iCantCU Podcast

In this episode of iCantCU, join me as I dive into the frustrating world of social media accessibility, or the lack thereof. I'm unpacking the challenges I faced while trying to post on Instagram and the glaring accessibility gaps on TikTok. But that's not all! I also share my experiences from the NFB of PA State Convention in Harrisburg, PA. You won't believe the disappointment I encountered at t...

Dive headfirst into an urban odyssey on this episode of iCantCU, where I take you on a gripping tale of navigating the bustling arteries of New York City - solo! Yes, you heard that right. I braved the iconic subway alone for the first time, embarking on a quest from an Amtrak train to the number one line, with a mission to reach my daughter's uptown apartment. Imagine the suspense, the sounds, an...

In the latest iCantCU episode, I peel back the curtain on a whirlwind week! Dive into the highs and lows of the "Believe You Can!" talent show, and get swept away by the heart and dedication of every performer. With Ziggy facing health challenges, I shed light on his journey and what's next. Plus, I grapple with global events that left me reeling, and share an intimate chat with Eliz about our uni...

In this episode of iCantCU, I share the story of being put on HostGator's Blacklist. That's not the same one as the one Raymond Reddington is on. I wasn't notified, and it took support more than a day to tell me. I talk about chatting to support without using a screen reader, which is also challenging. Things might have been easier if I had Dembe to lend a hand. Once I migrate all my sites and cli...

  In this episode of iCantCU, I discuss several days of being out and about. While two days were only for doctor visits, one was an enjoyable, sometimes scary evening at Eastern State Penitentiary. Their Halloween Nights are legendary, and I finally got to go as part of a Philly Meetup For The Blind event. You can hear some of the fun in an extended Just Listen. You'll hear all the chilling sounds...

In this episode of iCantCU, I discuss some ups and downs with our monthly Keystone Chapter meeting at the Penn Museum. At least the trains were running to and from the Penn Medicine Station. I explain some differences in Believe You Can! 2023 over previous year's shows.  I give a mini book review of The Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End of Sight by Andrew Leland. I "read" the book before i...

  In this episode of iCantCU, I explore three intriguing topics. First, we touch on the joys and challenges of preparing and enjoying food, a universal experience close to our hearts. Then, I discuss the "Believe You Can! Talent Show," shedding light on an exciting event presented by the Keystone Chapter. Lastly, I dive into the fascinating "Be My AI" app by Be My Eyes, showcasing its incredible A...

In this episode of iCantCU, I discuss my experience with the BEP director job application. Despite scoring 95 out of 110 on the test, I received no interview. I also discovered that my references were not contacted. Was the process pre-planned, and the job was just posted for legal reasons? There's speculation that the acting director might have been the intended choice. I expressed surprise at no...

In this episode of iCantCU, I share my recent experiences with the Keystone Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania. I dive into my thoughts on fundraising activities, like the drawing for our Dinner for a Week fundraiser.  I also talk about Cira Green, a fantastic park I visited in Philly. Picture this: It's on top of a parking garage 12 stories up, overlooking the citysca...

  In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about traveling to NYC to participate in a Cornell University Research Study using a VR headset and non-verbal cues. I WAS EXCITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS STUDY since I had never put on a VR headset.  After finishing the study at Cornell Tech on Roosevelt Island, I headed to Bryant Park to meet with Jane to grab dinner. That was a good thing because the entire r...

This iCantCU episode is a cross-over with Brian Fischler and Ed Plumacher from That Real Blind Tech Show. We discuss our time together at #NFB23 in Houston. We talk about going to the Astros game on July 4th and the Listen device that gets the radio broadcast in real-time. Ed tells me the difference between BeepBall and Blind Baseball. We talk about some sighted people we met who showed us some ge...

In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about the NFB National Convention in Houston. I talk about some of the sessions I attended and what I learned. I discuss General Sessions and some of the presenters who took the stage. A couple of the presenters were in unfriendly territory. Still, they had the guts to show up and tell their organization's story. In Just Listen, you'll hear from NFB President Mar...

