Blind Abilities
The most comprehensive resource for Assistive Technology, success Stories, College and Career Pathways and all with a Blindness Perspective.
Episodes
From the Minnesota State Capitol to the halls of the Department of Transportation, White Cane Day 2025 shined a light on independence, confidence, and community. Jeff Thompson takes listeners inside a vibrant gathering of blind athletes, adventurers, and advocates who prove that anything is possible when you step out and give it a try. From sailing the waves with Twin Cities Blind Sailing to hitting the ice wit...
In this episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, Robin Ennis and Jeff Thompson talk about employment and the many aspects of looking for a job. They discuss how to prepare for interviews, what challenges job seekers face today, and how to stay motivated throughout the process. The conversation also touches on how artificial intelligence is changing the way applications are reviewed and how you can position y...
The Blind Drive puts you in the passenger seat with Jeff Thompson and Tim Schwartz as they run down what's shaping life for blind and low vision people right now. From federal cuts hitting the Rehabilitation Services Administration to new pressure in Iowa over blind Iowans' right to keep their shades on (or off), the landscape is shifting fast. We dig into accessibility on the ground — including Targe...
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 Minne...
In this episode of The Blind Drive, Jeff Thompson and Tim Schwartz dig into the heart of something far bigger than a news headline—it's about access, equity, and the right to fully participate in life. A recent class action lawsuit filed against DraftKings for failing to make its sports betting platform accessible to blind users sparks a deeper conversation. This isn't a show about gambling—it's a show about ac...
In this Blind Abilities conversation, Cheryl McIntosh shares her journey toward becoming a Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist, or CATIS, and how she empowers others to build independence through technology. Cheryl teaches screen reader users—primarily JAWS and VoiceOver—through personalized virtual training. She explains that success starts with fundamentals like keyboard familiarity, navig...
This parent-focused webinar demystifies benefits so you can plan with confidence. Benefits Navigator Marcy LaCroix explains how SSI and SSDI work, why "logic" often feels missing, and how to use work incentives so your teen can try jobs without losing critical supports. You'll hear when and how to apply, what documentation Social Security looks for, and why the age 18 redetermination matters. Marcy cl...
In this episode of Unscripted, Jeff Thompson and Sree Roy dive into the everyday mix of tech talk and personal takes, all in the natural flow of conversation. Sree kicks things off with a trip to the Apple Store, exploring iPhone crossbody straps and even the Beats lanyard trend. The two reflect on the surprise availability of the iPhone 17—thin as air, in stock, and shipping in just two hours. They weigh the p...
Adventure, laughter, and teamwork filled the day as 18 students who are blind or low vision joined State Services for the Blind and Wilderness Inquiry for a canoe trip on the Mississippi River. For many, it was their first time on the water, but with guidance, encouragement, and life-long memories being made, students and parents alike built confidence and new friendships. Alongside paddling, they shared storie...
The Tech Abilities crew is back with Serina, Seyoon, Sree, Cheryl, and Jeff stirring up plenty of laughs and tech talk. Did anyone score a sweet deal at the Apple Orchard sale Well the iPhone 17 might just be the pick of the crop. The team dishes on the first round of iOS and Mac updates, including that sneaky VoiceOver bug that Apple promises to squash soon.
Then the...
The Blind Drive dives into PiccyBot—an AI that can describe not just photos but video. Tim Schwartz shares how it's changing the way he explores the world, while Jeff Thompson zooms out to ask where this AI wave is taking us. Jeff also puts a new Wixey Bluetooth angle gauge to work in the woodshop, with VoiceOver calling out precise blade angles right from his iPhone. The bigger conversation? How to let helpful...
Wellness Wednesday… on a Friday? Beth and Jeff step up to the mics—without Robin this time—to explore whether the word wellness has lost some of its meaning. Is wellness about carefully balancing all the little pieces of life—mind, body, and spirit—or is it simply how you feel about yourself day to day? Together, Beth and Jeff unpack the buzz around this popular term, sharing their own perspectives on what well...
The Apex Program is opening doors to careers in cybersecurity for blind and visually impaired students across the country. With over 750,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs, this program offers a life-changing opportunity. In just 12 weeks of accessible online training, students can earn Network+ and Security+ certifications that employers value more than a...
unscripted returns with Jeff and Sree in a fast, funny, and useful sprint through tech and daily life. Jeff opens with a hard-won shop lesson—don't test a nail gun on your finger—then pivots to Apple's event: Sree's wow is AirPods for heart monitoring and live translation, while Jeff riffs on Apple's new cross-body strap for safer phone carry. The duo's biggest win is access: Sree explains AMC's PCA p...
Jeff and Tim treat Apple's big show like a fun night at the movies, and the take is refreshingly simple. iPhone Air gets ultra thin with 256 gigs standard, while the Pro models flex 48 megapixels and clever software. But for confident blind users, the win isn't megapixels, it's brains. Center Stage keeps you framed, dual recording grabs you and the scene at once, and on-device smarts promise better OCR and obje...
What happens when woodworking meets determination, technology, and a supportive community? Meet Bob Geyer, a retired public works professional turned passionate blind woodworker. After losing his sight to retinitis pigmentosa, Bob nearly gave up his tools—until a chance encounter with Woodworking for the Blind (WW4B) at Enchanted Hills Camp changed everything. In this episode, Bob shares how hands-on training, ...
Artificial Intelligence is everywhere these days, but how do we really use it—and what should we be cautious about? In this episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth, Robin, and Jeff dive into the good, the bad, and the "oh my" moments of working with AI. From brainstorming and sparking ideas to getting quick answers, AI can be a useful tool. But with its benefits come concerns—especially around privacy, accuracy, an...
In this opening episode of The Blind Drive, Jeff Thompson, Liz Bottner, and Tim Schwartz get real about "ambassadorship," authenticity, and living blind life on our own terms. With humor and sharp storytelling—from a "Scarlet Letter B" riff to a crosswalk shove gone wrong—they tackle the tension between educating the public and simply being human, bad days and all. They argue that respect should start with huma...
In this Blind Abilities podcast, Jeff Thompson speaks with Laila Nachar, the Multiple Systems and Pathways Navigator at State Services for the Blind of Minnesota. Laila's new role is all about helping blind and visually impaired students, ages 14 to 21, prepare for their futures by focusing on pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS). She works alongside families, schools, and counselors to ensure students ...
Welcome to the very first episode of Blind Abilities: Unscripted — where tech, news, and everyday life with blindness and low vision all come together, in the moment. No script. No filter. Just straight talk.
Join the Unscripted Crew — Cheryl McIntosh, Seyoon Choi, Sree Roy, and Jeff Thompson — as they kick things off with an honest, lively conversation about gadgets,...
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