The most comprehensive resource for Assistive Technology, success Stories, College and Career Pathways and all with a Blindness Perspective.
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Blind Abilities Team Podcasts
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.
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The Blind Drive: PiccyBot, Precision, and Being Present
35:27
35:27
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The Blind Drive dives into PiccyBot—an AI that can describe not just photos but video. Tim Schwartz shares how it’s changing the way he explores the world, while Jeff Thompson zooms out to ask where this AI wave is taking us. Jeff also puts a new Wixey Bluetooth angle gauge to work in the woodshop, with VoiceOver calling out precise blade angles ri…
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Wellness Wednesday on a Friday: What Does Wellness Really Mean?
16:00
16:00
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Wellness Wednesday… on a Friday? Beth and Jeff step up to the mics—without Robin this time—to explore whether the word wellness has lost some of its meaning. Is wellness about carefully balancing all the little pieces of life—mind, body, and spirit—or is it simply how you feel about yourself day to day? Together, Beth and Jeff unpack the buzz aroun…
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Unlock Your Future with Cybersecurity Through The Apex Program
21:59
21:59
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The Apex Program is opening doors to careers in cybersecurity for blind and visually impaired students across the country. With over 750,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs, this program offers a life-changing opportunity. In just 12 weeks of accessible online training, students can earn Network+ and Security+ certifications that employers value more t…
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unscripted: AirPods, AMC Hacks, and a Little Nail-Gun Wisdom
43:04
43:04
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43:04
unscripted returns with Jeff and Sree in a fast, funny, and useful sprint through tech and daily life. Jeff opens with a hard-won shop lesson—don’t test a nail gun on your finger—then pivots to Apple’s event: Sree’s wow is AirPods for heart monitoring and live translation, while Jeff riffs on Apple’s new cross-body strap for safer phone carry. The …
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The Blind Drive - Apple Droppings: Aww So Many Droppings
43:48
43:48
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Jeff and Tim treat Apple’s big show like a fun night at the movies, and the take is refreshingly simple. iPhone Air gets ultra thin with 256 gigs standard, while the Pro models flex 48 megapixels and clever software. But for confident blind users, the win isn’t megapixels, it’s brains. Center Stage keeps you framed, dual recording grabs you and the…
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Woodworking Without Limits: Bob Geyer’s Journey Back to the Shop
35:57
35:57
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What happens when woodworking meets determination, technology, and a supportive community? Meet Bob Geyer, a retired public works professional turned passionate blind woodworker. After losing his sight to retinitis pigmentosa, Bob nearly gave up his tools—until a chance encounter with Woodworking for the Blind (WW4B) at Enchanted Hills Camp changed…
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Artificial Intelligence is everywhere these days, but how do we really use it—and what should we be cautious about? In this episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth, Robin, and Jeff dive into the good, the bad, and the “oh my” moments of working with AI. From brainstorming and sparking ideas to getting quick answers, AI can be a useful tool. But with it…
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The Blind Drive: Humanness First, Ambassadorship Second
45:01
45:01
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In this opening episode of The Blind Drive, Jeff Thompson, Liz Bottner, and Tim Schwartz get real about “ambassadorship,” authenticity, and living blind life on our own terms. With humor and sharp storytelling—from a “Scarlet Letter B” riff to a crosswalk shove gone wrong—they tackle the tension between educating the public and simply being human, …
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A Spark for Success: Empowering Youth to Step Into Their Future
22:59
22:59
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In this Blind Abilities podcast, Jeff Thompson speaks with Laila Nachar, the Multiple Systems and Pathways Navigator at State Services for the Blind of Minnesota. Laila’s new role is all about helping blind and visually impaired students, ages 14 to 21, prepare for their futures by focusing on pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS). She works…
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“Blind Abilities - Unscripted, The debut episode — Keyboards, iPhones, and AirTag Adventures
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46:00
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Welcome to the very first episode of Blind Abilities: Unscripted — where tech, news, and everyday life with blindness and low vision all come together, in the moment. No script. No filter. Just straight talk. Join the Unscripted Crew — Cheryl McIntosh, Seyoon Choi, Sree Roy, and Jeff Thompson — as they kick things off with an honest, lively convers…
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Level Up: Building Confidence, Skills, and Futures for Blind and Low Vision Students
23:40
23:40
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Envision’s Level Up program is more than a summer camp—it’s a launching pad for blind and visually impaired students stepping into independence, college, and careers. Since 2006, Level Up has combined skill-building with hands-on experiences that prepare students for life beyond high school. From technology training to culinary arts, engineering, h…
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Smart Glasses designed by the blind for the blind. Previewing the EchoVision Glasses by Agiga AI. Welcome back Kevin Chao, Chief Visionary and Evangelist.
