The most comprehensive resource for Assistive Technology, success Stories, College and Career Pathways and all with a Blindness Perspective.
…
continue reading
Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) is a state agency that empowers people with disabilities through employment, disability determinations, and independence. Join Kim Jump as she interviews unique individuals who discovered OOD Works! Have a disability? Want to work? www.OODWorks.com.
…
continue reading

1
From Confidence to Career: Explore Summer with the LEAP Program
8:27
8:27
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
8:27Get ready to LEAP into summer with Learn, Earn, and Prosper! This virtual program is made just for blind and visually impaired students ages 14–21 who want to gain real job skills, build independence, and make lifelong friends—without even leaving home! Led by Hannah Peach, LEAP offers paid work experiences, career-readiness workshops, mentorship f…
…
continue reading

1
Come Sail Away or Kick Into Confidence: Summer Camps That Empower at Lighthouse Center for Vital Living
11:25
11:25
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
11:25Get ready for an unforgettable summer with the Lighthouse Center for Vital Living in Duluth, Minnesota! Designed for students ages 14–21 who are blind or visually impaired, these week-long camps combine fun with real-world skill-building. Whether you’re navigating a sailboat on Lake Superior or kicking into confidence with Taekwondo, each day is pa…
…
continue reading

1
From Classroom to Career: Vanward Consulting is Reshaping How Blind and Low Vision Youth Prepare for College, Careers, and Life
22:53
22:53
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:53Founded by Gary Horton and joined by technical specialist Bahz, Vanward Consulting offers immersive, skill-building programs like *Lean In* and *Lean In Prep*. These initiatives go beyond job training—empowering students through entrepreneurship, real-world work experience, mentorship, and confidence-building “life work” that lasts well beyond the …
…
continue reading

1
Wellness Wednesday: I Got a Feeling, Somebodies Watching Me
20:51
20:51
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:51In this casual conversation, Beth, robin and Jeff talk about that feeling that people are watching us when we are out and about in the public sphere. How fear may hinder our perception and distract from our intentional mobility. Listen in as they travel down this sidewalk unexpectedly and found themselves navigating quite a complex quandary found i…
…
continue reading

1
Swing for the Fences: Building Confidence Through Orientation & Mobility
37:05
37:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
37:05Meet Jenny Pelletier and Abdi Mumin, two passionate Orientation and Mobility (O&M) instructors who are helping blind and visually impaired students build confidence, independence, and street smarts—one step at a time. In this episode, they share how mastering cane skills, navigating new environments, and embracing your journey can unlock freedom an…
…
continue reading

1
Building Your Path: Summer Jobs, Resumes, and Real-World Skills with State Services for the Blind
27:32
27:32
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:32Meet Tou Yang, a Transition Work Opportunities Navigator at State Services for the Blind! Tou helps students explore career options, build resumes, prepare for interviews, and find summer jobs, internships, or volunteer experiences. Learn how tools like Career Index Plus make it easier to research careers and job markets. Tou shares tips for tailor…
…
continue reading

1
Wellness Wednesday: AI or Not to AI, That is the Question That We Ask of Thee
12:43
12:43
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
12:43In this Wellness Wednesday episode, Beth and Robin explore the growing role of AI in supporting mental health. With a compassionate and grounded perspective, they weigh the benefits and limitations of AI tools like ChatGPT as supplemental resources for emotional support, especially when traditional help isn’t accessible. While AI can offer journali…
…
continue reading

1
wellness Wednesday: Anchoring in the Now: Tools to Navigate Anxiety and Uncertainty
13:29
13:29
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
13:29In this episode of Wellness Wednesday , Beth and Robin explore the emotional challenges of facing the unknown. Drawing on their therapeutic experience, they offer gentle grounding techniques such as mindfulness, affirmations, and power songs to restore a sense of control. They remind listeners that anxiety is a natural response and emphasize the he…
…
continue reading

1
Peer Perspectives: How SSB Helps Students Build Independence and Explore Careers
42:24
42:24
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:24This Blind Abilities episode features peer ambassadors Amy and Maddy, who share how Minnesota’s State Services for the Blind (SSB) has supported their educational and vocational journeys. From summer camps to career exploration and technology training, SSB has played a vital role in helping them develop independence, self-advocacy, and professional…
…
continue reading

1
Student Readiness: Navigating College with Confidence: Tips for Students with Vision Loss
31:11
31:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
31:11In 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 scholarshi…
…
continue reading

1
Defending Disability Rights: The Threat to Section 504 and Why It Matters
19:21
19:21
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
19:21This podcast episode highlights the alarming legal challenge to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a foundational disability rights law in the United States. Kaleigh Brendle, a student advocate, explains that 17 attorneys general have filed a lawsuit arguing that Section 504 is unconstitutional. If repealed, this could strip away protec…
…
continue reading

1
Wellness Wednesday: Disaster Readiness: What’s Your Plan in an Emergency?
13:06
13:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
13:06This episode of Wellness Wednesday with hosts Beth Gustin, LPC, and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, explores emergency preparedness for natural disasters, with a focus on considerations for blind and low vision individuals. With recent fires in California and extreme cold weather across the U.S., the hosts emphasize the importance of having a plan in place…
…
continue reading

1
Exploring the Outdoors: A Winter Adventure for Blind and Visually Impaired Students
13:27
13:27
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
13:27Have you ever wanted to experience the thrill of snowshoeing, learn how to build a campfire, or master winter hiking skills? In this special podcast episode, we take you on a journey to Fort Snelling State Park, where State Services for the Blind (SSB) partnered with Wilderness Inquiry to create an unforgettable winter experience for blind and visu…
…
continue reading

