Episode Notes

This week on the Show I sit down with ACB’s First Vice President Mark and his friend and partner  in Advocacy Lee  to talk all things leadership, aging and Vision Loss,  Rehab Services and we get to know them and they're dynamic. With Mark’s first 40 days in his newest role he and Lee have a  lot to share with the community and Sunday Edition is the show that captures the fun, intelligent and fiercely Advocating nature of this Dynamic-Duo. 

Then in our second hour Renee Espinoza of Lazarillo Joins the show to tell us all about this amazing APP. How he created, shepherded and grew this into a Globally recognized multi-punctual tool for our community. 

Founder and CEO of Lazarillo selected as part of the Techdiversity program from TAMPA BAY WAVE 2019. Espinoza is a 30 years old Electrical Engineer, specialized in electronics, mobile and assistive technologies. Espinoza was selected as MIT Innovator under 35 Latam 2019 and the Young Leaders of America Initiative 2017 supported by the U.S Department of State.

Description of Lazarillo: Lazarillo helps people navigate the physical and digital world of companies and public institutions services, reducing the anxiety and saving time to customers with an audible assistance that expertly guides them through their physical space and also connect them to services while being at home. Companies Improve the experience of their customers by joining the Lazarillo platform. The mobile app is free for users and works all over the world.

More info at: www.lazarillo.app

Episode Notes

Tyson Ernst joins me again this Sunday for the second installment of Sunday Edition’s Losing Sight Mid-life conversation. This week we will focus on outreach and coping skills. We spoke of the importance of grieving and moving forward last month and now we will talk about ways to get the process started and streamlined.

From Rehab to finding outlets and organizations it is daunting to find one selves thrust into this dark new world without support. If you have suggestions and/or comments for us and the listeners please follow the ZOOM info below.

After that I am excited to start a new series of conversations around apps that revolutionize the life and mobility of our community. This week I start with Shane Lowe and SuperSense. In the coming weeks I will feature Orcam, Lazarillo and the developers of the Talking Cane.

Mediate is an up and coming app-development company with blindness at the forefront of what they do. Supersense, their flagship product, features an intuitive interface and innovative recognition technology to create the most efficient scanning experience possible, and Mediate has just released Super LIDAR, the first blindness application to revolutionize navigation with LIDAR on the latest iDevices. The company specializes in innovative research and development for the blindness community, and what they do is driven by user feedback. Shane Lowe collects that feedback and serves as the Community Operations manager for Mediate.

He doesn't have free time because he has a four-year-old son, but in his dreams, Shane is also a live music engineer, percussionist, avid reader, and gamer.

I am sure many of you will want to learn about the exciting features that the and SuperSense and the new app offer us. Shane will answer your questions and maybe we can talk him into a community call about these 2 easy to use apps that can make life so much easier to navigate.

Questions for the show and/or feedback can be sent to; [email protected]

Episode Notes

This week we will be talking All things Audio Description with the subject matter experts that can give us all the current info and answer all of your questions.

Dr. Joel Snyder is a tireless advocate for and a industry leading expert who has brought to ACB so much. This week we will start with the BADIE awards, the ADP Awards, what’s new with Audio Description and so much more.

*** See the official BADIE RELEASE below and find out how you can enter and possibly win an iPad or other great prizes. ***

Jason Stark has been with the National Association of the Deaf (NAD)

since 1991. Prior to serving as Director for the last ten years, his job duties at Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP) focused on IT and distribution management. His experiences have included the administration of staff in 58 media libraries across the United States and was responsible for direction of computer and Internet operations resulting in national first-ever advancements in accessible media creation, delivery and retrieval. He designed and coded the very first project website, which grew to become the current Internet-based media cataloging, classifying, and scheduling system to meet the needs of students with a sensory disability, their families, and the professionals who work with them.

Over the past ten years, under his guidance as Director, the project has seen an increase in usage and higher numbers of new members. New technology developments occurred including the iOS app, AppleTV app, Roku channel, interactive transcripts, and embeddable player integration with Learning Management Systems. New project initiatives were begun, such as direct service to students enabling them to take more control over their own learning both in the classroom and “on the go.” An expanded Learning Center which includes e-Learning training opportunities for teachers and other professionals was implemented as part of a complete website redesign.

