Blind Abilities

What if you could feel someone smile, wave, or reach out for a handshake? Jeff Thompson welcomes HapWare cofounder Jack Walters to explore ALEYE, a wearable wristband designed to translate facial expressions, gestures, and other nonverbal cues into distinct vibration patterns. Working with a smartphone camera or Meta glasses, ALEYE offers blind and low vision users another way to access the silent side of conversation. How do you learn those patterns? Can you choose which cues you receive? And what's coming next? Discover how touch could open new possibilities for connection, from classrooms and job interviews to everyday social moments.

Links of interests:

HapWare.com

HapWare.com/events

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Podcast Summary:

The White Cane Project is going nationwide! After Sight and AwareWolf Gear are teaming up to get free white canes into the hands of blind and low vision people across the United States, with shipping covered, too.

On Blind Abilities, Jeff Thompson and Pete Lane sit down with Kim Wardlow, Penn Street, Bari Azman, and Sedona Dave to hear how it all came together. It started when Penn kept meeting riders on Colorado public transit whose canes were broken, too short, or missing altogether. What began with Penn handing out her own spare canes grew into a Colorado program with support from the Lions. Now the team can finally say yes to requests from across the country.

Hear what sets the Urban Xplorer and All-Terrain Cane apart, from navigating busy sidewalks to exploring rugged trails, and find out how to request a cane through After Sight's White Cane Project online.

Links of interests:

AfterSight.org

AwareWolfGear.com

AwareWolfGear.com/WCP

Thanks for listening!

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Podcast Summary:

What comes after high school, and how can you help shape what happens next? In this Tools for School episode, State Services for the Blind counselors Lindsey and Kat explain how to build a relationship with your counselor, prepare for college, and speak up for the support you need. Students and parents will hear practical guidance on technology assessments, campus travel training, financial aid paperwork, and getting approval before making purchases. Questions from the audience bring the process into focus. Earl Harrison of Selvas BLV introduces technology including the BrailleSense 7, with touch-sensitive braille cells and Smart Scroll, alongside braille displays and magnification options. SSB assistive technology specialists add more possibilities. Then Peer Ambassadors Preston and Ava get students talking, laughing, and swapping strategies for identifying groceries and matching clothes. From counselor conversations to everyday problem-solving, this interactive session invites you to ask questions, explore tools, and take the lead.

Links of interest:

College Student Panel – Tools for School

The Spectacle Newsletter

Youth Services at SSB

To find out more about the services provided at State Services for the Blind, and what they can do for you, contact Shane DeSantis at [email protected] or call Shane at 651-385-5205.

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What happens when blind students have space to try, make mistakes, and discover what they can do? Confidence grows—and everyday tasks become steppingstones toward independence. On Blind Abilities, Jeff Thompson welcomes Kia Sadler from Minnesota State Services for the Blind to explore the Independent Living Skills Lab, a hands-on program where students learn alongside peers in a welcoming environment. From preparing lunch and managing laundry to dining confidently, exploring kitchen technology, and shopping for groceries, these classes turn practical skills into opportunities for greater freedom at home, college, and work. Parents will hear why encouraging participation and practicing at home can make a lasting difference. Students can build new friendships, ask questions, and discover techniques that work for them. Classes meet the second Saturday, October through May, from 9 a.m. to noon. Choose individual sessions and register by the preceding Monday. To learn more or sign up, email [email protected] directly.

Links of Interests:

Contact Kia Sadler: [email protected]

The Spectacle Newsletter

Youth Services at SSB

To find out more about the services provided at State Services for the Blind, and what they can do for you, contact Shane DeSantis at [email protected] or call Shane at 651-385-5205.

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What does college look like when you're blind or have low vision? Maddy and Ben bring that question to life with honest stories, practical advice, and encouragement for students preparing for their next chapter. In this Tools for School episode, hosted by Minnesota State Services for the Blind, they explore choosing a college, navigating campus, managing course loads, and discovering the freedom—and responsibility—of greater independence. Maddy shares her journey from community college to the University of Minnesota, while Ben reflects on rebuilding his independence after losing his sight and graduating with law school ahead. Their experiences highlight assistive technology, tutoring, financial support, and advocating for accessible coursework. Students will find relatable voices and useful strategies, while parents and teachers will gain insight into supporting independence. From learning unfamiliar routes to documenting accommodation requests, this conversation offers a realistic, hopeful look at building confidence and finding your place in college.

Links of Interests:

The Spectacle Newsletter

Youth Services at SSB

To find out more about the services provided at State Services for the Blind, and what they can do for you, contact Shane DeSantis at [email protected] or call Shane at 651-385-5205.

