Nation’s Blind Podcast

In this episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast, Melissa and Chris discuss the stories of blind people who have been negatively impacted by delays to ADA Title II and Section 504, and what we’re doing about them.

In this episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast, Melissa and Anil are joined by Corbb O’Connor and Deja Powell to discuss their experiences as blind parents and share advice for new or future moms and dads.

If you haven’t already submitted a policy proposal for consideration at the national convention in the form of a resolution, or are just curious about the process, then this episode will tell you everything you need to know. President Riccobono talks with Resolutions Committee Chair, Donald Porterfield, who also serves as president of the National Federation of the Blind of Arizona and on our nati...

In this episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast, Melissa and Anil are joined by Gary Wunder. They dive into the story of Adelmo Vigil, president of the NFB of New Mexico. They discuss how he overcame obstacles such as being prevented from learning Braille, being told that he couldn’t teach in a mainstream public school, and his advocacy in the organized blind movement.

In this episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast, Anil is joined by blind comedians Yvonne Neubert and Shannon Cantan. Tune in for laughs, great storytelling, and their journey through comedy. Important Link Homepage | National Federation of the Blind of Performing Arts Division

In this episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast, Melissa and Anil are joined by Denise Avant, Chairperson of our Membership Committee. They address misconceptions about the NFB and emphasize the importance of your voice within the organized blind movement.

In recognition of Women’s History Month, we are honoring blind women who have made significant contributions to the organized blind movement. In this episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast, Melissa and Anil are joined by Joyce Brooks and Lois Staves, two women who have gone above and beyond to help blind people live the lives they want.

In this episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast, Melissa and Anil are joined by Ashleigh Moon, our STEM2U Coordinator. They celebrate Pi Day and discuss accessible ways that blind students and blind adults can practice STEM.  

In this episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast, Melissa and Anil are joined by President Riccobono; Kelsy Tallant, First Vice President of the NFB of Alaska; and Barbie Elliot, Secretary of the NFB of Utah. They discuss highlights from the Washington Seminar and how their advocacy continued through snow and ice.

In this episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast, Melissa and Anil are joined by Casey Robertson and Chris Parsons to continue their conversation about the importance of Braille, plus some fun Braille trivia.

In this episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast, Anil and Melissa are joined by Dorothy Griffin and Brian Mackey. They discuss the importance of service and how it can help you fulfill your purpose.

In this episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast, Anil and Melissa are joined by Casey Robertson and Chris Parsons. They discuss the importance of Braille, and why it’s still relevant in 2026 and beyond.

In this episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast, Anil and Melissa are joined by board member Norma Crosby. They react to a very honest discussion about the experiences that student leaders have had within the organized blind movement.

In this episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast, Melissa and Anil are joined by board members Marilyn Green and Tracy Soforenko. They share interesting and sometimes surprising social interactions that they’ve had with sighted people while traveling, hanging out with friends, and even while spending time with family members, especially during the holidays. They also discuss the best ways that sighte...

In this episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast, Melissa and Anil are joined by counselors LaKisha Holmes and James Boehm. They discuss mental health, share words of encouragement, and talk about ways to relieve stress and anxiety.   Important Links: Mental Health: Overcoming Stress and Anxiety Transcript Alliance Counseling - Depression, Anxiety, Therapy LaKisha Holmes, Licensed Professional Counse...

In this episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast, Melissa and Anil are joined by Legislative Director Leah Campbell and advocates Nathanael Wales and Lindsay Kerr. They discuss the mass layoffs within the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, the expiration of Medicare telehealth benefits, and the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act. They also talk about why advocacy is impo...

In this episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast, Melissa is joined by Individualized Education Program (IEP) advocates Katie Filaski, and Javier Diaz. They discuss their experiences supporting blind students and their families and share tips and insights on why IEP advocacy matters. Important Links: Individualized Education Plans | National Federation of the Blind Home | National Organization of Par...

In this episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast, Melissa Riccobono and Chris Danielsen are joined by students Harold Rogers and Miranda Lacy. They share their experiences pursuing higher education as blind students, as well as the challenges they faced with accessing educational materials, services and activities. Important Link: Self-Advocacy in Higher Education Toolkit | National Federation of the...

In this episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast, Melissa Riccobono and Anil Lewis are joined by Terri Rupp, an ultramarathon runner, Richie Flores, president of our Sports and Recreation Division, and Cassie McNabb, president of our National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC). They discuss all things movement, from running marathons to sports. Melissa and Cassie also share their exper...

In this episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast, Melissa Riccobono and Anil Lewis are joined by Julie Deden, our 2025 Jacobus tenBroek award winner and executive director of the Colorado Center for the Blind. They are also joined by Wesley Hillman, a Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship winner who was a first-time attendee of the National Convention. They discuss President Riccobono’s banquet spe...

In this episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast, our hosts are joined by Raul Gallegos, president of the National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU) and Meghan Whalen, a guide dog trainer. They discuss their experiences and the benefits of having a guide dog. As well as how NAGDU supports guide dog owners and those who are considering getting a guide dog.

If you haven’t already submitted a policy proposal for consideration at the national convention in the form of a resolution, or are just curious about the process, then this episode will tell you everything you need to know. President Riccobono talks with Resolutions Committee Chair, Donald Porterfield, who also serves as president of the National Federation of the Blind of Arizona and on our nati...

In honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, we have invited Jonathan Mosen, our executive director for accessibility excellence and Brittany Savage, an instructor at our Colorado Center for the Blind. They discuss the latest technology, efficient ways to use technology, and emphasize the importance of being tech-savvy with low tech skills.

In this episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast, Melissa and Anil are joined by Pam Allen, executive director of the Louisiana Center for the Blind, and Jordyn Castor. They provide advice on how blind people can travel with confidence to the National Convention, conferences, vacation, and more. They are also joined by Carlin Thomas who provides audio descriptions for vacations, live performances and...

In this episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast, Melissa and Chris are joined by President Riccobono. They discuss our stance on recent proposals to restructure or eliminate government agencies and programs that serve the blind community, such as the Department of Education, Social Security Administration, and Institute of Museum and Library Services. They emphasize our commitment to being partisan...