In addition to his work with the NAD, he has performed outside consulting for individuals and businesses in areas of general business consulting, technology training, accessibility and media production.

Susan Glass

For 30 years, Susan Glass taught English Composition, Creative Writing, and literature, first at San Jose State University, and then at West Valley Community College. Blind since birth, Susan says that her sister Jo Lynn and her mother were her first audio describers. She's been a member of ACB since 2006, and an active fan and promoter of audio description since 2010. She and her husband John Glass live in Saratoga California with Susan's 5 year old yellow lab guide dog Omni. Both John and Susan serve on the Board of Directors for the Vista Center For The Blind and Visually Impaired in Palo Alto CA

Susan and Carl are two well-known members and advocates in the American Council of the blind. Working tirelessly in the audio description realm they bring your knowledge and expertise to Sunday edition this week in the hopes of advancing the two award programs as well as answer all of our audio description questions.

BENEFITS OF AUDIO DESCRIPTION IN EDUCATION CONTEST -- "BADIE"

Young People Who Are Blind Write Reviews of Film and Video

The American Council of the Blind's Audio Description Project (ACB-ADP) and the Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP) are continuing their co-sponsorship of an exciting opportunity for blind and visually impaired young people, in four categories from ages 7 to 21: the Benefits of Audio Description in Education (BADIE) contest.

Kids love movies! Movies, videos, and other forms of multimedia are, these days, integral to public, private, and special education curriculum. If you're a young person who can't see or can't see well, audio description provides access to all the visual images of the movies that sighted young people enjoy.

Students choose an audio-described film or video from the more than 8000 titles available through DCMP - visit www.dcmp.org. Or a young person who is blind can borrow an audio-described video or film from a library, and dozens of audio-described films videos are available for purchase through the ACB-ADP's website at www.acb.org/adp/dvds.html.

Reviews can be submitted in writing, in braille or via an audio recording. Register for the contest at: http://listeningislearning.org/badie.html. Entries can also be submitted via e-mail or postal mail (submissions from outside the United States are welcome too.

Episode Notes

This week I am excited  to welcome back to the show Kenneth Semien  to expand on our previous conversation. Leadership and mentoring, DMK and the JP Morgan scholarships , Texas and ACB are the topics on deck but as Kenneth and I are talkers this is sure to be a fascinating conversation. Kenneth has offered the lessons and tips for leadership and mentoring to ACB at large and I cannot wait to dive into his plans to step the mentoring of scholarship winners in the coming year. 

Terry Suarez of Outside Adventures joins me in the second half of this weeks show to expound on her adventures and how we can all enjoy the world virtually. A Brand New World and Health Checkup  calls have her firmly ensconced in the ACB Community. Her work building the brand new FCB At Large chapter keep her plate pretty full during these pandemic isolating days. She offers up fun and educational calls and is passionate to help advocate for and grow the membership of the organizations she loves. Getting  involved is just the start she says and I am eager for you all to get to know her.

Episode Notes

Sunday Edition has brought conversation on various topics that are important to our community and this week I start a series of conversations on Vision Loss suddenly mid life. 

Low vision and slow vision loss are supported well in our community, born blind services are in place to allow for the maximum life skills and education but those of us who loose vision suddenly find services lacking. There is the transition, grieving and figuring out all the skills needed to live productively. 

Recently I had the pleasure of talking with Tyson Ernst and I have asked him to join me this Sunday to begin this series of conversations starting this week with the need to grieve the loss and the best ways to tweak the services available to move forward with confidence and skill. 

I have asked friends who have lived sudden vision loss to call in to discuss their experiences as well as start a dialogue on how we can advocate for change in the existing service models to take into account those of us who have lived full and productive lives while sighted and how to maximize the programs out there meant to help with what is a devastating loss.

Episode Notes

“Its better to light a single candle  then to  curse the darkness”- Elenor Roosevelt, Confucious  and FDR are all said to have originated this quote, but no matter whom the author Sunday Edition wants to light many candles this week. 

