Blind Like Me

This week we connect with Sam Seavey from The Blind Life.  If you want to know the latest info on accessible tech Sam is the guy to know.  You can find the Blind Life on YouTube and TikTok or at his website.  www.theblindlife.net  The Blind Life is a representation of what is going on in my life and what I enjoy, all from the Visually Impaired perspective. I enjoy sharing tips and tricks of navigating life with Low Vision, but I absolutely love showing all the new assistive technology that can help make our lives awesome!

This week we welcome Welby Broaddus to Blind Like Me.  Welby has written a new book called "Leading Blind Without Vision the benefits of hiring the Blind and Visually impaired".      You can find his book on Amazon    Welby's website  www.broaddusbizsol.com 

I was diagnosed when I was 9 years old with genetic retinal dystrophy. My vision has gotten worse over time and has settled with where it currently sits at 2200/20. I graduated from college in the spring of 2020 with a bachelor's in business marketing. I currently work as a digital marketing specialist for Apex Communications Network with my own marketing LLC on the side called Clear Vision Marketing and Media. I do everything from building/designing websites to optimizing them for search engines and even running search/social ads. I recently began to dive into the world of web accessibility, and am working to obtain certifications that will allow me to consult, work on, and improve accessibility across the web. Through some great mentorship,. tons of research, and critical thinking, I believe this si the space I am meant to go into and plan to make as big of an impact as humanly possible

This week on Blind Like Me, we chat with Kimberly Solis.  Kimberly is the Blind Woman taking over on Tik Tok. Her goal is to educate the sighted world about the blind and visually impaired.  You can find her on Tik Tok @kimberlyann80 

This week I chat with Clement a.k.a Siana Blaze.  Just over 20 years ago I sustained a head injury that caused my right eye to create a cataract and after surgery and without proper healing started you has been built over the lens and covered it so I am completely blind. My left eye had started going blurry in the middle of 2019 but thought was due to stress as I went to see my doctor and that's what they said. When lockdown happen in 2020 things started shifting downward and I try to get a doctors appointment but everything was closed due to lockdown. By the time I was able to get a doctors appointment it was not till the fall of 2020. I have been waiting for the surgery for my left eye which was supposed to be a routine cataract surgery but has been pushed back due to delays in certain time because of the pandemic. Growing up I grew up as a very artistic child. And had a wonderful opportunity to work as a professional circus from when I was a teenager till my lovely adult life. Then I found the love of drag. I have been a drag queen performing professionally all over Canada and the United States for the past 16 years. I am also a pass empress of Vancouver Canada which basically was a title that was elected by my community and I was crowned and got to fund raise money for my community.

This week I chat with Ricky Jones from Strive4You.  You can find all about them at www.strive4you.org 

Throughout her professional and wellness journey, award nominated recording artist, songwriter and Electronic Dance Music talent Lachi has overcome many challenges as a legally blind Black female artist. Initially unsure if she should come out about her impaired vision at work, Lachi has found greater success and empowerment while being her authentic self in and outside the studio.    Her openness has allowed her to step into leadership roles within diversity and inclusion. In the next few years, Lachi will become completely blind, but that hasn't slowed her down. She has recently launched a Youtube channel documenting her bucket list activities before fully losing her vision and preparing for life without sight. She has also collaborated with top talent, including Cardi B and Snoop Dogg, and spoken on various panels for musicians with disabilities, where she captivates the attention of mainstream audiences and marginalized communities   find Lachi at www.lachimusic.com or on social media @lachimusic 

The Canadian National Institute For  The Blind CNIB here in Canada has a new program call Come to Work.  This program is encouraging employers to hire the blind and visually impaired.    Find out more by visiting www.cnib.ca outside of Canada find out if your community has a similar program.    If you have a story you would like to share visit www.blindlike.net or email info@timblackonair.com 

This week we chat with Kyle Pleasant about his journey to become a Massage Therapist.  Kyle has a great story about back packing across the UK .   Find him at www.pleasantspirit.com    If you have a story idea visit us at www.blilndlikeme.net or dop an email to info@timblackonair.com     

You might have seen this guy on Tik Tok he is part of a growing community on the platform #blindtalk.    Jay is a Father, Husband and is currently getting his masters to be a counsellor to help people deal with trauma in their lives. Jay Bolger is this weeks guest.  Have a story idea drop me an email to info@timblackonair.com or visit www.blindlikeme.net  

This week I chat with Chef Regina Mitchell about her amazing journey back into the kitchen after losing her sight.     Chef Regina is now teaching other Blind and Visually impaired people how to cook without sight.     For more information on the Zoom class email friendinthekitchen@gmail.com  or visit  www.yourfriendinthekitchen.com    If you have a guest idea or a comment or question drop me an email to info@timblackonair.com or visit www.timblackonair.com 

this week Part One of my Eye surgery journey, my wife Kathyt joins me this week.   have a comment or question info@timblackonair.com

This week I chat with Brad and Bryan from Two Blind Brothers about their company, and how they are helping others.  www.twoblindbrothers.com   Have a comment or question lets connect info@timblackonair.com

This week I chat with Sylvia about www.timtobebold.org a new resource for those who are 55 and older. in the US.   Sylvia and her friends also host a podcast  "Bold Blind Beauty on Air" make sure you check them out.    We are looking for your stories and experiences for future podcasts drop me an email to info@timblackonair.com and you can find all my podcasts on www.timblackonair.com 

This week I had the pleasure of chatting with researcher  Jagadish Mahendran and from Intels AI for Good director Hema Chamrai about a new piece of tech that could be a game changer in wearable tech for the blind.

