Podcasts about blind abilities

In this episode of Blind Abilities, Jeff Thompson speaks with three professionals from State Services for the Blind (SSB)—Kate Larson, Randi Lasher, and Shane DeSantis—who support students with vision loss as they prepare for life after high school. They share helpful tips about applying for college, getting financial aid (like FAFSA and scholarships), gaining job experience through internships, and working closely with counselors for support. They also talk about the importance of accessibility, orientation and mobility, and how internships and campus resources can help you feel confident and ready to succeed in college and beyond.   To learn more about the services available through State Services for the Blind and how they can support your independence, contact Shane DeSantis at Shane.DeSantis@state.mn.us or call 651-385-5205.   Full Transcript:  

This episode of Blind Abilities highlights the inspiring journeys of three individuals—Judy Sanders, Janet Dickelman, and Ben Zheng—who exemplify advocacy in action. Judy recounts her pioneering efforts to challenge discriminatory policies in education and airline seating. Janet reflects on self-advocacy from her school days and her leadership within the American Council of the Blind, emphasizing the power of persistence. Ben shares his transformative journey from sudden blindness to becoming a leader in the Minnesota Association of Blind Students, focusing on self-determination and collective advocacy. Together, they showcase the strength of grassroots advocacy and its role in building a more inclusive world.   Here are some links from this episode:   American Council of the Blind of Minnesota Call:          612) 223-5543 National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota                Call: 612-872-9363 Minnesota Association of Blind Students                         email   To find out more about the services provided at State Services for the Blind, and what they can do for you, contact Shane DeSantis at shane.desantis@state.mn.us or call Shane at 651-385-5205.   Full Transcript

The Tech Abilities Crew jingles back into the Blind Abilities studio—live (well, sort of)! Serina, Cindy, and Jeff dive into Black Friday blues, Cyber Monday madness, and the holiday vibes that keep the packages flowing and spirits glowing. From festive decorations and smart lighting to the latest gadgets like the iMac Mini with the M4 chip, there's plenty to unwrap! Serina takes flight solo with Meta Glasses and Aira, while the crew shares gratitude, laughs, and a touch of nostalgia (Bell Bottom jeans, anyone?). Join us for tech talk, holiday cheer, and an episode to remember. Thanks for tuning in! Read More

In this episode of Blind Abilities, Jeff Thompson interviews Leslie Dickson, a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist at the VA, who shares her inspiring journey of resilience and success as a blind individual. Born with coloboma, Leslie reveals how her parents' steadfast encouragement instilled a can-do attitude that carried her through every stage of her educational journey. From navigating high school with large-print textbooks and assistive tools to becoming the first visually impaired student in her college design program, Leslie reflects on the transformative role educators and mentors played in her achievements.   After earning a master's degree in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy, Leslie now dedicates her career to empowering veterans through hands-on skills like woodworking, ceramics, and leatherworking. She shares her approach to building confidence and independence, teaching that vision loss is not a limitation but an opportunity for growth.   Join Leslie as she recounts her journey and inspires the next generation of blind and low-vision students to pursue their goals with determination and creativity.   Full Transcript:   Read More 

In this Blind Abilities episode, Jeff Thompson interviews Jada Johnson, Multiple Systems and Pathways Navigator at State Services for the Blind. Jada shares how she supports students with disabilities transitioning from high school to college and the workplace by fostering independence through skills development, family engagement, and coordinated services. She highlights the value of early planning, self-advocacy, and tailored experiences, like worksite accommodations and benefits planning. Jada's approach empowers students to navigate barriers and achieve meaningful, fulfilling employment opportunities.   To find out more about the services provided at State Services for the Blind, and what they can do for you, contact Shane DeSantis at shane.desantis@state.mn.us or call Shane at 651-385-5205.   Full Transcript   read More  

Navigating as a blind or visually impaired person can be challenging at times. Glide, a new mobility aid, aims to help you navigate with ease. Using a handle, two wheels, and cameras equipped with Wayfinding technology, Glide works to guide the user around obstacles, provides navigation to a specific route, and much more.   While attending the 2024 National Convention of the National Federation of the Blind in Orlando Florida, Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant had the opportunity to try Glide for himself. Back in the virtual studio, he caught up with Amos Miller, Founder and CEO of Glidance, to discuss the evolution and capabilities of the product, the opportunity to pre-order your own Glide, hopes for the future of navigation, and more.   From the Glidance Website: “Glide is a pioneering AI-powered mobility aid designed to help people in the blind and low vision community navigate with confidence, comfort, and ease. Our Sensible Wayfinding technology autonomously guides, avoids obstacles, stays on a safe path, and helps you get to your destination. We believe that freedom of mobility is a right; not a luxury. That's why we're on a mission to break down barriers to independent movement for everyone. Join us!   Interested in obtaining a Glide for yourself when the time comes? You can Click Here for 30% off your Glide pre-order. Read More

In this Blind Abilities episode, CEO Dhaval Patel introduces the innovative Lotus Ring, featured at the Vista Center's Ignite Accessibility Entrepreneur Pitch Competition.   The Lotus Ring, an accessible infrared-operated home control system, enables users to point and manage appliances, lights, and switches without internet or apps.   With magnetic attachable switch covers, it simplifies home automation, offering portability for owners, renters, and travelers. Available November 2024, the starting kit includes one ring and three switch plates for $349.   You can find out more about the Lotus ring at GetLotus.com. Join Vista Center for lively events and activities that benefit and educate. Check out the Vista Center's upcoming events.

