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 ConnectCenter@APH.org

(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.

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Blind Abilities adds to their iPhone 101 demonstrations series with a review of two simple but time saving tips found in your keyboard settings.

Just go to your iOS settings app, flick down to general, go to keyboard and there you will find these two convenient shortcuts: The Period Shortcut, and the Auto Capitalization features. These two features are often overlooked and will save you valuable time by avoiding unnecessary taps in your on screen keyboard. These can be used in any text Field, weather in an email, message, Facebook post or other written communication.

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As the times seem to be looking like we may be headed back to the office, meetings and possibly conventions, we find ourselves getting more opportunities to socialize and stretch our distance from home. This last 18 months has been a new experience for us all and with the "opening up" of travel, although limited, we put together some personal and social tips that may be of help to some of you and maybe to some of your friends newly on this journey of sight-loss.

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Do you sometimes receive texts in your iOS Messages App where you are among one or more others in a group of recipients? Have you wondered how to create such a group to make it faster and easier to share messages with your friends and family? Pete will show you how to do just that.

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I first heard of Megan Hale when she posted a YouTube video announcement about her upcoming YouTube Channel, Blind Physical Education, and new right away that Megan’s passion and enthusiasm would be of interests to our many listeners. Megan wants to educate Physical Education teachers about the possibilities and available adaptive techniques so more BVI students can participate beyond the level of low expectations.

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Seeing AI just dropped a fantastic update which includes a new World Channel that utilizes LiDAR and Spatial Sound for navigation and object detection. If you have an iPhone 12 Pro or Pro Max, update to the latest SeeingAI and start exploring.

Contact Your State Services

If you reside in Minnesota, and you would like to know more about Transition Services from State Services contact Transition Coordinator Sheila Koenig by email or contact her via phone at 651-539-2361.

Contact:

You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities
On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com
Send us an email
Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Storeand Google Play Store.

Check out the Blind Abilities Communityon Facebook, the Blind Abilities Page, and the Career Resources for the Blind and Visually Impaired group

The much anticipated Far Out event from the Fruit Company called Apple was back on Wednesday and this group of 5 took it all in and got together in the Blind Abilities Studio to give their perspectives on the event, the new iPhone 14 line up, the 3 new Apple watches and the 2nd Generation Air Pods Pro.

Serina Gilbert, Callie Gray, Seyoon Choi, Jesse Anderson and Jeff Thompson get to the core of the Apple event and dabble around the orchard with opinions, perspectives and some Apple picking.

You can watch the entire Apple Far Out Event on Apple's YouTube Channel.

Thanks for listening and leave us a message, give us some feedback, suggestions or just say Hi at info@BlindAbilities.com or give us a call at 612-367-6093, we would love to hear from you.

Subscribe to the Blind Abilities Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and check out all the podcasts on the web at BlindAbilities.com.

Episode Web Site

we would love to hear from you!

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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 Job Insights Sarlie Drakos, Dacia Vanalstine and Jeff Thompson talk about following-up after a job interview and dive into the "white elephant" in the room, If, When, why and how to, if one decides to, disclose a disability during the job interview process.

the Job Insights team shares their knowledge and experience to help you succeed and prepare for the job interview.

Be sure to contact your Vocational Rehabilitation Services in your state and see what they can do for you.

Sarlie Drakos is a Disability Employment Coach and you can reach her at SarlieDrakos.com and inquire how she can help you land that dream job.

Be sure to check out all of our Job Insights episodes and give us a call at 612-367-6093, we would love to hear from you. Send us an email at info@BlindAbilities.com or give us a call at 612-367-6093.

Thanks for listening!

Episode Web Site

we would love to hear from you!

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Serina, Callie and Jeff roll through the toughest of weather situations to bring you the latest Tech Tidbits and News from around the Tech World with that special Blindness perspective that they bring to every show.

Check out the 2 demos, Hiding Screen Pages on your Apple device and Putting a Widget into place, and so much more from the Tech Abilities Crew!

Here are links to some of the topics from the episode:

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Joe Quirk lost his eyesight in a traumatic incident which no one should ever have to endure. Joe picked himself and made himself a Vetter-Man. Joe is a U.S. Navy Veteran, former electrician , published author, game creator, a son, and a friend of many. His drive is not only used on the golf course, he has a passion and a purpose and keeps moving forward. And he does it for his Blind community.

Joe started Mental Vision Games and produced his first audio immersive game, Circus Master's Revenge, which is Free from the App Store!

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Talk Description to Me

Christine Malec and JJ Hunt

Where the visuals of current events and the world around us get hashed out in description-rich conversations. J.J. Hunt is an innovative Audio Describer and a natural-born storyteller. Christine Malec is a perpetually inquisitive member of the blind and partially sighted community who’s always wondering about something. In Talk Description to Me, their discussions plunge into current events and topical issues to explore the content of important images, and help place vivid descriptions in their cultural context. Lively, hard-hitting, witty, vibrant, and fun, this is conversation with a view!

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Blind Abilities Teen correspondent Simon Bonenfant sat down with Comcast Vice President of Accessibility at the Comcast Accessibility Lab. Tom and Simon demonstrate some of the latest features added to the Xfinity X! Box and remote control. Tom walks us through  Voice Guidance accessible commands and menus along with demoing the ability to access HBO, Netflix and YouTube all with voice commands and button navigation if you so desire.

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Sarah Caltieri jumped across the pond to join Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities Studio and talk about her new song, Yesterdays, her songs in general and about bringing awareness to Blindness. Her songs give us a glimpse  of her life experiences and the journey into Blindness as well.

Sarah and Jeff dive into a variety of topics including,  is societies limited expectations any different in the U.K. than in the U.S.A? We may be oceans apart but we share a lot of common ground. Especially in the public sphere.

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In this fifth episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, talk about Bullying and how one can ask for help and offer some coping strategies.

