Change Makers: A Podcast from APH

On this episode of Change Makers, we’re talking about how to advocate as a parent or guardian for your child. We will talk to APH experts about how you can help your child get the resources they deserve and how to choose the best educational devices to fit their needs.  Podcast Guests (In Order of Appearance) Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager Olaya Landa-Vialard, APH ConnectCenter Director...

On this episode of Change Makers, we’re talking how APH gets its funding and what you can do to provide your input. Podcast Guests (In Order of Appearance) Sara Brown Paul Schroeder Paul Ferrara Mike Wood Additional Links Juno Congressional Information The federal government provides substantial financial support for special education, including education for students who are blind or visually imp...

Hello and welcome to Change Makers,  today we’re celebrating Helen Keller. Her birthday is Sunday, June 27 and to celebrate this Change Maker, we’re going to talk to two experts who examine her work up close and personal on a regular basis. We'll also learn how refreshable braille devices have opened the doors for everyone to communicate. We will also have a special segment from an Ohio State...

EDITORS NOTE: College Success @ Perkins is now available to students in grades 9-12. On this episode of Change Makers, we highlight the numerous services available with a discussion lead by members from APH, AERBVI, College Success @ Perkins and VisionServe Alliance. On this Podcast (In Order of Appearance) Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager Kathryn Botsford, Digital Content Strategist and L...

On this episode of Change Makers, we are celebrating TVI's. We'll learn more about the field and the important work they do and the need for more TVI’s.  After that, we’ll check in with Partners with Paul. Podcast Participants (In Order of Appearance) Sara Brown: APH Public Relations Manager, sbrown@aph.org Emily Coleman: Superintendent of the Texas School for the Blind, colemane@tsbvi.e...

In this episode of Change Makers, we're celebrating National Inventors Month by learning how an APH product is created. From an idea to a physical product. We'll talk to product managers about the process and hear why partnerships are so important. Podcast Participants (in order of appearance) Sara Brown : APH Public Relations Manager Mark Renfrow : APH Director of Educational Product In...

Change Makers previews the upcoming 2021 National Coding Symposium that will take place Tuesday, May 11, through Friday, May 14. The event, hosted by the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) and California School for the Blind (CSB) is co-sponsored by CareerConnect, part of the APH ConnectCenter and made possible in part by support from Fox Family Foundation. The National Coding Symposium&a...

In this episode of Change Makers, we're learning about resources for CVI. There is a new APH Press book titled, Babies with CVI: Nurturing Visual Abilities and Development in Early Childhood. Hear from the author, Anne McComiskey, what other books are available from APH Press that discuss CVI and the author of The CVI Companion Guide, Amanda Lueck. We'll also have a segment from Partners...

Hear APH President, Dr. Meador discuss the many curveballs COVID-19 brought to APH and how the organization adapted to those challenges. Plus      Dr. L. Penny Rosenblum, AFB Director of Research, examines the impact of COVID-19 on students with visual impairments in the Access and Engagement Study. On this podcast (In order of appearance) Dr. Craig Meador - APH President Dr. L. Penny Rosenblum -...

On this podcast, we’re talking to the developers of GoodMaps Explore, the popular accessible indoor-outdoor navigation app.  We’ll learn more about the GoodMaps app, their recent award and what else the company is working on. Then, we’ll celebrate Black History Month with our final interview with our special guest, Mr. Louis Tutt. Guests (in order of appearance) Greg Stilson, APH Head of Global In...

Magnifiers come in all shapes and sizes for all ages and needs. On this podcast, we'll talk to experts about a brand new magnifier on the way,  learn about APH's Low Vision Strategy and celebrate Black History Month. Guests (in order of appearance on podcast) Justine Taylor, APH Low Vision Product Manager Martin Munsen, Kentucky School for the Blind, Outreach Director Greg Stilson, APH H...

Change Makers celebrates Low Vision Awareness Month and Black History Month. Hear what low vision resources are available to those who are experiencing vision loss and what loved ones can do to be a source of support. Our new segment, Partners with Paul, will spotlight the Braille Trail Reader. Afterward, we will talk to former EOT, Mr. Louis Tutt, about integrating segregated schools for the blin...

