Blind Abilities Podcast

A Big salute to the entire Accessibility Experience Team formally at Twitter. As part of the takeover at Twitter and all the layoffs, the entire Accessibility Experience Team at Twitter has been laid off. Accessibility Experience Team Manager, Gerard Koen, released a twitter thread acknowledging the members of the Accessibility Experience Team, the work they did and is looking forward to working on accessibility for future companies. We play a voice over rendition of his Twitter thread posted the other day.   In this episode of Tech Abilities the team, and no, Serina has not been laid off, comes together in the Blind Abilities Studio to talk about resources for general knowledge and learning on an everyday basis along with the latest news and tech tidbits from a Blindness perspective.   Here are the topics and some links from the show: Wow, Twitter, Hmm. Learning - Where do we get our knowledge? Resources Freedom Scientific Training Events Hadley Perkins APH Educational Resources Apple Vis Blind Abilities

Jeff and Pete welcome mat Carson into the Blind Abilities studio today. Matt is a Teacher of the Visually Impaired, a musician, a singer songwriter who is proud to write and perform sad songs that fit neatly into the country music genre. Matt has written, performed, recorded and produced dozens of songs, most of which he produced himself in his home studio. Matt released his first full length album in 2019 entitled no regrets, on which he played all of the instruments with the exception of drums And pedal steel guitar. Matt has also been totally blind since birth. He shares  all of these topics, with Jeff and Pete and as usual, they introduce quite a few excerpts of his music, not only from his no regrets album, but from his current project, a three song EP on which he welcomes Michael Cleveland, Bluegrass fiddler extraordinaire, whom Jeff and Pete introduced on Blind Abilities a couple of months ago.  Sit back and enjoy this fascinating interview with  their multi-talented guest, Matt Carson., A fascinating

In this sixth episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, continue the conversation on Bullying and move it to the workplace. How it may look and what you can do to help your situation or another's situation if need be. 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!   Episode Web Site

Serina, Callie, Seyoon and Jeff chill out in the Blind Abilities Studio to bring you the Tech Abilities Show. From Avatars getting legs, Apple's new Savings plan, Air Tag battery replacement, new iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max for Seyoon and jeff, to Air Friers being Accessible, new Apple TVs, iPads new and the massive iPad Pro with the M2 chip. Wow factor gets tested. But, is this too much iPad? With White Cane Safety Day in the Books we talk about the importance that bringing awareness to the general public has today and a big step for Audio Description on the 20,000 Hertz podcast. This is a healthy and longest Tech Abilities episode and it is just perfect for the times. We enjoyed the conversation and we hope you find something that helps you along your own journey. Read More 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 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! Send us an email at info@BlindAbilities.com or give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093

Whether you are on your own, off-campus living or just wanting access to an Air Frier, this 5.8 Quart basket Air Frier from Cosori is accessible through a free app as well as through the Amazon and Google smart devices. With just a little set up with the VeSync App, and the VeSync skill for your preferred smart device, the rest is all at your command. Set your time and Temp and you be cooking. Just like that! No buttons to label, mark or worry about. You can even receive a text message when the Cosori Pro II Air Frier is done cooking.   Here are some links for the Cosori Pro II experience:   Cosori Pro II on Amazon VeSync App on the App Store or on Google Play. Download the VeSync skill  from within your smart devices app. 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

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 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 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   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! Send us an email at info@BlindAbilities.com or give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093

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.   Read More   we would love to hear

The Believe You Can Virtual Talent Show Returns Bigger and Better than Ever Before! Join the Live Show, and Support the Creative Talents at BelieveYouCan.Live Believe You Can, the virtual talent show and fundraiser put on by  the Philadelphia Keystone chapter of the National Federation of the Blind is October 15 at 8pm. This year Dancing Dots is sponsoring the event in a big way and the name is now, Dancing Dots Presents: Believe You Can 2022.   Simon Bonenfant  talks  with Lisa Bryant, David Goldstein and Stacie Leap along with chapter president Harriet Go, and returning participant, Janna Jackson from Nashville Tennessee. It’s a great conversation and a behind the scenes look into how the show is being produced and a look at the growing participation and sponsorship. Tickets are on sale now at $10 and $25. To purchase tickets go to: www.believeyoucan.live See you there! 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

In this episode of Job Insights Sarlie Drakos, Dacia Vanalstine and Jeff Thompson talk about  preparing for the job interview. How quality preparation will build the confidence one needs to succeed in putting their best interview forward. From research, logistics, Mock interviews, Zoom and Teams technology, to dress and attire, 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!   Contact Your State Services If you reside in Minnesota, and you would like to know more about Transiti

