Medically reviewed by Dr. Radwa Saad, DMD | Last updated: 10/04/2026 Published: 07/30/2023
Steven McCoy: Breaking Barriers as a Black DeafBlind Journalist
What happens when someone refuses to let barriers define what is possible?
In this special episode of The Wonder Tooth Podcast, Dr. Radwa Saad sits down with Steven McCoy, a journalist, media personality, and host of Sessions with Steven.
Steven has been recognized for breaking barriers as a Black DeafBlind journalist and for building a career in media while navigating challenges that many people never encounter.
This episode goes beyond dentistry.
It is a conversation about resilience, representation, accessibility, journalism, media, ambition, and creating opportunities when the traditional path was not designed for you.
Steven’s story reminds us that a disability does not define the limits of a person’s talent, ambition, creativity, or potential.
Meet Steven McCoy
Steven McCoy is a journalist and media personality whose career challenges assumptions about who can work, communicate, interview, create, and succeed in the media industry.
He is also the creator and host of Sessions with Steven, where conversations and storytelling take center stage.
In this episode, Dr. Saad and Steven discuss his professional journey, the obstacles he has encountered, and what it means to build a career while living with both hearing and vision loss.
But this conversation isn’t simply about overcoming challenges.
It is about talent, opportunity, representation, and refusing to allow other people’s expectations to determine your future.
What Does DeafBlind Mean?
The term DeafBlind refers to combined hearing and vision loss.
The experience is different for every person.
A person who is DeafBlind may have varying degrees of usable hearing and vision and may use different communication methods or accessibility technologies.
That is important because DeafBlind does not necessarily mean a person has absolutely no hearing and no vision.
There is no single DeafBlind experience.
Communication and accessibility needs should be approached individually.
Breaking Barriers in Journalism
Journalism depends heavily on communication.
Interviews.
Research.
Writing.
Listening.
Observation.
Relationship building.
For a journalist navigating hearing and vision loss, traditional media environments may create significant accessibility challenges.
But accessibility barriers and ability are not the same thing.
When workplaces, technologies, and communication systems become more accessible, talented people have greater opportunities to contribute.
Steven’s career challenges the assumption that journalism has only one acceptable way of being practiced.
Disability Representation in Media Matters
Representation matters because media helps shape how society understands people.
When people with disabilities are absent from journalism, entertainment, business, and other highly visible professions, audiences may develop an incomplete picture of what people with disabilities can accomplish.
Representation can challenge that.
Seeing professionals with different life experiences can broaden expectations of:
- Leadership
- Creativity
- Intelligence
- Independence
- Communication
- Professional achievement
- Success
Representation also matters behind the camera, microphone, article, interview, and production—not just on screen.
People with disabilities should have opportunities to help tell stories, not simply be the subjects of them.
Accessibility Is About Opportunity
Accessibility is sometimes treated as an extra feature.
It shouldn’t be.
Accessible communication can include different tools depending on the person and situation.
Examples may include:
- Captions
- Transcripts
- Screen readers
- Accessible websites
- Alternative text for images
- Appropriate contrast
- Keyboard navigation
- Assistive listening technology
- Communication accommodations
- Accessible digital documents
The goal is not to assume what someone needs.
The better approach is simple:
Ask.
“What would make this experience accessible for you?”
That question can be far more useful than making assumptions.
Technology Is Changing Accessibility
Technology has transformed many aspects of communication and media.
Smartphones, transcription software, captioning, screen readers, digital magnification, accessible web design, and other assistive technologies can help reduce barriers.
Artificial intelligence may expand these possibilities even further.
AI-powered tools are increasingly being explored for:
- Speech-to-text
- Automated captioning
- Text recognition
- Image descriptions
- Language processing
- Communication assistance
- Digital navigation
Technology isn’t a substitute for accessibility or inclusion.
But thoughtfully designed technology can provide additional tools that help people communicate, work, learn, and participate.
