Forbes Accessibility 100 recognizes Melissa Malzkuhn and Christian Vogler

Gallaudet’s Melissa Malzkuhn, ’04 & G-’08, and Dr. Christian Vogler have been named to the inaugural Forbes Accessibility 100 list, released on June 17, 2025. The Accessibility 100 celebrates “the 100 biggest innovators and impact-makers in the field of accessibility for people with disabilities”.

“Accessibility has never been captured like this before,” says Alan Schwarz, Forbes Assistant Managing Editor. “These 100 people are revolutionizing how people get around, learn, communicate, work, play sports, travel, and so much more. Their impact on people’s lives is monumental.”

Malzkuhn and Dr. Vogler have innovated in the accessibility space for many years, making them perfect choices for the list.

Advocating for Visual Language Access

Melissa Malzkuhn works as a tireless advocate for sign language access. She is the Co-Director of the Science of Learning Center on Visual Language and Visual Learning (VL2). VL2 is a collection of research and translation labs, including Motion Light Lab (ML2), which Malzkuhn founded and leads as Director.

ML2 is an award-winning creative lab that creates immersive learning experiences. Malzkuhn and the ML2 team have developed a library of digital materials that make sign language captivating for people of all ages. Their work gives young deaf and hard of hearing children access to sign language learning, especially in literacy development.

Malzkuhn and her team are currently hard at work finalizing PLAYFVL, a new play-led package for parents with deaf babies, building visual communication strategies, intended to foster early exposure to sign language. The kit will include blocks that introduce developmental concepts, books with early visual communication strategies, and play guides for young children. This will expand the resources that include VL2 Storybook Apps, VL2 Storybook Creator, and ASL Literacy Activities.  

ML2 is leading the creation of fluent signing 3D avatars. ML2 was previously featured in Forbes, previewing their upcoming animated series Here Comes Mavo!, a collaboration with Pigmental Studios. Malzkuhn previously created Dimensions, a 3D animation short with signing characters created through motion capture, which won international accolades.

Malzkuhn is also a cofounder of CREST Network, which brings emerging technologies in sign language and the Deaf community together in development and application. 

Making Technology Accessible

Dr. Christian Vogler is devoted to using technology to give deaf and hard of hearing people autonomy over their access needs. He is a professor and researcher for the Science, Technology, Accessibility, Mathematics, and Public Health (STAMP) program, serving as Co-Director of the Accessible Human-Centered Computing (AHCC) program.

AHCC is a unique program that teaches students to create, evaluate, and implement effective, evidence-based accessible design. The coursework focuses on emerging technologies and how they can be made more accessible for all, including deaf and hard of hearing users. Since forming in 2022, the AHCC program has been internationally recognized for its expertise.

Dr. Vogler is also Director of the Technology Access Program (TAP), which includes the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Technology for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (RERC). The goal of RERC is to unlock the potential of immersive technology and AI for deaf and hard of hearing people. The center’s work will focus on tools and situations that are not being adequately addressed by mainstream technology companies.

Dr. Vogler is noted for his expertise on accessible captions and AI. Along with the TAP team, he made major contributions to the Google Live Transcribe app, which has helped countless deaf and hard of hearing people around the world.

Celebrating Accessibility

In addition to Malzkuhn and Dr. Vogler, the Accessibility 100 includes Gallaudet alum Wyatte Hall, G-’11 & PhD ’14. Dr. Hall is an assistant professor of Public Health Sciences at the University of Rochester Medical Center. He is recognized for his work studying language deprivation in deaf and hard of hearing children.

The Accessibility 100 also includes Paget Alves, CEO of Sorenson Communications. Gallaudet and Sorenson have partnered together for over 20 years. Sorenson has invested in several key initiatives at Gallaudet, including the work of Motion Light Lab, the Necessity of Now campaign, and our Youth Programs. These efforts have had a meaningful impact on the deaf and hard of hearing community around the world.

As the world’s world’s only bilingual University for deaf, deafblind, deafdisabled, and hard of hearing students, accessibility is at the heart of our mission. We couldn’t be more proud to have two amazing faculty, an alum, and a faithful supporter represented on the Accessibility 100.

Congratulations, Melissa, Dr. Vogler, Dr. Hall, and Paget!

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Follow Motion Light Lab on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date on their projects.

To learn more about Gallaudet’s Master of Science in Accessible Human-Centered Computing, visit the AHCC webpage.