Jenine Stanley, Director of Customer Success and Engagement at Aira, joins Jeff Thompson on Blind Abilities to share exciting updates. Aira can now be used with Meta Ray-Ban glasses, available in public beta for all users. This innovation expands Aira's accessible technology offerings, along with other developments like a custom call feature, navigation-certified visual interpreters, and partnerships with Walmart and Vispero. Learn more and download the Aira Explorer app to access the latest in visual interpreting technology. Aira on the App Store and on Google Play. Learn more about visual interpreting at Aira.io. Aira Tech Corp. Access to visual information is a human right.  Customer Care  1-800-835-1934 support@aira.io

Full Transcript In this episode of Blind Abilities, Jeff Thompson speaks with Brady and Nick from the Minnesota Wild Blind Hockey Team. Brady, a player entering his fourth year, shares his journey into blind hockey, starting from his love of regular hockey and joining the Minnesota Wild Blind Hockey team in 2021. He explains how the sport is adapted for visually impaired players, with a steel puck designed to make noise and special rules to enhance accessibility. Brady highlights the supportive community, both on and off the ice, and the opportunities blind hockey provides for personal growth and skill development. Nick, a team manager, offers insights into the management of the team, fundraising efforts, and the various events the team participates in across the country. He encourages parents and potential players to get involved, emphasizing the welcoming and inclusive nature of the sport, regardless of prior experience.   Additionally, the episode begins with an announcement from Maddy, a peer ambassador from State Services for the Blind (SSB), about an upcoming student career networking event. The event, aimed at blind and low-vision students aged 14-24, will provide opportunities to network with professionals and explore career options.   To find out more about the services provided at State Services for the Blind, and what they can do for you, contact Shane DeSantis at shane.desantis@state.mn.us or call Shane at 651-385-5205.  

In this episode of Blind Abilities, Kevin Chao discusses the Vista Center Ignite Accessibility Entrepreneur Pitch Competition, an exclusive event showcasing groundbreaking accessible technologies. Entrepreneurs presented innovations such as   Get Lotus, a ring-operated switch control system,   Lighthouse Tech, an  obstacle-detecting smart glasses,   Oorion is an object, text detection app.   Other highlights include   Equivalent's SmartSVG,   Speakaboo for AI-driven image descriptions,   Agiga's AI-powered smart glasses.   These pioneering solutions highlight the future of assistive technology, driving inclusivity and independence. We hope you enjoy.

In this episode of Blind Abilities, high school student Connor Kunze discusses the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program, which allows students to earn college credits while still in high school. Connor shares his experiences with accommodations, the transition from high school to college, and the challenges of balancing responsibilities. He emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy, seeking support, and understanding available resources, offering valuable insights for blind and low vision students preparing for their academic journey.   Full Transcript   Check out the College 101 Webinar podcast episode.   To find out more about the services provided at State Services for the Blind, and what they can do for you, contact Shane DeSantis at shane.desantis@state.mn.us or call Shane at 651-385-5205.  

In Episode 40 of Wellness Wednesday, hosts Beth Gustin, LPC, and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, are joined by Blind Abilities own Jeff Thompson to talk about a subject that came up pre-show. Anxiety and Ageing. How it looks and how we feel about it. Everyone has a timeline and society seems to have expectations, so how do we handle change, when time is the ticking factor.   Check out all the Wellness Wednesday episodes.   Show Hosts:             Robin Ennis on the web at www.robinennislcsw.com             Beth Gustin, LPC, NCC, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, CAGCS, PLGS             Www.transitioningthroughchange.com   You can message Beth and Robin by calling 612-367-6093 or by email. They are looking forward to hearing from you! Read More

In this episode of Blind Abilities, hosts Pete Lane and Jeff Thompson are joined by Sedona Dave and Bari Azman from AWarewolfGear to introduce the latest innovation in cane design, the Urban Xplorer Cane. They delve into the features and benefits of this new product, designed for enhanced urban navigation and all-terrain versatility. The conversation also touches on the predecessor, the All Terrain Cane', highlighting the evolution leading to the development of the Urban Xplorer Cane. Listen in as the story unfolds leading to the development of an entirely new design stemming from listener feedback and the needs of the users themselves. did I mention the different array of colors the cane tips come in? How about the AWarewolf Gear merch? Check it out! To find out more about the All Terrain Cane and the New Urban Zplorer Cane check out the AWareWolf Gear web site. Read More

Join us on Blind Abilities as we talk with Gina Martin, founder of Diverse Abilities. Diagnosed with Progressive Cone Dystrophy in 1992, Gina's journey to embrace her blindness began in 2015. After an intensive 9-month rehabilitation at the Louisiana Center for the Blind, Gina transformed her life and career, focusing on disability awareness and empowerment. Since founding Diverse Abilities in 2019, she has delivered impactful workshops promoting inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and language (IDEAL). we hope you enjoy Gina's inspiring story and insights on creating more inclusive environments. You can find out more about Gina and Diverse Abilities on the web. Read More

