Aira Tech Corp

At Aira Tech Corp, a professional visual interpreting service for the blind community,  I started with accessibility testing for the Aira Explorer app relaunch and quickly grew into leading the AI Advisory Group for Access AI, conducting market research and assisting with product development. My role evolved into product marketing, where I launched integrations like Meta Ray-Bans, built partnerships with access partners such as Walmart, and created tutorial content for new features. I collaborated cross-functionally to craft messaging, present at events, and communicate updates, including Aira AI with Google Astra. This role also expanded my experience in accessibility-focused product strategy and stakeholder engagement.

Product Marketing Manager

Blake Steinecke 

I leverage my unique background in marketing and accessibility to help companies build more accessible products and reach people with disabilities through marketing. My roles have included accessibility testing and AI advisory at Aira, content marketing at Fable, accessibility and marketing at Olark, and research studies with Adobe, Sony, and Fiverr. I also delivered accessibility training with OC Sports & Entertainment, the parent organization of the Anaheim Ducks, helping teams implement inclusive practices. I've shared content on assitive tech and accessibility on my YouTUbe channel,Adapting Sight.

Marketing and Accessibility Consultant 

I am passionate about fostering understanding and shifting perspectives through public speaking, drawing on my experiences with vision loss, marketing and accessibility, and being a disabled athlete. I have shared my story and insights at K–12 schools, California State University San Marcos’ business school, the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, and numerous community meetups. My engagements have also included delivering accessibility trainings for large organizations, leading podcast discussions on my story and accessibility, presenting to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, and appearing on NHL Tonight. Across these experiences, I focus on leadership, personal resilience, and promoting inclusion in sports, technology, and everyday life.

Public Speaker

US Blind Hockey team 

I have been able to continue to play hockey after my vision loss and now represent the US on the US Blind Hockey Team. This sport and community has taught me so many things to thrive on and more importantly off the ice. I've grown as a leader and been able to use my marketing skills for content creations, video editing, fundraising campaigns and more.

Forward

Clusiv, Inc

At Clusiv, an eLearning platform for the blind community, I led marketing and drove leads as Growth Manager, dramatically increasing qualified leads by 200% from the blind community using targeted growth marketing tactics. I ran webinars, managed social media, and represented Clusiv at conferences. Additionally, I optimized campaigns to increase community reach and improve overall user acquisition strategies.

Growth Manager

As accessibility needs increased at Clusiv, I went full time and helped a software engineering team that was new to accessibility, develop multiple accessible web and mobile applications. I also ensured the accessibility of documents and other assets from the company.

Accessibility Manager

During a time in my career when I was doing contract work, Clusiv was a company I worked with where i got to bring together my marketing, accessibility and lived experience of my vision loss to impact a mission I felt passionately about.

Marketing Consultant

Blind Institute of Technology

I worked with BIT doing web accessibility testing and trainings. This role grew my technical understanding of web accessibility, WCAG, CSS, HTML and auditing. I helped provide trainings with other team members to various large organizations, empowering their own journeys with accessibility.

Accessibility Tester and Trainer

Open Inclusion

I was the Sight Loss Community Leader for the Open Inclusion Disability Inclusive Insight and Engagement Panel in North America. In this role I helped advise the rest of the Open Inclusion team including the research and design team and other panel leaders on perspectives from my community. This supports our ongoing development of understanding of the sight loss community in North America and considerations through co-design of our research and broader disability-inclusive services.

Sight Loss Community Leader

Fable

As my passion for accessibility grew, I started working with Fable  to do usability testing to help companies create better digital experiences for people with disabilities. This grew my understanding of accessibility and most importantly my communications skills to be able to translate my experience with assistive tech and accessibility barriers into actionable insights to improve usability and accessibility.

Accessibility/Usability Tester

TASCO 

My career pivoted into marketing and I was able to work in an industry that I've always enjoyed.  I ran paid advertising on Google Search, Facebook andInstagram to drive results throughout the sales funnel. I also helped with giveaways to build email lists, ran influencer marketing, and.more. By doing performance marketing, it really made me see marketing's goal as driving business results, as I increased revenue 15% and web traffic 20%

Digital Marketing Strategist 

GoSite

As an SDR, I grew my sales and communication skills by building a pipeline to create leads for account executives. Outside of my responsibilities, I helped give advice on improving accessibility at the company and providing insights on inclusive hiring processes..