Show Hosts:

            Robin Ennis on the web at www.robinennislcsw.com

            Beth Gustin, LPC, NCC, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, CAGCS, PLGS

            Www.transitioningthroughchange.com

Full Transcript

You can message Beth and Robin by calling 612-367-6093 or by email. They are looking forward to hearing from you!

Episode Web Site

we would love to hear from you!

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For much of the world’s population, many technological devices are out of reach due to factors such as cost and electricity constraints. Solar Grove Solutions seeks to close this technology gap so that everyone has access to the content that matters most to them. The Vine C product line offers a durable, portable, solar powered solution for storing audio books as well as many other file formats in a simple compact design. Join Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant, live at the 2024 NFB Convention in Orlando Florida, as he sits down with Allen Decker, Accessibility Specialist at Solar Grove Solutions. Learn about the mission of the company, the populations they serve around the world, detailed features of the Vine C1 media player, and get a preview of the Vine C2 talking recorder, scheduled to be released in the near future!

To learn more, visit the Vine C1 Product Page. If you are an organization looking for custom products to fit your needs, visit their Contact Page. And don’t forget to check back on their Website, to find out when the recorder becomes available!

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Karthik Kannan joins Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities Studio in this informative episode about the Envision Glasses and the Envision AI App. Team Envision is proudly demonstrating the Envision Glasses at CSUN at booth 1011 and you can schedule an appointment and get your personal demonstration with hands-on with the Envision Glasses. Stay tuned for upcoming announcements that Team Envision are releasing at CSUN and throughout the Summer.

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Aaron Spelker is a Mobile Game enthusiast  and writer. Aaron joins Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities Studio to share the resources he has created and the articles he has published as well as a novel. Aaron lost his sight suddenly and picked up the pieces by learning JAWS and has not looked back. His passion for gaming led him down a dead end street so he decided to build his own platform across multiple social networks and bring awareness to accessible gaming. His efforts have bridged developers and influencers to gamers to open the conversation about accessibility.

Full Transcript

Here are some helpful links provided by Aaron Spelker: 

If you want to read long-form reviews of accessible mobile games or hear interviews with game developers and influencers about accessibility, then join the ‘Apple iPhone iOS Voiceover Compatible Games’ Facebook group.  If you have any games or content related to accessible gaming, feel free to

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Jenine Stanley joins Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities Studio to talk about the upcoming changes happening to the retail and community plans at Aira. With the changing economy and needs of explorers, Aira has made adjustments to forge forward into the upcoming years to provide the great service that we all have become accustomed to and use when we need that instant access to information.

You can find out more on the Aira web site

 and dig into their Newsroom to keep up with all the upcoming news.

Here is a blog post from Aira CEO Troy Otillio: Aira: Laying the Groundwork for a Strong 2023

Thanks for Listening!

Contact Your State Services

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 at shane.desantis@state.mn.us  or 651-358-5205.

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!

Full Transcrip

Every day we are inundated with reports about COVID-19: statistics, new cases, and worse. Every day we hear of how the coronavirus has impacted people all over the world, but have we heard specific reports of its effect on blind and visually impaired individuals? 

In this new series from Blind Abilities, we hear from blind citizens from Around the world about how they have experienced and adapted to COVID-19. from Australia and Malaysia, to the united Kingdom, Trinidad and Tobago, Canada and the United States, we will hear firsthand reports with their unique perspective on how the coronavirus has affected them as blind citizens. 

in this first episode in a series of reports, Elise Lonsdale relays a personal experience with the coronavirus in Australia.

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In this episode of That Blind Tech Show the gang has enlisted the heavy hitter from New York City, straight off the island, Ed Plumacker. We talk about the lock-down and how we and our family are making it work and how we are being and staying productive.

Ed has got his mind set on the upcoming new SE iPhone from Apple, Brian has jumped into the PC world for the first time, Serina is doubling down and locking her doors twice as the situation is more important than the temptation of sunshine and warmer weather. Jeff is working on streamlining the Blind Abilities podcasts and checking in on Brian now and then as the pandemic has been horrific in the New York area.

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Send us an email at info@BlindAbilities.com or give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093 we would love to hear from you!

the crew gathered in the Blind Abilities studio and covered a lot of ground in the tech tidbits and news from around the accessibility community and more. Jeff does 3 demos on Twitter Blue, Twitter Alt Text and Twitter Shortcut keys. Callie changes her ID, or did she really? And working from home, or not?

Join us for this episode of Tech Abilities and be sure to give us some feedback and suggestions by calling 612-367-6093 or drop us an email at info@BlindAbilities.com. We would love to hear from you.

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we would love to hear from you!
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FocusOnFitness is a series of basic exercises you can do in your house, in the dorm or during a short break. Using the natural surrounding without having to find the right equipment, the best gym or the perfect time to do a little workout. Focus on Fitness is all about doing it when you can and hey, why not?

Maria Johnson, aka Girl Gone Blind, joins Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities Studio to Focus on Fitness and how you can incorporate little nuggets of exercise without throwing your schedule off and being able to work out within your own time and space.

In this Focus On Fitness episode, Maria and Jeff talk about Creating your space and setting the stage for your exercise routine, yoga session and ensuring your free to exercise while keeping your space safe and free from obstacles. May it be a rug or a yoga mat, the tactile surface will keep your whereabouts in mind and you can feel safe to conduct your full exercise without getting disorientated.

Maria talks about the space and how diffusers can bring about a setting fit for relaxing and setting the tone for Pilates or yoga. Music playlist from your smart devices can keep that drive going throughout your workout as well as video workouts. Hey, the music and instruction is sometimes audio friendly and once again, keeps you rockin' and rolin'.

Full Transcript

Check out  some more Focus on Fitness episodes and if you have any suggestions or comments, feel free to let us know. You can find Maria on Twitter @Girl_Gone_Blind and follow her blog on the web at GirlGoneBlind.com.. You can find Jeff on Twitter @KnownAsJeff and check out more podcasts with a Blindness perspective on the web at www.BlindAbilities.com.

And remember:

Consult a physician before performing this or any exercise program.