Join host Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities studio as we dive into the captivating world of audio drama with our special guest, Micah Thomas, the creative force behind Story More. Micah unveils the intricate art of crafting immersive audio experiences, featuring 360-degree soundscapes that plunge listeners straight into the heart of original storytelling. With a talented cast of voice actors from across the globe, Micah shares insights into the creative process that brings these stories to life. Discover how to access and enjoy the diverse dramas that Story More offers. Tune in, turn up the volume, and lose yourself in the world of Story More, where every listen is an adventure!   Connect with Story More:   ·      On Facebook at StoryMore. ·      on TikTok, and on the web at StoryMore.com. ·      and subscribe to the Story More podcast on Apple podcast. Read More

If you are having thoughts about suicide, please call 988 by phone or text the word, "Talk", to the number 741741.     In this profound episode of Blind Abilities, Jeff Thompson interviews Zach Tidwell, whose life story is nothing short of miraculous. Zach candidly shares the harrowing tale of how he lost his sight by shooting himself, which marked the beginning of an extraordinary turnaround. From the depths of despair, he emerged as a successful app developer, public speaker, and entrepreneur, channeling his experiences into developing the award-winning game, Zanagrams. Zach's journey is a powerful testament to human resilience, highlighting how he taught himself coding and navigated the challenges of sudden blindness. His story isn't just about overcoming personal adversity; it's an inspiring message of hope, determination, and the incredible feats one can achieve by stepping outside societal boxes and persistently challenging oneself. Keep up with Zach on the web at" https://zachtidwell.net and at https://darkhorsegamestudios.com Thanks for listening!  

In this 28th    episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC, Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, dive into self-care. Taking care of yourself and recognizing some habits that maybe you may not realize is self-care. Join Beth and Robin and get a look at how they define self-care.   Check out all the Wellness Wednesday episodes.   Show Hosts:             Robin Ennis on the web at www.robinennislcsw.com             Beth Gustin, LPC, NCC, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, CAGCS, PLGS             Www.transitioningthroughchange.com   You can message Beth and Robin by calling 612-367-6093 or by email. They are looking forward to hearing from you! Contact: You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com Send us an email and give us a call at 612-367-6093, we would love to hear from you! Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Storeand Google Play Store. Give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093 we would love to hear from you! Check out the Blind Abilities Community on Facebook, the Blind Abilities Page, and the Career Resources for the Blind and Visually Impaired   

Blind Sailing? Right here in the land of 10,000 lakes? How fitting. In this episode of Blind Abilities we are talking to Katy Boyd, the founder of the non-profit organization, Twin Cities Blind Sailing. With years of Blind sailing experience, Katy moved to the Twin Cities and started Twin Cities Blind Sailing so others can have the opportunity to enjoy a sport and develop skills and confidence out on the lakes. And, in the land of 10,000 lakes, seems like a natural thing to do. With the first year being a success, this year is going to be even better. You can find all the information about Twin Cities Blind Sailing on the web at https://twincitiesblindsailing.org   Read More

While attending the 2023 NFB of PA state convention, Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant sat down with Ed Martin, Product Sales Representative at Enhanced Vision, one of the leading magnification companies in the world. Ed gives listeners an overview of the many product offerings the company provides, and demonstrates one of the leading OCR solutions, the Smart Reader.   From the Enhanced Vision Website: “The Smart Reader HD is a lightweight, portable reader/scanner with large built-in user-friendly tactile control buttons. A fully integrated solution, the Smart Reader HD offers the advantage of a built-in HD camera and OCR (optical character recognition). Smart Reader HD enables individuals with low vision to retain the pleasure of reading by listening along or by attaching a monitor to view the text. Users are able to view in color, enhanced high-contrast positive or negative modes, allowing for higher contrasts and easier viewing. With easy-to-use buttons and dials, customers can enlarge or reduce the text in seconds and change viewing options for easier visibility.”   Visit the Smart Reader Product Page to learn more and order today! To browse the full line of products, visit enhancedvision.com To contact Ed directly, give him a call at: 267-372-0116. Or send him an email at: enhancedvisionpa@gmail.com Read More

Mastering a new screen reader can be a daunting task: with a plethora of screen readers to choose from, and the learning curve of new commands it's easy to become overwhelmed. Thankfully, there's a new website to help you along your screen-reader journey!   Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant joined Assistive Technology Specialists Allison Mello and Max Avendano in the virtual studio to discuss everything you need to know about the new SRT Screen Reader training website.   You can access the site by visiting this link. The site offers full-length tutorials of some of the most popular Screen Readers such as Voiceover, Jaws, Kromevox, and NVDA.   Interested in practicing the information you learned? Take a look at the Game Portal, where you can find fun ways to develop your skills.   In addition to discussing the features of the website, Allison and Max give an overview of their work at the California School for the Blind, and how they used their lived experiences to compile the site. Don't forget to check back often, as they plan to provide updates as new information becomes available.   To contact the California School for the Blind, visit Their Website To contact the SRT development team directly, visit their Contact Page.   Read More