The almost 200 year-old, six-dot system we know as braille, has helped those with visual impairments thrive and succeed in everyday life. However, with talking books, audiobooks and other devices that speak and listen to you, one might wonder if braille is still relevant? Podcast Guests Mike Hudson, APH Museum Director Olaya Landa-Vialard, Ph. D., APH Director, ConnectCenter Sergio Oliva, EOT, M.P...

Gary Mudd, VP of Government and Community Affairs is retiring!  If you ask anyone at APH, they’ll tell you, Gary is at the heart of what we do. He has been integral to supporting everything from the APH Museum and InSights Arts Competition, to the National Prison Braille Program and NIMAC Resources Services team, but most notably, he will be remembered for his advocacy. On this episode of Change M...

The holidays are here! Today on Change Makers we're discussing gift ideas, traditions and support. Hear some great gift ideas for adults and children and what you can look for when picking the perfect present. Then, learn how to modify traditions to be accessible and how you can provide support for loved ones experiencing vision loss.  After that, we'll check in with the ConnectCenter. P...

CVI is the most common cause of permanent visual impairment in children. After a diagnosis, parents and guardians look for answers and support.  In today’s episode of Change Makers, we’ll talk to Leanne Grillot, National Director of Outreach Services for APH, Rachel Bennett, CVI Content and Community Manager at Perkins School for the Blind and Diane Sheline Consultant for Students with CVI. Then w...

COVID-19 has changed every aspect of our lives especially in the world of education. With students learning from home, parents and caregivers found themselves providing additional educational assistance and teachers found themselves working to engage with their students in a virtual world. From those needs, APH Hive, Access Academy and ExCEL Academy emerged. In today’s episode of Change Makers we’...

APH’s 152nd Annual Meeting took place early October in a virtual format, due to the current pandemic. Nearly 1,300 participants logged on to learn how to handle challenges brought on by COVID-19 to be successful in the future. On this episode, we look back at the Annual Meeting which features: Dr. Craig Meador, APH President, State of the Company Address; the Hall of Fame: Leaders and Legends of t...

APH’s Annual Meeting of Ex Officio Trustees and Special Guests is almost upon us. It takes place from October 7-9 and will be virtual. On this episode, APH President Craig Meador and Leanne Grillot, APH’s Director of Outreach Services discuss Annual Meeting. They talk about the decision to make the meeting virtual, its theme “Better Together,” as well as several meeting highlights, including our k...

At APH we often say "the future belongs to everyone." We mean it. We also think that part of our journey to get there has to do with changing how people see people with disabilities. In today's episode of Change Makers we talk about why representation in the media is so important. We talk with Bree Klauser who stars in Audible's new series Phreaks, and Apple TV+'s SEE. We...

In 2018 the Texas State Board of Education made a preliminary decision to streamline their required curriculum by cutting Helen Keller from their third-grade social studies standards. To get a reversal of that decision, Gabby Caldwell testified with her mother, Robbie, before the State Board of Education. In this episode of Change Makers you’ll hear from Gabby and Robbie about keeping Helen in the...

LEGO Braille Bricks are here! APH is excited to be an official partner, responsible for distributing LEGO® Braille Bricks to students in the United States. The bright colored bricks, molded with studs that correspond to numbers and letters in the braille alphabet, allow students who are blind, and sighted to play and learn together.  On today's episode of Change Makers, we hear from the LEGO...

Who's behind the features of the new Chameleon 20 refreshable braille display? We talk with the educational experts who helped design this exciting new tech. Guests: Donna McNear – Education Consultant, with more than 40 years experience as a teacher and O&M Specialist. Liz Anderson – TVI, O&M Specialist, and the Program Coordinator at the Florida Instructional Materials Center for th...

The history of the field of blindness is rich and storied. While APH has long focused on education and resources for people who are blind, The Wilmer Eye Institute from Johns Hopkins has focused on research, diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions. APH President, Craig Meador sits down with leaders from Wilmer to discuss their past, their goals, and how we can all work together to create a futur...

Many sports camps, swimming pools, and other opportunities for physical education will be close this summer. To learn about ways to stay active while at home, or join a virtual sports camp, we're talking with experts in physical education for young people with visual impairments. First you'll hear from Lauren Lieberman. She's a well publish author, she started Camp Abilities in Broc...