White Canes Connect

In this episode of White Canes Connect, we talk with Karen Rose and Simone Cooper of the Blind and Low Vision Support Group. Karen explains that services and resources for blind and visually impaired people are lacking in Philadelphia. That was her primary reason for starting the group, which meets Tuesdays at 1:00pm on Zoom. Show notes at https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/031   Join The Blind And...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, we talk with Andy Burstein from Accessible Pharmacy Services for the Blind. He explains that the pharmacy caters to individual needs of the blind and not a one-size-fits-all approach. He also talks about their new partnership with WayAround. Show notes at https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/030   About Accessible Pharmacy Services for the Blind Accessible Phar...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, we talk with NFB of PA Treasurer and blind golfer Brian Mackey. He explains how blind golf is played and how he loves to play it. He also talks about being the webmaster for the affiliate website and that a fresh new design is coming soon.   Show notes at https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/029   About The Middle Atlantic Blind Golf Association MABGA has been...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, we talk with Pam Baquero and Ron Page from the Pennsylvania Association of Blind Merchants about the Business Enterprise Program (BEP). There are opportunities to blind and visually impaired people who are looking to run their own businesses. They also discuss the PABM and how to join. Show notes at https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/0278   Run Your Own Busin...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, we talk with Jimmy Boehm from Kustom Cane and the You Cane Give initiative. He tells us his incredible blindness journey that included a police chase and a hail of bullets. But wait, there's more. He also tells us about using Aira while on safari in Africa. Show notes at https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/027   You Cane Give Initiative You Cane Give started w...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, we talk with blind speed skater Hillary McFadden and her mom Karen. Hillary tells us about her love of the sport and how she feels free when she's on the ice. She also talks about her training. Show notes at https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/026   More About Hillary McFadden Besides speed skating, Hillary has a small business going. She creates braille menus...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, we talk with Annalee Smith and Colette Stroude about the Not My Eyes Showcase. They also talk about getting into modeling as visually impaired women.   Show notes at https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/025 Not My Eyes Showcase The fashion show has 16 blind and visually impaired models participating. Not My Eyes will take place on April 9 in Valley Stream, NY a...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, we talk with NFB of PA President Lynn Heitz about the recent Leadership Seminar in State College. She also talks about National Convention in New Orleans from July 5-10. She gives several resources available to help get you to the national or State Convention.   Show notes at https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/024 How To Get Invited To Leadership Seminar Step...

  In this episode of White Canes Connect, we talk with Kim Stanley (Greater Philadelphia Chapter) and Tim McCarthy (Capital Chapter)   about Washington Seminar and the importance of self-advocacy. We also introduce a new segment on apps with Denice Brown. Show notes at https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/023 There's Still Time To Get Involved It is so important for us to have large showings at these...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, we talk with NFB of PA Legislative Director Emily Gindlesberger and Stacie Leap about Washington Seminar. We hear about this year's meetings, so far, and learn about the Legislative Liaisons in the affiliate. Show notes at https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/022 There's Still Time To Get Involved It is so important for us to have large showings at these meetin...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, we talk with Deneice Hopper and Connie Scheu the founders of the new NFB of PA Seniors Group. Whether you've been blind your entire life or are new to vision loss, this group will be beneficial to you and maintaining your independence. Show notes at https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/021 Contact The Seniors Group The next meeting of the Seniors Group is Febru...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, we have a special presentation of Blind Abilities in support of the Pennsylvania Association of Blind Students Piano Bar Fundraiser on February 16th. PABS President and Keystone Chapter Secretary Simon Bonenfant moderates the show.   Show notes at https://blindabilities.com/?p=7177 Piano Bar Fundraiser Info The piano bar is from 6PM to 9Pm on February 16th a...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, we talk with NFB Executive Director of Advocacy and Policy John Paré. John first learned of the National Federation of the Blind as a user of NFB-NEWSLINE®. That led him to positions at the chapter level, then the affiliate level, and finally to working at the National Center in Baltimore. John gives us a background on Washington Seminar and goes over the ag...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, we talk about how to fund your assistive technology. We hear from both the borrower and lender about the process. Greater Lehigh Valley Chapter VP Cheryl Frazier gives us insight on applying for a loan through the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation. Tracy Beck and Wendy Davis from PATF give us some background on the foundation and explain the servi...

Join us for a great conversation with Mike Patterson, president of Delaware Valley Blind Bowlers League and our own Eugenio D'Oliveira, treasurer of the Greater Philly Chapter, and league member since 2004 Show notes at https://www.whitecanesconnect/004 Pennsylvania Roots Did you know the league goes back to 1946 and started right here in PA? And that there are over 70 leagues nationwide? Join A L...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, we speak with blind entrepreneurs Victoria Herrera and Kevin Cross. Victoria owns, and is literally hands-on operator as a certified and licensed massage therapist of Majestic Healing Hands. Kevin is the creator of the Essential Kane Keeper, the bag to store your folding white cane. We also hear from Kirk Hunger to find out how the Greater Lehigh Valley Chap...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, we talk to Tim McCarthy about his first NFB of PA State Convention. He also found the legislative liaison session very informative. Congratulations to Tim and Rebecca on the birth of their son on December 10. Show notes at https://www. WhiteCanesConnect.com/016

In this episode of White Canes Connect, we talk with Christine Palmer about her first NFB of PA State Convention. She tells us of how powerful the feeling was to be in a room with all of the other blind attendees. Being at the convention was proof that she can still live her life. Show notes at https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/015 Follow White Canes Connect Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Conne...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, we talk with Yvonne Hughes who has been visually impaired for nearly 40 years, but just attended her first National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania State Convention. Yvonne, who is from Philadelphia, also talks about her community activism for people with all disabilities. Show notes at https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/014

In this episode of White Canes Connect, we talk to Karthik Kannan, a co-founder of Envision, and Hope Hein, an Envision Ambassador. They tell us what led to the creation of the app that allows the blind and visually impaired to hear what they want to see. They also tell us about Envision Glasses and all of their great features. Show notes at https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/013 Learn More About E...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, we talk to college freshmen Adison Lemmon and Simon Bonenfant. They tell us about college life and the accommodations they're both receiving at their respective schools. Simon, who is President of the Pennsylvania Association of Blind Students, also talks about the jam-packed agenda at the NFB of PA State Convention students meeting. Show notes at https://ww...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, we are joined by NFB of PA President Lynn Heitz and Shawn Callaway, board member of the National Federation of the Blind and the 2021 national delegate to the NFB of PA state convention. Shawn shares a bit about how a national delegate is selected and gives a taste of his talk to attendees which is sure to be inspiring. Lynn discusses convention planning and...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, we talk to David DeNotaris, a long-time friend of the NFB of PA and owner of Sky's The Limit Communications and Associates. Listen in to a lively albeit "noisy" discussion of his presentation at the 2021 PA State Convention. David is addressing the Students Division, but his inspiring message is universal and much needed. Hardly our shyest guest, David will...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, we talk to Joe Drenth, First Vice President of our PA affiliate and convention chair. He takes us behind the curtain and shares what goes into making our state conventions fun, informative and seamless. Joe tells us what's new this year including a special celebration honoring our veterans. You will not want to miss Joe's talk on Tech Thursday, and there's a...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, we talk to future NFB leaders Adison Lemmon and Lizzy Muhammad Park about the NFB National Convention #NFB21. Both were scholarship winners, with Lizzy winning the $12,000 Dr. Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship. Lizzy will begin her Graduate Degree studies this fall at Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C., while Adison will start her freshman year at Rober...