Post By Jeff Thompson From rooms filled with topics from History, Voice Over Artists, Film Makers, Guide Dog Users, Music Makers, Poets, Yoga and much much more, there is a Club House for everyone! Sign up with a phone number and get an invite and share your invites with others. Over a week ago the accessibility features in the Club House app made a huge step forward. Let’s say, the Club House is definitely usable. If you have Screen...
Blog Posts Changes on the Way Radio Talking Book is changing with the times. Beginning October 1, RTB will no longer be available via closed-circuit radio. Instead, listeners will have several options: you can use the Internet, the new RTB apps for iOS and Android, or a digital assistant like an Alexa-enabled smart speaker. We’re confident that these innovations will keep RTB available to Minnesotans for years to come. To find out more call...
June 2, 2020 We now have two new ways to listen: First, for those of you with Amazon Echo smart speakers, there is an Alexa Skill. You must enable it the first time by saying “Alexa enable Radio Talking Book.” Then to listen, say, “Alexa Play Radio Talking book.” You can’t use RTB, it must be said in full. You will then be prompted to listen to the live stream, get the schedule, or find out what is on. Say what you want to...
By Jeff Thompson Blind Abilities has over 620 podcasts available on the web at http://blindabilities.com and you can download the free Blind Abilities app on the App Store. For the iPhone and iPad. With one click or tap you can find all the podcasts in the category of your choice. CollegeCareersSTEMiPhone101TechnologyMobilityJob InsightsFitnessInterviewsAnd much more All the Blind Abilities podcasts are done with a blindness...
Blog Post by Jeff Thompson Have you ever wanted to play Hockey? Learn how to skate on ice? Minnesota Wild Blind Hockey has given me that opportunity as well as many others. You can join us on the ice and learn all about skating and playing this adaptive sport. It does not matter if you never skated before or you played hockey before. We all got started somewhere and with Minnesota Wild Blind Hockey and the Hendrickson Foundation,...
Career Fair Highlights Disability Are you an employer seeking a more diverse and disability inclusive workforce? Are you a qualified, talented college student, recent graduate or adult job seeker? Consider attending the Disability:IN Minnesota’s INclusive Career Fair! Career Fair details: Date: Friday, November 15, 2019Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 NoonLocation: University of Minnesota - McNamara Alumni Center More information at di-mn.org. Why...
By Pete Lane August 2019 Purpose This document is intended to provide suggestions for what to do if we find ourselves in an active shooting event: how to recognize signs of potential violence around us, how we might react, and what to expect after an active shooting takes place. This material has been adapted to include some fundamental actions which blind and visually impaired individuals might find helpful in...
Jeff Thompson: Creating Audio Description (AD) is an interesting area of work. To be placing information into gaps and moments not necessarily intended for AD yet the art of placement and conciseness is quite the skill.What got your interests in AD?Audio Describer: I have my bachelor's degree in literature and have been writing creatively for over a decade. I am also a huge TV and film addict. I have always loved how films and TV find unique...
According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of disability isa physical, mental, cognitive, or developmental condition that impairs, interferes with, or limits a person's ability to engage in certain tasks or actions or participate in typical daily activities and interactions. And according to the Oxford English dictionary, a disability is: a physical or mental condition that limits a person’s movements, senses, or activities. Blind Abilities...
It is a well known fact that exercise and overall fitness is essential to living a healthy happy life. But for a blind individual, exercise may not be as easy to accomplish as it is for sighted individuals. There are definitely some unique challenges that come with exercise and being blind. For instance, I cannot just walk out my front door and go for a 6 mile jog by myself. Maybe eventually I could, but right now, I couldn’t. I can’t just...