This week we head to Australia and chat with Edwina Gustafson about her vision journey.   If you have a story about your vision journey, let's connect.  Visit www.timblackonair.com and click on contact Tim. 

this week we are back talking tech.  My guest is Shane Lowe and the app Supersence.  Shane and the team at Mediate are also working on a new app that will make mobility even easier..   find out more at www.supersence.ap 

This week I chat with Sarah and Jermaine a blind husband and wife team that help others who are newly blind overcome the challanges of the new normal. 

This wee we connect with Jennifer Shryock.  Jennifer is visually impaired, and has hidden her disability for most ofher life.  Jennifer is now embracing her vision loss and realising that life is a bit easer when people know you cant see very well.   Check out her home baised business www.familypaws.com    if you would like to be a guest on Blind Like Me, or you know someone who would be a good guest drop me an email to blindlikeme@outlook.com 

This week I had the pleasure of chatting with Katelyn Wackerman.  Katelyn has recently lost her sight and has had to face the challenges of becoming visually impaired.  She has a GREAT outlook on life and wants to get her message out to others.  You cna find her on Tik Tok @katelynwackerman    If you have an idea for a guest our you would like to share your story drop me an email to blindlikeme@outlook.com or visit www.timblackonair.com 

This week I chat with Sadi Taylor about her life experiences.  You can find her on tik Tok @slimsadi    if you have an idea for a show drop me an email to timblackonair@gmail.com  or visit us on oine at timblackonair.com 

This week Clair joins me from the American Council Of The Blind or ACB.  You can find them at www.acb.org 

This week I got my hands on an Android phone and had the chance to try Google Look out.  

This week I connect with Amy Wilson aka Blind Amy on Tik Tok.  Amy has a great outlook on life and has become a source of information for other blind people on social media.  Amy is also a blind May Kay consultant, she has started a group in her town for teens and speaks very highly of the NFB. find amy on Facebook Amy SP Wilson or on tik tok as blindamy  

This week I had the pleasure of talking to Gail Hamilton.  Gail is a blind opra singer, motivational speaker, and author.   Find her online. https://soaringintogreatness.com/

This week it was my pleasure to welcome Oceanne Comtois from Ottawa Canada.  Oceanne is visually impaired and has just started to use a cane.  She has a love of horses and science.   find her on social media @OceanneC_  

This week i'm happy to welcome Joey Stuckey from Macon Georgia.  Joey is a blind musician, teacher and does motivational speaking. You can find his music on all the regular digital platforms, or at www.joeystuckey.com    If you have a story or quest idea please reach out to us at blindlikeme@outlook.com  we would love to chat with you.

This week my guest is John Furniss. John is a totally blind wood worker.  He lost his sight at the age of 16, he has an amazing story to tell.     You can find John on the web at https://www.theblindwoodsman.com/

This week I welcome my Daughter Gillian to the podcast.  She has growen up learning what life is like with a blind Dad.     if you have a comment or suggestion for future shows deop us an email to blindlikeme@outlook.com and check out my other podcast at www.timblackonair.com 

this week I chat with Brian and Kerry Kijewski.  we talk about growing up as blind siblings, the challanges and success they both have had and.   You cna check out their radio show on lie at www.soundcloud.com/outlookonradiowestern or on Facebook.    If you have a comment, question r show suggest deop me an email to blindlikeme@outlook.com or find us on Facebook. 

This we I chat with Steven from Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind   Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind (CGDB) is a registered charitable organization (#10684 6819 RR0001), founded in 1984.Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind has the following affiliations.Founding and accredited member ofInternational Guide Dog Federation.Accredited member ofAssistance Dogs International.Member ofCanadian Association of Guide and Assistance Dog Schools. History In 1984, Jane Thornton and Bill Thornton started Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind. The organization has progressed from its humble beginnings in a small, rented home to an impressive Training Centre.

I talk to Colin Marnoch from Vision Loss Rehab Center about Orientation and Mobility during COVID 19.  As we adapt to the new normal, how do Blind and Visually impaired people navigate differently? Have an idea for a topic drop us an email to blindlikeme@outlook.com or find us on Facebook, we would love to hear from you. 