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Your next chapter starts before you set foot on campus. Join Jeff Thompson and Leighann Fuller, visually impaired service coordinator at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, for a practical conversation about making the leap from high school to college. Leighann shares her own experience navigating vision loss during her master's program and explains why students must take the lead in requesting college accommodations. From accessible textbooks and screen reader skills to finding classrooms, doing laundry, and making dinner, this episode explores what independence really looks like. Discover how disability services, vocational rehabilitation, summer programs, and connections with other blind students can help you prepare. Parents will hear ways to support growing independence while encouraging students to speak up, solve problems, and ask for help before frustration becomes a crisis. Whether college feels exciting, intimidating, or both, Leighann's message is clear: you can do this, and support is there for the journey.

Links of interest:

ACCESS SUIE

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What can happen when you say yes to something new? University of Minnesota engineering student Samantha "Sam" Betts shares how stepping onto the ice with Minnesota Blind Hockey opened the door to competition, confidence and community. Born with congenital cataracts and living with glaucoma and peripheral vision loss, Sam had never played—or even watched—hockey before her first practice. Weeks later, she traveled to Chicago, learned her position on the fly and scored her first goal. Sam also reflects on navigating college, choosing engineering, connecting with disability services and receiving technology and support from Minnesota State Services for the Blind. Her advice to students is simple: get involved, connect and give unfamiliar opportunities a chance. Whether you are preparing for college, searching for community or wondering if adaptive sports are for you, Sam's story may inspire you to leave your comfort zone and discover what is waiting on the other side.

Links of Interests:

Minnesota Blind Hockey

MN Blind Hockey on Facebook

The Spectacle Newsletter

Youth Services at SSB

To find out more about the services provided at State Services for the Blind, and what they can do for you, contact Shane DeSantis at [email protected] or call Shane at 651-385-5205.

Full Transcript

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What does a career path really look like? At the Career Exploration Adventure Weekend at Cragun's Resort in Brainerd, Minnesota, blind, visually impaired, and DeafBlind students got the chance to ask working professionals the questions that matter when you're thinking about your future.

In this lively careers panel, professionals from technology, accounting, human resources, education, hospitality, and library services share how they found their careers—sometimes by following a plan and sometimes by taking an unexpected turn. They talk about mentors, education, on-the-job learning, setbacks, work-life balance, building confidence, and why making mistakes can be an important part of moving forward.

Students also ask about workplace accommodations and what employers can do to help blind and low-vision employees succeed.

For students, parents, and educators, this conversation is a reminder that there is no single road to a meaningful career—just opportunities to explore, learn, adapt, and keep moving forward.

Links of interests:

Explore, Connect and Grow: Students Discover Career Possibilities at Cragun's Resort

The Spectacle Newsletter

Youth Services at SSB

To find out more about the services provided at State Services for the Blind, and what they can do for you, contact Shane DeSantis at [email protected] or call Shane at 651-385-5205.

Full Transcript

Sometimes the hardest person to give credit to is ourselves. We can become so focused on where we're going—or where we think we should be—that we overlook just how far we've already come.

In this Wellness Wednesday conversation, Robin, Beth and Jeff explore the importance of recognizing our accomplishments, giving ourselves permission to change our goals, and remembering that we deserve to be in the spaces we've worked so hard to reach. Progress doesn't always arrive with something tangible we can point to. Sometimes it happens quietly, one small step at a time.

From breaking larger ambitions into achievable SMART goals to simply allowing yourself to "toot your own horn," this conversation is a reminder to ease up on the self-criticism and acknowledge the journey.

Your destination may change along the way—and sometimes, what you discover there may be even better than what you originally imagined.

Check out all the Wellness Wednesday episodes.

Show Hosts:

Robin Ennis on the web at www.robinennislcsw.com

Beth Gustin, LPC, NCC, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, CAGCS, PLGS

Www.transitioningthroughchange.com

You can message Beth and Robin by calling 612-367-6093. They are looking forward to hearing from you!

Thanks for listening!

What happens when career exploration meets lakeside adventure? At State Services for the Blind's first Career Exploration Adventure Weekend at Cragun's Resort, blind, low-vision, and DeafBlind students from across Minnesota discovered possibilities, practiced independence, and built friendships. Randi Lasher shares how the three-day event combined customized job shadowing, a career panel, orientation and mobility activities, buffet navigation, networking, and time to connect with peers. Students Sophia and Riley offer candid perspectives on exploring careers, preparing for college, managing busy schedules, and learning to advocate for their futures. Their message to students is simple: you do not need your career figured out, but now is the time to start exploring. For parents, Riley offers an equally important reminder—create opportunities, encourage independence, and never let limited expectations diminish motivation. Hear how one weekend helped students gain confidence, clarify goals, and imagine what may come next for them in school, work, and life.

Links of interests:

The Spectacle Newsletter

Youth Services at SSB

To find out more about the services provided at State Services for the Blind, and what they can do for you, contact Shane DeSantis at [email protected] or call Shane at 651-385-5205.

Full Transcript