Blind Abilities

Since 2016, Envision has been providing products and services to enhance and empower blind and visually impaired people to live full and independent lives throughout the world. Join Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant as he speaks with Envision co-founder Karthik Kannan, as they discuss many groundbreaking additions to the AI powered smart glasses and smartphone app.   Notable Updates inc...

our guests in this episode Come to us from BlindShell USA and Envision America and are here to talk about the latest addition to the BlindShell Accessible Cell Phone Classic 2 family of apps. BlindShell's President and CEO, Bari Azman, , and Diane Ducharme, Senior Program Director, and Jenna Reed Marketing Director at Envision America , join Jeff and Pete to announce that ScripTalk Talking Labels...

In this 24th  episode of Wellness Wednesday , Beth Gustin, LPC, Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, respond to a letter from a listener regarding friendships and navigating frendships during the holiday season. Not only navigating friends but navigating family as well. They also glide into some of the trappings of having a disability and when to say no to the 20 questions thrown your way.   Check out all the...

Ever wanted to read a specialized religious book in braille or large print but it wasn't available? Lutheran Braille Workers are here to help! With over 120 braille production centers and content in over 42 different languages, Lutheran Braille Workers is sure to have something for you! Their catalogue includes an extensive number of Bibles, Newsletters, Devotions, and books of religious commentar...

While attending the 2023 NFB of PA state convention, Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant sat down with Ed Martin, Product Sales Representative at Enhanced Vision, one of the leading magnification companies in the world. Ed gives listeners an overview of the many product offerings the company provides, and demonstrates one of the leading OCR solutions, the Smart Reader.   From the Enhanced...

Mastering a new screen reader can be a daunting task: with a plethora of screen readers to choose from, and the learning curve of new commands it's easy to become overwhelmed. Thankfully, there's a new website to help you along your screen-reader journey!   Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant joined Assistive Technology Specialists Allison Mello and Max Avendano in the virtual studio to d...

In this 23rd  episode of Wellness Wednesday , Beth Gustin, LPC, Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, and Jeff Thompson of Blind Abilities ,  address the intersection of gratitude and grieving during the holiday season.   Check out all the Wellness Wednesday episodes.   Show Hosts:             Robin Ennis on the web at www.robinennislcsw.com             Beth Gustin, LPC, NCC, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, CAGCS,...

While attending the 2023 NFB Convention Banquet in Houston Texas, Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant had the opportunity to connect with Gilles Pepin, Chairman of the Board at Humanware. During the Banquet, Mr. Pepin received the prestigious Kenneth Jernigan award. Mr. Pepin joined Simon in the virtual studio to discuss his incredible tenure as Former CEO of Humanware for 35 years.   Fro...

In this 22nd  episode of Wellness Wednesday , Beth Gustin, LPC and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, have a general discussion about blindness awareness. October has a variety of Blindness related awareness campaigns bringing about awareness to the public with White Cane Day, Disability Employment and Blindness Awareness Month all happening in the month of October. Beth and robin talk about the exhaustion o...

In our spotlight across the Nation during blindness equality achievement month, we once again head over to Pennsylvania and the Keystone Chapter.   Since 2020, the Philadelphia based Keystone Chapter of the NFB of PA has been hosting Believe You Can, a virtual talent show held every year in October. in conjunction with blindness equality achievement month, the show aims to educate the sighted publ...

In this 21st  episode of Wellness Wednesday , Beth Gustin, LPC and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, take a deep look into Self-Doubt. the lack of belief in yourself can be a repetitive loop that constantly lessens confidence in yourself. They examine where self-doubt may derive from and how you can take a look at the signs that bring about the negative view of your abilities and begin to understand what yo...

Justin Ng is part of a two-person team that made  Timecrest , an iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch game that has won AppleVis accessibility awards for Best Game and Developer of the Year, inducted into the AppleVis Hall of Fame, featured on Apple's App Store Best Of list, and was recommended by the New York Times.    Timecrest was designed to be accessible from the ground up. the Sneaky Crab Team are...

In this 20th  episode of Wellness Wednesday , Beth Gustin, LPC and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, navigate the anxiety and panic that one may experience when out and about and getting lost. How being prepared and using grounding techniques may help one better handle the frustrating experience of losing ones way.   Check out all the Wellness Wednesday episodes.   Show Hosts:             Robin Ennis on the...