Sales Development Representative

SmartCover

This was my first experience in a start up where I was able to work on various marketing tactics to increase brand awareness of SmartCover's innovative technology to predict and prevent sewer spills. An interview I created of one of the cofounders was featured in.an industry leading media platform. I increased their social media following 25% and grew my skills in Salesforce.

Marketing and Sales Intern

My vision loss in high school changed how I experienced technology and inspired me to dedicate my career to making it more accessible, innovative, and impactful. I’m passionate about product marketing and assistive tech, using both my professional background and lived experience to help organizations build better products and connect with more people.

I began in sales at GoSite before quickly pivoting into marketing with TASCO MTB, leading performance marketing campaigns, influencer partnerships, and event marketing. Working in the mountain bike industry allowed me to combine professional growth with a personal passion.

I then moved into accessibility work and started my YouTube channel, Adapting Sight, to share insights about assistive tech. I partnered with organizations like Blind Institute of Technology, Open Inclusion, and Fable on accessibility testing, applying my lived experience, communication skills, and technical knowledge to help product teams improve usability and inclusion.

At Clusiv, I served as Accessibility Manager, guiding a product team new to accessibility and launching three web and mobile applications. Later as Growth Manager, I increased MQLs by 200% and drove growth through email marketing, webinars, Google Ads, social media, targeted sponsorships, PR, and events, gaining deep insights into reaching the blind community.

This expertise led to product marketing consulting with Olark, Fable, and Aira. At Fable, I developed content campaigns showcasing tester stories; at Olark, I improved product usability and created tutorials; and at Aira, I started with accessibility testing before expanding into product marketing, leading the Aira AI Advisory Group, supporting product launches like Access AI, and contributing to partnerships and integrations including Meta Ray-Bans and Walmart.

I've connected my passions and professional expeirence through product testing and accessibilty trainings with Sony, Adobe and OC Sports and Entertainment, the parent organizaiton of the Anehim Ducks. My public speaking experience ranges from speaking at K-12 schools, higher education, CSUN Conference, San Diego County Board of Supervisors, and numerous podcast and media appearances.

My career combines sales, marketing, and accessibility to help companies build better products, grow impact, and reach more people. I aim to continue driving product marketing initiatives in innovative and assistive tech while building my personal brand to help more organizations connect inclusion with business results.

I was ready to quit woodshop because of my vision loss.

My teacher’s response shocked me. I never expected what came next.

I told him what was going to happen to my vision.

Without skipping a beat he said: 

"You can just work on the computers."

My limiting beliefs were stopped in their tracks.

He wanted me to do complex CAD designs and work on the CNC machine?

We discussed how it would work and I realized I wasn't quitting woodshop.

I got a larger monitor and used magnification as I slowly learned the programs.

My teacher showed me a photo of a clip tenon and said I should make one.

I was so confused how you could make wood clip together.

Through trial and error I made a clip tenon.
Then the box in this photo.
Benches that snapped together. 
A "game of thrones" inspired chair.
And all sorts of other creations.

I continued to be challenged by what was possible in his class.

I realized how much I could do with technology and a strong mindset.

Mr. Geldert helped me remove limiting beliefs.
Practice how to adapt and overcome.
See what's possible with technology.

I will never forget that conversation and what I learned in his class.

It's what fuels me to work in technology.

It build foundational skills that I am so grateful for.

Technology is a powerful tool.
It raises the bar for whats possible for people with disabilities.

We need more people to raise their belief in themselves and in others with what's possible with accessible technology.

How have you seen technology empower your career or someone you know?
#Technology #AssistiveTechnology

Blake Steinecke

Empowering companies to build accessible, human-centered tech products that connect with more people | Product Marketer | Public Speaker | Inclusive AI| Blind Athlete

Blake holds a wooden box with clip tenons joining the peices of the box.

6 years ago I was a student at the CSUSM College of Business Dean's List Breakfast.
Returning as a speaker was surreal.  

College was challenging, to say the least.

Being new to vision loss brought all sorts of obstacles.

I remember being a student in the crowd at the breakfast, wondering how I’d find success in my career.

Since then I've had an eventful career in marketing, pivoted into accessibility, experienced "dream jobs", faced 2 lay offs, started a YouTube channel, pursued public speaking, charted unconventional paths freelancing, competed in blind hockey, and more. 

