Tech Abilities is Back in the Saddle: Exploring Meta Ray-Bans, Aira’s Access AI, Black Friday, and Some AI Hacks

Podcast Summary: Jeff, Serina, and Cindy reunite in the Blind Abilities Studio, bringing the Tech Abilities podcast back in full force! After a short break, the trio dives headfirst into the latest tech trends and practical insights, starting with Serina’s new Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses—spoiler alert: Jeff has a pair too. From exploring the powerful Access AI feature in the Aira Explorer app, where users can now adjust response detail and...

Wellness Wednesday: From Isolation to Integration – Your Journey, Your Voice

Podcast Summary: In Episode 44 of Wellness Wednesday, hosts Beth Gustin, LPC, and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, bridge the gap between communities we navigate daily. They dive deep into the art of self-advocacy, exploring how personal experiences can transform feelings of isolation into moments of connection and growth. Join them as they unravel how we can bring our unique worlds into harmony, fostering understanding and belonging one journey at...

The Lotus Ring Shines Bright at the Ignite Accessibility Event Presented By the Vista Center

Podcast Summary: In this Blind Abilities episode, CEO Dhaval Patel introduces the innovative Lotus Ring, featured at the Vista Center’s Ignite Accessibility Entrepreneur Pitch Competition. The Lotus Ring, an accessible infrared-operated home control system, enables users to point and manage appliances, lights, and switches without internet or apps. With magnetic attachable switch covers, it simplifies home automation, offering...

Aira Unveils Meta Ray-Ban Integration, Walmart Partnership, and More

Podcast Summary: Jenine Stanley, Director of Customer Success and Engagement at Aira, joins Jeff Thompson on Blind Abilities to share exciting updates. Aira can now be used with Meta Ray-Ban glasses, available in public beta for all users. This innovation expands Aira’s accessible technology offerings, along with other developments like a custom call feature, navigation-certified visual interpreters, and partnerships with Walmart and Vispero....

Wellness Wednesday: Affirmations – Positive Fuel for the Tank

Podcast Summary: In Episode 44 of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC, and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, dive into the world of affirmations and how they can reshape negative mindsets. Blind Abilities Logo They explore the importance of authenticity, setting realistic goals, and pairing affirmations with actionable steps to boost effectiveness.Discover how affirmations, when tailored to your personal journey, can serve as powerful tools for growth...

Historic Partnership: Be My Eyes and Hilton Transform Customer Service

Podcast Summary: Be My Eyes CEO Mike Buckley joins Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities Studio to reveal an exciting new partnership with Hilton Hotels. Blind and low-vision individuals in North America can now access Hilton’s customer service directly through the Be My Eyes app. Mike shares how this groundbreaking collaboration opens new doors for accessibility and hints at even more innovations on the horizon. Dive into the app today and...

Wellness Wednesday: Independence and Inter-dependence – Can They Exist Side by Side? Let’s Find Out.

Podcast Summary: In Episode 43 of Wellness Wednesday, hosts Beth Gustin, LPC, and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, explore a listener’s suggestion on the theme of independence. As they delve into the topic, the concept of interdependence naturally emerges. Through personal stories and professional insights, Beth and Robin reflect on the balance between self-reliance and interconnectedness, offering a thoughtful examination of how both can coexist in...

Woodworking for the Blind Presents: Wes, the Host of the YouTube Channel Woodworking with Wes

Podcast Summary: Woodworking for the Blind has been sharing tips and tricks and mostly "How to Do's " with a blindness perspective for quite some time, and on this months WW4B Chat, WW4B presents Wes from the YouTube channel "Woodworking with Wes".  Wes may not be Blind or Low Vision, however, his YouTube channel works through projects and the description is easy to follow. That is why we want to share this great resource for woodworkers...

The Future of Accessible Tech at Vista Center’s Ignite Accessibility Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition with Kevin Chao

In this episode of Blind Abilities, Kevin Chao discusses the Vista Center Ignite Accessibility Entrepreneur Pitch Competition, an exclusive event showcasing groundbreaking accessible technologies. Entrepreneurs presented innovations such as  Get Lotus, a ring-operated switch control system,  Lighthouse Tech, an  obstacle-detecting smart glasses, Oorion is an object, text detection app. Other highlights...

Wellness Wednesday: If We’re Feeling It, You May Be Feeling It Too, Being Overwhelmed – You’re Not Alone

Podcast Summary: In Episode 42 of Wellness Wednesday, hosts Beth Gustin, LPC, and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, take a look at being overwhelmed. What it is, what might cause it, and some coping strategies on how to deal with it. And like they always mention, how to be more in tuned with yourself. Check out all the Wellness Wednesday episodes. Show Hosts:             Robin Ennis on the web...