In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron sits down with Debra Erickson, founder of The Blind Kitchen, to talk about blindness, independence, and inclusive cooking. Debra shares her journey of losing her sight later in life, how she navigated culinary school as the only blind student, and the adaptive tools and techniques she now teaches others. Her story is a powerful reminder that inclusion means recognizing someone’s humanity first. Whether you're a cook or a curious ally, this episode will open your eyes to what’s possible in and beyond the kitchen.

Key Takeaways:

Inclusion Defined – Inclusion means being seen as human first, not as a diagnosis or limitation.

Adaptive Tools – From talking thermometers to RFID tags, technology is reshaping blind cooking.

Kitchen Strategies – Organization, labeling systems, and sensory cues enable safe, independent cooking.

Blind Culinary School Journey – Debra’s experience as the only blind student shows what's possible with support.

Human Connection – Inclusion starts with simple gestures—like reaching out to someone who feels left out.

Debra’s definition of inclusion:

Inclusion means that people see you for who you are as a human first and whatever disability that you have becomes secondary to your humanness.

Debra’s Bio:

Debra Erickson is a blind Chef (the only blind student in Culinary school and a former Cooking Instructor for the Oregon Commission for the Blind so she walks her talk. She now owns this business, called The Blind Kitchen, whose mission is to help other people with vision loss to cook safely, confidently and independently. She has been often praised for her ability to describe adaptive culinary tools and techniques with much clarity.

Connect with Debra:

Website: https://theblindkitchen.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblindkitchen1/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblindkitchen

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-erickson-the-blind-kitchen/

SPAM© Count:

Host:

Yes

Current Guest:

Yes

Cumulative Guest Stats:

Yes - 39

No - 52

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