Rachel Hastings is a Certified Music Therapist and she tells us how State Services for the Blind along with her Special Education teachers and Teachers for the blind/Visually Impaired worked seamlessly in her transitions from high school to college and to her dream job, a Music Therapist.

Rachel attended STP, a 2-week summer program, aka Student Transition program, and how her involvement with the program opened her mind to the possibilities for her future.

From orientation and Mobility to career research to job applications and job interview strategies, Rachel explains how State Services became her vehicle for achieving a successful transition into the workplace.

Rachel is an avid runner and explains how she runs and is now training for the St. Paul marathon. Running 30 miles a week, she thinks she’s about ready.

Join Rachel Hastings as she walks us through her transition stages, chats about her hobbies and gives us great advice about attitude and self-determination.

You can follow Rachel on Twitter @RachelH262

You can find Rachel on Facebook at RachelElizabethHastings and she is looking forward to hearing from you.

See complete transcription below.

Thank you for listening!

You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities

On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com

Send us an email

Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.

Transcription:

Rachel Hastings: A Success Story — From High School to College to the Workplace. Step by Step

Rachel:

Worked on a lot with State Services for the Blind.

Was job interviewing.

What they shared with me was that there’s really no right or wrong way to approach blindness in an interview; it’s just what are you comfortable with.

And so they kind of opened up that door for me, and kind of explained that to me.

And gave me all the options and then I was able to choose what I felt was best.

Jeff:

Rachel Hastings is a success story, transitioning from high school to college to the workplace.

Rachel Hastings:

What really turned my mindset around was a program called STP, Summer Transition Program, is what it stands for.

And it is a program that takes place at St. Thomas University, in the summer.

And it’s two weeks long.

And what it does is it prepares high schoolers, college-bound high schoolers, for taking the next step.

Jeff:

Rachel talks about the relationship between her special education teachers, her teachers for the visually impaired, and her counselors at State Services for the Blind, all working together with a common goal of success.

Rachel:

I’m a long distance runner.

I’m actually training for the Twin Cities Marathon right now.

Which is really fun.

I just ran a half-marathon actually, last Saturday, and I broke two hours; which was my goal.

I run probably 30-plus miles a week, and I just find a lot of joy in it.

Jeff:

From researching her career, to filling out job applications, to working on job interview preparations, Rachel talks about how State Services for the Blind became a vehicle towards her success.

Rachel:

Because I know when I was growing up, and even now it’s like, I value relationships with those who are legally blind, because it’s hard to know, and nearly impossible, I would dare to say, to know what it’s like to be blind when you yourself are not.

A brief interview that Aira Agent Analyst, Patrick Lane and Pete Lane did on a local Jacksonville radio show. They talked about Aira, of course, and a bit about The Blind Abilities podcast. 

Also on the show is an interview with Al Avina, Executive Director of the Blinded Veterans Association. The national BVA conference will be held in Jacksonville the week of August 14 - 18th. Aira will be there in full force and Pete Lane of the Blind Abilities Team will bring you and keep you up to date with the latest out of Jacksonville and the Blinded Veterans Association.

We hope you enjoy.

 

Explore your world 

like never before

From exploring new neighborhoods and restaurants in the city, to traveling the globe - Aira empowers the blind to experience their world and surroundings like never before.

Accessible devices

Aira's platform works on wearable devices such as Google Glass and Vuzix that can be paired with your smartphones.

Real-time request

The tiny camera mounted on your wearable device provides instant feedback so Aira Agents can safely guide you with any activity.

Certified agents

Our network of trained Aira Agents, who could even be one of your family or friends, are able to assist you whenever and wherever.

 

You can find out more about Aira on the web and follow Aira on Twitter @Airaio

 

Thank you for listening.

You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities

On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com

Send us an email

Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.

Episode 2 of the That Blind Tech Show, I Don’t Like Span and I don’t Want It On My Phone!

 

Brian Fischler is joined by Allison Hartley as they talk about the latest in Tech News as it relates to the Blindness Community.

Here is a list of topics as they happened on the 2nd Episode of That Blind Tech Show.