Resilience Is More Than “Overcoming”
Stories about people with disabilities are sometimes reduced to inspirational stories about “overcoming” disability.
Steven’s story deserves a broader perspective.
The challenge is not always the person.
Sometimes the challenge is an inaccessible environment.
A professional may have the talent and ability to do the work while still encountering systems that were not designed with accessibility in mind.
That distinction matters.
Creating accessible environments means removing unnecessary barriers so people can demonstrate what they are capable of doing.
Don’t Let Other People’s Expectations Define You
One of the broader lessons from Steven’s journey applies far beyond journalism.
People will sometimes tell you what they think you can or cannot do.
Their expectations may be based on:
- Your disability
- Your background
- Your age
- Your career
- Your appearance
- Your education
- Your circumstances
- Their own experiences
But another person’s assumptions are not a measurement of your potential.
You may need to take a different route.
You may need different tools.
You may need accommodations.
You may have to advocate for yourself.
The path may not look like everyone else’s.
That does not make the destination less meaningful.
Representation and Identity in Journalism
Steven’s story also brings together several important conversations about identity and representation.
He is a Black professional working in journalism and media while also navigating DeafBlindness.
People do not experience life through only one aspect of their identity.
Race, disability, profession, culture, family, education, and personal experience can all influence someone’s perspective.
Journalism benefits when people with different experiences participate in telling stories.
More perspectives can lead to better questions.
And sometimes better questions lead to better stories.
Why Diverse Voices Matter in Media
Media influences how we understand the world.
Who tells those stories matters.
Different journalists bring different:
- Experiences
- Questions
- Cultural perspectives
- Professional interests
- Communities
- Sources
- Ideas
Diversity doesn’t mean every journalist sees an issue the same way.
Quite the opposite.
The value comes from bringing different perspectives into the conversation.
What Is Sessions with Steven?
Sessions with Steven gives Steven McCoy another platform for conversation, interviews, and storytelling.
Building your own platform can be particularly powerful in today’s media environment.
Traditional media is no longer the only way to reach an audience.
Journalists and creators can now communicate through:
- Podcasts
- YouTube
- Social media
- Streaming
- Independent shows
- Digital publications
- Personal websites
Independent platforms can allow creators to develop their own voices, build communities, and tell stories that might otherwise receive less attention.
Building a Personal Brand With Purpose
Steven’s journey also demonstrates an important lesson about personal branding.
A personal brand isn’t simply a logo or social-media account.
It is the reputation people associate with your name.
Your personal brand develops through:
- Your work
- Your expertise
- Your values
- Your communication
- Your consistency
- Your relationships
- Your story
A meaningful personal brand isn’t about pretending to be perfect.
It is about communicating who you are and what you stand for consistently.
The Power of Storytelling
Stories can change how people understand experiences different from their own.
A statistic can tell us how many people experience something.
A story can help us understand what that experience feels like.
That is one reason conversations like this matter.
Steven isn’t simply discussing disability.
He is sharing the perspective of a journalist, media professional, creator, and individual whose experiences have shaped the way he sees the world.
What Businesses Can Learn About Accessibility
Accessibility isn’t relevant only to journalists or media companies.
Every organization interacts with people who have different abilities.
Businesses should consider accessibility across the entire customer experience.
That may include:
- Websites
- Online booking
- Written communication
- Video content
- Physical spaces
- Signage
- Digital forms
- Social media
- Customer service
- Employee communication
Small design decisions can create major barriers—or remove them.
Accessibility in Healthcare and Dentistry
Healthcare organizations should also think carefully about accessible communication.
Patients may have different visual, hearing, mobility, sensory, or communication needs.
Good patient-centered care starts with communication.
That can mean asking patients what accommodations help them understand information and participate comfortably in their care.
Digital technology can help, but the human interaction remains essential.
Patients should feel comfortable asking questions and explaining what they need.
