Blind Abilities

Latest Episodes:

Wellness Wednesday: Social Anxiety with Beth Gustin and Robin Ennis Aug 17, 2022

Show notes

In this episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, talk about Social Anxiety, what it may be and some practical coping tips one can try.

Show Hosts:

Robin Ennis on the web at www.robinennislcsw.com

Beth Gustin, LPC, NCC, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, CAGCS, PLGS

Www.transitioningthroughchange.com

You can message Beth and Robin by calling 612-367-6093 or by email. Let them know if they can use your message on the show. They are looking forward to hearing from you.

Blind Abilities, Tech Abilities, Job Insights, iPhone 101, QuickBytes, Success Stories and a Sony Headphone with Noise Reduction, Dual Pairing and Alexa Ready Aug 15, 2022

Show notes

In this brief episode from Blind Abilities, Jeff Thompson takes a look at the Sony WH- 1000XM4 Noise Canceling, Dual Pairing, Alexa ready Headphones he bought during the Amazon Prime Day sale. Right now you can get them refurbished for massive discounts as well.

Jeff gives an overview of the Blind Abilities Podcast and where they are and what you can find in the Blind Abilities 880 plus episodes. This includes the Tech Abilities and Job Insights shows, the iPhone101/QuickBytesSeries, Success Stories, STEM, College and Careers and much more available from the Blind Abilities library of episodes.

You can search and check out the category listings on the web at BlindAbilities.com. Subscribe to the Blind Abilities podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. That's 2 words, Blind Abilities.

we would love to hear from you!

Send us an email or give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093

Thanks for listening!

iPhone101: A Deeper Dive - Screen Recording on the iPhone and other iDevices - It's not just for Videos. Aug 10, 2022

Show notes

Blind Abilities expands its iPhone101 Series with a follow up episode on a topic which they previously touched upon, but this time they do a "deeper dive". In November of 2021, Pete Lane described the iOS Control Center, and in that review, touched on the iOS screen recording feature. This time, Pete has circled back to cover this feature, but in far greater detail. In this episode:

Pete takes a thorough approach toward discussing the entire process of iOS screen recording, beginning with an explanation of what screen recording is, and why we might want to use the iOS screen recording feature.

we would love to hear from you! Send us an email or give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093

Apple iPhone iOS Voiceover Compatible Games, it may be a Mouthful but this Facebook Group is Resource Plentiful! Meet Mobile Game enthusiast and writer, Aaron Spelker. Aug 05, 2022

Show notes

Aaron Spelker is a Mobile Game enthusiast and writer. Aaron joins Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities Studio to share the resources he has created and the articles he has published as well as a novel. Aaron lost his sight suddenly and picked up the pieces by learning JAWS and has not looked back. His passion for gaming led him down a dead end street so he decided to build his own platform across multiple social networks and bring awareness to accessible gaming. His efforts have bridged developers and influencers to gamers to open the conversation about accessibility.

Full Transcript

Here are some helpful links provided by Aaron Spelker:

If you want to read long-form reviews of accessible mobile games or hear interviews with game developers and influencers about accessibility, then join the 'Apple iPhone iOS Voiceover Compatible Games' Facebook group. If you have any games or content related to accessible gaming, feel free to

we would love to hear from you! Send us an email at info@BlindAbilities.com or give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093

Job Insights: Accepting Blindness, Job Readiness and Building Confidence Aug 03, 2022

Show notes

In this Job Insights episode, Serina Gilbert and jeff Thompson welcome Sarlie Drakos to the Job Insights Team. We are excited to have Sarlie on our team and excited to bring back the Job Insights show after a 2 year hiatus during the pandemic.

In this episode of Job Insights we will talk about how accepting ones Blindness, job readiness and confidence can play an important role in one's job and career search. The interviewing process is designed for companies to select the best of the best applicants and being prepared will increase ones opportunities for gainful employment.

Sarlie Drakos is a Disability Employment Coach and you can reach her at SarlieDrakos.com and inquire how she can help you land that dream job.

Be sure to contact your Vocational Rehabilitation Services in your state and see what they can do for you.

Be sure to check out all of our Job Insights episodes and give us a call at 612-367-6093, we would love to hear from you. Send us an email at info@BlindAbilities.com.

Thanks for listening!

we would love to hear from you! Send us an email at info@BlindAbilities.com or give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093

Introducing Polly! Combine learning and gaming for a fun braille adventure! To Be Available from APH in Partnership with Thinkerbell Labs Aug 02, 2022

Show notes

Thinkerbell Labs CPO, Shivam Agarwal, joins Simon Bonenfant in the Exhibit Hall to talk about Polly, the new Braille device that makes learning Braille fun! Polly is an electronic Wi-Fi enabled device that will assist users in learning and reinforcing braille concepts. With many components for both input and output, Polly can provide practice and gamify the braille learning process for students.

In addition to learning phonics, letters, and braille contractions, students can practice typing on the keyboard and writing with the electronic slate during games. Reading and writing games include Letter Race, Balloon Pop for spelling, games for practicing dot location with different input methods, and the many Explore categories provide free play with the device for our youngest learners. The speaker and headphone jack provide auditory instructions and allow the device to be used in any environment.

You can get on the waiting list today.

Find out more about Thinkerbell Labs

we would love to hear from you!

Send us an email at info@BlindAbilities.com or give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093

Thanks for listening!