In this fourth episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, talk about Guilt and how one can acknowledge guilt for what it is, how to make amends, how to give guilt a voice and how to let it go.   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!     You can message Beth and Robin by calling 612-367-6093 or by email. They are looking forward to hearing from you!   Episode Web Page   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

Serina Gilbert, Seyoon Choi and Jeff Thompson gather in the Blind Abilities Studio after the Apple Launch and dive right into the latest news and announcements from the 4 corners of the Earth. Yes, we record and then receive as like any other time, the Apples arrive and it is all good in the orchard as more apples will soon fall from the tree in this never ending routine of gadgetry. However, there is a lot more tech tidbits out there and we are bringing it. Here are some links to the topics we brought to the table,. But, there is also a nationally publicized fart, yes, fart and we brought it along as well.   iPhone 14 Pro wait times reach 4 to 6 weeks   Turning on haptic keyboard feedback in iOS 16 could affect your battery life   Twitter’s latest feature is a tool to make your feed more accessible   New iPhone update fixes camera shaking and cut and paste permission prompt notification and VoiceOver may be unavailable after rebooting. Bring on the update, iOS 16.0.2.   The best  of Apple. All in one. App

Blind Abilities presents another QuickByte offering some troubleshooting for a possible problem you may be having in the Safari app on your iDevice.  We think it’s safe to assume many of us have experienced it… that distracting, irritating, downright annoying noise: what exactly would we call it? clicking? tapping… Pete Lane says “no," it’s clearly ticking! And here is how to turn off that ticking sound: 1. go to settings, Accessibility, Voiceover, Audio, Sounds & Haptics, Sounds, and down to "Item Loading". Perform a single-finger double-tap and you’ll hear Voiceover say: “On”. This is its current position, so do another double tap to turn it “off”. Voila! You should not be bothered again by the dreaded “ticking” sound! 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

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

In this third episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, talk about Shame and how one may navigate the feelings of shame in a healthy way. 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.   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  

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! Send us an email at info@BlindAbilities.com or give us a call and leave us som

Sara Robberson Lentz, STEM Education  Officer at AUI and COO and Head of Partnerships at Tumble media, joined Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities Studio with some exciting news for STEM education, accessibility and representation in STEM fields for the BVI. The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded $1 Million to a team comprised of Associated Universities Incorporated (AUI), Oregon State University, Independent Science (ISci) and Tumble Media. The team will study podcasts as a classroom tool to engage blind and visually impaired students, focusing on representation and accessibility in STEM fields. This initiative is a major step towards promoting inclusion for all children learning science.   Education and content experts from Tumble Media will lead the development of teaching resources based on the research findings, focus groups, and testing within selected classrooms. Sara gives us an overview of the teams and how this experience is impacting the way Tumble Media is producing their popular children's

Ricky Ties is a member of the Team USA Visually Impaired Judo Team. Ricky wrestled in high school and was a 2 time participant in the state tournament and was a National Highschool Coaches Association All-American. Ricky went on to college and  qualified for Nationals 2 times and Regional Champion in his sophomore  year. Ricky began coaching wrestling and started his own wrestling club.  if that wasn't enough, during this time Ricky attained his master’s degree in Sports Psychology. Once hearing about the USA Judo Team looking for former BVI wrestlers to represent USA, Ricky soon left his coaching and moved out to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado. With 1 Silver  and3 Bronze medals, it has been quite a journey as he joins Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities Studio to share his story and give advice to those interested in competitive sports and how adaptive sports are gaining in areas around the country. Episode Web Site we would love to hear from you! Send us an email at info@BlindAbilities.com or give

`Blind Abilities adds to the iPhone101 Series with this in depth, comprehensive review of blocking callers and senders of unwanted text messages and emails. Pete Lane takes us through a detailed journey covering the various processes for eliminating and reducing these unwelcome contacts in multiple Apps across iOS. From blocking unknown phone numbers in our Messages and Phone Apps, to blocking and unsubscribing from sales, spam and scam emails, collectively referred to as Robocalls, Pete demonstrates step by step techniques for getting these nagging senders out of our virtual hair.  He also provides some valuable background information on this issue including details from www.FCC.gov, the web site of the Federal Communications Commission. This is the agency in the US charged with monitoring, managing and enforcing the laws and regulations governing all such communications across the country. For a step by step break down and time line, Read More we would love to hear from you! Send us an email at info@Blin