It felt amazing to return and share from my own successes, failures, and lessons learned in my career.

Here were my main points:

1. Be curious
It’s hard to answer, “What do you want to do with your career?”
Instead, figure out what interests you.
Sift through the things you like and don’t like.
Move toward what you love and what you’re great at.
Curiosity is one of the most underrated skills. 
It gives you a real competitive edge.
Read So Good They Can’t Ignore You for more on this.

2. Build valuable skills
Pursue skills over passion.
The root of passion actually means “to suffer.”
So ask yourself: What are you willing to suffer for in your career?
What skills are you interested in learning? Go teach yourself those.
Everyone should learn to speak and write well. 
Learn AI (not just because it’s a buzzword).

3. Build your network
Start by growing your community. 
Strengthen relationships with your closest friends, family, and support system.
Find mentors who can shortcut your success and give advice specific to your situation.
Reach out to interesting people for informational interviews.
Take advantage of your resources.
Read The 2-Hour Job Search for a tactical guide.

4. Build your personal brand
You have one whether you like it or not. 
It’s your reputation.
Use LinkedIn to amplify it.
Connect with people for informational interviews.
Post content.
Create something that shares who you are and what you value.

5. Be brave and adaptable
Being brave means acting in spite of fear.
Get out of your comfort zone.
Do the things others aren’t willing to do.
Adapt to the inevitable challenges of career and life.

And remember, there’s more to life than career.

Pursue friendship, family, and faith.

Ask the deeper questions of life.


If you were there, what’s something you took away?

If you weren’t, what’s your best piece of career advice for college students in 2025?

Great reconnecting with professors I had and faculty like Rebeca Perren, Kristin J. Stewart, Ph.D.Bennett Cherry, Carleen Kreider and others.

Thank you Ronald Ramirez and Sara Vaz for the opportunity. 
California State University San Marcos
#CareerAdvice #PublicSpeaking #HigherEducation #CSUSM #CoBa

Blake Steinecke stands at a podium speaking to a room of students and faculty seated at round tables during a Dean’s List breakfast event. Large windows behind him overlook a sunny golf course, and a lit “DEAN’S LIST” sign decorates a nearby table. Guests are listening attentively while enjoying breakfast.

I failed the first assignment with an F.

Weeks later, I set the curve on the exam.

There wasn’t an intellectual barrier when I took the test.

But there were technology barriers with the homework.

The professor graded strictly on formatting.

And listening to the textbook with my screen reader missed those details.

My results:
50% on the first assignment.
Set the curve on the first multiple-choice test.
77% on the second assignment.
100% on the third.
And an A- in the class.

What changed?
I got a PDF of the textbook so I could zoom in and see formatting clearly.
I went to my professor’s office hours for one-on-one help.
I got better with my assistive technology.

Intellectually, I excelled on the tests.
Yet without the right setup, I struggled with the assignments.

Technology, mindset, and supportive people bridged the gap of my success.

How can these barriers be avoided in education and in the workplace?
1. Provide accessible formats and software.
2. People with disabilities must figure out their best assistive tech setup.
3. Take the time to collaborate, accept help, and create long-term solutions.

These lessons still help me adapt, overcome, and succeed in my career.

Have you ever been on either side of a barrier like this?
#Accessibility #AssistiveTechnology #HigherEducation #Inclusion

Entering college I was new to vision loss, insecure, and doubtful of my future.
Five years into my career, things have come unexpectedly full circle.
I’ve been invited to speak at my alma mater’s Dean’s List breakfast next week.

As a student, I remember Erik Groset speaking at the Dean’s List breakfast.

I was amazed by his experience and level of success.

I don’t remember what he shared (aside from a children’s book about a train).

But I remember the feeling I left with. 
Realizing what’s possible after college.
It raised the ceiling of what I thought was possible.

College was very challenging, constantly adapting and overcoming obstacles.
Navigating vision loss caused many doubts and uncertainties.

As I learned to adapt, use technology, and lean into resources, I found success.
I finished college a semester early with a 3.77 GPA, a degree in marketing, and a minor in Spanish.

Since graduating in December 2020,

I’ve had two "dream jobs".
Successfully pivoted into a new career field.
Use my lived experience in my work.
Focused my career on impact.
Become a public speaker.
Worked on some pretty cool consulting projects.

