Traveling as a blind individual can be challenging. If we have attended an orientation center for blindness training, we are taught that we can do anything, and that it shouldn’t be challenging. And a lot of that is true. But what we are not taught is how challenging it can be. We are taught to use our resources whether that be city buses, subways, trains, taxi’s, Uber or Lift. We become self sufficient and comfortable using these during...
Show Summary: I wanted to bring up this audio from a couple years back that Jo Fishwick submitted to a conversation the Blind Abilities Channel on Audio Boom was having. Now, we have moved on to BlindAbilities.com yet, I went back to the channel in hopes to find Jo’s conversation on the topic of Braille. Jo talks about how she got started with Braille at age 12, and how she encourages others to learn Braille. Use it and make it part of their...
I recently received a request to share some more small tips and tricks that I might use to make daily life more accessible to me as a blind person. So I’ve been trying to think of different ways that I have adapted my life, such as folding the wrapping paper so I know where to cut, but it hasn’t been very easy. I’m not sure if that is because I am so used to my life, or because I don’t use very many tricks that would be different than a...
Show Summary: (Full Transcript Below) A new Hockey program has just started right here in the Hockey State. The program is the Minnesota Wild Blind Hockey Program. Open to individuals who happen to be Blind or Visually Impaired. Lonny Evans joined Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities studio to talk about the Minnesota Wild Blind Hockey program, how it came about and describe the adaptive sport to our listeners. Lonny talks about the spirit...
Dreaming of a Blind Christmas - By Kelsi Hansen
Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday. Actually it’s a tossup between Christmas and Halloween, but that’s beside the point. It is the holiday season for those of us who celebrate December holidays, and it is one of the busiest times of the year. There is tons of shopping to be done; wrapping; Christmas activities; and decorating. And I love every minute of it! So, how and whywould a blind...
Oopsies with Blind Mama -- By Kelsi Hansen Being a parent means that your children are going to have oopsies, and some of them will be your fault. Being a blind parent means that more of them will be your fault. Okay, okay … not necessarily. I cause some accidents with my child because I am accident prone, not because I am blind. But sometimes it is because I am blind. When my son was still in the toddling phase, I can’t count how many times...
Running to Thanksgiving by Kelsi Hansen Thanksgiving? It’s already Thanksgiving? I can’t believe it! The years fly by, don’t they? Normally my family has a small Turkey Day, planned at the last second, and we all stuff as much food as we can into our gullets. Nothing too unusual, just the normal Thanksgiving. However, this year I decided to sign up for a 5k on Thanksgiving day. I’m super excited … I’m hoping I’ll be able to stuff...
A Blog Post by Jessica Hodges An Evening Read, using Overdrive for iOS I’m practically spinning as I walk through my door on a late Friday afternoon. It’s been a busy day. I need a break. Fortunately for me, I have just the thing in mind, the new book in a favorite series. One problem, I don’t want to read it in text, Bard, the reading service for the blind through the library of congress, doesn’t have it, and I don’t...
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Fly along with Blind Abilities as we transport you “audibly” to the Enchanted Hills Camp in Napa California, and the WW4B woodworking workshop hosted by the San Francisco Lighthouse for the Blind. There, way up on Veeder Mountain, Jeff Thompson caught up with one of his woodworking students, Bob Geyer. bob is blind and had a passion for woodworking before he lost his vision. Jeff and Bob chat about...
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Blind Abilities presents another guest from the Sagebrush Convention for the Business Enterprise Program (BEP), held in Las Vegas a few months ago. Jeff Thompson caught up with Ardis Bazyn who has written several books on topics including a 3-part series called Building Blocks for Success, addressing how to create and manage a business, Church or organization, with inclusion and accessibility in mind, as...