This is especially important if you or your family have a history of high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes.

It is your responsibility to evaluate your own medical and physical condition,

and to determine whether to perform or adapt any of the exercises  in this Focus on Fitness episode.

The use of any information provided on this site is solely at your own risk.

If you start to feel any pain or discomfort while exercising, stop immediately  and contact your doctor or health care professional.

Thanks for listening!

Episode Web Site

In 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 whether automatic updates are right for you. Adjusting iPhone settings to manually update apps or restricting updates to Wi-Fi can save data and storage. Keep an eye on your app sizes and decide what’s best for your needs. Something to think about!

”

Full Transcript:

The new feature QuickPath, better known as, Slide to Type, is a way of typing that uses probability to come up with the word you want to write by monitoring your keyboard interaction and giving you audible feedback of possible words. That is, if you have VoiceOver on.

First we will make sure this feature is turned on in settings. Here are the settings for Slide to Type...

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Raqi, Angie and Jeff gather before the start of the Holiday Season to talk tech and Jeff gets schooled a bit on how to listen to women, or at least these 2 techies from out West.

From the Find My demo, to Apple’s 15% break for the little developers, to 5G settings on the iPhone 12 series, we go, go, go in this Tech Abilities show.

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In this iPhone101 QuickByte Jeff Thompson will show you how one can set up a Sleep Focus to ensure a peaceful night sleep and only Allowed Notifications will come through. And, setting up weekday and Weekend settings for the times of your choosing.

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The Tech Abilities Crew took on some tough conversations and a lot of good information was laid out on the table. Will there be a Mac vs PC showdown this month? We actually went at it a bit and stay tuned when Raqi and Lisa return to the Blind Abilities Studio to balance out the battle royal. Jesse, Serina and Jeff brought a great perspective on the tools for education and gave some great tips from their own educational journeys. 

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Send us an email at info@BlindAbilities.com or give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093 we would love to hear from you!

Join Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant, live from the 2024 NFB National Convention in Orlando Florida, as he chats with Jeff Bazer, Regional Director of Sales at Vispero, about their current product offerings, as well as many exciting AI enhancements to the Jaws screen reader.

One of the most notable updates in Jaws 2024 is a new set of features complementing the Picture Smart function. Using two Chat bot models, Chat GPT from open AI, as well as Claude from Anthropic, users can either import a picture on their computer, or take a live screenshot of any window, and receive two real-time detailed descriptions of the image being presented. Users also have the ability to ask follow-up questions, as standard practice with many AI image detection apps. Listen as Jeff demos the feature on both Amazon and YouTube.

Jeff also shares a brand-new feature just announced at the NFB convention, which allows for a conversational commands search of any freedom scientific training and help topics. This feature also works in the context of any Microsoft office products, and many web browsers as well.

Interested in learning more about these features? Subscribe to the FS Cast, Freedom Scientific’s official podcast.

Additionally, to learn more about Picture Smart AI specifically, check out episodes 242, and 245.

To learn more about Freedom Scientific, visit their Website, or give them a call at 800-444-4443. To reach Jeff directly, call the number listed above and enter extension 211.

To learn more about the vispero line of products, visit their Webpage.

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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.

Full Transcript

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

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Jeff Thompson is joined in the BlindAbilities Studio  by Anne DeWitt Who shares her unique and helpful products that fall under the brand name Halos. Halos stands for Home Appliance Labeling and Overlay System. . Halos is a series of tactile icons which can be affixed to a variety of home appliances, including your microwave, your oven, and your washing machine. 

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The crew minus one is back again and filled with gratitude and news from around the community, industry and all parts involved. Callie, Seyoon and Jeff take a dive into the latest news and tech tidbits and give a lot of their personal experience with everything mentioned.

We hope you enjoy and here are some useful links from this episode:

• Registration has opened for the annual Braille Readers Are Leaders contest! 
•  
• Guide Dogs for the Blind’s K9 Buddy Program Expands to Include the Entire United States and Adults of Any Age
• K9 Buddy Program
•  
• Emergency SOS by Satellite is activated.
•  
• Netflix lets you kick freeloading users off your streaming account
•  
• Elon Musk puts Twitter’s Blue Verified relaunch on hold.
•  
• It’s already too late to order iPhone 14 Pro in time for Christmas
•  
• Apple Reveals Black Friday Deals for 2022
•  
• Gratitude

Thanks for Listening!

Lachi is opening the door of opportunities for everyone to see the works of people with disabilities just as other works of art are being viewed. Join Lachi and Elijah Osborne, 2 artists, along with host Simon Bonenfant, as they talk about the intersection of art and disabilities. You can find out more about the Foundation at www.Foundation.app and keep up to date with Real advocacy and Real Music on Lachi’s web site LachiMusic.com.

(From the www.Foundation.app web site(

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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!

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In this 35th episode of Wellness Wednesday, hosts Beth Gustin, LPC, and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, explore how group settings like college classes, meetings, and PowerPoint presentations can often be inaccessible. They discuss how this inaccessibility can make it hard for people to access information and participate in discussions, leading to feelings of isolation. Beth and Robin share their experiences and strategies for handling these challenges and making group settings more inclusive.

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!

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Program Director, Alicia Smith and Training and Program Specialist, Brian Switzer, join Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities studio to talk about the latest offerings at Perkins

Career Launch at Perkins is currently offering week-long Tech Bootcamp sessions to help adults use access technology to work effectively and efficiently with the tools most commonly used in the workplace: Google Workspace and Microsoft Suite

Career Launch @ Perkins has designed virtual tech bootcamp sessions to teach blind and visually impaired participants how to use access technology to work effectively and efficiently with the tools most commonly used in the workplace: Google Workspace and Microsoft Suite.

Each week-long, virtual session costs $250 and includes 20 hours of coursework, including live classes taught via Zoom, independent assignments submitted via email as well as assessments before and after the session. 

