Blind Abilities

Full Transcript Maddy and Amy are SSB students conducting peer-to-peer programming for students across the state for instruction on various topics of interest for visually impaired students. They are also available to meet with others one-on-one for peer discussion and will be planning virtual and in-person group activities! Meet Addy and Amy as they talk about their schooling and leadership roles as Peer Ambassadors at State Services for the Blind (SSB) in Minnesota. Here are some upcoming events mentioned in the podcast: Student Meet Up: Come join us on Thursday, May 30th, to hang out and connect! We'll get to know each other and talk about summer plans/activities! We will meet over Zoom from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Hope to see you there! Explore golfing on Monday, June 17, at Oak Marsh Golf Course. Learn more. Three-day, two-night camping experience with Wilderness Inquiry - August 13, 14, 15. Twin Cities Blind Sailing - Youth Camps starting June 1st - please contact Katy Boyd at [email protected] TwinCitiesBlindSailing.org American Council for the Blind Convention in Jacksonville Florida July 5th through July 12 National Federation for the Blind National Convention in Orlando, Florida. July 3rd through July 8th. Two baseball opportunities: · Minnesota Twins Beep Ball Clinic June 15th · and Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Clinic June 15th You can find all this information and links on the web at mn.gov/deed/ssb/teens/ Contact State Services for the Blind If you reside in Minnesota, and you would like to know more about Transition Services from State Services contact Pre-ETS Program and Transition Services Coordinator Shane DeSantis by email or 651-358-5205. Thanks for listening!

Debra Erickson, founder of The Blind Kitchen, joins Jeff Thompson in the Blind abilities Studio to introduce us to and bring us up to date with The Blind Kitchen, the web site, the audio described videos and what to expect in the coming months. With over 90 items on the store shelves, Debra has an adaptive tool for just about anyone. Whether you need it or someone you know that needs it, Debra has it and more than likely, has a blog or video demonstrating its uses with safety and vision loss in mind. We hope you enjoy! From the web: The Blind Kitchen offers adaptive tools, helpful strategies, and specialized knowledge to blind and visually impaired people who want to cook safely, confidently, and independently. Our collections are available online as are our short instructional videos. Shipping is always free! Everyone has a place at the table in The Blind Kitchen! read More

In this 33rd episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC, and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, address societies desensitization to mental wellness. They discuss the pivotal role the media plays in shaping public perception and outline actionable ideas for promoting mental health in the workplace. As part of Wellness Awareness Month, this conversation sheds light on strategies to reverse negative trends and build supportive environments for mental well-being. 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

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

Mark Miller has been teaching Blind and Visually Impaired students to play piano for nearly 20 years. Distance learning is nothing new to Mark Miller and his students as he began teaching through just audio phone calls using his ears. Now with Skype and Video calls, Mark has brought his teaching abilities around the world. Through chord patterns and minimum movement Mark's students learn songs and music theory. You can find out more about Mark's piano lessons and contact him through his web site at: https://blindpianolessons.com Give him a call or text 847) 401-1721. Start learning or enhance the skills you already have through Mark's piano lessons today from the convenience of your own home and a time that works for you. Contact Mark today and bring music into your life. Read More

In this 32nd episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, focus on Stress Awareness, which is during this month of April. In today's enlightening discussion, we dive deep into the myriad ways to manage stress, recognize its early warning signs, and take proactive steps toward maintaining your well-being. Whether you're dealing with work pressure, personal challenges, or just the daily grind, this episode offers valuable insights and practical tips to help you navigate life's stresses more effectively. Join us as we explore strategies to not only cope with stress but to thrive despite it. 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 31st episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, explore the therapeutic benefits of laughter. They discuss how therapists may use humor to improve client rapport and highlight laughter's role in fostering workplace camaraderie and overall mental health. 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

For 23 years, the Cooking Without Looking podcast and TV show have been providing blind and visually impaired role models the opportunity to demonstrate how they can successfully cook with little to no sight. Join Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant in the virtual studio to learn all about the show. Simon speaks with Renee Rentmeester, creator and executive producer, as well as Allen Preston, one of the two co-hosts of the program. They discuss the evolution of the show, how guests are chosen, notable guests over the years, and preview an exciting announcement coming in the near future! The program can either be accessed as a podcast or on YouTube. The podcast, hosted by Renee, features an audio-only interview with the guest, giving them an opportunity to share their journey, as well as their favorite recipe. Read More

In this 30th episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC, Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, explore self-advocacy and Self-Confidence. How we feel in any space we find ourselves when our Accommodations come to mind.. 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!

