In this episode of iCantCU, I discuss two major audio description failures—one that’s on me, and one that’s simply unacceptable. The first happened when I was at the NFB National Center in Baltimore for the IEP Advocacy Academy. I shot a Federation Focus video to show what it’s like there, but I totally missed the mark on describing some of the visuals. Thanks to Auphonic’s amazing processing, it cleaned up the audio so well that it actually removed sounds people needed to hear—like a ball rolling in a game and doors opening. So, blind folks watching had no idea what was happening for parts of it. My bad.

The second fail? A company presented at an OVR meeting and played a video with zero audio description. Just music. No clue what was on the screen. And this was in a room full of people with disabilities—including blind folks. Totally missed the point of accessibility.

Plus, I give a quick update on White Canes Connect, which just hit two “best of” podcast lists, and my guest host spot on That Real Blind Tech Show. All the links are below. Let me know what you think—I’d love to hear from you.

Show notes at https://www.iCantCU.com/286

Links Mentioned

Product links are affiliate links so that I may earn a commission.

• Ray-Ban Meta Glasses, Wayfarer: https://amzn.to/42EU0Sy
• The Federation Focus missing AD: https://youtu.be/tX6eEa3Cje4?si=WJtmpop4q0BumaFr
• That Real Blind Tech Show with WWDC coverage and me: http://thatrealblindtechshow.libsyn.com/episode-182-wwdc-25-recap-assumption-is-the-mother-of-all-fups
• White Canes Connect one of the 100 Best Visually Impaired Podcasts: https://traffic.libsyn.com/whitecanesconnect/white_canes_connect_132_post.mp3
• And another Top 100 Best lists for White Canes Connect: https://www.millionpodcasts.com/visually-impaired-podcasts/?utm_source=smtp&utm_medium=F1_email&utm_content=template_b
• Federation Focus on the NFB of PA YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@nfbofpa
• I edit the show with Descript and love it!: https://www.iCantCU.com/descript/
• Be My Eyes app (free): https://www.bemyeyes.com/ 
• Seeing AI app (free): https://www.seeingai.com/ 
• Index of That Real Blind Tech Show episodes: https://www.icantcu.com/trbts/ 
• Watch iCantCU episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iCantCU

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White Canes Connect Podcast Episode 137

In episode 137 of White Canes Connect, Lisa Bryant and I welcome John Berggren, Executive Director for Operations at the National Federation of the Blind. With just weeks to go before the 2025 national convention in New Orleans, John offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to coordinate the Federation’s biggest annual event. From humble beginnings in 1999 building NFB-NEWSLINE® boxes to now orchestrating logistics for thousands of attendees, John shares how the convention has grown in scale, complexity, and impact.

Find the podcast on

Apple Podcasts

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-nfb-convention-prep-with-john-berggren/id1592248709?i=1000712721231

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1mdqD7T7cK2dzbKksCqv4e

YouTube

https://youtu.be/W_Yw1HSNdbQ?si=huXa1fm0GtO3QTmg

My Podcast Gear

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• Gator Frameworks Desk Mounted Boom Arm: https://amzn.to/3AjJuBK
• Shure SM58 S Mic: https://amzn.to/3JOzofg 
• Sony ZV-E10 camera : https://amzn.to/4fFBSxM 
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• Rode Video Micro (used on GoPro): https://amzn.to/4kVMJWI
• Sennheiser Headset (1st 162 episodes): https://amzn.to/3fM0Hu0 

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Are You or Do You Know A Blind Boss?

If you or someone you know is crushing it in their field and is also blind, I want to hear from you! Call me at (646) 926-6350 and leave a message. Please include your name and town, and tell me who the Blind Boss is and why I need to have them on an upcoming episode. You can also email the show at [email protected].