Aaron’s Opinion

Cheryl Green and Thomas Reid are two long-time disabled podcasters who separately have been mentoring disabled folks wanting support to start podcasts. With support from Alice Wong and the Disability Visibility Project, in 2025, Green and Reid launched POD Access as a platform and space for d/Deaf and disabled podcasters to find audiences and each other. At POD Access, we believe disability is an essential lens for telling stories. Disability culture is self-determined, intersectional, empowered, and interdependent. POD Access offers aspiring, beginning, and established d/Deaf and disabled podcasters an approachable, easy-going experience to build community, learn about podcasting, and grow an audience. We respect access needs and are led by a disabled team.


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Hello Aaron, 

Who Chef Riq Is
I’m Chef Riq, a blind holistic chef whose love for food has carried me through life’s toughest seasons. I was just four months away from finishing nursing school when a chemical accident at work changed everything. It took my vision and the future I thought I had planned.
But instead of letting that loss define me, I turned back to what had always been my safe place: the kitchen. Cooking became my therapy, my art, and my means of moving forward. Through touch, sound, and intuition, I relearned how to cook and discovered that flavor doesn’t depend on sight.
After battling vision loss and even homelessness, I chose to transform my journey into a mission: to show the world that food heals, flavor inspires, and inclusion belongs at every table. With years of professional chef experience and certifications in holistic nutrition and fitness, I created Unseen Cuisine. In this place, everyone can cook with confidence, whether they are blind, living with allergies, or simply craving a new way to experience food.
What does Unseen Cuisine do? 
Unseen Cuisine is the first cooking brand built entirely for your ears. Through audio-only cook-alongs, Chef Riq teaches listeners how to create restaurant-quality meals at home, utilizing sensory cues, tactile tips, and health-conscious ingredient substitutions. Each series highlights accessible, allergy-friendly recipes, ranging from sauces and sandwiches to fine dining small plates, designed for everyone: those who are blind, have low vision, live with allergies, or simply want a new way to experience food.
Unlike traditional visual-first cooking shows, Unseen Cuisine centers on inclusivity. It’s a movement that redefines how people learn to cook, bringing flavor, empowerment, and creativity to every listener’s kitchen.
 Social media 
Facebook: Chef Riq Unseen Cuisine 
IG: unseen_cuisine 
Youtube: Chef Riq Unseen Cuisine 
Podcast: Chef Riq Unseen Cuisine
(Apple podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart, YouTube and many more )

Hope this is what you are asking for. 


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John Dowling Jr is a Singer, Songwriter, radio broadcaster and up and coming podcaster.
 Originally born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he grew up around the New Jersey area until 2023, when he moved to Minnesota in November.
He enjoys listening to Classic Country, with his favorite artists being in this order, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, George Jones, Merle Haggard, and Hank Williams.
When he's not listening to, or performing Country music, he hosts a weekly radio show on HKC Radio called the Old Wooden Barn, which can be heard Friday nights starting at 8 PM Eastern, 7 PM Central.
In 2025, John decided to launch a podcast called the smoking circle. It's a podcast all about Cannabis from a blindness perspective.
In his spare time, John enjoys watching classic cartoons, reading Harry Potter Fanfiction, smoking lots of weed, hanging out with his friends online, and spending lots of time with his wife, of which they both share a love of reading.
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Goddest Jenkins – Advocate, Visionary Leader, and Champion for Inclusion


Goddest Jenkins is a dynamic force in advocacy, leadership, and empowerment. A proud survivor, community leader, and fierce advocate for diversity and inclusion, she is redefining what’s possible beyond physical limitations and societal expectations.

In 2008, Goddest’s life took a dramatic turn when she survived a devastating five-car collision that left her in a coma for seven months. As a result of the accident, she became legally blind. Rather than allowing her circumstances to define her, she emerged with a powerful new perspective—one that has shaped her life’s mission. Living by the mantra, “It took losing my physical sight to gain true vision,” Goddest has turned adversity into a platform for purpose.

Her journey of resilience extends beyond her accident. For two decades, Goddest endured domestic violence—a hidden battle she courageously fought even after losing her sight. This painful chapter ultimately led to the permanent loss of sight in her left eye, but it also revealed her extraordinary strength. Today, she speaks openly about surviving domestic violence, breaking the silence to empower others to seek safety and healing.

Her list of accomplishments is as groundbreaking as it is inspirational. In 2022, she made history by winning the Miss Blind Diva Empowerment Pageant, becoming a national symbol of strength and beauty beyond vision. In 2023, she broke another barrier by becoming the first-ever legally blind woman to serve as an official pageant director, leading the Miss Blind Diva Empowerment Pageant with compassion and bold leadership.

She went on to earn the title of Miss Black America Elegant Diva in 2023—the first legally blind African-American woman to receive it—and was crowned Miss Corporate America in 2024. In both 2023 and 2024, she was voted one of the Top Most Influential Women by 180 Life Celebrity Magazine.