1
Wellness Wednesday: Insecure or Secure? Exploring Attachment and Prematurity
13:41
13:41
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
13:41On this episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth and Robin respond to a listener’s question about the connection between premature birth and attachment styles. Research suggests a link between prematurity and both secure and insecure attachment styles. They explore the three insecure attachment styles and how they can shape relationships. While this is …
…
continue reading

1
Heights Unseen: Julius Mbura’s Mission Beyond Kilimanjaro
34:45
34:45
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
34:45Julius Mbura, a blind adventurer, advocate, and model from Kenya, is redefining possibility. With an Awarewolf Gear All-Terrain Cane, he scaled Mount Kilimanjaro and six other Kenyan peaks, proving that blindness is no barrier to greatness. Founder of Heights Unseen, he aims to provide 4,000 mobility canes to blind individuals in Kenya, championing…
…
continue reading

1
Experiencing Blindness Through Taste: The Educational Impact of Desserts in the Dark
20:28
20:28
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:28The Desserts in the Dark event at Minnesota State Academy for the Blind (MSAB) provided a hands-on experience for sighted participants to gain insight into the world of blindness. Guests wore blindfolds while enjoying a variety of desserts, decorating cookies, and engaging in a Braille decoding activity. Led by blind and visually impaired students,…
…
continue reading

1
Caroline Karbowski Empowers the Blind Community Through Science & Technology
40:05
40:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
40:05In this episode, we feature Caroline Karbowski, recommended by the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio. Caroline discusses the significance of Braille literacy and technology in advocating for individuals with disabilities, emphasizing accessibility in education and community engagement. Her passion for braille began in middle school, leading …
…
continue reading

1
Wellness Wednesday: Valentine’s Day Reimagined: Loving Yourself First
13:28
13:28
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
13:28Valentine’s Day is often seen as a celebration of romantic love, but what if love starts from within? In this Wellness Wednesday episode, Beth and Robin explore the foundation of love—self-love. Without it, we risk settling for less, struggling with boundaries, and feeling unworthy. Self-love isn’t about grand gestures; it’s in the small acts of ca…
…
continue reading

1
Connecting, Learning, and Thriving: Highlights from the ACB Minnesota Convention
25:03
25:03
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:03The ACB Minnesota State Convention: Zooming into 2025 was an exciting gathering of Minnesota’s blindness community, offering insights, connections, and resources. Highlights included updates from State Services for the Blind, discussions on assistive technology like the NLS e-Reader, and opportunities in employment, including pharmacy technician tr…
…
continue reading

1
Two Journeys to Employment: From High School to College and Career – Lessons in Advocacy and Resilience with Gabby Gingras
23:48
23:48
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
23:48In this 2nd episode of the Two Journeys to Employment, Gabby Gingras shares her inspiring journey from student to professional, emphasizing the importance of self-advocacy, resilience, and using available resources. As a visually impaired environmental Studies graduate, Gabby describes her role at Rainbow Tree Care, advocating for herself at work, …
…
continue reading

1
Two Journeys to Employment: Unlocking Potential: Embracing Resources and Building Your Dream Career - Meet Kat Wilke
31:32
31:32
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
31:32In episode 1 of the Two Journeys to Employment series, Kat Wilke shares her inspiring journey from high school to becoming a speech-language pathologist. Diagnosed with Stargardt’s disease in eighth grade, Kat overcame challenges with vision loss by connecting with Minnesota’s State Services for the Blind (SSB), which helped her develop self-advoca…
…
continue reading

1
Wellness Wednesday: I’m Laughing at That, Now
18:42
18:42
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
18:42Beth and Robin revisit their most awkward, cringe-worthy, or downright baffling moments—the ones that weren’t funny at all back then. But hindsight (and a good sense of humor) turn those memories into laughable lessons. Discover how finding the funny side of life’s little mishaps can boost your well-being and lighten your load. Because let’s face i…
…
continue reading

1
Something to Think About: Managing App Updates and Data Usage: A Little Awareness Goes a Long Way
7:01
7:01
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
7:01In this Something to Think About episode, Jeff brings a bit of awareness to the data usage while updating apps. Updating apps can significantly impact your data usage, especially if you’re on a limited plan. Regular updates, sometimes over 500MB per app, can quickly add up. While updates can improve security and features, it’s worth considering whe…
…
continue reading

1
Tech Abilities: O&M, Gadgets, and the Positivity Equation (Math Alert!)
32:16
32:16
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
32:16Hold onto your canes, because the Tech Abilities crew is back! Jeff and Serina round up Leslie Dickson, Cheryl Macintosh, and Katy Todd for the first New Year episode spanning the rains of Washington to the heights of Colorado. Cheryl’s ditching the guide dog for some hardcore O&M cane skills, while Katy’s testing out a hoverboard for the blind. Me…
…
continue reading

1
Advocacy in Action: Stories of Persistence and Change
49:33
49:33
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
49:33This 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 with…
…
continue reading

1
Wellness Wednesday: Festive Reflections: Celebrating the Holidays and Honoring Memories
11:26
11:26
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
11:26This special holiday episode of the Wellness Wednesday series on the Blind Abilities Podcast is a heartfelt, lighthearted reflection on the holiday season and the approaching new year. Hosts Beth Gustin and Robin Ennis explore the joys and challenges of the festive season, sharing personal stories, traditions, and self-care tips. Beth’s enthusiasm …
…
continue reading