{"id":9555,"date":"2026-06-19T23:19:04","date_gmt":"2026-06-20T04:19:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=9555"},"modified":"2026-06-19T23:19:06","modified_gmt":"2026-06-20T04:19:06","slug":"blind-abilities-shootin-the-breeze-the-stuff-that-sticks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=9555","title":{"rendered":"Blind Abilities: shootin\u2019 the Breeze: The Stuff That Sticks"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--powerpress_player--><div class=\"powerpress_player\" id=\"powerpress_player_3431\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-9555-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/blindabilities\/TheTeam2June26.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/blindabilities\/TheTeam2June26.mp3\">https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/blindabilities\/TheTeam2June26.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Podcast Summary:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jeff, Pete, Christina, and Lori gather for a relaxed conversation filled with stories, laughter, and thoughtful reflections. The discussion begins with excitement over the Amadeus Pro beta and the future of audio production on Apple Silicon Macs. From there, each shares memories of mentors and advocates who encouraged independence, informed decision-making, and the attitude of simply doing what needs to be done. The group explores the importance of maintaining connections in both blindness and mainstream communities, appreciating the perspectives each brings. They also talk about everyday accessibility, highlighting simple solutions such as fountains, wind chimes, textured surfaces, and other environmental cues that make life easier. Later, the conversation turns to emerging technology, including smart glasses, Aira, scanning apps, and privacy concerns. Along the way, memories from conventions, podcasting adventures, and a few musical tangents create a fun and engaging conversation among friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Major Topics in Chronological Order<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Introductions and weather banter.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Amadeus Pro and the new Apple Silicon beta.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Accessibility and the longevity of audio production tools.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mentors, advocates, and people who shaped their blindness journey.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Attitude, informed choice, and the \u201cjust do it\u201d mindset.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Balancing blindness communities with mainstream communities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maintaining friendships with both blind and sighted people.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Everyday accessibility and practical low-tech solutions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Using sound and texture as orientation cues around the home.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Memories from ACB and NFB conventions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses and the future of wearable AI.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Aira integration and hands-free access.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Scanning apps, privacy, and document reading.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Seeing AI improvements and simplified interfaces.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Music, iBUG Today, and closing humor.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Products and Services Discussed at Length<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Audio and Podcasting<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hairersoft.com\/pro.html\">Amadeus Pro<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hairersoft.com\/pro.html\">HairerSoft<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Apple Silicon Macs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Wearable Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Google AI Glasses (future possibilities)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rumored Apple Glasses<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Accessibility Services<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/aira.io\/\">Aira<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Aira\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/aira.io\/aira-explorer-app\/\">AI<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Reading and Recognition Apps<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/us\/app\/vdscan\/id1446737725\">Voice Dream Scan<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/us\/app\/seeing-ai\/id999062298?itsct=apps_box_badge&amp;itscg=30200\">Seeing AI<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Communities and Organizations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/nfb.org\/get-involved\/national-convention-prep\">National Federation of the Blind (NFB)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acb.org\/convention\">American Council of the Blind (ACB)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ibugtoday.org\/\">iBUG Today<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">thanks for listening!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<!--powerpress_player--><div class=\"powerpress_player\" id=\"powerpress_player_3433\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-9555-3\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/blindabilities\/TheTeam2June26.mp3?_=3\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/blindabilities\/TheTeam2June26.mp3\">https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/blindabilities\/TheTeam2June26.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/div><p>https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/blindabilities\/TheTeam2June26.mp3 Podcast Summary: Jeff, Pete, Christina, and Lori gather for a relaxed conversation filled with stories, laughter, and thoughtful reflections. The discussion begins with excitement over the Amadeus Pro beta and the future of audio production on Apple Silicon Macs. From there, each shares memories of mentors and advocates who encouraged independence, informed decision-making, and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9311,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"audio","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[17,467],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9555","post","type-post","status-publish","format-audio","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bapresents","category-technology","post_format-post-format-audio"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0035.png","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6rcRg-2u7","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3683,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=3683","url_meta":{"origin":9555,"position":0},"title":"A Conversation with Aira CEO Suman Kanuganti:  Good Things Are On The Horizon","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"June 23, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"A Conversation with Aira CEO Suman Kanuganti: Good Things Are On The Horizon \u00a0 Suman Kanuganti, CEO of the Aira Tech Corporation, joins Pete Lane and Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities Studios to talk about what new is happening at Aira, the programs, projects and where Aira is headed\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Aira Presents&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Aira Presents","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?cat=485"},"img":{"alt_text":"Aira Logo: a lower case letter a in a light blue sphere with aira","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/aira_logo.