In this travelogue episode of iCantCU, I talk about my travel experience to and from #nfb23 in Houston, Texas. There are always accessibility issues; they started when I got to PHL. If I could, I would have only traveled with a carry-on bag. When I arrived at IAH, I had to rely on someone to help me get out of the airport and into a taxi. Coming home, my departure gate changed three times! It was...

In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about getting the NFB of PA website done enough to show people at the #NFB23 National Convention. There is still work to be done, but I've gotten to the point where I am writing content for the site, not just doing technical or design things. I also discuss my travel plans for Houston, the convention site. I am excited to see how I do with getting content for thi...

In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about playing tour guide for some out-of-town NFB members. We enjoyed exploring the Franklin Institute with Eliz as our descriptive docent. It was planes, trains, and a 3D-printed motorcycle, along with the famous walkthrough heart! Then to the Liberty Bell for a tactile visit. I also discuss the position I recently applied for in the Business Enterprise Program....

In this episode of iCantCU, I discuss updating my resume using AI to apply for a job related to the BEP. I talk about how the AI helped rewrite the bullet points, making them more impressive. I also share my Instagram experience and the challenges of posting with voiceover. I explain the benefits of using Meta Creator Studio to post from a computer. I express the importance of alt tags for visuall...

In this episode of iCantCU, I discuss my preparations for the upcoming NFB convention. I kept forgetting to make my hotel reservation, which led me to miss the first spillover hotel. I also share anecdotes about accidentally setting off the panic button on our security system that freaked Ziggy out, receiving information about OVR's new business funding for starting a business, and a tiny part of...

In this episode of iCantCU, I share my experience completing JAWS training and the challenges I faced with distractions during the last day. I also discuss an interview with Ann Cunningham, an artist who taught art to blind individuals at the Colorado Center. Ann created the Sensational Blackboard device, allowing blind children to draw and feel their creations. I mention the upcoming convention i...

iCantCU, I continue to share my JAWS training experience. I recount an incident during a practice civil service exam where I encountered difficulties due to inaccessible graphics that JAWS couldn't read. This raised my concerns about the accessibility of such exams for blind or visually impaired folks. I took a picture of the screen to seek assistance in interpreting the image. You can see the ima...

In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about a Business Enterprise Program Zoom meeting that has soured my outlook on the program. I also mention how Ziggy's actions in the car reminded me of several events I've attended when I faced where I thought the person giving a speech was located. I discuss the successful Keystone Chapter Spin Fundraiser. Show notes at  https://www.iCantCU.com/230   White Cane...

In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about touring Bestwork Industries for the Blind in Cherry Hill, NJ. I learned how the company hires and trains blind people to work in manufacturing, customer service, and other positions in the company. In Just Listen, you'll hear about training from the training room and know what is manufactured and for whom. Think Top Gun! Show notes at  https://www.iCantCU.c...

In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about doing more web design projects, especially once I am more proficient with JAWS. I've been told that WordPress and JAWS play nice together. I discuss the Be My Eyes app using Open AI, currently in beta, and how my friend was featured on NBC using the app around NYC. I also update an audio description and audio navigation project I am helping with for the Mus...

In this episode of iCantCU, I talk more about relearning JAWS and remembering how different Windows is from MacOS. Remembering is the keyword here. I also discuss episode 069 of White Canes Connect with Mike Walsh from Flight for Sight. They are giving away three $10,000 travel grants to blind and visually impaired people. You'll hear a clip from Mike in Just Listen Show notes at  https://www.iCan...

In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about returning to CBVI for JAWS training. I discuss a couple of funny moments from our Keystone Chapter meeting. One during the meeting and one at our post-meeting lunch at New Deck Tavern. I have a two-part Just Listen. The first is a clip from the Piano Bar with Eddie Salcido introducing his song Six Foot Under and then a portion of the song. And if you want t...

In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about filling in on hosting duties for the Third Annual Piano Bar event. It was short notice, so I had to learn about the event and the participants quickly. I also had to figure out how to retrieve the script/info since it was a live event with no editing like I do with this podcast. It all worked out in the end, and I have a couple of original song clips from t...