Are you a student or educator looking for free accessible academic content? Join me in the virtual studio, as I interview Cindy Camp, Communications and Marketing director of Described and Captioned Media.   Described and Captioned Media offers a wide variety of diverse academic video content for parents, students, and teachers throughout the United States. With a catalog of over 13,000 videos, th...

Carrie, from the YouTube Channel, "Carrie On Accessibility" and Cindy from the YouTube Channel, "Seeing Blind" are back in the studio for their 3rd podcast episode, ""C and C Insights". In this episode, they let us in on  how Home Schooling and Public Schooling both have similar and unique challenges for parents who are Blind or Visually Impaired. Carrie brings another perspective as her child is...

Returning to the Blind Abilities Studio is USA Today Best Selling Author, Barbara Hinske. Barbara is excited to announce that Hallmark has brought her book to the big screen. She talks about the journey, the process and the feelings she experienced while on-set with the cast, directors and puppies. September 8th, 2023 is the launch date on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries at 8 PM Central and 9 PM Easte...

In this 19th  episode of Wellness Wednesday , Beth Gustin, LPC and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, open up a conversation about Intrusive Thoughts. What one can do to help gain control of these thoughts, how to be in the "right now" space, and how recognizing the present moment can sometimes reduce one's anxiety.   Check out all the Wellness Wednesday episodes.   Show Hosts:             Robin Ennis on the...

Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant opened the door to the virtual studio, and picked up the microphone to chat with Molly Brockman, art curator at Beyond Vision Art. Beyond Vision Art is an organization dedicated to providing art that engages the 5 senses, taste, touch, smell, hearing, and vision. Molly tells her inspiring story of how her frustration with the inadequacies of her local a...

From the 2023 NFB Convention in Houston Texas, Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant welcomes back Garrett Carder, CEO & Chief Engineer, and Caroline Karbowski, Chief Community Officer of A Cubed Design, a technology company with the goal of making braille displays more accessible and affordable for all!   Garret and Caroline give details about their developing product called the Enigma Rea...

In this 18th  episode of Wellness Wednesday , Beth Gustin, LPC and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, dive into boundaries, setting and establishing healthy boundaries and the respecting of your boundaries by others.   Check out all the Wellness Wednesday episodes.   Show Hosts:             Robin Ennis on the web at www.robinennislcsw.com             Beth Gustin, LPC, NCC, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, CAGCS,...

While attending the 2023 NFB Convention in Houston Texas, Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant sat down with Jeff Gardener, team leader at Irie-at. Founded in 2011, Irie-at offers a wide range of products such as braille displays, braille embossers with tactile graphics, and low-vision aids such as portable magnification systems.   Jeff gives listeners an overview of their braille display...

While attending the 2023 NFB Convention in Houston Texas, Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant sat down with Dave Williams. Dave works on the Inclusive Design Team at RNIB, Royal National Institute for Blind People. Dave also serves as chair of the Braillists Foundation, a United Kingdom based charity with the mission of promoting the advancement of Braille.   Dave speaks with Simon about...

At the 2023 NFB Convention in Houston, Texas, Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant sat down with Nimer Jaber, Accessibility Analyst at Google, Inc. Nimer discusses his love for, and advocacy of, the Android operating system. He recounts his own path of blindness and his views about technology. We hear Nimer's journey from resisting a smartphone, to becoming a tech trainer, to his current w...

In this 17th  episode of Wellness Wednesday , Beth Gustin, LPC and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, take us into the Relationship Rifts, the Red Flags, Safe Places and using the "I" statement. Beth and Robin respond to feedback about Integrity and being loss with no support.   Check out all the Wellness Wednesday episodes.   Show Hosts:             Robin Ennis on the web at www.robinennislcsw.com          ...

Away from the bustling crowds of the exhibit hall at the 2023 NFB Convention, Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant met with Klaus-Peter Hars, Founder and CEO of Inventivio. Inventivio's newest products is the Tactonom Reader, a new device designed to help blind and visually impaired people have greater access to tactile graphics. Klaus demonstrates this incredible device in action by showi...