Blind Abilities Podcast

Full Transcript 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. Dr. Roberts shares his ideas towards how he sees the Lighthouse Guild providing help for clients through a variety of services aimed at treating the entire patient, including:  Low Vision Optometrists and Opticians, Vocational Rehabilitation, an Accessible Technology Center, Behavioral Health Counseling, Teen, Young Adult, Adult and Parent Tele-support Programs, and more. Dr. Roberts

Jeff and Serina are joined in the Blind Abilities Studio with State Services for the Blind of Minnesota Assistive Technology Specialist Jesse Anderson. Jesse is the creator and host of the Illegally Sighted channel on YouTube. If you are interested in Video Gaming from a Low Vision perspective, be sure to check out his YouTube channel! In this episode: Galaxy S21 Ultra can't match iPhone 12 Pro Max durability in drop test iOS Home Pod proximity driving you nuts? Turn it off! HomePod stereo pairs supported in macOS Big Sur 11.3 beta Is Clubhouse Accessible? All You Need to Know About Clubhouse Unlock iPhone while wearing a mask with Apple Watch Facebook is Upset with Apple’s Upcoming Tracking Opt-Out options New Movies with AD: Palmer and Greenland and what about Cobra Kai? New Disney Plus Bundle You can go to the articles mentioned in the episode by clicking on the links below: iOS 14.4’s HomePod proximity notifications driving you nuts? Here’s how to turn them off HomePod stereo pairs supported in macOS

Full Transcript Juan Alcazar is a Film Maker and YouTube Creator and you can find his work on YouTube at JC5Productions. Juan joined Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities Studio to talk about his journey with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) and his passion for making films and videos. Storytelling is something Juan took to at a young age and he continues his passion as he embraces his sight loss and the blindness community he found once he stopped denying his loss of vision. I really enjoyed meeting Juan as I have followed his work over the years and known him through the social media networks and this was our first time really meeting up. Juan has a genuine kind personality of which you will hear as he talks about his collabs, community and passions for storytelling. Be sure to visit his social media links below and enjoy his very descriptive video and film creations. You can check out Juan’s creative works on his YouTube Channel at JC5Productions. Follow Juan on Twitter @JC12209  and stay up to date with all the l

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.    Adding to her long list of credentials as author, entrepreneur and advocate is Donna’s unique perspective on sight loss, having been born with very little vision, regaining her vision later in life, only to lose it again as a result of a detached retina. As Donna puts it, she is “ ...back on the other side of the fence again.” Donna will be providing coaching to those experiencing sight loss, which is particularly important during the pandemic, as folks need to know that they can deal with it and overcome it. Donna has authored an audio detective series which aired on the Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) network in Canada; she is an e

Show Summary: The crew is intact and with a latte in-hand and most of the microphones locked down and ready, Serina, Raqi, Angie and Jeff take on a lot of topics starting with a very sad, sad story. Serina tossed her nose up at the Air Pod Max headphones and landed a new iPad Air 4. Meanwhile, Raqi scores a Mac Mini just to spoil her Mantis. Meanwhile, Angie’s travel experience is shared and she is now Home Sweet Home at Las, Las Vegas that is. Jeff rows in counting his strokes and loving the Concept2 Rower. He also got his Air Pod Pro replaced by Apple free of charge!  The Homan Prize is now open for applications at Holman.Lighthouse-SF.org. Be sure to check it out and apply by March 14, Yes, Pie Day! 3.14…. right? Or is everything Apple, Apple Pie that is. Jeff talks up his Husky Workbench/Standup Desk with adjustable height from Home Depot. We hear from the Big R about his Concept2 Rower about to arrive, another listener just got another and a rowing we will go. Have you found or come across some cool mask

Full Transcript BlindAbilities presents the team from touch pad pro assistive technology,  who is in the process of developing three new and totally innovative products for the blind and visually impaired. Jeff Thompson chats with Kristin Smedley, Chief Communications Officer, Brian Edwards, chief  operating Officer, and founder and Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Lubiner With long term plans to develop the highly technical touch pad pro, the team is first focusing on the loess technical, but equally as important Braille Doodle. As Daniel comments, "it would be great to offer a device at or around $65.. which we could not only buy for one student, but for all students.” The Braille Doodle should be about the size of a laptop computer, with hundreds of holes, housing magnetic dots that can be raised using a magnetic stylus to draw pictures, shapes, or other tactile images, or which can be covered with a plastic sleeve to reveal only  braille cells which will facilitate teaching young students or others who mig

