Speaking and podcasting

Many need education on the why and how to include people with disabilities and accessibility in companies. My energetic presentations aim for the three E’s on these topics: educate, entertain, and encourage action. Because of this, someone referred to me as an accessibility unicorn. [Blushes]

What problems Meryl’s talks help your organization solve:

• Teams that are stuck in overthinking or stalled execution.
• Communication breakdowns across teams, departments, and audiences.
• Fear and discomfort around disability conversations.
• Low traction on accessibility efforts. (Or just getting started on accessibility.)

Here are popular topics.

Available for in-person and virtual events. If you’d like me to present at your company or event, please drop me a line.

Upcoming talks

Reserve your spot now! Meryl limits how many engagements she does per month

• October 2025: Coupa keynote.
• January 2026: Nonprofit.

Popular topics

Creating an organizational culture of accessibility

In this engaging session, Meryl shares her personal experiences as a person born profoundly deaf, revealing the power of accessibility and how inclusive design benefits everyone. Through compelling storytelling, self-interactive exercises, and practical insights, she challenges assumptions about disability, explores the Curb Cut Effect, and highlights progress over perfection in accessibility efforts.

Key takeaways include:

• The importance of accessible communication and multiple input methods
• How organizations can foster a culture of accessibility
• Practical steps for making digital and in-person experiences more inclusive

It’s an opportunity to shift your mindset, learn actionable strategies, and advance accessibility in your organization.

Connecting communities through accessible communication

Accessibility is more than a requirement — it’s a commitment to serving the whole community. As communicators and marketers, the way we communicate shapes who feels included, heard, and valued. This keynote will challenge us to shift our mindset, making accessibility a natural part of our process rather than an afterthought. Through real-world examples and practical insights, we’ll explore how inclusive communication expands reach, builds trust, and strengthens community connections. Accessibility isn’t about perfection — it’s about progress. And it starts with us.

Key takeaways

• Accessibility is about connecting with the whole community.
• Compliance starts at the beginning for inclusive communications.
• Compliance does not guarantee good user experiences.
• Doing things right is always easier than fixing.

Between worlds: What my deaf experience reveals

Most people think they understand deafness. But my story challenges the binary of “hearing” vs. “Deaf.” It’s not just about ears. It’s about access, communication strategies, assumptions, and belonging. And if your organization wants to build truly inclusive spaces, you need to understand the spectrum and how to build an effective communication strategy.

Key takeaways:

• Deafness is a spectrum, not a category.
• Assumptions create barriers.
• Expand your accessibility and communication playbook.

Disability awareness: From avoidance to genuine allyship

Discomfort around disability isn’t a personal flaw. It’s a cultural gap. Most people haven’t had meaningful conversations with disabled colleagues, and that silence breeds uncertainty. This keynote breaks that silence with stories, humor, and practical etiquette. It’ll help you move from well-meaning to well-informed..

Key takeaways:

• Language shapes inclusion.
• Mistakes are part of progress.
• Silence reinforces stigma.

Why winning companies invest in accessibility and disabilities

Creating inclusive products, services, experiences, and workplaces isn’t just the right thing to do. It’s a smart business move. Winning companies bake accessibility into their culture because it drives revenue, retention, and innovation. After this keynote, you’ll be ready to shop for the ingredients that build a thriving, inclusive organization and hire people with disabilities not out of obligation, but out of strategic advantage.

Key takeaways:

• Companies investing in disability inclusion see measurable gains.
• Hiring disabled people fosters more collaborative, humane workplaces.
• Employees with disabilities often have lower absenteeism and higher retention rates.
• Life experiences of disabled employees lead to skills that can’t be taught.

Ten ways to be a disability ally

One in four Americans has a disability. Yet, many people have never knowingly interacted with someone disabled. Even well-meaning allies often feel unsure of what to say or do. This keynote demystifies disability allyship with practical tips, real stories, and a dose of humor. Attendees leave with the confidence to engage respectfully and the tools to support disabled colleagues, friends, and customers.

Key takeaways:

• Disability is diverse. It’s not one-size-fits-all.
• Language shapes respect.
• Mistakes are part of the process.

How to be an accessibility ally beyond compliance

Fewer than 2% of companies mention disability in their diversity efforts. Accessibility isn’t just a legal checkbox. It’s a strategic advantage. This keynote reframes accessibility as a business imperative and a shared responsibility. Meryl combines lived experience with consulting expertise to show how everyone from designers to marketers to managers can champion access in their work.

Key takeaways:

• Accessibility benefits everyone.
• Speak up when access is missing.
• Compliance is the bare minimum.

Past talks

2025 talks

• October 2025: IMEX conference in Las Vegas
• October 2025: Portland General
• September 2025: North Texas Disability Chamber awards presenter.
• July 2025: Seismic keynote
• July 2025: The Not Forgotten First community town hall panel
• June 2025: TAMIO Keynote
• May 2025: Red Cross keynote
• April 2025: Panel moderator at North Texas Disability Chamber Issues Forum
• March 2025: Westchester County Tourism and Film
• February 2025 to April 2025: Host of International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) Webinars
• February 2025: Emcee at North Texas Disability Chamber Annual Meeting

2024 talks

• December 2024: Baker Library at Harvard Business School
• November 2024: Guy Carpenter in New York City
• October 2024: Google Accessibility and Disability Inclusion Week
• October 2024: Plano ISD Regional Day School for the Deaf Panel
• October 2024: Neurodiversity Works panel at McKinney Inclusion Council in McKinney, Texas
• October 2024: CreativePro: Design + Accessibility Summit
• September 2024: City of Plano
• September 2024: World Health Organization (WHO) Commission on Social Connections
• September 2024: Intopia Inclusive Marketing Webinar
• September 2024: Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO)
• August 2024: Web Accessibility in Mind Conference
• July 2024: Kansas State University
• June 2024: Environment for the Americas Internship Program
• June 2024: XR Access Symposium Panelist
• June 2024: NTXDC Disability-led DEIA Summit
• May 2024: John Slatin AccessU Keynote.
• April 2024: University of Pittsburgh Accessibility Training Partners Program
• April 2024: Southern Methodist University
• March 2024: The University of Texas at Austin
• February 2024: North Texas Disability Chamber Annual Meeting Emcee
• February 2024: Kentucky Community and Technical College System
• January 2024: American Marketing Association Virtual Conference

2023 talks

2022 talks

2021 talks