In this 23rd  episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC, Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, and Jeff Thompson of Blind Abilities,  address the intersection of gratitude and grieving during the holiday season.   Check out all the Wellness Wednesday episodes.   Show Hosts:             Robin Ennis on the web at www.robinennislcsw.com             Beth Gustin, LPC, NCC, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, CAGCS, PLGS             Www.transitioningthroughchange.com   You can message Beth and Robin by calling 612-367-6093 or by email. They are looking forward to hearing from you! Contact: You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com Send us an email and give us a call at 612-367-6093, we would love to hear from you! Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Storeand Google Play Store. Give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093 we would love to hear from you! Check out the Blind Abilities Community on Facebook, the Blind Abilities Page, and the Career Resources for the Blind and Visually Impaired   

While attending the 2023 NFB Convention Banquet in Houston Texas, Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant had the opportunity to connect with Gilles Pepin, Chairman of the Board at Humanware. During the Banquet, Mr. Pepin received the prestigious Kenneth Jernigan award. Mr. Pepin joined Simon in the virtual studio to discuss his incredible tenure as Former CEO of Humanware for 35 years.   From the Humanware Website: “Founded in 1988, HumanWare is a Canadian-based company part of the EssilorLuxottica group since 2013. Recognized as an industry leader, our mission is to develop solutions enabling people living with visual impairment and vision loss to develop their potential and maintain their autonomy. Through the dedication of our employees and partners in North America, the United Kingdom, Australia and a worldwide distribution network, we improve the quality of life for our customers by promoting literacy, inclusion, and accessibility.”   During the interview, Mr. Pepin discusses his personal story of how he came to work in the Assistive Technology field, and his dedication to the development of products that help the blind and visually impaired “See Differently.” Mr. Pepin also discusses the history and evolution of the ever-popular product lines developed by Humanware such as the braille note, Trek GPS System, Victor Reader book player, OCR, and Magnification devices.   Mr. Pepin outlines some of the challenges faced by him and his team when developing new products and innovations. He credits the dedication and passion of all the employees at Humanware for making the company what it is today. Mr. Pepin also credits the feedback of blind and visually impaired users and testers as playing a critical role in the success of the Humanware product lines as well.   To learn more about the extensive product offerings from Humanware, visit their Website To contact Humanware, visit their Contact Page   read More

In our spotlight across the Nation during blindness equality achievement month, we once again head over to Pennsylvania and the Keystone Chapter.   Since 2020, the Philadelphia based Keystone Chapter of the NFB of PA has been hosting Believe You Can, a virtual talent show held every year in October. in conjunction with blindness equality achievement month, the show aims to educate the sighted public on the capabilities of the blind and visually impaired, while enjoying some wonderful entertainment in the process.  Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant sat down with fellow committee members David Goldstein, Lisa Bryant, and Harriet Go to discuss everything you need to know about this year's event.  Interested in hearing from a past performer? Believe You Can 2022 winner Julia LaGrand stopped by to share her performance experience and discuss her accomplished career as a classical violinist as well.  Listen as they unpack changes to this year's format, some of the performances you'll hear, and even the opportunity for you to win merch!  Ticket prices are $10 for an individual ticket, $25 for a watch-party ticket, and $100 to be recognized in the golden circle.  Learn more about the show and purchase tickets Here If you would like to learn more about the Keystone Chapter and the Pennsylvania affiliate, consider subscribing to the White Canes Connect podcast, the official podcast of the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania. hosted and produced by BYC committee chair David Goldstein, iCantCU Podcast. Find the show on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, IHeart Radio, And YouTube. We hope you have enjoyed this interview. If you would like to learn more and contact us, you can follow us on Twitter @Blind Abilities  On the web at www.blindabilities.com Send us an email at info@blindabilities.com  Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store and Google Play Store Give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093. We would love to hear from you! Check out the Blind Abilities Community on Facebook, the Blind Abilities Page and Career Resources for the Blind and Visually Impaired group.

In this 19th  episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, open up a conversation about Intrusive Thoughts. What one can do to help gain control of these thoughts, how to be in the "right now" space, and how recognizing the present moment can sometimes reduce one's anxiety.   Check out all the Wellness Wednesday episodes.   Show Hosts:             Robin Ennis on the web at www.robinennislcsw.com             Beth Gustin, LPC, NCC, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, CAGCS, PLGS             Www.transitioningthroughchange.com   You can message Beth and Robin by calling 612-367-6093 or by email. They are looking forward to hearing from you! Contact: You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com Send us an email and give us a call at 612-367-6093, we would love to hear from you! Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Storeand Google Play Store. Give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093 we would love to hear from you! Check out the Blind Abilities Community on Facebook, the Blind Abilities Page, and the Career Resources for the Blind and Visually Impaired   

Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant opened the door to the virtual studio, and picked up the microphone to chat with Molly Brockman, art curator at Beyond Vision Art. Beyond Vision Art is an organization dedicated to providing art that engages the 5 senses, taste, touch, smell, hearing, and vision. Molly tells her inspiring story of how her frustration with the inadequacies of her local art museum empowered her to create art that everyone could enjoy! To contact Beyond Vision Art, including where you can find more information about there upcoming art shows, visit their Website or like their Facebook Page You can send Molly an email at molly@beyondvisionart.com We hope you have enjoyed this interview. If you would like to learn more and contact us, you can follow us on Twitter @Blind Abilities On the web at www.blindabilities.com Send us an email at info@blindabilities.com Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store and Google Play Store Give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093. We would love to hear from you! Check out the Blind Abilities Community on Facebook, the Blind Abilities Page and Career Resources for the Blind and Visually Impaired group. To contact Simon directly, send him an email at mailto:sbonenfant2@gmail.com    