 Roel and Ben Eynon from Strap Technologies sat down with Simon in the Blind Abilities Studio to talk about a device that could possibly replace the white cane. This is a huge claim being that for nearly 100 years the cane has remained for the most part, the same low tech device used for navigation by the Blind and Visually Impaired. Diego and Ben talk about how they came about working together for this initiative and what inspired them to commit their efforts in developing Strap for the Blindness community. Join Simon Bonenfant along with Diego and Ben in this interesting product development and let us know how you feel.  You can find out more about Strap on the web at www.Strap.Tech. Stay up to date with the latest news by following Strap Technologies on Facebook. As always, If you want to leave us some feedback, give us a call at 612-367-9063. We want to hear from you!  Contact Your State Services If you reside in Minnesota, and you would like to know more about Transition Services from State Services cont

Full Transcript In the era of Covid-19 we have seen a sharp rise in the production of virtual music, ranging from individual performers, to bands, to choral groups.  Prior to the pandemic, however, this form of music was not only unusual, but rare. Our guests today on blind abilities represent one of those rare music groups that originated before the Corona virus  burst onto the world scene. the Serenity Virtual choir is that group, and Kaleigh Brendle is the group’s founder. Initially she started out small, pulling together a local singing group to help a friend with a project, but, realizing she had a passion for the undertaking,  she soon expanded it into an international virtual choir of more than ninety voices throughout the quarantine. Join Simon Bonenfant as he chats with Kaley and Katie Hall, one of the choir’s dedicated editing team as they explore the evolution of the group, how they adapted and adjusted the membership to include children and more adults, how they build create and edit their arrange

Serina, Angie and Jeff were joined by Jesse Anderson to host this episode of Tech Abilities. Jesse is an Assistive Technology Specialist and will be coming on to Tech Abilities more and more in the near future. Jesse is also the creator of the Legally Sighted YouTube Channel were he demonstrates gaming for the VI Community. From Headsets, to Guide Dogs during the Pandemic, to Apple Watch and Fitness Plus and a quick little Apple Watch demo from Kristy Viers on Changing your Activity goals on the Apple Watch. You can find Kristy on her YouTube Channel KristyViers. Our Guest today is Jenine Stanley from Aira.  Aira is a service that connects Explorrs to highly trained agents using video technology for real time, real people interactions on your time, when you need assistance. You can find out all about Aira on the web and you can download the Free Aira app on the App Store and Google Play Store. We here from listeners, Kamal and Robert about headsets. Thanks for your feedback and suggestions. If you want to giv

Full Transcript Jeff’s guest today is Ryan Lukowicz. Ryan has a fascinating interest in a unique topic: Meteorology. as a matter of fact, he has studied Meteorology for over four years now and has developed an expertise in the topic  that is respected across the industry.  so, you may ask: where did he attend college? how did he attain such an advanced knowledge of this subject that is rooted in  complex math and science? well, the answers to these questions may surprise you, because this individual did not attend college, at least not yet. after all, he is only 14 years old, and a high school student living in Rhode Island. You will hear how Ryan’s passion began, as he developed a love for journalism, public speaking and TV broadcasting with a particular interest in weather.. You will also hear how he started his Facebook page four years ago at the young age of 10, and followed up in 2020  with his podcast, “Behind the Weather Forecast, on which he interviews weather experts from both local and network TV st

Full Transcript Travis Mashuga is a Pre-Employment Transition Services Counselor at State Services for the Blind (SSB) in Minnesota. Travis switched gears in college and decided to work in the Rehabilitation field and is now part of the Transition team at SSB. Travis explains what Transition Services offers and tells us how to get connected with the Transition Services. Whether you are a transition age student or a parent of a student who is visually impaired or blind, Travis walks us through the process and lets us know what to expect when navigating the services offered by SSB. You can find out more about Transition Services at SSB on the web or contact Transition Coordinator Sheila Koenig by email or contact her by phone at 651-539-2361. 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 @Blin

Full Transcript Minnesota State Services for the Blind (SSB) like every other state rehab agency, is certainly not exempt from the impact of COVID-19. Like much of the Nation’s  business and governmental sector, the staff began working from home back in mid-March. Jesse Anderson, Assistive Technology Specialist, Joins Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities Studio to talk about how his department has adjusted to the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 and how they are keeping the virtual doors open for services. Jesse describes the many areas that SSB had to adapt to the ever-changing needs of their clientele, such as the growth of remote online schooling and meetings,  and associated technical issues such as the lack of internet connections or bandwidth limitations in some areas of the state. Add to this the skill deficiency relating to these new methods of attending classes or joining meetings which SSB had to fill, and we can see how busy they have been. Jesse says, it is always been a matter of adapting to