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2736,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=2736","url_meta":{"origin":9555,"position":1},"title":"Aira Presents: A Conversation With John Herzog &#8211; Accessibility Solutions Engineer With AT&#038;T","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"July 21, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Aira once again offers a feature presentation: A Conversation with John Herzog. John is an Accessibility Solutions Engineer with AT&T. He sits down with the Blind Abilities Team to share an in depth look at his life as a blind man: his youth, education and his time at law school.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Aira Presents&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Aira Presents","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?cat=485"},"img":{"alt_text":"BlindAbilities Logo A black square with white initials, B A.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3439,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=3439","url_meta":{"origin":9555,"position":2},"title":"ExcelAbility: Conversation With Vint Cerf, Hearing Impaired, Father Of The Internet","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"April 2, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"In collaboration with Jack Chen, Blind Abilities presents ExcelAbility. A collection of podcasts from Jack Chen\u2019s ExcelAbility Team. ExcelAbility, empowering excellence and success for people with disabilities. to learn more about ExcelAbility and to connect with the team, check out WxcelAbility on the web at www.teamexcelability.com Jack Chen delivers talks\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;BlindAbilities Presents&quot;","block_context":{"text":"BlindAbilities Presents","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?cat=17"},"img":{"alt_text":"ExcelAbility Logo Stickman on top of Mountain with Flag","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/ExcelAbilityLogo.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/ExcelAbilityLogo.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/ExcelAbilityLogo.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/ExcelAbilityLogo.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6872,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=6872","url_meta":{"origin":9555,"position":3},"title":"Tech Abilities: Deep Nosing, Battery Packing, Laundry Lens App, Air Pod Pro Betas Conversation Boost, the Tech Lending Library. And more Tech Tidbits in the News","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"August 11, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Show Summary: Welcome to another Tech Abilities episode from the Blind Abilities Studio. This episode dives into the latest news and gadgets from the world of technology with a blindness perspective. Joining Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities Studio is Serina Gilbert, Raqi Gomez, Jesse Anderson and Lisa Salinger and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Tech Abilities&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Tech Abilities","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?cat=524"},"img":{"alt_text":"The TechAbilities Logo-Dark Sunglasses with TA and BA bold letters in each lens.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/TechAbilitiesLogo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/TechAbilitiesLogo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/TechAbilitiesLogo.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/TechAbilitiesLogo.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/TechAbilitiesLogo.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/TechAbilitiesLogo.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3931,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=3931","url_meta":{"origin":9555,"position":4},"title":"ExcelAbility: Conversation with Steve Walker, entrepreneur who happens to have dyslexia","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"August 31, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"In collaboration with Jack Chen, Blind Abilities presents ExcelAbility. A collection of podcasts from Jack Chen\u2019s ExcelAbility Team. ExcelAbility, empowering excellence and success for people with disabilities. to learn more about ExcelAbility and to connect with the team, check out ExcelAbility on the web at www.teamexcelability.com Jack Chen delivers talks\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;BlindAbilities Presents&quot;","block_context":{"text":"BlindAbilities Presents","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?cat=17"},"img":{"alt_text":"ExcelAbility Logo Stickman on top of Mountain with Flag","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/ExcelAbilityLogo.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/ExcelAbilityLogo.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/ExcelAbilityLogo.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/ExcelAbilityLogo.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3510,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=3510","url_meta":{"origin":9555,"position":5},"title":"ExcelAbility: Conversation With Blind Film Composer Steve Letnes","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"May 2, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"In collaboration with Jack Chen, Blind Abilities presents ExcelAbility. A collection of podcasts from Jack Chen\u2019s ExcelAbility Team. ExcelAbility, empowering excellence and success for people with disabilities. to learn more about ExcelAbility and to connect with the team, check out ExcelAbility on the web at www.teamexcelability.com Jack Chen delivers talks\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;BlindAbilities Presents&quot;","block_context":{"text":"BlindAbilities Presents","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?cat=17"},"img":{"alt_text":"ExcelAbility Logo Stickman on top of Mountain with Flag","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/ExcelAbilityLogo.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/ExcelAbilityLogo.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/ExcelAbilityLogo.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/ExcelAbilityLogo.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9555","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=9555"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9555\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9556,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9555\/revisions\/9556"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9311"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9555"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9555"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9555"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}