Goddest holds two master’s degrees: one in Visual Rehabilitation from the University of Massachusetts, and another in Social Work with a specialization in Mental Health from Nova Southeastern University. Her global impact expanded in 2023 when she was appointed the U.S. Ambassador for the Blind and Visually Impaired by the United Nations. In this role, she has brought humanitarian aid and accessible education to communities in Cameroon, Liberia, and Uganda.

One of her greatest accomplishments to date is becoming the first-ever legally blind certified national CM3 Credible Messenger—a distinction that honors her commitment to youth mentorship and violence prevention. As a CM3 Credible Messenger, Goddest works to combat youth crime and gun violence by mentoring at-risk youth and providing hope through real-life transformation. She regularly visits juvenile detention centers and prisons, sharing her story and advocating for prevention before detention.

This work is deeply personal. Goddest grew up in an environment shaped by gang involvement and systemic incarceration. Her mother, father, and both brothers were all sentenced to life in prison—with her brothers receiving those sentences as juveniles. She tragically lost both her mother and one of her brothers while they were incarcerated. In their memory, she has dedicated her life to breaking the cycle—empowering youth and families to avoid the paths that led her own loved ones to incarceration. Through global collaboration with other mentors and organizations, she is on a mission to prevent families from experiencing the heartbreak that shaped her early life.

Goddest Jenkins is also a powerful motivational speaker, having traveled to more than 23 states and delivered over 80 inspirational speeches on stages including conferences, expos, college campuses, graduations, churches, and political forums—spreading her message of hope, healing, and possibility.

On October 10, 2023, the City of Orlando honored her with Goddest Jenkins Day in celebration of Blind Awareness Month. On September 13, 2025, Goddest Jenkins made history as the first-ever legally blind African-American woman to receive the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, a prestigious recognition of her trailblazing advocacy and service.

She is the founder of Queens Raising Queens Inc., a nonprofit empowering women of all ages to rise in their purpose. As a domestic violence survivor and mental health advocate, Goddest Jenkins continues to prove that with faith the size of a mustard seed, anything is possible—and limitations are just stepping stones to greatness.

Hey,

I recently began shopping on Innosearch, and it's a fantastic site with great accessibility and tons of discounts. If you use the referral link below to create an account, you'll receive $10 in shopping credit: https://innosearch.ai/r/nS9yzj

Check it out!
Aaron Richmond

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let me know if this works, Shawn Keen, founder of AI for the Blind, a fast-growing global community that helps blind and low-vision people unlock the power of artificial intelligence. With more than 14,600 members across the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, and beyond, the group is a daily hub of creativity, problem-solving, and connection. Shawn’s mission is simple but powerful: to show how AI can level the playing field, open new opportunities, and turn learning into earning for people everywhere.
From coaching and community support to music, podcasts, and accessible e-commerce, Shawn is building a nonprofit ecosystem that blends human connection with cutting-edge tools. Under the AI for the Blind banner, he’s helping students, entrepreneurs, and everyday users re-imagine what’s possible. Whether it’s sharing new tech, hosting live events, or guiding members through their first AI-powered projects, Shawn’s work is about building a future where no one is left behind.

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Hi there Aaron.
I trust that this mail finds you and yours well.
 
A Little About Me
My name is Grant Matthews. I was born in South Africa in the early 1970s, and for most of my life I was fully sighted and able bodied. 
I lived an active, adventurous life enjoying the outdoors, often drawn to activities that some would call extreme. 
For me, it is about making the most of life, sometimes pushing boundaries and enjoying the thrill.
On April 3rd, 2018, everything changed. 
I lost my eyesight due to optic nerve damage, a consequence of choices I had made. 
At first, I refused to believe it. I visited three different ophthalmologists and eventually a professor in ophthalmology, all in the hope that someone would tell me something different from what the first doctor had said: “Your optic nerves are damaged, and there is no cure.”
That reality was crushing. I felt angry, hopeless, and stuck in self pity, asking over and over, “Why me?” I threw myself into what I call a pity party, convinced that life was over. 
But in time, I realized something important: life doesn’t stop just because we feel lost. And I understood that self pity would only make my situation harder. What I really needed was to accept my altered state of existence, a shift in perspective, and the determination to build a new life, this time, in the dark.
I started learning how to live as a blind person. I registered with the South African National Council for the Blind and joined a college program where I was taught how to use a computer again but this time with accessibility tools. Since the college was close to where my mother lived, I moved back in with her. It didn’t take long before I noticed that something was wrong. She wasn’t the same; her behavior had changed in unsettling ways. 
After visiting her doctor and then a neurologist, she was diagnosed with dementia.
That was another major turning point. Not only did I need to figure out my new reality as a blind person, but I also had to step into the role of caregiver for my mother. My sister, who lives in the UK, struggled to accept the diagnosis, which meant most of the responsibility fell on me.
Within my first year of blindness, I had to learn quickly, how to cook without sight, manage household chores, do laundry, shop for groceries, and take care of day to day life. 
I could have chosen to order online, but I often prefer going out, meeting people, and staying connected.
Caring for my mother taught me patience and humility. Her condition was not her fault, and I had to remind myself of that often.
Alongside these challenges, I began rebuilding parts of my life. I learned how to use Zoom, navigate the web more effectively, and even started experimenting with audio recording and editing in Audacity, which has been both challenging and fun.
Losing my eyesight changed everything. Yes, there are things I can no longer do or choose not to do anymore and there are sights I will never see again. But I’ve come to realize that life is not over! 
Only different and far from over. I’ve discovered new kinds of beauty, met incredible people, and taken on experiences I never would have imagined before.
For example, I was never comfortable with public speaking, so I challenged myself and joined Toastmasters. I also began studying meaning-centered psychotherapy online (a program I’m nearly finished with) which has deepened my understanding of life and people in ways I couldn’t have imagined.
The truth is, when I was fully sighted and able bodied, I never gave much thought to what living with a disability meant. 
Now I’m living that reality.
It’s not always easy, but it has opened my eyes. 
Ironically, in a new way to resilience, growth, and the richness of human experience.
 
