Episode Notes

This Sunday at 1pm eastern on ACB Radio Mainstream and shortly after on all major Podcast catchers we talk with the folks responsible for the changes in voting at this years national convention.

Pat Sheehan, Chair of Voting Task Force, ACB Board Member, from MD Jeff Thom, Vice Chair of Voting Task Force, ACB Board Member, President of AABL, from CA Dan Spoone, ACB President, from FL Koni Sims, SDAB President, Communication and Outreach Coordinator for Voting Task Force

We would like to share how the 2021 ACB voting will working this year since the conference and convention will be virtual. We will discuss how we came up with the method we have chosen. Short description why we needed to be able to vote this year and what we had to do to make it happen. We will explain how the voting will work through out the week. Take questions from the attendees. So come prepared for a lively discussion.

Koni Sims has asked us to share her e-mail address if anyone has questions after the show. You can contact her at [email protected].

But in the first half hour of the show we talk with Ricky Jones.

Ricky Jones is a husband and father of three. He is an accomplished athlete living in Nashville TN, who competes nationally in sports like goalball and bowling. Ricky has completed two full New York Marathons, 5 half Marathons, and tons of smaller runs around the country. In his spare time he likes to participate in beep kickball, tandem cycling, and backyard football with his children. Mr. Jones is the co-Executive Director of STRIVE4You and currently serves as the President of the Board of Directors. He has extensive professional experience in the nonprofit and business sectors. In fact he has over 17 years. This would include entrepreneurship, restaurant management, and nonprofit leadership. The majority of Ricky’s experience is through his amazing work for the past 11 years providing adaptive sports and almost 5 years teaching self-defense to people with disabilities. Currently he works part time as a substitute teacher at the TN school for the Blind and is a accomplished motivation& keynote speaker.

Mr. Jones has an associate’s degree in Business Management, is a graduate of the Council for Developmental Disability’s Partners in Policy Making program, a TN Business Enterprise graduate, and is actively pursuing certification in several key areas from the Center for Nonprofit Management.

Look for Ricky and Strive with BPI as the partner to present adaptive sports and self-defense at this year‘s national convention.

Sunday edition welcomes your comments, suggestions and of course if you have a question and can’t join us live please email me at: [email protected]

Episode Notes

Friends to the Show Debbie and Lori are hard working/advocating ACB Members who have assembled a panel of subject matter experts to present the challenges facing the education of our children and all disabled kids. Mark, our intrepid vice president will present the basics of the Cogswell Macy act and its vital importance. We will hear first hand accounts of navigating a blind child through all the hurdles that make it sometimes 5 times as difficult to advocate for equal educational experiences. The IEP process, how to advocate effectively and how to get support. PLUS we will answer any  of your call-in questions, so use the link below to join us on Sunday at 1pm eastern on ACB Radio Mainstream or by following the links below for podcast versions of the show. 

The Panelists are: Donna Brown TVI WV; Pam Cox, TVI KY; Karen Blachowicz, President ACBNY and parent of a child who is blind, NY; Lori Scharff, Advocate VA; Mark Richert, Interim Executive Director, AER, VA; Debbie Grubb, Advocate, FL. Sunday edition welcomes your comments, suggestions and of course if you have a question and can’t join us live please email me at: [email protected]

Episode Notes

Jeanine Stanley join me to discuss Starbucks and the new and exciting things happening with the Visual interpreting service we love. Use the Zoom below and bring your questions!

Then in our second hour, Roy Samuelson brings new friend to Sunday edition to talk some exciting new projects and of course all things Audio Description.

With decades of voice over credits, Roy Samuelson entered audio description narration with passion and curiosity. Now with over 1000 audio description narrations on feature film and television series, he connects blind and low vision professionals, audio description audiences, and the entertainment industry through multiple efforts: the ADNA podcast series (featuring audio description writers, narrators, engineers, and advocates), social media engagement, and - partnering with BoldBlindBeauty.com - the 2nd annual audio description awareness day. With the fast evolution of audio description acceptance (as of March 2021, the ADP lists over 5100 titles!), there still are inconsistencies in quality and excellence - Roy founded Kevin’s way to activate and engage a massively underserved audience and community, with the goal of anchoring audio description to be in parity to sighted audiences - “You’re in good hands.”