From the 2023 NFB Convention in Houston Texas, Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant welcomes back Garrett Carder, CEO & Chief Engineer, and Caroline Karbowski, Chief Community Officer of A Cubed Design, a technology company with the goal of making braille displays more accessible and affordable for all!   Garret and Caroline give details about their developing product called the Enigma Reader. From the A Cubed Design website: “The Enigma Braille Reader is our signature device, which aims to be affordable and provide an expandable ecosystem for people who are blind to be able to plug and play new functionality into their braille device. We value accessibility first and foremost. We aim to provide a product, which will be easily usable and well documented. Our braille display is slated to become the most easily obtainable product on the market. We aim to accelerate the way blind individuals interface with their environment by adding plug and play features to our device”. Read More

While attending the 2023 NFB Convention in Houston Texas, Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant sat down with Jeff Gardener, team leader at Irie-at. Founded in 2011, Irie-at offers a wide range of products such as braille displays, braille embossers with tactile graphics, and low-vision aids such as portable magnification systems.   Jeff gives listeners an overview of their braille display offerings, sold in conjunction with the Eurobraille corporation, and describes the B.note 20 and 40 cell braille displays, as well as the B.book Windows Notetaker. Jeff also gives listeners an overview of their magnification offerings. Contracted with a company called Sight Care, Irie-AT is proud to offer the CloverBook Pro. Read More

While attending the 2023 NFB Convention in Houston Texas, Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant sat down with Dave Williams. Dave works on the Inclusive Design Team at RNIB, Royal National Institute for Blind People. Dave also serves as chair of the Braillists Foundation, a United Kingdom based charity with the mission of promoting the advancement of Braille.   Dave speaks with Simon about his journey of his denial to acceptance of blindness. He discusses how technology, Braille, and mobility skills have not only empowered him but helped him to empower others to make their dreams come true. As a member of the Inclusive Design team, Dave works with existing technology companies to make sure their emerging products are inclusive for all, regardless of disability. Read More

At the 2023 NFB Convention in Houston, Texas, Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant sat down with Nimer Jaber, Accessibility Analyst at Google, Inc. Nimer discusses his love for, and advocacy of, the Android operating system. He recounts his own path of blindness and his views about technology. We hear Nimer's journey from resisting a smartphone, to becoming a tech trainer, to his current work helping the blind community through the Google corporation. Our topics include:   ·      Improvements to the Talkback program, a built-in screen reader for all Android devices, including improvements when using a Braille display. Will be released in July 2023 ·      The new Bard application, Google's AI chatbot ·      The Lookout application, an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) service helping blind people with everyday tasks such as reading documents, currencies, bar codes, etc. Updates released in later half of 2023 ·      Android 14 operating system, scheduled to be released later in 2023 ·      Updates to Chrome OS and Chrome Vox screen reader. Read More

Away from the bustling crowds of the exhibit hall at the 2023 NFB Convention, Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant met with Klaus-Peter Hars, Founder and CEO of Inventivio. Inventivio's newest products is the Tactonom Reader, a new device designed to help blind and visually impaired people have greater access to tactile graphics. Klaus demonstrates this incredible device in action by showing how accurate the camera and tactile technology is when studying tactile maps, floor plans of buildings, large open spaces such as Churches, mathematical concepts, etc. Klaus even demonstrates Tactonom's capability for seamless descriptions of 3D printed models. Read More

From the 2023 NFB Convention Floor, Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant talked with Orbit Research CEO Venkatesh Chari and Adi Kushner, CEO of AccessMind. Venkatesh first gives listeners an overview of the products Orbit research has produced in the past such as the Orbit Reader 20 and 40 cell braille displays, talking graphing calculators, iBill Currency Reader, Orbit Writer, etc. While this interview mainly focuses on the two new products from Orbit Research, you can check out the full list of product offerings on their Website   The first new product from Orbit Research scheduled to be released this year is called Orbit Speak. From the Orbit Research website: “The Orbit Speak is equipped with features of a modern braille notetaker with a braille keyboard and synthesized speech output in a compact, pocket-sized device.” To learn more and pre-order your Orbit Speak today, visit its Product Page   The second product discussed is the latest offering from Orbit Research in conjunction with AccessMind, called the Optima. This all-in-one braille laptop offers a 40-cell braille display with a qwerty keyboard, and the power of the fully featured Windows 11. In addition to learning more about this revolutionary product, Adi gives listeners an overview of his inspiration for the product, and how his own experience led him to partner with Orbit Research for its development. Orbit Research will begin to ship pre-orders in the first quarter of 2024. For more details, visit the Optima's Webpage Read More

From the 2023 NFB Convention in Houston Texas, Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant spoke with Greg Stilson, Head of Global Innovation at American Printing House for the Blind (APH). Greg first takes listeners through the new Monarch Tactile Display. This braille display is a partnership between APH, Humanware, and the NFB. Greg also gives an overview of APH's other offerings such as the Mantis and Chameleon braille displays, and the low-vision magnification devices such as the Juno and Jupiter  as well as the Matt Connect Android Tablet.   Additionally, Greg discusses the recently released Code Jumper, and Road to Code a set of tools designed to help blind people learn how to code. Greg closes the interview by talking about his personal journey through blindness and technology and how his experience is an asset to his current work at APH.   Read More