Microsoft Session 1: January 23rd-27th

Google Session 1: January 30th -February 3rd

Microsoft Session 2: February 13th- 17th

Google Session 2: February 20th-24th

Curriculum will focus on:

• Editing and formatting documents
• Working with spreadsheets
• Connecting with and sharing content with colleagues
• Reading and creating compelling slide decks
• Navigating and using calendar applications
• Conferencing via Zoom

The ideal candidate will:

• Have a high school diploma
• Be a student, seeking work or actively employed
• Be between the ages of 18+
•  

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Dr. Linda Gerra, Director of the Family Support Program at Lighthouse Guild, Daria Zawadzki, Simon Bonenfant, Matthew Cooper and Sanya Neema talk about their experiences participating on the Nationwide Lighthouse Guild Teen Support Program.

You may feel like your vision loss or blindness will make your adjustment to an independent life difficult. But teenagers all over the country have gone through that same adjustment successfully, and we can help you connect with them. You will have the opportunity to talk about common social, emotional, academic and practical concerns related to having vision loss.

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Members of the Pennsylvania Association of Blind Students (PABS) gathered in the Blind Abilities Studio to announce the 2^nd Annual virtual Piano Bar Fundraising event. Happening on Wednesday, February 16 from 6 PM Eastern, 5 PM Central and 3 PM Pacific Time. This 3 hour virtual event will showcase college students playing piano and singing songs and engaging with the participants.

President of the Pennsylvania Association of Blind Students, Simon Bonenfant, introduces the performers as they unveil‑ their songs of choice and the dedications and tributes that you will be able to hear by registering for the Piano Bar event at www.NFBP.org/Piano-Bar.  The cost is only $5 and the PABS members thank you for all your support.

If you are interested in joining an Association of Blind Students, check out these links to the Student Associations at NFB or ACB and see how you can participate and learn, share and contribute to the body of like-minded students engaging in their educational journeys.

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Blind Abilities Teen Correspondent, Simon Bonenfant, chats with Cheryl Cummings and Ruth Kahn, representing an after school and career exploration program in Boston for middle and high school students who are blind or low vision. the Our Space Our Place program takes advantage of a variety of activities to promote social interaction and networking among the students, including the arts, theatre, dance, poetry and many more.

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Lukas Simianer joins Simon Bonenfant in the Blind Abilities Studio to introduce us to Clusiv, an all-new platform for learning the skills needed for new employment. Learn about the extensive courses that were built to  enhance your opportunities for employment and help build your skill set for a lifetime of rewards. 

We have not experienced Clusiv or it's program but listening to Lukas makes us wonder why this has not been developed earlier?  You can find out more about Clusiv and what they can offer you on the web at https://clusiv.io

From the web:

^{YOUR PATH TO THE MODERN WORKFORCE}

Many jobs that were once in-house have moved to remote work. IDEA Hiring (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access) is not a fad, but an essential way for companies to attract and retain talented workers. In the past, visual impairments may have separated you from meaningful and highly rewarding employment. We’ve built our program to be 100% accessible so you can learn the skills you need to pursue new employment opportunities. With Clusiv, there are no barriers separating you from the content you need to prepare for the jobs you want.

Episode Web Site

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The boys got anxious while Serina was out saving the world, so Lori Thompson jumped into the studio and kept an eye on these boys and kept them to task. Brian and Jeff along with Lori skip on through the latest news, apps and updates along with sharing their experiences with Aira, OCR, Bose Frames, Soundscape, Airport Tipping and a lot of stuff in between. What gadgets did you get this last year?

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Today’s guest on Blind Abilities is Donna Jodhan. Donna is a multi-talented individual, an author, entrepreneur and an advocate for the  blind and visually impaired.

Now Donna is  rebranding herself as a sight loss coach, aiming at helping people who are experiencing sight loss to “...become more comfortable in their new type of world…”, to become independent and fully functional.   

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In this iPhone101/QuickByte demonstration from Blind Abilities, Jeff Thompson will Add the Battery Widget to the Today View and then move the Battery widget to where he wants it located on the screen. With a few swipes and flicks, you can pick the widget, choose the size of the widget and move the widget to the location that suits your needs.

Let’s start on the home screen:

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Blind Abilities adds another episode to their expanding library of iPhone101 Serieswith this 20 minute walk-through of the iOS Reminders app. Reminders is a native Apple app which comes on all iPhones, iPads and iPod devices. Reminders provides a convenient and effective means for scheduling and tracking tasks, creating Shopping and To Do lists,  and generally manage your plans for day to day activities in the future. Read more

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The Tech Abilities crew slid into the Blind Abilities Studio to bring you another episode of news and happenings from of course, a Blindness perspective. Covid Test and N95 masks are available and so a set of MagSafe chargers from Mophie on the Apple Store. Did you know Siri can fast forward and bring up Audio Description on Apple TV? Yup, and by the way, Happy B-Day Serina! Orcam wins at CES, the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas with the Orcam Read. The Direct Typing feature for VO is now fixed with iOS 15.2 Beta 2. Aira has a Covid promotion you may want to use...

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 Have you ever spent time listening to music, only to run across a song where you just can’t recall its title, or the artist who wrote or performed it?  Blind Abilities presents a demonstration of the music recognition feature in iOS which is a handy and really cool feature that allows you to quickly identify songs and artists that you  hear around you, and even songs that are playing on your own phone or tablet. in fact, there are a few quick and easy ways to find out this information, and that’s exactly what we’ll be reviewing today.  

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In this iPhone101 Quickbyte, Pete Lane takes us through the Messages App and shows how to speed up a YouTube Video if you so desire.

Are you wondering why you can’t speed up the playback speed of a YouTube video like you can with one of your audio books? Well you can, and it’s simple and fast. 

Here’s how to do it:  

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Open up your native Music App on your iPhone, iPad, iPod, iMac, MacBook or even on Apple TV, and play a song. Open the mini-player to show the now playing screen and tap on the Lyrics button down near the bottom. With VoiceOver on, you will hear the lyrics just before the singing starts.