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26:52
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AI wearables have been an emerging industry for the blind and visually impaired. While there are a number of options, not all are designed using the input of the blind. With direct feedback from blind users, EchoVision Glasses have been shaped by well-respected leaders in America’s blindness organizations such as NFB and ACB, icons such as Stevie W…
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Wellness Wednesday: Burnout, Balance, and Being Present: Finding Calm in the Chaos
23:34
23:34
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In this reflective and energizing episode of Wellness Wednesday, hosts Beth Gustin and Robin Ennis join Jeff Thompson to dive into the overwhelming noise of modern life and how it contributes to burnout, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion. Through honest dialogue, they explore the pressures of uncertainty—from shifting politics to economic instabili…
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Cruising Through Summer: Next Exit—College
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23:12
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Buckle up for a mid-summer check-in with Peer Ambassadors Amy and Maddy as they reflect on the adventures, growth, and unexpected moments that shaped their summer—and look ahead to the college road just around the bend. From leading mock interviews and connecting with students through Zoom sessions, to hiking trails with all-terrain canes and navig…
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Get ready to explore, experiment, and own the kitchen! In this exciting episode of Blind Abilities, Jeff Thompson visits the Ready, Set, Prep program at State Services for the Blind of Minnesota—a hands-on class designed for blind and visually impaired students to learn cooking and life skills in a fully accessible kitchen. From learning how to shr…
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Wellness Wednesday: Belonging: The Power of Choice in Accessibility
12:26
12:26
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In this episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin and Robin Ennis, joined by Jeff Thompson, explore the evolving landscape of accessibility through the lens of an upcoming all-inclusive hotel designed specifically with people with disabilities in mind. Inspired by entrepreneur Joe Morgan—who previously created a fully accessible theme park and wat…
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Wellness Wednesday: Isolation - From Alone to A Little Less Lonely: Steps Toward Social Reconnection
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23:33
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In this heartfelt episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth, Robin, and Jeff tackle the often-overlooked topic of isolation as we age—especially for those living with disabilities. They explore how life transitions, loss of social circles, and the rise of technology can deepen loneliness, even while offering more independence. With personal stories, prac…
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From Audio Books, Braille to Broadcast: Behind the Scenes at State Services for the Blind - A Tour Through SSB’s Communication Center
23:16
23:16
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Ever wonder how a book becomes Braille? Or how an employee manual turns into an audio file? The students of the Summer Transition Program (STP) at the University of St. Thomas got to see it all firsthand! During their visit to State Services for the Blind’s Communication Center, students explored the magic behind accessible formats—meeting the tech…
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Seable Holidays: Turning Accessible Travel Dreams Into Reality
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25:24
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25:24
Discover a world where accessibility meets adventure! In this inspiring episode, Jeff Thompson explores Seable Holidays, a unique travel company transforming vacations for blind and visually impaired travelers. CEO Damiano La Rocca, along with team members Lucy and Daniel, share how Seable provides trained local sighted guides, personalized trip pl…
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Immersive. Inclusive. Incredible. Dive Into the LuminoCity Podcast - Where Audio Description Redefines Inclusive Story Telling
33:36
33:36
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Jeff Thompson welcomes Christine Malec to the Blind Abilities studio to shine a spotlight on the LuminoCity Podcast—an immersive audio experience created for the Luminato Festival in Toronto. Designed with accessibility in mind, LuminoCity goes far beyond traditional coverage by weaving together artist interviews, on-site audio-rich reporting, and …
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From Confidence to Career: Explore Summer with the LEAP Program
8:27
8:27
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Get 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…
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Come Sail Away or Kick Into Confidence: Summer Camps That Empower at Lighthouse Center for Vital Living
11:25
11:25
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Get 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…
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From Classroom to Career: Vanward Consulting is Reshaping How Blind and Low Vision Youth Prepare for College, Careers, and Life
22:53
22:53
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Founded 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 …
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Wellness Wednesday: I Got a Feeling, Somebodies Watching Me
20:51
20:51
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In 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…
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Swing for the Fences: Building Confidence Through Orientation & Mobility
37:05
37:05
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37:05
Meet 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…
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