I hope that is more or less what you are seeking.
 
With regards to social media, I’m on Facebook and X (@GrantMatth935), I left most of the other platforms when I got too many people asking to join their groups etc. for nudies and such!
 
Kind Regards
Grant M

 


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Roy Samuelson is an award-winning audio description (AD) performer, author, and consultant who collaborates to ensure blind audiences enjoy immersive, emotionally resonant storytelling. With over a decade of experience with thousands of AD projects across Netflix, HBO Max, A24, and more, Roy transforms accessibility from a checkbox into a creative asset.
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Home Page - Roy Samuelson

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Dear listener,

In today’s episode, we’re going to hear a fascinating discussion with, Oluwakemi. Today’s guest is from Nigeria. We are going to talk about the experiences that, Oluwakemi has had around the world and the experiences that she has had in Nigeria. This is a fascinating conversation! We hope you enjoy this conversation. We will provide you with further information below this message so that you can learn more about today’s guest.

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Dear listener,

Today Jodi and Keith join us from Disability Deep Dive podcast to speak to us about their podcast and Disability Rights Florida.

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Hi Aaron and thanks for considering me for the podcast.

I am totally blind since birth, due do premature retinopathy. I was born in 1956 at Reddy Memorial Hospital here in Montreal. I lived on the south shore in the city of St. Lambert for most of my schooling years and was a student at the Montreal association School for the blind which became Philip E. Layton school. I attended public high school after that and then went on to Acadia University in Wolfville NS. For two years and then took a broadcasting course in Halifax and eventually landed a job at CIGO in port Hawkesbury NS where I worked for two years and eventually got laid off in the true tradition of The maritime Provinces and then went out west to Edmonton Alberta where I eventually preformed various clerical functions such as switchboard, job order advisor for employers placing ads in the national Jobbank and other functions for both the Feds and then The province of Alberta. I retired and came back to Montreal, the place of my birth due to my late X wife’s physical abuse, her incontinence and my health and wellbeing; I had friends here from my time at the MAB in the 60’s and two brothers here as well. I’m am involved with the users committee for the Lethbiridge, Layton Mackay rehab centre (the former MAB) The Quebec Federation for The Blind and other advocacy groups, and I’m also an advocate for Braille usage, for the blind and other disabilities. My partner Sandy uses a motorized chair to get around (she is sighted) we use Transport adapté but public STM transport where possible and where the Metro stations are accessible to her.

I am a first time applicant for a guide dog and am applying to five different schools, one in Quebec.

I want to specifically talk about my life as a blind person where I have always considered myself that blindness was, and still is an inconvenience but not an obstacle. I want to talk about men abused by their significant others because no help is available and we are considered by society to be worse’s. I want to talk about the best part of my career working in radio and reflect on my work as a government employee and how I was treated.

You have my email, I am also on facebook as marc Baillargeon-Molloy (sandy’s last name although we’re not legally married) I use I message email and WhatsApp primarily and am not a big fan of FB or messenger.

I prefer afternoons or evenings and can be available for you any time but I do have a commitment for a Shakespeare in The Park Event Thursday night.

Looking forward to hearing from you and to participating on your podcast. It’s thanks to my wonderful friend Kayla Puderer who encouraged me to do this and who first contacted you on my behalf. She is so amazing and i truly love her dearly.

Take care and talk soon; you can call me if you like.

Al the best!

Marc Baillargeon
Montreal (Borough of NDG), QC Canada


Sent from my iPhone 16 Pro Max

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