You can employ Air Play and play the song on your speakers or Apple TV system while VoiceOver remains in your device for clarity, as I see it, or should I say, as I hear it? 

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Blind Abilities expands its iPhone101 Series with a  follow up episode on a topic which they previously touched upon, but this time they do a "deeper dive”. In November of 2021, Pete Lane described the iOS Control Center, and in that review, touched on the iOS screen recording feature. This time, Pete has circled back to cover  this feature, but in far greater detail.

In this episode:

• Pete takes a thorough approach toward discussing the entire process of iOS screen recording, beginning with an explanation of what screen recording is, and why we might want to use the iOS screen recording feature.

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Jeff Thompson is joined in the BlindAbilities studio by Janet Dickelman, Representing the Minnesota chapter of the American Council of the Blind (ACB).. as many of our listeners already know, the American Council of the blind is a widespread and very important organization representing blind people. Janet shares it’s mission, a description and explanation of its affiliates and special programs, as well as providing an update on the Minnesota chapters plans for their state convention in January. 

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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.

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Show Summary:

It was a typical day for Robert Tarango, working in the kitchen of the Helen Keller National Center. That is until his boss summoned him to another building on the center’s campus.

Not given any further information, Robert imagined a host of mostly ominous reasons for the sudden meeting.  

The last thing he considered was that he would be auditioning for the lead in the short film, Feeling Through.Nor did he ever think he would receive the part and become the first DeafBlind actor in an Oscar nominated film. But that is exactly what happened.

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In this focus on student Internships, State Services for the Blind's Transition Work Opportunities Navigator, Randi Lasher, gives us an overview of student internships and how SSB works with the students to assist them in achieving their career goals. Listen in as Joshua, Qi, Jackson, and Josh share their experiences of gaining and internship, describing what they do and give some good advice for those seeking an internship.

If you have any questions about student internships, career goals, or to find out what State Services for the Blind can do for you, contact Shane DeSantis at shane.desantis@state.mn.us.

Full Transcript

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!

Jeff Thompson and Pete Lane are joined in the Blind Abilities studio by Sandhya Rao. They recently met Sandhya a few weeks ago along with Michael McCulloch as they discussed the amazing organization called, I Blind User's Group, (iBug). You can listen to the iBugToday episode on Blind Abilities

In this episode, they shift the focus to Sandhya, the person. Sandhya is currently employed as an Attorney in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division, where she conducts legal research on constitutional issues and drafts judicial memoranda.

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Greg Stilson, Head of Global Innovation at American Printing House (APH) joins Satauna Howery and Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities studio to talk about 2 new Refreshable Braille devices now available from APH on the web at APH.org.

Greg talks in detail the thought process behind the new Mantis and Chameleon refreshable braille devices. How APH is listening to the students and Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVI).

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In this 22nd episode in our series, we hear from Sammie Shipman in California, who fills in those details for us.

Sammie Shipman is a college student living in the San Francisco bay area in northern California, in the US. Sammie shares her routine as a student living and active lifestyle that ranges from her daily 3-hour commute to school, to her walks around the local marina with her guide dog, fighting the smoke-filled air resulting from the wildfires which are very prevalent in the area. 

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Serina and Callie join Jeff in the Blind Abilities Studio for another Tech Abilities episode. Seyoon will be back next episode as his Bandwidth has nearly overloaded. It's nice to get back into the studio and the Crew did not skip a beat. From Drone deliveries to HBO going to the Max and lots and lots more. Here are some links from this episode:

·      heading level 1 Flyby Drones Deliver Smoothies, Salads, Sushi for $3 a Flight

·      Amazon will charge customers a fee for some UPS returns

·      NLS Braille on Demand Request Form

·      Google Offers Upgrades as It Drops Support for Dropcam and Nest Secure

·      Warner Bros. Discovery unveils super-streamer ‘Max’

·      Apple introduces Apple Pay Later to allow consumers to pay for purchases over time

·      Forget about Twitter. You can get a LinkedIn check mark, thanks to new partnerships

·      Blindy Girl Blindy Girl on Facebook

Thanks for listening!

In this episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, talk about Social Anxiety, what it may be and some practical coping tips one can try.

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. Let them know if they can use your message on the show. They are looking forward to hearing from you.

In the Tech Abilities Studio Serina and Jeff are joined by Callie Gray straight out of Miami. The crew starts the year talking about eh latest gadgets and news released from the Holiday season and even have a few items they acquired. Tre jumps in and lets Jeff and Marlon have a little piece of his mind.

From MagSafe Battery Pack to an affordable headset that sounds great to some new Aftershocks, the crew has some goodies to share. Audio Description gets a good share of chat and what is it about Theater popcorn? Really? 

Is the Air Pod Pro 2  going to light up the lives of those seeking some LossLess sound and a case that makes noise? We will have to see. Do you use your Apple Air Tags in a creative way? And Find My is very helpful. Yes, it is. And, How about that Audio described Rose Bowl Parade? Delicious!

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Pardy Gill joins Simon Bonenfant in the Blind Abilities Studio to share with us Pardy’s journey from denying and not accepting his blindness until a few incidences made him quite aware that he needed to address his low vision and face the fact that he was going to have to change his perspective on being Blind.

A lot of us who are losing vision over time try to hang on as long as we can and Pardy was no different. Until some near-death experiences, Pardy was content on living a life without addressing the growing loss of vision.

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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.

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In Episode 41 of Wellness Wednesday, hosts Beth Gustin, LPC, and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, share their personal experiences with sleep and the routines they've developed to improve their rest. They open up about the challenges they've faced in finding the right balance for a good night's sleep and discuss the various approaches they've tried. This episode offers a candid look at the journey toward better sleep and overall 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!

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Are you familiar with 3D printing: how it works, what tools and materials are used to create  3D models, and what is done with them when they are completed?  If not, or if you just want to learn a bit more about the subject and how it might affect you directly as a blind person, then sit right down and listen. We have the answers to all of those questions. We will also fill you in on how 3D models might find their way onto your doorstep, or even your own 3D printer, if you have one!