The BlindShell Accessible Cell Phone with Tactile Buttons is Growing to Meet the Needs of the Blind and Visually Impaired. Yes, Tactile Buttons on a Smart Phone! Did we mention Aira? Yup, Aira! Jul 31, 2022

Show notes

our guests in this episode Come to us from BlindShell USA and are here to talk about the latest update to the BlindShell Accessible Cell Phone Classic 2. Bari Azman, President and CEO, and Diane Ducharme, Senior Program Director join Jeff and Pete to explore the latest iteration of this smart phone, the original of which intrigued many blind and visually impaired individuals due to its practical smart phone features, its tactile keypad and simple, accessible layout. The BlindShell Classic 2 is available in two colors, Cardinal Red and Midnight Black, and there are numerous locations where the Classic 2 can be purchased, a list of which is available on the website, www.BlindShellUSA.com: Join Jeff and Pete as they discuss a variety of topics with Bari and Diane, including the recent partnership with Aira to provide the Aira application on the BlindShell Classic 2 accessible Cell Phone, including those existing users, and is offering three months of free Aira service to new purchasers.. The BlindShell Classic 2 Accessible Phone is a hybrid blend of modern smart phone capabilities and tactile buttons, and could be an appealing alternative to a standard Apple or Android smart phone for both a newly blind and existing user who just isn't interested in the flat screen device. and it has a battery life of up to 96 hours.

we would love to hear from you! Send us an email at info@BlindAbilities.com or give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093

Thanks for Listening!

Speaker, Consultant and Author, Christy Pruitt-Haynes: A Voice Well Needed for the Marginalized Communities Releases a New Book, "I Have to Pay for This $H!T". Jul 27, 2022

Show notes

Christy Pruitt-Haynes joins Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities Studio to announce her new book, "I Have to Pay for This $H!T?" Pre-orders are open and the book is officially being released on August 2nd, 2022. This is Christy's first family focused book and after meeting her, I am looking forward to reading this book about the excitement and emotions of becoming an Empty Nester as her daughter leaves to fulfill her college goals. Christy's impressive background includes being a TEDx speaker and a Nashville Emerging Leader Award recipient. She has held executive positions at Infiniti Americas/Nissan, CMT, and the Memphis Grizzlies.

Founder of Christy Pruitt-Haynes Consulting, she and her team offer innovative speaking, training, and coaching to help organizations excel with diverse talent.

Christy is visually impaired and takes us through her experience with Blindness and how she lives the life she wanted and helps others live the life they want as well.

Christy gives some great advice to students and her story will resonate with the listeners as her words speak the realities faced and placed upon the Blind and Visually Impaired and how she enhances the opportunities for corporations to realize that diversity is an asset.

Her book is a great read for everyone from students to parents, so be sure to check it out yourself. You can order her new book at IHaveToPayForThis.com and you can find out more about Christy Pruitt-Haynes Consulting on the web at ChristyPruitt-Haynes.com. You can follow her on social media at www.instagram.com/christypruitthaynes and https://www.facebook.com/ChristyPruittHaynesConsulting

Episode Web Site

we would love to hear from you! Send us an email at info@BlindAbilities.com or give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093

Tech Abilities: Bunnies, Elephants and Rabbits, BATA Bada Bing Bada Boom. Clusiv, PC/Mac, Twitter Alt Text, Back Tap, Zoom Invites and more Tech Tidbits and News Jul 25, 2022

Show notes

Serina, Callie and Jeff cool down in the Blind Abilities Studio and dive into Clusiv, PC/Mac, Google Workspace, Fruit Freshness and expiration dates. Twitter's Alt Text reminder launched and a lot more Tech Tidbits and news from around the scorching planet Earth. Hopefully, you are staying cool and enjoying this latest episode of Tech Abilities.

Here is a list of some of the topics and links mentioned in the show:

Is Clusiv the answer to Vocational Rehab?
A Twitter test will remind you to add alt text to images
Braille Berries and freshness and Expiration in your home.
Bringing on the PC for Microsoft and Google Suites.
Sharing Zoom Links through the Calendar.
Back Tap Double Tap
Job Insights is Back!
Bose SoundLink Revolve 2 Speaker
Sony Bluetooth Headphones WH-1000XM4
TV mount or not?

Web Site

we would love to hear from you! Send us an email at info@BlindAbilities.com or give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093

The LyriQ Assistive Reader, The Patriot Pro and the Patriot ViewPoint: Combining the most state-of-the-art technology with usability for all sorts of tasks Jul 20, 2022

Show notes

The Team from Magnifying America which makes the Patriot brand of AT products joined Simon Bonenfant outside the Exhibit Hall at the NFB2022 Convention.

John Palmer, President and Founder of Patriot Vision Industries, along with his team give us an overview of the new OCR Scanner, the LyriQ Assistive Reader. This is a camera operated flat folding device that is portable, fast and accurate. Within seconds the LyriQ is reading without fuss about aiming the camera as the design of the LyriQ makes for ease of use and the simple operation is all by design. Listen to the demonstration and audio description of the LyriQ and decide for yourself.

The Patriot Pro is overviewed and has the Patriot software baked into an iPadPro, combining great accessibility and the Patriot software for an incredible experience for low vision users.

The Patriot ViewPoint is another low vision device that allows one to watch TV,, read and write and much more. This wearable device allows for hands-free viewing near and far.

we would love to hear from you! Send us an email at info@BlindAbilities.com or give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093

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