Speaking Out for the Blind
Self-Improvement
About
Where Your Listening is Our Business
Episodes
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 387- Waymo Comes to Washington for the blind
Theo Braddy, Executive Director of the National Council on Independent Living, explains how Waymo's self-driving cars in Washington, DC, will advance accessible transportation for people with disabilities, particularly the blind and visual…
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 386- Recreate Yourself
Dan Kysor returns to Speaking Out for the Blind to discuss his new book about accessible fitness and leisure for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. This episode follows a previous interview with Kysor from the early 2010s.
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 385- Same-Day Paratransit Innovation Act
Claire Stanley discusses the Same-Day Paratransit Innovation Act (H.R. 8128), which seeks to remove the 24-hour advance scheduling rule for paratransit rides. This change would allow for same-day services, giving riders more control and in…
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 384- Accessible Video Games for the Blind
In Episode 384, Aaron Spelker, Chair of ACB’s Audio Description Project Gaming Committee, joins Speaking Out for the Blind to discuss accessible video games. The conversation focuses on how audio descriptions aid blind players in progressi…
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 383- New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Accessibility Improvements
Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 383 covers the $6 million in upgrades for the New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, aimed at improving accessibility for wheelchair-bound children. Pual Kilman, the school's Early Childho…
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 382- ACB 2026 STEP Program
Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 382 discusses the American Council of the Blind's new youth program, STEP (Strengthen Teens, Elevate Potential). The program is designed for blind and visually impaired high school students and their fami…
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 381- ACB 2026 Leadership Conference
The American Council of the Blind’s 2026 Leadership Conference is discussed by ACB President Deb Cook Lewis. This event precedes the larger ACB convention taking place in St. Louis, Missouri in July.
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 380- Mammals Restoring Vision
Episode 380 of Speaking Out for the Blind discusses a recent study on restoring vision in mammals with lead author Athanasios Alexandris of Johns Hopkins University. The study explores potential natural mechanisms for vision restoration.
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 379- The Blind Pitmaster
Chris Jones, who is blind, shares details about his barbecue restaurant in Duncanville, Texas, and his expertise in grilling smoked meats. The episode is part of the Speaking Out for the Blind series.
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 378- VIPS
Episode 378 of Speaking Out for the Blind features Isaiah Siordia, Executive Director of Visually Impaired Persons Support (VIPS), along with clients Patrick Spangler, Zowie Mason, and Nevaeh Ross Burton. VIPS offers independent living ski…
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 377- Asanda Pavlacka
This episode of Speaking Out for the Blind features Asanda Pavlacka, a blind multi-sport athlete who has competed in gymnastics, swimming, running, martial arts, and blind cricket. Pavlacka represented the USA at the first Blind Cricket Wo…
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 376- ACB Next Generation
This episode of Speaking Out for the Blind features Kristen Kelling, President of ACB Next Generation, an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind for members under forty. The discussion covers the organization
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 375- Etiquette for meeting with visually impaired people
Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 375 features Amanda Cornelius discussing the proper etiquette for meetings between sighted and visually impaired people. Cornelius is the Social Worker for the University Eye Center at the University of U…
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 374- Space Camp for Blind and Visually Impaired Students
Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 374 features Dan Oates, SCIVIS Coordinator, discussing the Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students (SCIVIS) program at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. The program modifies simulators and ac…
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 373- Robot Guide Dog
Georgia Tech professors Bruce Walker and Sehoon Ha discuss the development of a robotic guide dog, as reported by Robotics and Automation News. The episode also provides multiple methods for listeners to access the Speaking Out for the Bli…
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 372- Tooth-In-Eye Surgery
Episode 372 of Speaking Out for the Blind covers a tooth-in-eye surgery where a patient's tooth is fitted with a lens and implanted into the eye socket for severe corneal blindness. Ophthalmologist Dr. Greg Moloney and patient Brent Chapma…
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 371- ACB Lions
This episode features Debbie Deatherage, President of the American Council of Blind Lions. The discussion focuses on how the organization provides opportunities for potential Lions Club members across the U.S. to share experiences and lear…
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 370- John Helzer
John Helzer shares his experience adapting to vision loss after being diagnosed with Diabetic Retinopathy in 2018. He discusses how he managed to return to work, in this episode from Speaking Out for the Blind.
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 369- Ai
Eric Yarberry, Josh Upshaw, and Sean Scheeler of World Services for the Blind discuss the increasing popularity of Artificial Intelligence and its applications for blind and visually impaired adults in areas like social media, education, a…
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 368- Teacher of the Visually Impaired
Mrs. Karen Heeson, a Teacher of the Visually Impaired at the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impied in Janesville, Wisconsin, clarifies what a Teacher of the Visually Impaired does in this episode.
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 367- VIBE
Episode 367 of Speaking Out for the Blind features Cheryl Snow, Division Program Manager for Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, discussing a new job program for visually impaired clients in Oklahoma, as reported by FOX 23.
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 366- Sierra Services for the Blind
Episode 366 of Speaking Out for the Blind features an interview with Richard Crandall, Executive Director of Sierra Services for the Blind. This Nevada City, California-based organization exclusively serves the blind and visually impaired…
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 365- Gold Nanoparticles
This episode features Dr. Jiarui Nie, who led a study at Brown University on the potential of gold nanoparticles and a device to restore vision for retinal patients. The study was conducted in collaboration with the National Institutes of…
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 364- Marching Band
Students and faculty from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, including Chandni Sharma, Professor Robert Crockett, Brent Boon, and Emma Merriman, discuss a device they are developing to assist blind and visually impaired marching band members with s…
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 363- FCB
Episode 363 of Speaking Out for the Blind interviews Mikey Wiseman, President of the Florida Council of the Blind (FCB), about his organization.