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Dr. Natalina Martiniello completed her Doctorate in the study of Aging on Braille Literacy from the University of Montreal in December of 2021 and has a vast and robust knowledge of all things diversity, accessibility and related issues facing the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Inclusion in the classrooms, inclusion in the curriculum building in Universities and the importance of learning Braille at any age are some of the focuses Natalina brings to the conversation.

Dr. Martiniello is the President of Braille Literacy Canada and is a strong believer in braille literacy and shares her views on braille devices, how to approach educating seniors on braille, and the importance of having a physical connection to literacy  int order to know spelling, grammar, punctuation and modern terminology to effectively communicate in today’s professional and virtual world.

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Blind Abilities Teen correspondent Simon Bonenfant sat down with Comcast Vice President of Accessibility at the Comcast Accessibility Lab. Tom walks us through his path to his present position at Comcast and shares with us the tools he utilizes every day and shares some good tips and advice we all can use on our own journeys.

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Blind Abilities adds to the iPhone101 Series with an in depth review of how to create a screen recording in iOS using Voiceover. Pete Lane shows us how to retrieve the screen recording element from  the Settings app  and place it in the desired location in your control center, but that’s not all he covers in this  jam-packed episode! Read more

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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.

Web Site

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Serina, Callie and jeff dig into some news and tech tidbits that have been getting a lot of attention. Callie delves into the Guide Dog dream and is mobility going to be the ice breaker? How about Blind Pride, hmmm, to each at their own time probably,

We got a lot of topics through out this episode and some really good tips on copying text and arranging your rotor actions for efficiency.

Here are just some of the topics and links from this Tech Abilities episode:

Apple products trade in drops as the new line-up of iPhones, macs  and more new release approaches.

Jennine Stanley came onto Blind Abilities to talk about Aira announcements.

The BlindShell Accessible Cell Phone

Apple Watch Series 8 will reportedly be able to detect if you have a fever

How to use App Library on your iPhone and iPad

Humanware announces the all new Stellar Trek.

Web Site

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Thanks for listening!

Richard Rueda, Digital Content Manager at the American Printing House for the Blind’s (APH ConnectCenter), and LisaMaria Martinez, Assistant to CareerConnect, join Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities Studio to talk about the opportunities available at the APH ConnectCenter. From the vast resources to the Job Seekers Toolkit and the  Transition Hub, the CareerConnect experience has never been so ready for the future.

And as students transition from high school to college and the workplace, the ConnectCenter has something for everyone. From students to families, to teachers and counselors, the APH CareerConnect is just a click, tap away on the web at APHCareerConnect.org.

Find out how you can connect, learn, engage and grow.

FULL TRANSCRIPT

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Our guest on this episode of the Blind Abilities podcast is Dr. Calvin W. Roberts, MD, President and CEO of Lighthouse Guild, a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing and preventing vision loss. Dr. Roberts  has a unique blend of academic, clinical, business and hands-on product development experience. He is a Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Weill Cornell Medical College, and  formerly Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Eye Care, at Bausch Health Companies where he coordinated global development and research efforts across their vision care, pharmaceutical and surgical business units.

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Kevin Chao joins Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities Studio to share with us his experience with the Envision Glasses from LetsEnvision.com plus the Aira App experience on the envision glasses. Kevin also gives us a peak at the Dot Pad, a tactile pad that connects to voice over and conveys tactile representations that one can explore. Along with 20 cells of Braille this tool gives Kevin an understanding that he could not receive before.

Learn how Kevin uses the Envision Glasses, employs the Aira service through the Aira App installed on the envision Glasses and how the Dot Pad is giving Kevin a bigger picture of understanding through tactile imagery.

You can find out more about the products here:

Envision Glasses at LetsEnvision.com

Aira on the web at Aira.io

Dot Pad from Dot

Full Transcript

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Blind Abilities presents another installment in its iPhone 101 series with this review of several popular video and audio streaming Apps, in which we explore  ways to set up methods to reduce the amount of your cellular data you use while streaming or downloading their products. We already know that it is more cost effective to stream audio and video services while connected to your Home WiFi network as it's cost is generally lower than that of your cellular data plan, but we may not be aware of howe to take advantage of the app settings that will actually use less data.

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Blind Abilities adds to their iPhone 101 demonstration series library with this short but informative walk through sending audio messages using the Messages app and iOS. Pete Lane guides us through this simple, yet time-saving process which involves confirming your settings, summoning Siri, using the raise to talk and raise to listen features to enhance simplicity, and a step-by-step demonstration of each button and element within the messages app.

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Serina, Brian and Jeff hit the studio fast and furious. And yes, furious is a 3 syllable word. Score one for me. Serina brings her Google game, Brian puts his dog to shame until Aira checks out B Brian’s sock. Jeff keeps on track with his Reminders App, as well as Serina. This beauty of an app is getting the respect it deserves.

How about Apple going audio on the news plus stuff? Hmm. And what about Spectrum and the new Spectrum Access App? Will it grow into the dream app or will it not? Hmm.

We dance through the tech news and sway into our experiences all at the beat of your requests. 

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our guest on Episode 21 is Gerardo Corripio who comes to us from Mexico. Gerardo, Gera, immediately points out how important it is to first understand an overview of the political and geographic make up of his country. Mexico is comprised of 32 states, 10 of which are controlled by one of Mexico’s political parties, PAN and the others which are controlled by the Morena party, of which Mexico’s President Obrador is the party leader.

Gera lives in the city of Tampico, located, in the state of Tamaulipas, which falls under the PAN party. 

In general, the PAN takes a more serious approach to dealing with the Corona virus than the Morena party.

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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:

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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 

The Super-Sized Group is Virtually back in the saddle and fixing up a Live show on June 10^th. Ed returns from a deep but restless sleep, Serina might be making cookies later and Brian is going nowhere soon. Meanwhile, Jeff is saving the world and barely having time to rest in the Hammock. I didn’t write that. Hmm.