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!

Aira is excited to announce the beta release of Access AI, a brand new AI image chat feature within the Aira app. Access AI allows explorers to take a photo, share from their photo gallery, mobile device, or computer, get a detailed description, ask follow up questions, and receive validation of AI responses from a visual interpreter! Jeff Thompson gives us a demonstration of the new Access AI feature, and we think you will like it! Download the Aira Explorer App as the new Access AI feature is coming! Find out more about Aira and Access AI here. Thanks for listening!

For those who are blind or visually impaired, detecting and avoiding unwanted obstacles can be a challenge at times. A new device, called the biped and developed by biped AI, aims to create a frictionless traveling experience for blind and visually impaired users around the world. Worn as a portable smart harness with multi-directional cameras, the biped combines the power of obstacle detection, GPS services, and scene descriptions, giving users a complete technological travel toolbox. Join Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant in the virtual studio, as he speaks with biped AI Co-founder and CEO Maël Fabien, to learn more about what the Biped can do for you! From the Biped Website: "biped is a smart harness, worn on shoulders, that helps you detect obstacles and get GPS instructions with AI. Comes in 2 versions: biped Pro, and Pro Plus. Warns you with sounds." To learn more about the Biped, visit their Website. Want to try the Biped for yourself? The team will be exhibiting at the CSUN Assistive Technology conference from March 18 through the 22nd in Anaheim California. Visit the Official Conference Webpage to learn more. 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 29th episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC, Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, open the conversation about suicide. Looking at the demographics, occupations, and warning signs. Bringing awareness to this not so talked about subject and helping to check in with yourself and others. If you are having thoughts about suicide, please call 988 by phone or text the word, "Talk", to the number 741741. 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!

our guests in this episode Come to us from BlindShell USA and Envision. BlindShell USA's President and CEO, Bari Azman, , and Diane Ducharme, Senior Program Director, along with Envision's co-founder Karthik Kannan, announce the Envision AI app now available on the blindShell Classic 2 Accessible Cell Phone. The BlindShell Classic 2 accessible cell phone with tactile buttons has added the Envision AI app to Envision's Classic 2 growing library of accessible apps. Learn about what the Envision Team has brought to the BlindShell experience. With the "Ask Envision" AI feature, you can search scanned documents and "Ask Envision" to summarize a chapter, Ask Envision to find specific information and you can continue asking Envision to help you be more productive and efficient with your time. the BlindShell Classic 2 is available on the BlindShellUSA.com web site. You can find out more about Envision , the Envision App and more here. Thanks for listening! Web Site

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

Richard Rueda, Assistant Director of the APH ConnectCenter and Lori Scharff, Lead Contractor at CareerConnect, join Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities Studio to let us know about the latest updates at CareerConnect. Learn about the Career & Canine Connections program where the CareerConnect team and Guide Dogs for the Blind team up in Oregon for a free of charge experience combining Career exploration and experiencing using and caring for a guide dog. Check out the Career Conversations and learn from those who have successfully navigated the journey from high school to college and the workplace. What worked for them and what to expect. Learn about upcoming internship possibilities and how you can get involved with CareerConnect! To find out more about the opportunities and resources at your fingertips, check out the links below: CareerConnect https://aphconnectcenter.org/careerconnect/ ConnectCenter https://aphconnectcenter.org Any questions? email at [email protected] (from the web) CareerConnect is an integral part of the APH ConnectCenter, that provides curated information and resources to people who are blind or low vision, their families, teachers, counselors, and employers. CareerConnect offers job seekers of all ages and employers a variety of resources to help with the job search and hiring process. Read More