The year 2020  has been long, dark and difficult for most of us   Pandemic roars even as we have a light in this dark tunnel; in the form of a vaccine. The election and its continuing aftermath drained the little energy most of us had to try to keep positive but this week on Sunday Edition we want to share in the good or great moments that have happened this year. 

In the darkest of times children and grandchildren have been born, marriages began and love has flourished. Some of us have worked hard on advocacy  and to change the narrative of so many issues. No matter how hard it is out there ACB created a community that stepped up to support each other 

So this Sunday we call for stories and or reasons to celebrate this 2020 holiday season. Join us live on ACB Radio Mainstream at 1pm or if you wish to share follow the Zoom info below. Sunday Edition can also be found on most pod catchers by searching: ACB Sunday Edition

Looking forward to sharing all the beautiful reasons we have to celebrate!

Episode Notes

This coming week The American Council of the Blind participates and Anchors programming of a unique Tech Conference dedicated to driving Tech from the bottom up. Eric Bridges and other ACB notables are participating in panel discussions about the tech advances that have made life more manageable as well as the need to keep Tech companies striving to use the newest technology and accessibility in the forefront of design with the disabled community in mind.

Alice Turner joins us to discuss and preview this innovative programming.

Alice Turner

Director of Community and Corporate Relations

Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Alice Turner serves as Director of Community and Corporate Relations at Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, headquartered in Palo Alto, CA. As a member of the Leadership Team there, Alice has a multi-layered role, where she interfaces with the community at large, to include clients, service delivery partners, health care providers, industry associations, civic clubs, and technology partners.

After her own vision loss, Alice came to Vista Center as an accomplished corporate professional, Due to the services she received at that time, which enabled her to continue her career as the Training and Development Manager for a large corporation in the Bay Area, she decided to accept an offer of employment, which has resulted in significant growth in corporate and volunteer relationships for the organization. Alice is active in state and national consumer organizations for the blind, and leads a statewide affiliate for guide dog handlers.

True to her personal belief that vision loss need not be a barrier to a full and independent life, Alice has joined her passion and commitment to exemplary community service with her gift as a speaker, which has resulted in being a sought after presenter for Silicon Valley companies and numerous state and national consumer organizations.

Ms. Turner’s personal mission is aligned with Vista Center’s mission. She is a well-known advocate and user of the many tools and technologies typically used by the Blind and Low-Vision Community.

Sight Tech Global is a new global, virtual conference in partnership with TechCrunch dedicated to fostering discussion among technology pioneers who are fundamentally altering the landscape of assistive technology and accessibility. Sight Tech Global is the 1st global virtual conference dedicated to the tech pioneers helping the blind & visually impaired. Hear from Waymo, TechCrunch, Amazon, OrCamTech, Microsoft, Benetech.Org, humanware, and more on Sight Teck Global’s Dec. 2-3 show. Tickets are free! https://bit.ly/38q5kYf

After we talk with Alice the Dynamic Deb Cook Lewis Joins us for an in-depth conversation where we will get to know her and her ACB Journey.

Deb has become instrumental in the Board of Publications, planning all the amazing virtual conventions we all enjoy. Deb has been a leading voice in the ACB world. We will discuss the growing community and the need for updating and stream-lining of all the ACB Communication channels. Deb will share with us her radio life and the things that make her one of the Go-to persons in ACB.

Sunday Edition airs on ACB Radio Mainstream every Sunday at 1pm eastern and can be found on all podcast catchers by searching ; ACB Sunday Edition

Questions and comments for the show can be sent to

[email protected]

As always Sunday edition thanks for great listeners and valuable contributions.

Episode Notes

November 2017, life changed in the most amazing way! I went to Smithtown, Long Island and was matched with my first guide dog. Boaty is a phenomenal Black Lab who is not only my guide but the best thing that has happened in my life. The Guide Dog Foundation who turns 75 this year was the school who gave a shot to a guy who had less than 2 years independent mobility but who’s very life hinged on a successful match. Fast forward these 3 years and I have such appreciation for the school that helped me really grab life and pull myself back to a life that is full and productive. I have tremendous respect for the process and all of the schools and thousands of people who work so hard to make these programs successful. This week I want to deep dive into the first 2 years of a guide dog life!!

