Limitless: Blind Beginnings Podcast

In this episode of Limitless, Shawn sits down with author Jamie Estelle Roth as she shares how a sudden change in your vision altered her life. After months of medical uncertainty and health challenges, Jamie recounts how she set out on an unconventional healing journey while learning to navigate a world that had changed almost overnight. Jamie reflects on the impact of vision loss on her family,...

Episode 240: Crafting Children’s Books About Blindness with Jan Milusich & Megan Dausch In this episode Shawn sits down with TVI and author Jan Milusich and her former student, poet and digital accessibility professional Megan Dausch, to explore storytelling, representation, and the writing process. Jan shares the journey behind her children’s book “I Hear the Snow, I Smell the Sea”, a story f...

In this episode Shawn sits down with Mark and Graham from Braille Mountain Initiative to explore what it really takes to go backcountry hiking when you’re blind and low vision. They share how blind and partially sighted adventurers tackle 40-pound packs, rocky trails, basecamp life, bear safety, and the mental game of doing something that feels “impossible.” If you’ve ever wondered whether serious...

In this special episode, Shawn shares an edited recording of a webinar she gave for the BVI Psych webinar series at the California School for the Blind earlier this year. Drawing on over 40 years of lived experience with blindness and over two decades working with children, youth, and families, Shawn explores what mental well-being looks like for students who are blind and low vision and why couns...

What happens when a young man who is blind and non-verbal finally gains a reliable way to share his thoughts with the world? In this powerful episode of Limitless, Shawn speaks with Corinne, whose 22-year-old son Cody was born blind with bilateral anophthalmia and later diagnosed with autism. After years of communication approaches that did not work for him, along with professional assumptions tha...

In this episode of Limitless, Shawn speaks with Stacy Cervenka and Diane Debrovner, co-authors of the middle-grade novel Roxie in Color. The story follows Roxie, a 12-year-old sighted girl with blind parents, and explores real-life themes including blind parenting, guide dog access denials, common misconceptions about blindness, and more. Stacy and Diane discuss the lived experiences that helped s...

On this week's episode of Limitless, Shawn sits down with Rita Duarte from Portugal 4 All Senses to reflect on Shawn's recent trip to Portugal, where she learned to surf. Together, they explore what it took to create an inclusive surf camp — from adapted surfing with experienced volunteers to immersive cultural excursions in Sintra and Lisbon. They also discuss the trust it takes to step outside y...

This week, we’re celebrating six years of Limitless with a very special behind-the-scenes episode! Join host Shawn and members of the Limitless Committee that include Clement, John, Randi, Acacia, Jugaad, Russell, and producer Rob as they pull back the curtain on how the podcast and blog come together every month. You’ll hear how a “sourdough project of COVID” became a long-running show with 234 e...

This week Shawn sits down with Youth Leaders Kaia, Nolan, and Jugaad to introduce 3B Printing, a new youth-led initiative by Blind Beginnings that creates low-cost, custom 3D-printed braille signage. They share how the idea grew out of the Youth Leadership Program and into a full-fledged venture, why braille signage is essential for freedom, inclusion, and safety, and some of the funny (and frustr...

This week Shawn is joined by returning guests and newly trained Blindness 101 facilitators Jennie Bovard and Kerry Kijewski to celebrate National Accessibility Week (May 31–June 6, 2026) and dive into Blind Beginnings’ exciting new initiative: taking the Blindness 101 workshop across Canada. If you’re part of a business, community group, school, medical office, cultural institution, or tourism org...

In this continuation of the previous episode, Shawn is once again joined again by Clement and Kaia to explore what happens when sighted people actually simulate blindness through blindfold party games, 24‑hour YouTube challenges, team‑building trust exercises, sports like goalball, “dining in the dark,” and even professional O&M training. Together they unpack when blindfolds can be harmless fu...

Join us for Part 1 of a special 2-part episode as Shawn sits down with co-hosts Kaia and Clement to unpack the troubling trend of sighted people simulating blindness for pranks, clout, and clicks on social media. Drawing on their lived experiences as blind and low vision individuals, they break down popular “blind prank” formats, explore how these videos shape public perceptions, and discuss the e...