Many people dream of traveling around the world, but often feel constrained by money and other factors. For the blind and visually impaired community, Flight for Sight helps to remove this barrier by offering three $10,000 grants to make that dream come true! Join Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant in the virtual studio as he speaks with Flight for Sight founder and Executive director Mike Walsh, as well as Eliana Mayson, one of the inaugural grant winners. They discuss what led to the formation of the organization. Eliana takes the microphone to discuss her journey as a professional goal ball player and mental health professional, and how she was able to use both of those unique skills to make a huge impact during her travel journey. They also discuss one of the biggest applications criteria: creating personalized content along the trip such as blogs, podcasts, videos, etc. Think you'd be a good fit to take off around the globe? Visit the Flight for Sight application webpage Here. Don't delay, applications close February 15th! Read More

In this 27th episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC, Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, touch base on asking for Reasonable Accommodations and where to start if you are ready. disclosing a disability, especially hidden disabilities may cause one to consider not asking for the accommodations even though the reasonable Accommodations can help them succeed. 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 26th episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC, Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, Beth and Robin take a look at their resolutions, how to define and redefine the goals and the importance of setting your goals from your own self-concept. 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

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

In this 25th episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC, Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, express the importance of words, tone of voice and etiquette when interacting with others. How we adjust, correct and acknowledge others verbal communication. How do we interpret tone and how do we interact with ourselves. 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

Since 2016, Envision has been providing products and services to enhance and empower blind and visually impaired people to live full and independent lives throughout the world. Join Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant as he speaks with Envision co-founder Karthik Kannan, as they discuss many groundbreaking additions to the AI powered smart glasses and smartphone app. Notable Updates include: · Reduce cost by choosing from one of three editions of glasses to have instant and direct access to only the features deemed most important to the user. · New payment plan allows for unlimited access to smart glasses for only $150 per month. · New AI integrated Chat GPT functionality on both glasses and app offers greater independence and autonomy for the end user. Additionally, Karthik is pleased to announce that from now until December 31, 2023, Envision will be offering a 15% off holiday sale sitewide. To learn more and find out what Envision can do for you, visit the Envision Website here. To contact Envision directly, visit their Contact Form. Follow them on: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Read More

our guests in this episode Come to us from BlindShell USA and Envision America and are here to talk about the latest addition to the BlindShell Accessible Cell Phone Classic 2 family of apps. BlindShell's President and CEO, Bari Azman, , and Diane Ducharme, Senior Program Director, and Jenna Reed Marketing Director at Envision America, join Jeff and Pete to announce that ScripTalk Talking Labels is now available on the BlindShell Classic 2 accessible cell phone. Join Jeff and Pete as they discuss a variety of topics with Bari, Diane, and Jenna as they talk about the new release of the ScripTalk App on the BlindShell Classic 2 Accessible Cell Phone. All the features of Talking labels in the palm of your hand. The BlindShell Classic 2 Accessible Phone is a hybrid blend of modern smart phone capabilities and tactile buttons, and could be an appealing alternative to a standard Apple or Android smart phone for both a newly blind and existing user who just isn't interested in the flat screen device. Bari and Diane are not content with the status quo and intend to continually add new features to the BlindShel Classic 2 and it's capabilities. And now, with the addition of ScripTalk, the BlindShell experience is proving to be the accessible phone we have been looking for! Read More

In this 24th episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC, Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, respond to a letter from a listener regarding friendships and navigating frendships during the holiday season. Not only navigating friends but navigating family as well. They also glide into some of the trappings of having a disability and when to say no to the 20 questions thrown your way. 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!

Ever wanted to read a specialized religious book in braille or large print but it wasn't available? Lutheran Braille Workers are here to help! With over 120 braille production centers and content in over 42 different languages, Lutheran Braille Workers is sure to have something for you! Their catalogue includes an extensive number of Bibles, Newsletters, Devotions, and books of religious commentary from many denominations. Rachel describes the creation of the organization, the mission, and the processes of translating the texts into Braille, all accomplished by volunteers. To browse the catalogue, order materials, or donate to further their work, visit lbwloveworks.org To contact Rachel directly, send her an email at: [email protected] 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: [email protected] 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 this 22nd episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, have a general discussion about blindness awareness. October has a variety of Blindness related awareness campaigns bringing about awareness to the public with White Cane Day, Disability Employment and Blindness Awareness Month all happening in the month of October. Beth and robin talk about the exhaustion of constantly feeling the need to advocate, prove and being the perfect ambassador for the entire community all the time. How the battle of grieving and rebuilding can play out on one's journey and why asking for help can be a form of independence. 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 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 [email protected] 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 21st episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, take a deep look into Self-Doubt. the lack of belief in yourself can be a repetitive loop that constantly lessens confidence in yourself. They examine where self-doubt may derive from and how you can take a look at the signs that bring about the negative view of your abilities and begin to understand what you can do to do when self-doubt keeps you from moving forward. Book Mentioned in the podcast: Failing Up by Leslie Odom Jr. 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!