Why This Conversation Belongs on The Wonder Tooth Podcast
The Wonder Tooth Podcast primarily explores dentistry, oral health, cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, digital technology, and innovation.
But healthcare is ultimately about people.
Special episodes give Dr. Radwa Saad an opportunity to speak with fascinating guests whose stories extend beyond dentistry into:
- Leadership
- Entrepreneurship
- Artificial intelligence
- Media
- Accessibility
- Innovation
- Personal growth
- Resilience
Steven McCoy’s story fits that mission because it challenges assumptions about what is possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Steven McCoy?
Steven McCoy is a journalist, media personality, and host of Sessions with Steven. He has been recognized for breaking barriers as a Black DeafBlind professional working in journalism and media.
What does DeafBlind mean?
DeafBlindness involves combined hearing and vision loss. The degree of hearing and vision varies significantly between individuals, as do communication methods and accessibility needs.
Can someone who is DeafBlind work as a journalist?
Yes. Disability does not determine someone’s professional ability. Appropriate technology, accessibility, communication methods, and accommodations can help remove barriers that might otherwise limit participation.
Why is disability representation in journalism important?
Journalists influence which stories are told and how they are understood. Including professionals with disabilities brings additional experiences and perspectives into media.
What is accessibility?
Accessibility means designing environments, technologies, communication, and services so people with different abilities can use and participate in them as independently and effectively as possible.
How can websites become more accessible?
Accessibility measures can include readable text, appropriate contrast, keyboard navigation, descriptive alternative text for images, captions, transcripts, clear headings, and compatibility with assistive technologies.
Why are captions important?
Captions make spoken content accessible to many people who are Deaf or hard of hearing and can also benefit viewers in noisy environments, people watching without sound, and audiences processing unfamiliar terminology.
What is Sessions with Steven?
Sessions with Steven is Steven McCoy’s media platform and show centered around conversations, interviews, and storytelling.
How can businesses become more inclusive?
Start by listening. Ask customers and employees what barriers they experience, improve digital and physical accessibility, train teams, and avoid assuming that every person’s needs are the same.
Steven McCoy and Breaking Barriers: The Bottom Line
Steven McCoy’s story is not simply about disability.
It’s about journalism.
It’s about representation.
It’s about communication.
It’s about creating opportunities.
And it’s about refusing to let assumptions define what a person can accomplish.
Accessibility doesn’t lower standards.
It can remove barriers that prevent talented people from demonstrating what they can do.
And representation doesn’t simply change who we see.
It can change what we believe is possible.
Listen to The Wonder Tooth Podcast
In this special episode of The Wonder Tooth Podcast, Dr. Radwa Saad sits down with journalist and media personality Steven McCoy, host of Sessions with Steven, for a conversation about journalism, accessibility, disability representation, resilience, media, and breaking barriers.
The Wonder Tooth Podcast goes beyond the dental chair in special episodes featuring conversations about fascinating people, technology, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, leadership, innovation, and the stories that shape our lives.
Explore more episodes of The Wonder Tooth Podcast.
About Dr. Radwa Saad
Dr. Radwa Saad is the host of The Wonder Tooth Podcast and a cosmetic and implant dentist at Dent Blanche Dental.
Her work combines dentistry, digital technology, education, innovation, speaking, entrepreneurship, and patient advocacy.
Learn more:
- Meet Dr. Radwa Saad
- About Dent Blanche Dental
- Dent Blanche Dental Academy
- Digital Dentistry
- CEREC Dentistry
- Cosmetic Dentistry
- Dental Implants in Princeton
- Preventive Dentistry
- General & Family Dentistry
- Dent Blanche Dental
Visit Dent Blanche Dental
If you’re looking for personalized dental care, cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, preventive care, or advanced digital dentistry, schedule a consultation with Dr. Radwa Saad and the Dent Blanche Dental team.
Dent Blanche Dental
3640 Lawrenceville Rd
Princeton, NJ 08540
950 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10075
Call 609-890-1888