This week I chat with Niki and Brianna from Vision Loss Rehab Centre Manitoba, they are under the umbrella of CNIB.  VLRC are offering some great training during the months of May and June.  You can find out more about these programs and Vision Loss Rehab at www.CNIB.ca

This week I chat with Sandy Tobler.  Sandy has Juvenile Uvietis, found at the age of eight.  She is classified as visually impaired but can drive a car on clear days.  Please join us for this unique story that celebrates the different abilities of the visually impaired.   Have a story you would like us to share?  email blindlikeme@outlook.com or visit www.timblackonair.com   

This week I chat with Paul from Aira. You can find out all about this AMAZING APP at www.aira.io Get the APP for free in the Google Play Store or in the APPLE app store.  Our assistive service blends wearables technology, Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality. Aira empowers a network of trained, professional agents to remotely assist people who are blind or low vision with virtually any task, every day. All without a sighted assistant nearby. We transform daily life into a liberated and fully independent experience. Why we do it. We believe a loss of immediate access to visual information is the real challenge of blindness. As technologists and innovators, we are passionate about restoring that access to anyone, anytime wherever they need it. We enable our users to fully Engage, Explore and Experience the world. What's in a name? Our name is derived from two interesting sources: the emerging field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Remote Assistance (RA). We are innovators on a mission to make the unseen accessible to all.

This week I chat with Dale Nolin about his Daughter Megan.  Dale tells us what life was like for their family with a totally blind child, and passes on some great information for parents of blind children.     Comment or questions drop an email to blindlikeme@outlook.com or find us on Facebook 

This week I chat with Mary Ellen Gabias from The Canadian Federation Of The Blind.  Their philosophy is: We are not an organization speaking on behalf of blind people; rather we are an organization of blind people speaking for ourselves.  To contact or find out more: www.cfb.ca

This week I chat with David Johnson who is a competitive runner.  David runs the 400m with a guide.  This year he was set to compete in the Para Olympics, however due to COVID 19 that dream will have to wait until next year.     David is quite an amazing young man, he has RIP and started losing his sight at 8 years old.  David spends most of his time training in Victoria B.C. giving speeches to groups about overcoming and accepting his blindness, and cooking up a mean pasta and chicken meal. Check out his website www.runningblind.co and find him on instagram @blindhipsterdave 

This week we continue to connect with others in the blind and visually impaired community.  What is life like as a blind Mom of two sighted boys?  Elizabeth Lalonde talks about her experiences that she has learned over the years.    Have a show idea drop us a note to blindlikeme@outlook.com or visit www.timblackonair.com 

This week I welcome my wife, Kathy Black to the podcast.  Have you ever wondered what life is like for the sighted person in a relationship with a blind person?  Kathy has experienced quite a bit over the past 28 years.   if you have a comment or question drop me an email to blindlikeme@outlook.com or find us on Facebook 

We invite our special guest Shilo Bellis back to Blind Like Me to talk about his day to day life as a totally blind person   If you have a comment or question drop us an email to blindlikeme@outlook.com 

This week I speak with David Errington the CEO of AMI Media.  AMI run three specialty channels in Canada.  AMI-Audio, AMI-TV and AMI- Tele.  AMi are also creating their own content all with Audio description, plus they have a great app you should check out.    find out more at www.ami.ca    if you have a comment or suggestion drop us an emial blindlikeme@outlook.com  or visit www.timblackonair.com 

Just an update for those who use Smart Invert.  Apple has released IOS 13.3.1, and that has fixed the issue of websites not inverting. 

On this episode I chat with Gary from E-Sight.  E-Sight have an amazing product for those who are blind or visually impaired.  I had the opportunity to try their home experience program, where they send you the glass to try for a week at home, and you get a coaching session with one of there home experience coaches.   In canada it's $149.00 to try the glass at home.  you can find all the information on their website https://esighteyewear.com/  

On this weeks Blind Like Me, I do a review of the Alexa dot.  I was sent an article on how Alexa can help the blind. So I quickly ran out and got one. My google mini was very happy.  Here is the link to the full article  https://pin.it/4ossfvs4aqbe2y As always thank you for listening.  If you have any comments drop me an email timblackonair@gmail.com or visit my website www.timblackonair.com you can find all my podcasts there.  

Apple has just released IOS 13.3 and it has some BUGS.  If you use Smart Invert the feature is not inverting websites.  If you use Zoom and Smart Invert, when you go to zoom in on something Smart Invert turns off.     I have contacted Apple Support on 12.12.19 and they are aware of teh issue and working on a fix.   My advice right now is don't do the new update until the fixes are done.  If you find any other bugs drop me an email and will have a look at them.  timblackonair@gmail.com    See my other podcast at www.timblackonair.com 

Shilo is the afternoon drive announcer and music director in Moncton NB.  We have both known about each other, but never met until now.  feel free to reach out to Shilo at sbellis@stingray.com .   

I was recently asked if the smart speaker was a good thing for someone with vision loss.  You bet and here's why.   Amazon Echo/dot or Google Home/Mini you pick the product. 

This week discover the new app from Microsoft: Seeing AI.  It reads short text, items in your pantry, and more.     Check them out here.https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/ai/seeing-ai

This is a follow up to last week. Something new from apple.

We are back with a quick tip on how to get your iPhone to read text is on the screen. Here is how: Settings- General- Accessibility- Speech Turn on speak selection and speak screen. To use speak selection, highlight the text you want to read, a speak box will pop up, tap it to read. To use speak screen, open something with text, swipe down with TWO fingers from the top of the screen to activate.