During the 2023 NFB Convention in Houston Texas, Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant sat down with Alex Wesley, Founder and CEO of Arovia. Alex chats with Simon about his new product, called Splay, a portable projection solution.   From the Arovia Website: “Introducing Splay: The Ultimate 2-in-1 Display and Ultra-Short-Throw Pico Projector. Transform your entertainment experience with Splay, a groundbreaking 2-in-1 display and ultra-short-throw pico projector that seamlessly expands and folds away in just seconds. This cutting-edge device is perfect for movies, gaming, presentations, and more, offering unparalleled versatility and performance. The current cost is $849.00”   While Splay is not designed for the visually impaired user, it works great for those who have low vision and need a portable magnification solution. Alex gives listeners a detailed overview of how Splay works, as well as the pre-order process. He tells his incredible journey of how he came to start Arovia, and his hopes for the future of the company. Read More

While attending the 2023 NFB Convention in Houston Texas, Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant met with Ed Rogers, Managing Director at Bristol Braille Technologies. Simon also talked with Steph Sargent, a contractor with Bristol Braille and a Director at Vision Through Sound. Hailing from the UK, Bristol Braille is a company that supports blind people in their assistive technology needs. Ed gives listeners an overview of Bristol Braille's leading product, the Canute 360 Multi-line braille display. Read More  

Carrie Morales is a YouTube Creative with video content covering all things accessible tech, iPhones, androids, book readers and nearly everything else out there. You will also find topics covering living with blindness and the accessibility field as well. Carrie joins Jeff in the Blind Abilities Studio to cover topics on how and why Carrie started her YouTube Channel, "Carri On Accessibility". Listen in as Carrie gives advice on learning accessible tools and Braille and how accessibility testing is doing to help the community. You can subscribe to the Carrie On Accessibility' YouTube Channel and follow Carrie on all of her socials at Carrie On Accessibility and @CarrieOnA11Y on Twitter. You can also check out the C&C Insights Podcasts on blind Abilities. Thanks for listening! Contact: You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com Send us an email and give us a call at 612-367-6093, we would love to hear from you! Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Storeand Google Play Store. Give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093 we would love to hear from you! Check out the Blind Abilities Community on Facebook, the Blind Abilities Page, and the Career Resources for the Blind and Visually Impaired   

Welcome to another captivating episode of Tech Abilities on the Blind Abilities podcast, where we not only delve into the world of AI and technology but also celebrate personal milestones. Join us in congratulating co-host Seyoon Choi on his graduation as we journey through the tech universe. We're discussing exciting AI developments, unveiling new cognitive accessibility features from Apple, and addressing the shifting landscape with Windows. In this episode, we tackle your tech queries, share our insights on the latest gadgets, and bring you updates from the entertainment world with the upcoming Showtime and Paramount+ merger. By demand, Jeff gives us a demo of Text detection. Don't miss this chance to join our celebration and stay informed and empowered with the latest in tech.   Here are some links for the topics in the show:   ·      Career Resources for the blind and Visually disabled Facebook group ·      heading level 1 Wendy's will start using an AI chatbot to take drive-through orders ·      Chat GPT4, releases their own app, and BARD from Google ·      Seeing AI gets AI update across the board. ·      Apple introduces new features for cognitive accessibility, along with Live Speech, Personal Voice, and Point and Speak in Magnifier ·      Uber Wants to Make It Easier to Get Your Teen a Ride ·      Final Cut Pro & Logic Pro coming to iPad on May 23 ·      heading level 1 Windows 10 Is Being Phased Out. Here's What That Means for You ·      Clubhouse Lays Off Half of Its employees! ·      iMessage comes to Windows via Microsoft Phone Link for iOS. ·      heading level 1 More people buying AirTag and item trackers as travel increases. ·      Showtime and Paramount+ to finally merge into one service on June 27   Thanks for listening!

In a captivating episode of the Blind Abilities podcast, Cindy Schaffner, the visionary behind the YouTube channel "Seeing Blind," shared her transformative journey with low vision. Motivated by her personal experiences, Cindy embarked on creating her YouTube channel with the goal of inspiring others and shedding light on the challenges and triumphs of living with visual impairment. Through her platform, she aims to foster representation, participation, and community within the blind and low vision world. Cindy's own passions, including music, accessibility testing and knitting, , serve as testaments to her unwavering determination to pursue fulfillment despite her blindness. As a devoted mother raising two young children, she confronts unique challenges head-on, utilizing resilience and creative problem-solving to overcome them. Cindy's love for learning and sharing life hacks and accessibility tips enables her to empower others with low vision, helping them lead independent lives. For those recently diagnosed with visual impairments, she advises seeking support through community, being proactive in accessing resources, and embracing the future with optimism. Looking ahead, she envisions personal growth, advancing in her accessibility testing  and continued advocacy work to empower the blind and low vision community further. Listeners are encouraged to explore Cindy's enlightening content on "Seeing Blind" and connect with her impactful journey of resilience, hope, and celebrating life with vision loss.   Be sure to check out all of Cindy's creative content on her LinkTree page!    