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Maria talks about the dynamics and challenges her family are adjusting to since she started working from home and her son Simon started schooling from home as well.
From keeping on schedule, working through accessing math papers, to using this time to enhance Life Skills and work on sharpening some skills that will pay off when Simon heads to college and the dorm life, it seems like they got it worked out pretty good.
Join Maria and Jeff as we learn how with the Grace of God and some patience, everything is going to be all right. Now if we can only get that lag time out of the internet so the String Ensembles can stay in rhythm. 
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Simon Bonenfant pulled together a “RoundTable” of students to talk about distance learning, virtual learning and how they are adjusting to the challenges due to the lockdown and closing of schools across the nation.

They talk about accessibility, processes, what’s working and what is not working and how they are advocating to be sure that they are not falling behind.

Kaleigh, Simon, John, Jillian and Gianna all bring a unique perspective and unique challenges to the virtual round table. Sharing their opinions on distance learning, schedule planning and how to deal with isolation.

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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: rachel@lbwloveworks.org

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Itto Outini’s self-determination has carried her from halfway around the World to living her dream. From a journey less desired, her constant  zest for knowledge and learning proved to be the ticket out of her circumstances and onto her realizing her dream of working for the United Nations and becoming an activist for human rights and an advocate for accessibility. 

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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.

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Nick Dambrosio goes to work each day like he has done over the last 22 years. Nick is essentially Blind and is an Essential Worker at his local Pharmacy in Montreal.
With the pandemic his fear and anxiety levels have risen and he is learning to cope with the uneasiness of working in a public space 40 hours a week. He asks himself if he can or should be doing his job with his condition, and yet, every morning Nick is up and headed back into the Pharmacy to make sure the products and goods the community depends upon is stocked and ready to go.

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This 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 shines as she discusses her love for holiday music and baking, while Robin fondly recalls family memories, including humorous moments with Santa’s cookies. They also acknowledge the importance of honoring loved ones who are no longer present, offering creative suggestions to celebrate their memory.

The conversation transitions into thoughts about the new year, with Robin sharing her milestone of being halfway through her doctoral program and encouraging listeners to set meaningful resolutions or themes for the year ahead.

The episode encapsulates the spirit of togetherness, celebration, and reflection, leaving listeners with a sense of hope and inspiration for the holidays and beyond.

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!

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Shane DeSantis, Transition Coordinator at State Services for the Blind, hosts the College101 Webinar with 3 unique college students giving their unique perspective on how they are succeeding and succeeded in their college journey.

learn from their experiences and suggestions as they respond to questions submitted from high school students, college students and teachers.

Are you interested in attending college to gain education and

training needed to meet your employment goals? Do you have questions about what the transition to college will look like and what skills are needed to be successful in higher academics? In this College101 Webinar you may find the answers you are looking for.

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If you have any questions, please contact Shane DeSantis at shane.desantis@state.mn.us or 651-358-5205.

Contact Your State Services

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.

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 welcomes Shane DeSantis, Transition Coordinator at State Services for the Blind of Minnesota, to the studio to talk about an upcoming College 101 webinar.

Are you interested in attending college to gain education and

training needed to meet your employment goals? Do you have questions about what the transition to college will look like and what skills are needed to be successful in higher academics?

What: SSB is hosting a College 101 webinar for prospective blind, visually impaired, and DeafBlind college students to learn from current college students the skills needed for success in higher education. Please join us for the conversation and feel free to ask questions you might have about college.

Who: This is open for any prospective college student in high school or recently graduated from high school. A small group of current college students will serve as panelists to discuss their experiences at college and answer questions.

When: Monday, November 28th from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Where: Zoom! Please click here to register.

If you have any questions, please contact Shane DeSantis at shane.desantis@state.mn.us or 651-358-5205.

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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

Lois Strachan is a multi-talented artist and has just published her new book, “A Different Way of Seeing (Second Edition): A Blind Woman’s Journey of Living an Ordinary Life in an Extraordinary Way.” Lois returns to the Blind Abilities Studio to talk about her decision to author a 2^nd edition and what led her to take a 2^nd look at “A Different Way of Seeing”.

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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

During these unprecedented times we want to talk about some of the challenges facing the blindness community brought on by the Corona Virus 19 Pandemic. We highly suggest that you keep up with the latest news and information on the Center for Disease Control web site.

Serina Gilbert, Lori Thompson, Tiffany Manosh and Jeff Thompson talk about the challenges and how they are over-coming and facing the situation of transportation, groceries, children, closures, working from home and how they are handling the stress and anxiety from our new realities.

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Send us an email at info@BlindAbilities.com or give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093 we would love to hear from you!

FocusOnFitness is a series of basic exercises you can do in your house, in the dorm or during a short break. Using the natural surrounding without having to find the right equipment, the best gym or the perfect time to do a little workout. Focus on Fitness is all about doing it when you can and hey, why not?

Maria Johnson, aka Girl Gone Blind, joins Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities Studio to Focus on Fitness and how you can incorporate little nuggets of exercise without throwing your schedule off and being able to work out within your own time and space.

In episode #2 of 7, of the Focus on Fitness series, Maria and Jeff introduce us to Squats. This is where you lower your hips from a standing position and then stand back up. Maria and Jeff want you to be safe and suggest hanging onto a stable fixture when exploring the movement of a Squat.  This is to give you an idea of the motion that a Squat consists of and to give you a sense of the group of muscles involved.

Check out  some more Focus on Fitness episodes and if you have any suggestions or comments, feel free to let us know. You can find Maria on Twitter @Girl_Gone_Blind and follow her blog on the web at GirlGoneBlind.com.. You can find Jeff on Twitter @KnownAsJeff and check out more podcasts with a Blindness perspective on the web at www.BlindAbilities.com.

Core exercises: Why you should strengthen your core muscles

You know core exercises are good for you — but do you include core exercises in your fitness routine? Here's why you should.