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 362- CCLVI 2025
Episode 362 of Speaking Out for the Blind features Christine Chaikin and Terry Pacheco from the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI). CCLVI is an ACB affiliate that supports the rights of people with low vision, offeri…
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 361- ACB of Nebraska
Kristal Platt, President of the American Council of the Blind of Nebraska, joins the show to discuss ACBN. Information on connecting to Speaking Out for the Blind is also provided.
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 360- A New Low-Vision Clinic
Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 360 features Steven Macias, Executive Director of The Blind and Visually Impaired Center of Monterey County. Macias discusses the opening of a new low-vision clinic located in Salinas, California.
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 359- ACB Community
Cindy Hollis, Manager of Membership Engagement at the American Council of the Blind, returns to discuss ACB Community Calls. The episode explores how these calls have positively impacted the ACB and the blind community over the last five y…
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 358- Quest for Improved Audio description
This episode features Professor Sri Kurniawan discussing her work with the blind community to develop improved auto-generated audio description programs. The research aims to enhance the experience of visually impaired individuals using so…
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 357- Impacts of Visual Impairment on Children
Texas Tech professors Adam T. Schmidt and Sarah Victor are conducting a study on the experiences of blind and visually impaired children. The National Eye Institute awarded them over $3,000,000 for this research.
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 356- Blind Center of Nevada
Todd Imholte, President of the Blind Center of Nevada, explains the services the center offers to blind and visually impaired individuals in Las Vegas. The Blind Center of Nevada aims to help them reach their highest potential.
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 355- Boxing and Southwest Kids in Action
Episode 355 of Speaking Out for the Blind features a discussion about a boxing and self-defense class offered to blind and visually impaired kids by the Southwest Kids in Action group, in collaboration with 417 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Glenn C…
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 354- Train Audio Guide
Dave Smith, a member of an accessibility advisory panel for Britain’s Translink Railway System, created an audio guide to help blind and disabled individuals understand train layouts before traveling. He will discuss the guide and train la…
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 353- Viewfinders and their Lenses
Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 353 discusses the installation of colorblind-friendly viewfinders in Virginia
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 352- Magic
Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 352 discusses a new competition focused on magic tricks that use only sound, designed for the blind and visually impaired. The episode includes information from Associate Professor Dr. Gustav Kuhn of the…
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 351- Tandem Biking
Houston Lighthouse provides monthly tandem bike rides for blind individuals. Daryan Jones, Marketing and Development Director at Lighthouse of Houston, shares details about this initiative.
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 350- The Blind Barbie Doll
Speaking Out for the Blind episode 350 covers the release of a blind Barbie doll, a collaboration between Mattel and the American Foundation for the Blind. Guests include blind broadcaster Lucy Edwards and Tony Stephens from the American F…
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 349- The Visually Impaired and Cybersecurity
Visually impaired students attended Alphapointe’s annual technology camp in Kansas City, Missouri, where they learned website development and cybersecurity practices. Jake McLaughlin, Senior Manager of special events at Alphapointe, spoke…
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 348- Mentoring Program
Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 348 features Dr. Charles Pat McKenna discussing New Jersey's annual mentorship program. This initiative connects younger and older residents with vision loss, entering its second year.
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 347- Piano
This episode features Hao Wen Deng, a blind fifth grader from Flushing, Queens, who is a piano prodigy studying at the FMDG school. The report includes details about a concert at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and an interview with FMDG Ex…
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 346- Friendly Like Me
This episode of Speaking Out for the Blind introduces the Friendly Like Me app, which helps individuals with disabilities and weight concerns find accessible places and events. Co-Founder and CEO Elysia Everett discusses the app's accessib…
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 345- Sight Unseen
The podcast episode features a conversation with Dolly Lewis, Agam Darshi, Nikolijne, and Karen Troubetzkov regarding the new CTV Canada and CW US TV series "Sight Unseen." The series follows visually impaired homicide detective Tess Avery…
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 344- Voting Lawsuit
Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 344 discusses a lawsuit filed by advocates for blind voters in California against the Secretary of State. The suit addresses state rules that require blind and visually impaired individuals to have their…
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 343- ACB Executive Director Scott Thornhill
Scott Thornhill, the new Executive Director of the American Council of the Blind (ACB), discusses his experience and plans for the organization. Thornhill officially began his leadership role on March 18th, following a vote by the ACB Boar…
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 342- Heroes- A Benefit Concert for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 342 discusses the Heroes benefit concert and auction for the blind and visually impaired. Featured guests include Jose Lopez Masso from Lighthouse of Broward, American Heritage Schools CEO Dr. Douglas Lau…
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 341- Orientation Center for the Blind
This episode features Sue Pelbath, Director of Specialized Services for the California Department of Rehabilitation, discussing the Orientation Center for the Blind in Albany, California. The center helps blind job seekers develop skills t…
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 340- The Blind & Visually Impaired Center of Monterey County
Speaking Out for the Blind features Steven Macias, Executive Director of The Blind & Visually Impaired Center of Monterey County, discussing the services the center provides for the visually impaired community in Monterey County.
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 339- The Blind, Visually Impaired, and the Solar Eclipse
Astronomer Allyson Bieryla discusses a method developed by the Center for Astrophysics to translate the light of a solar eclipse into sound, offering the blind and visually impaired community a way to experience the event.
- Speaking Out for the Blind Episode 338- Blind Film Director Adam Morse
Adam Morse, a blind film director, discusses his experience directing the Google Javier In Frame Super Bowl advertisement and his career path in filmmaking.