Bari Azman and Diane Ducharme return to the Blind Abilities Studio with braking news and updates to the BlindShell Classic 2 Accessible Cell Phone. With the new brand under the BlindShellUSA umbrella, the BlindShell Mobile is now open for everyone. This Affordable Connectivity Program is available and at www.BlindShellUSA.com/free you can find out if you qualify and begin tearing up those wireless bills today! Bari and Diane go over all the details and you can find out more about the blindShell Classic 2 accessible phone and the blindShell Affordable Connectivity program on the web at https://blindshellusa.com Thanks for listening!   Contact: You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com Send us an email and give us a call at 612-367-6093, we would love to hear from you! Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Storeand Google Play Store. Give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093 we would love to hear from you! Check out the Blind Abilities Community on Facebook, the Blind Abilities Page, and the Career Resources for the Blind and Visually Impaired   

In this  episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, check up on their resolutions from the New Year and talk about where you can look for professional help and things to consider about choosing a therapist.   Check out all the Wellness Wednesday episodes.   Show Hosts:             Robin Ennis on the web at www.robinennislcsw.com             Beth Gustin, LPC, NCC, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, CAGCS, PLGS             Www.transitioningthroughchange.com   You can message Beth and Robin by calling 612-367-6093 or by email. They are looking forward to hearing from you!   Contact: You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com Send us an email and give us a call at 612-367-6093, we would love to hear from you! Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Storeand Google Play Store. Give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093 we would love to hear from you! Check out the Blind Abilities Community on Facebook, the Blind Abilities Page, and the Career Resources for the Blind and Visually Impaired   

Jenna Reed returns to the Blind Abilities Studio to talk about the ever expanding reach Envision America is making with the ScripTalk Talking Label program that allows you to access the entire information on a prescription bottle to ensure safety on what you may be taking. Join Jenna and Jeff in this brief overview and informational episode and download the free ScripTalk Mobile app to find the pharmacies in your location. You can receive the ScripTalk station for free just by requesting from your participating pharmacy. To find out more about Envision America and ScripTalk Talking Labels check out EnvisionAmerica.com and call the Customer Service phone number at 1-800-890-1180. Download the ScripTalk Mobile app from the App Store or on Google Play. Thanks for listening! Contact: You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com Send us an email and give us a call at 612-367-6093, we would love to hear from you! Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Storeand Google Play Store. Give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093 we would love to hear from you! Check out the Blind Abilities Community on Facebook, the Blind Abilities Page, and the Career Resources for the Blind and Visually Impaired   

Scott Eggen, Randall Crosby and Linda Allison return to the Blind Abilities Studio to talk about the who, what, where and why of the Sagebrush Conference. This annual event happens in Las Vegas and brings in attendees and associates from across the states. Learn about the first time experience, the attractions, highlights and the take-aways from Scott, Randall and Linda. Whether you attend in person or virtually, there is something for everyone. Join the crew in this informational episode and find out more about the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America on the web at Randolph-Sheppard.org.   Contact: You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com Send us an email and give us a call at 612-367-6093, we would love to hear from you! Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Storeand Google Play Store. Give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093 we would love to hear from you! Check out the Blind Abilities Community on Facebook, the Blind Abilities Page, and the Career Resources for the Blind and Visually Impaired   

 Hans Wiberg, founder of Be My Eyes, and the new chief executive officer of Be My Eyes, Mike Buckley join Pete Lane in the blind Abilities Studio   to announce a brand new feature, currently in Beta form available on the Be My Eyes app entitled "the Virtual Assistant". The virtual assistant is a feature that incorporates Artificial Intelligence (AI),  to provide not only superior visual identification using the phones camera, but also provides interpretive and extrapolating decisions recently made possible with the Open AI Chat GPT version 4 artificial intelligence software.  Mike and Hans discuss the capabilities of this new virtual assistant feature and describe the process for users to be added to a waiting list to become a Beta tester of this new feature. This is an exciting time for blind individuals as the open AI team has chosen the Be My Eyes team as one of their first collaborating partnerships  to explore real life applications for their artificial intelligence software.  Blind Abilities presents this follow up interview with Be My Eyes as they further demonstrate their commitment to presenting quality products and services to listeners. Listen in to this insightful look into one of the more popular and productive apps available for blind individuals, Be My Eyes.   *A big shoutout to Pete Lane for doing the heavy lifting on this interview as Jeff Thompson had an unexpected family commitment. At a boy, Pete!

Scott Eggen, Randall Crosby and Linda Allison come together once again in the Blind Abilities Studio and this time talking about a day in the life of an owner/operator/vendor in the Business Enterprise Program. What is a typical day like for Scott as he operates his businesses in prisons and colleges? What is Randall's day like operating a Rest Area in the heavy tourist area of Florida? And, how about Linda and her commute, inventory access and now changing her location? Listen in as they talk about their business and how they enjoy the fruits of their labor. You can find out more about the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America on the web at www.Randolph-Sheppard.org and stay up to date with all the happenings and events on the Randolph-Sheppard Facebook page. Contact: You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com Send us an email and give us a call at 612-367-6093, we would love to hear from you! Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Storeand Google Play Store. Give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093 we would love to hear from you! Check out the Blind Abilities Community on Facebook, the Blind Abilities Page, and the Career Resources for the Blind and Visually Impaired 