Eric and Holly have raised 4 amazing dogs starting with Boaty. When I stepped onto the campus in Long Island I could never have imagined that I would become a member of another amazing family. Join Sunday Edition as we welcome Eric, Holly and Nancy.

Nancy is the person Holly and Eric’s second guide went to. She has become a sister of sorts being the human who loves and is in care of one of the dogs Holly and Eric have raised. We are a family unto ourselves and I am happy to welcome  them and share their parts of the process. Lauren Berglund graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Child, Adult, Family Services. She has past experience in higher education disability services and vocational rehabilitation services. Lauren is the Consumer Relations Coordinator at the Guide Dog Foundation and America’s Vetdogs, sister non-profit organizations that place guide and service dogs with veterans, first responders, and individuals who are blind or have other disabilities. The Guide Dog Foundation and America’s Vetdogs were the first assistance dog programs in the United States to be dually accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International.

Through her position Lauren empowers program graduates and applicants through a combination of strong multi-channel direct phone support and referral services, creation of high value and informative content, and engaging in strategic public outreach and education efforts to key stakeholder originations. Douglas Wiggin is the Field Rep for the Guide Dog Foundation. The area he primarily works is the New England area, as well as Florida, Mississippi, and Part of Canada. He has been with the Foundation for 31 years. He has lived in Maine for almost 14 years now. He was a resident instructor for about 16 years and now a field rep for about 15 years. As a Field Rep parts of his are Interviews, aftercare, home placements, residential placements, agency visits, and re certification of our Vet dogs. So we will spend the first hour of Sunday Edition going thru the life of a Guide Dog from birth to the successful matching and growing as a team. 

Then I speak to Donna Brown who is a dynamic Board Member and a wonderful ACB advocate and friend. We will get to know her and her journey to the Board. 

Lastly Leslie Spoone will preview the Holiday Auction, enticing with some of the goodies on the auction block and her work making yoga available to our members virtually. 

Sunday Edition airs on ACB Radio Mainstream at 1pm eastern and can be found on all major podcast catchers by searching : ACB Sunday Edition

Questions and comments for the show can be sent to : [email protected]

Episode Notes

Tyson Ernst is a name that is becoming very  well known in ACB and this Mover and Shaker joins us this Sunday to talk all things ACB Radio and his leadership role shepherding ACB’s Veterans affiliate. From convention planning and coordinating and all the other support he offers to ACB  Radio he helps make all the affiliate conventions memorable and flow easily.  Tyson will give us the opportunity to get to know him as the fascinating person that is so memorable on his community tech training calls as well as all the fun calls he either hosts or participates in. 

Then in our second hour Aira Guru and our own beloved Jeanine Stanley comes to talk with us about all the ways Aira is supporting our community including; social distancing, getting out and moving, job seeking and educational assistance and of course the many ways that Aira can make HOLIDAY SHOPPING easier. Jeanine and Aira agents will also be joining me for a very special community call this Thursday evening. Team viewer, Quick support and other partner support will also be discussed. Thursday Jeanine will also bring ACB a Special Aira Holiday announcement. 

Sunday Edition airs on ACB Radio Mainstream at 1pm eastern and can be found on most podcast catchers by searching: ACB Sunday Edition. 

Sunday Edition can be reached at [email protected]

Episode Notes

Sunday Edition: Couples…. Tim and Cheryl Cumings, Jeff and Carrie Bishop And in a SUNDAY EDITION EXCLUSIVE Janet Dickelman introduces us to the man who graciously shares her with ACB!

A few of you have reached out to me for a link to last weeks Sunday Edition. With all the election drama and fatigue it is very understandable that many missed a show I am so PROUD of. Janet and Terry are so much fun and being able to get to know them as a couple was such a treat.

Jeff and Carrie have a loving and fun energy… Then Tim and Cheryl share their stories with such flair.