Saddled in between Christmas and the New Year, the crew arrives with a healthy dose of information regarding Microsoft, Apple, Facebook and maybe a bit about Google. We hope all of you are safe and warm. And while Angie is basking in the Florida sunshine, the rest of the crew are weathering the blistery wrath of Winter.  But the show must go on! Why are headsets, headphones and ear buds becoming so important? What about that Bluetooth relationship with Windows? And  how do you feel about Facebook taking out full-page ads to call out Apple when possibly, Facebook should be looking in the mirror. The debate rages on. Apple seems to be working on that Electric Car, again, and will it hit the road driverless in 2024 or 2028? You may think that is a ways out but try waiting for the Air Pod Pros delivery timeframe!  Hmm. Do you think Siri is going to Navigate your vehicle or would you let that smart device do anything in the Apple car?  See what the crew thinks of Fitness Plus or is it Fitness Less when considerati

Full Transcript   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! Blind Abilities presents a follow up feature interview with the team from See3D Inc.  A non-profit organization that manages the printing and distribution of 3D printed models for people who are Blind. They have found that these 3D models serve to broaden the understanding of Blind and Visually Impaired individuals of the world around them.  Jeff Thompson is joined by Caroline Karbowski, CEO of See3D Inc., along with a couple of her valued team members, Garrett Carder, Chief Technical Officer,  and Kara Herzog, S

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

Full Transcript Cheryl McNeil Fisher writes books, has used a guide dog from Guiding Eyes for the Blind for over 3 decades, experienced Google’s Project Guideline wearing boots with heels, yes, with heels, and has found community events and programs on-line during the Pandemic. Cheryl shares advice about writing books and the publishing process. Talks about how she made the decision to get a guide dog and her experiences over the years. She also has found the ACB Group Calls that have emerged during the Pandemic to be very satisfying and recommends others to join the community. You don’t have to be an ACB member, she says, just find a time and group and add to the conversation. There is something for everyone. Project Guideline started when Thomas Panek, CEO of Guiding Eyes for the Blind, asked a Google Hackathon group if there was a way to assist a blind runner to run independently. After a few months and some hard work in the Google research labs, Thomas was able to run independently and will soon be furth

Shane Lowe returns to the Blind Abilities Studio to bring us some more breaking news as he announces a new iOS app called Super Lidar. This app will use the latest features found in the iPhone 12 Pro series utilizing the Lidar sensor and technology. Lidar is a technology that uses light to find distance and range and can be incorporated into apps for mapping and finding distances from objects, walls and people. Developers are surely starting to take Lidar into their labs and find ways for users to get the most out of their experience and Super Lidar was ready and is about to drop the first Lidar app before Santa arrives. Join Shane Lowe and jeff Thompson for this brief discussion about the new Super Lidar app and how the potential of the Lidar technology will soon be in the palm of your hand. Shane Lowe was just here last week talking about all the features found in the Supersense App for iOS and Android and we are always glad to talk to Shane and learn more about the new apps and features coming to the Bli

Shane Lowe, Community Manager at Supersense, joins Jeff Thompson and Angie Fisher in the Blind Abilities Studio. Shane gives a good description and describes the many features pact inside the Supersense App. From Automatic Smart Scanning, Object Detection, Bar Code Reading and the availability to extract and share text, use links and so much more. Join Jeff and Angie as Shane talks about how Supersense came about and how he got involved, bringing his own Blind experiences to the Supersense team. You can find Supersense on the App Store and the Google Play Store. We are also dropping another podcast with an announcement regarding another app from the Supersense team, Super Lidar! Stay Tuned. (From the App Store) Supersense is the smartest and simplest scanner app made for the blind and visually impaired users to read any text format, currency or product details from a barcode independently. With the power of AI, Supersense automatically figures out what you are trying to scan, guides you on how to point the ca

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.  Ann describes how these tactile icons are rendered in specific shapes that will clearly identify the specific button on the appliance that you wish to select. She talks about how the shapes are a secondary orientation to the location on the appliance when we look for a button. That is, we first recall the general location of the button we are seeking, and then the shape of the sticker, the  tactile icon will give us further confirmation that we are on the right button.   Ann works hard, and collaborates with other designers to find the best shapes to distinctly identify the precise action that will  label the button on the appliance for  everyone, b

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.  yes, the Minnesota chapter will have a convention this coming year. It will be held virtually, from January 22 through January 24, 2021, and accessible on a variety of platforms, ranging from Zoom to the many stations which comprise the ACB  Radio network. Janet gives us a detailed rundown of the activities planned throughout the convention, and has posted those details on the chapters website:  www.acbminnesota.org. be sure to set aside a few short minutes to listen as Jeff chats with Janet Dickelman,  who gives us a