Willem Van de Mierop returns to the Blind Abilities Studio to announce the OKO App release in the United States. Available in the App Store, OKO - AI Co-Pilot for the Blind is a Traffic signal detecting application that instantaneously gives audio and haptic feedback so one can augment there traveling experience by gaining more information about a traffic signal situation. Willem talks about all the features and advantages that the OKO App offers Orientation and Mobility students and instructors to bring more confidence and awareness to the real time experience of a traffic signal situation. You can download the iOS app OKO on the App Store and find out more about the company Ayes on the web at Ayes.AI. Here is a link to a previous interview with the Ayes team. Thanks for listening. Contact: You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com Send us an email and give us a call at 612-367-6093, we would love to hear from you! Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Storeand Google Play Store. Give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093 we would love to hear from you! Check out the Blind Abilities Community on Facebook, the Blind Abilities Page, and the Career Resources for the Blind and Visually Impaired 

Troy Otillio and Jenine Stanley joins Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities Studio to talk about the latest news, price changes and a look forward. You can find out more about Aira and what they have to offer at Aira.io and download the Aira App on the App Store and Google Play Store. Episode Web Site we would love to hear from you! Send us an email at info@BlindAbilities.com or give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093

Serina, Seyoon and Jeff talk about the latest news and give their unique perspective whilst hanging out in  the Blind Abilities Studio. Learn about some of the breaking news, trends and developments in the Blindness, and Low vision world.   Here are some useful links stemming from the show:   Death of the narrator? Apple unveils suite of AI-voiced audiobooks Apple Card brings back $75 Daily Cash bonus for new referrals through February, Apple Shuts Down Popular Weather App 'Dark Sky', DoorDash can now drop off your packages Apple raising prices of its battery replacement service for older iPhone models, Walmart app and the order pick up option is sweet. Avatar 2 with Audio Description in the AMI theaters. The AMI app is very accessible. Episode Web Site we would love to hear from you! Send us an email at info@BlindAbilities.com or give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093

The Pre Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) Team helps students between the ages of 14 and 21 build confidence, explore career possibilities, and expand horizons of opportunities. You will get to know 3 new Pre-ETS counselors, Deanna , Sam and Kate. You will get a sense of how excited they are about your future and offering  resources to help you achieve your dreams. Full Transcript Check  out SSB on the web at: https://mn.gov/deed/ssb/ Read the Latest Issue of The Spectacle from SSB: The Spectacle is our newsletter for families, teachers, and students.. Listen to our most recently released podcasts: In this episode of Job Insights we talk about job readiness, confidence, accepting one's blindness and how these play an important role in one's job and career search. College101: 3 Unique Perspectives, 3 Unique Journeys, Sharing their Unique Experiences from Their College Success Sarlie Drakos – Disability Employment Coach: Helping people get past their limiting beliefs and get their dream jobs Thanks for listening! Episode Web Site we would love to hear from you! Send us an email at info@BlindAbilities.com or give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093

Scott Eggen, Randall Crosby and Linda Allison joins Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities Studio. They are owner/operators in the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) and are here to talk about their experiences and successful careers. The Business Enterprise Program (BEP) was established for Blind/Visually Impaired individuals to create opportunities and careers through food vending services and food and merchandise sales on Federal and state properties. The BEP program is nationwide and if you or anybody you know is interested in owning their own business, wants to work and begin a promising career, share this podcast and let them know about the Business Enterprise program. If you are interested in knowing more about the BEP, contact State Services for the Blind, or your Vocational Rehab agency if outside of Minnesota and ask about the Business Enterprise Program.   Be sure to check out Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America on the web and stay up to date with all the latest news and events.   Episode Web Site we would love to hear from you! Send us an email at info@BlindAbilities.com or give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093

Jeff Thompson and Pete Lane  once again welcome Bari Azman and Diane Ducharme, of the BlindShell USA company to the Blind Abilities studios to share an exciting announcement with our listeners! In this episode, Barry and Diane reveal a new app that has been recently added to the BlindShell Classic 2 app catalog. This is an app That they have been working hard to secure in their arsenal of available applications. It has also been the single most requested app from all BlindShell classic 2 users with whom they have come into contact, whether in blindness conventions, trade shows, emails or phone calls. Can you guess which new App this is?  Well you'll find out soon enough when you jump into the podcast - It's BARD Mobile! Go ahead and dive right into this short but informative podcast that will unveil this great new app to BlindShell Classic 2 users, or potential users.  This is just the kind of addition to the BlindShell Classic 2 accessible phone that will help you make up your mind to get this amazing device! Pete and Jeff conduct their typical in-depth interview with Barry and Diane, to completely cover all aspects of the BlindShell classic two phone and the brand new app! The folks at BlindShell have made it easy to get started with Bard. Just go to: www.BlindshellUSA/Bard  to find all the necessary links to get going. And for all things BlindShell, go to their web site at https://blindshellusa.com.   Thanks for Listening! Episode Web Site we would love to hear from you! Send us an email at info@BlindAbilities.com or give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093

Welcome to our 1500th podcast. We would like to thank everybody who has helped us in reaching this landmark - everybody who has recorded and shared a podcast and everybody who has been a guest. Thank you all