By Mayo Clinic

7 Health Benefits of Plank Exercises (+5 Plank Variations You Should Know)

 And remember:

Consult a physician before performing this or any exercise program.

This is especially important if you or your family have a history of high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes.

It is your responsibility to evaluate your own medical and physical condition,

and to determine whether to perform or adapt any of the exercises  in this Focus on Fitness episode.

The use of any information provided on this site is solely at your own risk.

If you start to feel any pain or discomfort while exercising, stop immediately  and contact your doctor or health care professional.

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

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!

Our guest on Blind Abilities today is Michael Cleveland. Michael is a fiddler who specializes in bluegrass music, although his repertoire spans a variety of genres and multiple styles of music. he wows other Bluegrass musicians including the best in the business, 

in fact, Michael may just be the best bluegrass fiddler ever, but what  elevates him into the rare echelon of unique talent is the diversity and range of his skill and technique. His bow speed and licks are amazing and should appeal, not just to bluegrass fans, but to everyone who has the good fortune to listen to him perform,  including you with this podcast!

Join Jeff Thompson and Pete Lane as they chat with Michael about his music and his career, which began at a very early age, as well as his life with blindness. Michael is an engaging individual who openly shares his thoughts about managing as a blind musician and his opinions about music and creating fiddle music in today’s age and with today’s technology.

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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

Jaydan Mitchell joins Jeffrey Thompson in the Blind Abilities studio and talks about the Youth Skills Program and the Teen Transition Program offered by Lighthouse Guild.

We hear from some of the students attending the Youth and Teen programs giving us insight into the positive impact that these programs are having on youth and teens facing the challenges of being blind or having low-vision.

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Send us an email at info@BlindAbilities.com or give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093 we would love to hear from you!

Bryce Weiler is the Disability Consultant for the Baltimore Orioles Major League Baseball team and is the co-founder of the Beautiful Lives Project. Bryce Weiler and Jeff Thompson sat down in the Blind Abilities studio to talk about the Beautiful Lives Project, his work with the Baltimore Orioles and a little bit of Bryce’s journey through high school to college and the inception of The Beautiful Lives Project.

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Send us an email at info@BlindAbilities.com or give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093 we would love to hear from you!

Our guest today is Manique Gunaratne, who  comes to us from Sri Lanka.  Manique’s story speaks of the situation that she and other disabled citizens    of Sri Lanka experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic this year. This in itself is not unusual. All of our guests have described their experiences in this way. What makes this report different is the contrast of the successful handling of the Corona virus by the nation of Sri Lanka, at least in the traditional statistical measures we are accustomed to seeing...

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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

FocusOnFitness is a series of basic exercises you can do in your house, in the dorm or during a short break. Using the natural surrounding without having to find the right equipment, the best gym or the perfect time to do a little workout. Focus on Fitness is all about doing it when you can and hey, why not?

Maria Johnson, aka Girl Gone Blind, joins Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities Studio to Focus on Fitness and how you can incorporate little nuggets of exercise without throwing your schedule off and being able to work out within your own time and space.

In this Focus On Fitness episode, Maria and Jeff talk about the use of Dumbbells to exercise and keep those muscles toned and defined. A Dumbbell is a hand-held weight ranging from a pound to a huge amount of weight for body building. We are talking about the lighter end of the spectrum, from 2 pounds to 15 pounds. These affordable and easily stored Dumbbells can be used for various motions to isolate and focus your workout to specific muscles. From the Curl for bicepts and triceps to the presses and lifts for shoulders and lats, Maria and Jeff go over a few to get you going on toning up them muscles.

Full Transcript

Check out  some more Focus on Fitness episodes and if you have any suggestions or comments, feel free to let us know. You can find Maria on Twitter @Girl_Gone_Blind and follow her blog on the web at GirlGoneBlind.com.. You can find Jeff on Twitter @KnownAsJeff and check out more podcasts with a Blindness perspective on the web at www.BlindAbilities.com.

And remember:

Consult a physician before performing this or any exercise program.

This is especially important if you or your family have a history of high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes.

It is your responsibility to evaluate your own medical and physical condition,

and to determine whether to perform or adapt any of the exercises  in this Focus on Fitness episode.

The use of any information provided on this site is solely at your own risk.

If you start to feel any pain or discomfort while exercising, stop immediately  and contact your doctor or health care professional.

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

Full Transcript

In this episode, we hear a first-hand report from Michael with his unique perspective on how the coronavirus has affected him and his family in one of our western-most states.

Michael is a production Assistant living in Coquille Oregon. He joins Blind Abilities to share his perspective on how the Corona virus and COVID-19 have impacted Oregonians, his employment, and subsequent furlough from a company that owns multiple radio stations in his area, and his recent experience with collecting unemployment benefits from the state and federal governments. 

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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

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

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Jeff and Pete are in the studio again, this time to chat with Javier Pita, founder and CEO of NaviLens Corp., and their remarkable product, NaviLens. 

NaviLens is a new and enhanced kind of QR code, but unlike existing QR codes that can only be read from a short distance, the NaviLens tag can be detected by your smart phone camera up to 60 feet away with a 160 degree wide-angle range. This means that you will now be able to detect NaviLens tags that are almost at your 9 o’clock or 3 o’clock direction, thus being simple to find if you are blind or visually impaired...

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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

In this episode of Job Insights Serina Gilbert, Sarlie Drakos and Jeff Thompson  will talk about how the Résumé is an important role in one’s job and career search. The résumé is designed for companies to select the best of the best applicants and having an effective résumé will increase ones opportunities for gainful employment.

Sarlie Drakos is a Disability Employment Coach and you can reach her at SarlieDrakos.com and inquire how she can help you land that dream job.

Be sure to contact your Vocational Rehabilitation Services in your state and see what they can do for you.

Be sure to check out all of our Job Insights episodes and give us a call at 612-367-6093, we would love to hear from you. Send us an email at info@BlindAbilities.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