Podcast Summary: Orientation and mobility (O&M) gives blind and low vision students the skills to travel safely, confidently, and independently—at home, at school, and beyond graduation. In this conversation hosted by State Services for the Blind (SSB), O&M specialists Jennifer Pelletier and Abdi Mumin, along with Transition Coordinator Shane DeSantis, talk with parents, teachers, and students about what O&M really is: not just...
Podcast Summary: White Cane Day 2025 at the Minnesota State Capitol was a celebration of pride, freedom, and possibility. Leaders, students, families, and blind, low vision, and deafblind Minnesotans gathered to affirm a simple truth: the white cane is not just a mobility tool — it is dignity, safety, and independence. Speakers honored the history of White Cane Safety Day, first recognized nationally in 1964, and reminded Minnesota that...
Podcast Summary: In this episode of Blind Abilities, hosts Pete Lane and Jeff Thompson are joined by Sedona Dave and Bari Azman from AWarewolfGear to introduce the latest innovation in cane design, the Urban Xplorer Cane. They delve into the features and benefits of this new product, designed for enhanced urban navigation and all-terrain versatility. The conversation also touches on the predecessor, the All Terrain Cane', highlighting the...
Podcast Summary: Our guest today is Dave Epstein, founder of AwareWolf Gear, the home of the All-Terrain Cane. Dave shares the origin of the ATC including all of the steps he took to create the cane, from borrowing tools and pieces from the local hiking store, to adding parts from other traditional canes, through developing three completed prototypes, finally landing on the final version of the All-Terrain Cane that we see Dave present to us...
Full Transcript Show Summary: Cheryl McNeil Fisher writes books, has used a guide dog from Guiding Eyes for the Blind for over 3 decades, experienced Google’s Project Guideline wearing boots with heels, yes, with heels, and has found community events and programs on-line during the Pandemic. Cheryl shares advice about writing books and the publishing process. Talks about how she made the decision to get a guide dog and her...
Full Transcript Show Summary: The day was filled with excitement as people gathered in the Rotunda of the State Capital in Saint Paul, Minnesota. We heard speeches about the history of White Cane Safety Awareness Day. Individual experiences about the White Cane and voices from across the entire Blindness field and community. Check out how we celebrate White Cane Safety Awareness Day and hear all the voices and passions being shared by one...
Full Transcript Show Summary: White Cane Safety Awareness Day is held at the Capital of Minnesota in Saint Paul. Teachers of the blind and visually impaired, students, counselors, parents, representatives, senators and Blind and Visually Impaired people from all across Minnesota gather in the Rotunda where their voices can be heard before they start out on the White Cane Safety Awareness Day walk. The reading of the governor’s...
Full Transcript Show Summary: Mona Minkara’s Planes, Trains and Canes is a winning entry to the 2019 Holman Prize sponsored by the San Fransisco Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Mona joins Jeff in the Blind Abilities studio and talks about her upcoming documentary and the adventures she will be embarking upon. Mona shares her most recent travels that she has been doing since finishing her post-doctorate at the University of...
Full Transcript Show Summary: While at the NFB2019 Convention Jeff Thompson met up with RTB Safe Traffic Director of Sales, Olivia Harden. Interested in the sounds stemming from the RTB Safe Traffic booth, Jeff inquired about the Audio Pedestrian Signal device and Olivia filled his cup to the brim with some great information. She is very passionate about her work and the products RTB Safe Traffic are creating and has taken the message across...
Full Transcript Show Summary: While attending the 2019 NFB Convention in Las Vegas, Jeff Thompson had the opportunity to talk with Jim Power from Guide Dogs for the Blind. Jim is a Field Service Manager and talks about the process of applying for a Guide Dog and the process one experiences in obtaining a Guide Dog. You can find out more about Guide Dogs for the Blind by calling 1-800-295-4050 and on the web at www.GuideDogs.com. Jeff...