitment to accessibility, a journey powered by passion and a determination to make technology work for everyone. His story highlights the importance of inclusive technology and how it transforms lives.