Justin Ng is part of a two-person team that made Timecrest, an iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch game that has won AppleVis accessibility awards for Best Game and Developer of the Year, inducted into the AppleVis Hall of Fame, featured on Apple's App Store Best Of list, and was recommended by the New York Times. Timecrest was designed to be accessible from the ground up. the Sneaky Crab Team are sighted, but learned how to use their phones with screen curtain on and using only VoiceOver, and their personal experience and a significant amount of user feedback led to them creating many features for their game that were specific to VoiceOver that sighted users would never even know about. Jesse Anderson from the Illegally Sighted YouTube Channel and Jeff Thompson from Blind abilities, talk to Justin about developing accessible games as sighted people, to their process of writing the story for Timecrest. Timecrest is an epic fantasy with over 640,000 words and interesting choices and mysteries, and they also have a lot of thoughts on the art of storytelling! You can find out more about Timecrest on the web at https://www.sneakycrab.com/timecrest3/ Download the Timecrest app on the Apple Store!

In this 20th episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, navigate the anxiety and panic that one may experience when out and about and getting lost. How being prepared and using grounding techniques may help one better handle the frustrating experience of losing ones way. 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

Are you a student or educator looking for free accessible academic content? Join me in the virtual studio, as I interview Cindy Camp, Communications and Marketing director of Described and Captioned Media. Described and Captioned Media offers a wide variety of diverse academic video content for parents, students, and teachers throughout the United States. With a catalog of over 13,000 videos, there's sure to be something for everyone! Whether you have an interest in math, science, or anything in between, Described and Captioned Media is here to facilitate a fully inclusive learning experience with high-quality audio description, captioning services, and ASL Interpretation. Read More

Carrie, from the YouTube Channel, "Carrie On Accessibility" and Cindy from the YouTube Channel, "Seeing Blind" are back in the studio for their 3rd podcast episode, ""C and C Insights". In this episode, they let us in on how Home Schooling and Public Schooling both have similar and unique challenges for parents who are Blind or Visually Impaired. Carrie brings another perspective as her child is BVI as well. Learn how they overcome the challenges and what they suggests for others as they take charge of their families educational journey's. You can contact Carrie and Cindy by email at [email protected] Be sure to check out their YouTube Channels and all their social presence below: · · Carrie On Accessibility on YouTube · · Find all Carrie's Socials at Carrie On Accessibility on the web · · Seeing Blind on YouTube · · Follow Cindy on all her Socials

Returning to the Blind Abilities Studio is USA Today Best Selling Author, Barbara Hinske. Barbara is excited to announce that Hallmark has brought her book to the big screen. She talks about the journey, the process and the feelings she experienced while on-set with the cast, directors and puppies. September 8th, 2023 is the launch date on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries at 8 PM Central and 9 PM Eastern and Pacific. Be Sure to check out all the dates Guiding Emily is playing on your Hallmark channel. Join the Release Party with Barbra and fans of her books. Guiding Emily is the tale of a young woman who loses her sight in an accident and a guide-dog-in-training who becomes her guide. It's the heartwarming, heartbreaking, inspirational tale of their journey to find each other as Emily strives to come to terms with her new reality. Read More

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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:[email protected]

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

In this 18th episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, dive into boundaries, setting and establishing healthy boundaries and the respecting of your boundaries by others. 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!

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

In this 17th episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, take us into the Relationship Rifts, the Red Flags, Safe Places and using the "I" statement. Beth and Robin respond to feedback about Integrity and being loss with no support. 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! Thanks for Listening!

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