But it hasn’t come without challenges.

I started my career in the rough job market of 2020.
I’ve been let go from two jobs for reasons outside my control.
I’ve battled imposter syndrome.
Overcome doubts.
Forged an unconventional career path.

And I’m still figuring it out—sometimes wondering “why me?” to speak at this event.

In light of my experience, I look forward to sharing lessons with the students.

Be adaptable.
Be curious.
Build valuable skills.
Build your network.
Build your personal brand.

I’m not here just to inspire a feeling with my story.
I want to inspire action.

Things are going to get really practical during my talk.

Stay tuned for more insights and clips from the event.

What do you wish you knew as a college student that I should share?

Thank you Sara Vaz and Ronald Ramirez for the opporutnity.
CSUSM College of Business
California State University San Marcos 
#PublicSpeaking #HigherEducation #CareerAdvice

My story was featured in this book, but I didn’t want to read it.
I used to feel uncomfortable when people called me “brave.”
But my perspective changed after finally reading the book.

People often say:
“I wouldn’t have responded to vision loss the same way you did.”
“You’re so brave.”
“It’s crazy all the things you still do.”

These comments made me uncomfortable.

You don’t see the doubts, fears, and frustrations I’ve faced.
I don’t feel like I have this “special trait” of bravery.
And I don’t want to be seen as an "inspiration".

I was glad to share my story in Clint Hatton book…

 But I didn’t feel like I fit the title.

Until I actually read it.

I quickly teared up and was filled with emotions as I started the book.

I was moved by Clint’s story of losing his son. and how he found a way to process it.

I began to see what it truly meant to be Big Bold Brave in the face of hardship.

Being brave is acting in spite of fear.
You are bold when you persevere.
And you can make a big impact along the way.
I’m thankful for a big, bold God who is faithful in our bravery.

This book reframed how I see bravery.
I’d highly recommend it to anyone facing a challenge or loss.

Get a copy here: https://amzn.to/48daFkS

Don’t say: “I couldn’t have done it if I were in your shoes.”
Don’t count yourself out.

We can all learn to be Big Bold Brave.
When we act in spite of fear.
Process our emotions.
Lean into community.

How has hardship shaped your view of bravery?
I’d love to hear from others, especially those who’ve gone through vision loss or live with a disability.

This might feel like a personal post, but let’s be real: our careers are deeply personal, they’re full of obstacles. and we can all learn to better respond to hardship. 

(P.S. After reading, I was amazed that my story got to be featured alongside so many people's amazing stories. You gotta read them)

#CareerAdvice #BigBoldBrave #VisionLoss

"Book cover that says Foreword by Howard Behar, Retired President, Starbucks International. The title in large red letters reads Big Bold Brave, with the word 'Brave' crossing over a gray brushstroke. At the bottom, it says How to Live Courageously in a Risky World and Clint Hatton in red text. The background is solid black."

Thank you to Mark James, CPC who taught me the value of LinkedIn in his BUS 300 class that I took six years ago at California State University San Marcos. I am so thankful for the value and connections LinkedIn has brought to my career. 

Mark James, CPC would always tell us "you're either LinkedIn or your left out" and "your network is your net worth!"
#LinkedIn #Network

Keynote speaker on hearing loss, communication, inclusion and culture || HearsDustin, CEO & Founder

View Dustin Giannelli🦻🏼’s profile

Who encouraged you to download LinkedIn?

Was it a professor? A parent? A mentor? A friend?

I’ll never forget it was one of my professors at UNH, Andy Ellicott, who recently wrote me this message after seeing one of my posts:

“You were an extraordinary and unforgettable student and personality at UNH, and I love following your career. Such an amazing mission. Keep up the incredible work!”

This is the power of LinkedIn.

It is such an incredible #community. 

A place where people who shaped your journey can 

- reconnect with you
- cheer you on years later 
- remind us that your work matters

So here’s my challenge to you this weekend:

Take a moment to thank the person who suggested that you to join LinkedIn. 

Share your updates.

Let them know the impact they had.