Stephanae McCoy created Bold Blind Beauty, to empower women who are blind/low vision to embrace their beauty, increase their confidence, claim their power, and BOLDLY break barriers. As a blind woman who loves style, I’m a lifelong abilities crusader who believes that “Real Beauty Transcends Barriers.”

To me, ‘Real Beauty’ in people goes deep beyond the surface level and is far from superficial. I believe real beauty acknowledges the value of a person regardless of anything that might set them apart from others. Real beauty is inclusive and embraces people where they are. Today, the site features stories of people from around the world who are blind/low vision across all walks of life.

Episode Notes

This week on Sunday Edition at 1pm on ACB Radio Mainstream and on all podcast catchers soon after we talk with Jo Lynn Bailey Page and Paul Schroeder about their new roles and get to know them.

Jo has a rich history with ACB and as she steps into the new role and opens up and expands her responsibilities the ACB Community will benefit in numerous ways. I have had the pleasure and luck to work with Jo writing grants and getting to know the structure of ADP when I interned and I count her as a friend. Behind the scenes Jo works so very hard for all of us in the ACB Community. Join us Sunday using the Zoom info Below and help me congratulate her on this great transition.

Then Paul Joins us to talk about his past roles with ACB, Aira and the new Challenge he has taken on. I also had the pleasure of working with Paul and I love his energy and passion for our community. Paul Schrader began his career in the office for people with disabilities as part of the governors office in the state of Ohio. He then worked for the American Council of the blind handling government relations, and the American foundation for the blind in a variety of positions. Paul, as many will remember, worked for Aira for a few years, before recently taking the position for government and community affairs at the American printing house for the blind. he has had the great fortune to have worked on many important pieces of legislation and policy issues, ranging from the Americans with disabilities act to the individuals with disabilities education act rehabilitation act and the communications and video accessibility act. Collaboration and consensusbuilding have been at the center of his work, as guiding principles. at heart, Paul tries to be an advocate and a connecter.

Sunday edition links…

Listen on www.acbradio.org/mainstream or ass your Echo to “Enable ACB Radio Mainstream”.

Here is the link that will take listeners to a web page that lists the episodes of Sunday Edition, from newest to oldest:

https://acb-sunday-edition.pinecast.co

If people wish to subscribe to the podcast, they can search for it in their favorite podcast app or manually subscribe using this link:

Https://pinecast.com/feed/acb-sunday-edition

Episode Notes

This week Sunday Edition will be speaking with Tyson Ernst in our series: Losing Sight Mid-life. We are so pleased to welcome Sila Miller to the conversation!! We have spoken about the importance of grieving, support and advocating for one selves and now we will bridge those topics with ways and means to find resources, advocate for ourselves and to manage what is sometimes devastating changes. Sila is a great subject matter expert who cares so much about people and I am so pleased to have her on Sunday Edition. Tyson my Partner in this series of conversations is a leader in ACB and brings a great personal perspective as well as a strength in knowledge.

In her own words Sila brings;

I’m a Type A personality - problem solver. My goal is to model and foster a culture of communicating and caring about others’ quality of life My strengths are writing-documenting, facilitating, listening and organizing. I try hard to “Enjoy the journey”. I strive to accept others where they are, not changing but hopefully, positively influencing. I feel successful when I can help someone calmly communicate, examine the issue—come down off the ledge towards helping themselves.

Areas of professional life to discuss General provision of resource info – network with Districts Conflict Resolution – Client Rights See Different Small Business Plan Review Team Networking

We at Sunday Edition welcome questions and comments at: [email protected].

Episode Notes

Leadership week looked and felt very different than previous years however, the Zeal of ACB Advocators has never been stronger. Our Governmental Affairs Magician Clark is responsible for herding, re-envisioning and creating a virtual model that was a HOME-run Success.

Clark will talk with us about the success, the follow up and the amazing advocating spirit of ACB. He will also tell us a little about his new Co-worker.

Then in our second hour Bryan will join me to talk about the OrCam products, answer questions and will walk us through a Sunday Edition discount!!

I have had the opportunity to try and use both of OrCam’s flagship products’ MyEye2 and Reader. We will highlight the amazing uses and some fun new things other users have found helpful as well as some exciting OrCam news. 

Bryan has been with the company from the beginning stages and is the perfect person to walk us through and answer all of our OrCam questions.

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.