Get ready to travel this episode as Shawn sits down with Lynn Jensen who is a Registered Nurse, Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist, and newly published author of 'Best Kept Secrets for Travelers with Sight Loss'. Lynn shares how a simple request to jot down a few travel tips over Christmas break unexpectedly grew into a comprehensive guide for blind and low vision travelers. Drawing on deca...

Remember dodgeball day in gym class.? Now imagine playing it when you can’t see the balls flying at your face. In this episode of Limitless, Shawn and co-hosts Kaia and Nolan get real about the gym class experience for blind and low vision students. For a lot of youth, PE means getting sent to the weight room by yourself, standing on the sidelines flipping numbers for the scorekeeper, or pretendin...

In this heartwarming and hilarious episode of Limitless, Shawn sits down with Tom and Julie, two blind and low vision youth who share their lives with very special “career-change” canines: Bambi and Potter (yes, that Potter). They dive into what a “buddy dog” really is and how it’s different from a Guide Dog and why these dogs are perfect partners for kids and teens who aren’t quite ready (or old...

This week Shawn welcomes entrepreneur and BrailleMasters founder Terry Hoddinott, whose frustration with inaccessible print sparked the creation of the cleverly low-tech “EmbossIt” Braille business card machine and a Braille business serving restaurants, governments, and organizations around the world. Terry and Shawn swap stories about the importance of braille and the challenges of braille produ...

This week is White Cane Week, and in this episode we are doing something special as Shawn is joined by co‑hosts Keisha and Jill for an open and honest conversation about Guide Dog access. Together, they explore the differences between Guide Dogs, Service Dogs, and Emotional Support Animals, what the law says versus what actually happens in real life, and how it truly feels to be denied access. Thr...

In this episode Shawn dives into the world of Minecraft with co‑hosts Kaia, Russell, and Clement to explore how a game that seems ultra-visual can actually be surprisingly accessible (and even educational) for blind and low vision players. They discuss what Minecraft actually is and why everything being made of 1x1 meter cubes is a big accessibility win and how the Minecraft Access Mod and screen...

In honour of World Braille Day 2026, we’re excited to share a special co-release with our friends at the AT Banter Podcast. In this roundtable discussion, Shawn joins a panel of passionate braille advocates, including Jen Jesso and Riane LaPaire, to unpack the current state of braille literacy in Canada and why braille remains essential for access, independence, education, and employment.  Togethe...

This episode Shawn welcomes back co-host Jill to dive into the fast-growing world of blind soccer and Canada’s first-ever Women’s National Blind Soccer Team! Jill describes how she discovered blind soccer and joined the National Team and brings along the Head Coach, Matt Greenwood and her teammate Co-captain Ramya Amuthan to join the discussion. Learn what blind soccer actually looks and sounds li...

It’s another very special crossover episode as Shawn sits down with the cast of the AT Banter podcast along with special guests Albert Ruel and Blind Beginnings youth alumni Alethea for a lively roundtable about the Glide—an AI-powered mobility device created by and for people who are blind. You’ll hear firsthand reactions from a recent Demo Day, where hope, skepticism, and excitement all had a se...

Episode 220 - Kristin Smedley & The Thriving Blind Academy In this episode, Shawn sits down with Kristin Smedley, founder of Thriving Blind Academy, author, and mother of two blind sons. Kristin shares her transformative journey from struggling with her sons' blindness to becoming a passionate advocate for the blindness community and her creation of the Thriving Blind Academy. She reveals her...

Content warning: Mature themes discussed. In this episode, Shawn welcomes guests Keisha and Ellis and the three dive deep into the often-overlooked topic of sexual health and sex education for individuals who are blind or have low vision. Challenging the misconception that people with disabilities are non-sexual, this candid conversation explores the unique challenges faced by visually impaired in...

This week Shawn, Nika, and Kaia continue their discussion of the intersection of autism and blindness, discussing topics such as the challenges of taking tests, the impact of assistive technology, and the difficulties of advocating for needs during times of overwhelm. From discussing Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) to unpacking media representation, they continue this important discussion that...

Dive into the fascinating world where visual impairment meets neurodiversity in this very important episode as Shawn welcomes Kaia and Nika, who share their personal experiences navigating the intersection of autism and visual impairment. Discover the hidden challenges, unique perspectives, and powerful insights of living with intersecting disabilities. From sensory overwhelm to accessing educatio...