And last but not least: 

If you've been wanting to post more but don't know where to begin, use these three simple steps (listed below in the comments!)👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼

#ThankYou #LinkedIn #Inclusion

A screenshot of a LinkedIn message from Dustin's old professor in College. It says:

"Hi Dustin,
I saw your post about HearsDustin on LI today, and I'm just writing to say how honored I feel to know you. You were an extraordinary and unforgettable student and personality at UNH, and I love following your career. Such an amazing mission. Keep up the incredible work!
-Andy"

Connecting with students, like Leo(Supply Chain) Smith, was a. highlight after speaking at the California State University San Marcos Dean's list breakfast. 
He demonstrated these key qualities college students need for career success.

A lot of students heard what I had to share.

Some will take action on what I shared.

A few came up and asked me a question after. 

In a brief conversation, Leo reminded me of these qualities that every college student needs for career success. 

1. Get involved on campus 
Here's Leo's on campus resume:
VP of the Supply Chain Management Club 
Community Advisor at student housing 
Ambassador for the Asian Business Association 

Get involved in clubs.
Find job opportunities on campus. 
Build skills, your resume and network. 

2. Leverage unique skills and life experience 
Leo is interested in working for a business that operates in the US and Japan.

He is bringing together his understanding of Japan from being born there, speaking the language, his supply chain degree and interest in operations.

What skills, interest, background and life experience can you bring together to give direction in your career and help you stand out?

3. Post on LinkedIn 
1% of people regularly post on LinkedIn.
For college students, I bet it's even less.
Leo's consistently posting content and it helps him stand out.

When are you going to make your first post?

4. Build relationships with professors 
Leo stayed late, connected with professors, and met new ones.
He's growing his network and is eager to learn. 

Professors want to help, but students don't always take it.
Lean in to the people an resources your college provides. 

Thanks for being an example to others Leo. Keep up the good work!

California State University San Marcos #HigherEducation #CareerAdvice

Blake Steinecke, wearing a blue suit and holding a white cane, stands smiling beside Leo Smith, who is dressed in a gray suit and holding a framed Dean’s List certificate. They are indoors at a banquet venue, standing in front of a large mirror and warmly lit dining area, posing for a celebratory photo.

I won’t sugarcoat it. Being an SDR was rough.
But it gave me the foundation I needed for marketing and tech.
Here are the skills that can help you make the transition too.

My first job out of college was an SDR for a software startup.
Cold calls for software sales weren't my thing.

This was my journey as a Sales Development Representative 
I struggled to pass off leads to account executives.
When I did, they closed at a high rate.
I wanted to get to know the person.
I overqualified the lead.

My career pivoted into marketing and accessibility roles.
Marketing and being more relational are my prefered forms of selling.
Plus, I really wanted to get into accessibility testing and product development.

These are the SDR skills that translate to roles in marketing and tech.

1. Seek to understand your customer
2. Know the product inside and out
3. Communicate the product effectively to your customer
4. Work closely with sales
5. Focus on metrics

These skills were so valuable to learn early in my career.

Just as valuable was the support of my manager, Paty Araiza 😊

She helped me to:
Be accommodated with my disability
Receive quality training
Feel cheered on

If you're an SDR wanting to make a change, know that you're learning powerful transferable skills.

Software sales might not be your thing, but you may enjoy other forms of selling, building relationships or working in other tech roles. 

What other transferable SDR skills did I miss?

#SDR #Accessibility #ProductMarketing #CareerTips"

One of the biggest accessibility issues I see testing apps isn’t complicated

It’s labeling.

I experience it all the time.

Unlabeled buttons.
Confusing labels.
Images with no alt text.

As a VoiceOver user, I rely on those labels to know what each element is.
I tap on the element with VoiceOver, and it reads the label outloud.

Lots of apps have very poor or missing labels.
With some guess work I can sometimes figure it out.

But most of the time I just won't use the app. 

Here’s the good news: it’s not hard to fix.

Accessibility labeling mostly comes down to 3 things:
1. Name: What’s it called? (What users hear (back, done, next)
2. Role: What type of element is it? (Button, link, image)
3. Value: What state is it in? (On, off, selected, 75%,)

Here are some examples: 
Back (name), button (role)
Yes (name), radio button (role), selected (value), one of two (position in a list)

Implement this to dramatically improve screen reader accessibility.


Comment any questions you have for more labeling examples.

Want to check out labels in action? Open any native iOS app made by Apple, ask Siri to turn on VoiceOver, and start tapping on elements to hear their label.

#Accessibility #InclusiveDesign #MobileAccessibility

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