 

Would you use a Robot vacuum cleaner and what would your guide dog think?

 

Laundry app for GE  by 14 year old

Is it about time Washer and Dryer’s have accessibility built in to them. Blind people do laundry, too.

Spam phone call do not use your Mac until you call us!

 

Adobe to kill off Flash by 2020

 

Using Flash through Google Chrome on the Mac

 

My recent survey call and experience with Flash.

 

Apple discontinues iPod Nano and Shuffle. Big deal or not?

 

iOS 11: A. Notification center now Cover Sheet

 

Apple New File System will it make working with iCloud Drive less confusing?

 

Xbox Accessibility

 

Product Review: Plantronics Voyager 5200 bluetooth earpiece

 

 

Whatcha watching, Whatcha reading:

 

What’s Pissing off Brian: Fleksy is back. Worst company ever

What’s pissing off Allison: Poorly written advocacy articles 

 

Be sure to follow the show on Twitter @BlindTechShow

And send your feedback and suggestions to us via email.

You can listen to all the That Blind Tech Show episodes on Blind Abilities on the web at www.BlindAbilities.com

Thank you for listening.

You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities

On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com

Send us an email

Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.

Episode 2 of the That Blind Tech Show, I Don’t Like Span and I don’t Want It On My Phone!

Brian Fischler is joined by Allison Hartley as they talk about the latest in Tech News as it relates to the Blindness Community.

Here is a list of topics as they happened on the 2nd Episode of That Blind Tech Show.

Would you use a Robot vacuum cleaner and what would your guide dog think?

Laundry app for GE by 14 year old

Is it about time Washer and Dryer’s have accessibility built in to them. Blind people do laundry, too.

Spam phone call do not use your Mac until you call us!

Adobe to kill off Flash by 2020

Using Flash through Google Chrome on the Mac

My recent survey call and experience with Flash.

Apple discontinues iPod Nano and Shuffle. Big deal or not?

iOS 11: A. Notification center now Cover Sheet

Apple New File System will it make working with iCloud Drive less confusing?

Xbox Accessibility

Product Review: Plantronics Voyager 5200 bluetooth earpiece

Whatcha watching, Whatcha reading:

What’s Pissing off Brian: Fleksy is back. Worst company ever

What’s pissing off Allison: Poorly written advocacy articles

Be sure to follow the show on Twitter @BlindTechShow

And send your feedback and suggestions to us via email.

You can listen to all the That Blind Tech Show episodes on Blind Abilities on the web at www.BlindAbilities.com

Thank you for listening!

You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities

On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com

Send us an email

Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.

Key2Access: Accessible Street Crossings and RAZMobile: The Accessible Tactile Button Phone

Blind abilities presents another in their series from the national Federation of the blind (NFB) convention for 2017. Join Cheryl Spencer as she features Key2Access, with their unique approach towards modifying street crossing signals, and razz Mobility, with their non-smart cellular phone for folks who wish to steer clear of smart phone technology.  Key2Access has worked with four cities in Canada to alter street signals to allow BVI pedestrians to access crossing buttons using their accessible iOS app, and Raz Mobility has developed a completely accessible cellular phone with tactile buttons,  offering text messaging and affordable calling plans 

 

Cheryl gets up close and personal with these two disparate yet relevant contributors in the world of blindness technology. Be sure to check them out on the web.

Key2Access

RAZMobile

 

Explore your world 

like never before

From exploring new neighborhoods and restaurants in the city, to traveling the globe - Aira empowers the blind to experience their world and surroundings like never before.

Accessible devices

Aira's platform works on wearable devices such as Google Glass and Vuzix that can be paired with your smartphones.

Real-time request

The tiny camera mounted on your wearable device provides instant feedback so Aira Agents can safely guide you with any activity.

Certified agents

Our network of trained Aira Agents, who could even be one of your family or friends, are able to assist you whenever and wherever.

 

You can find out more about Aira on the web and follow Aira on Twitter @Airaio

 

Thank you for listening.

You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities

On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com

Send us an email

Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.

Chris Mairs is crossing the United States on a Tandem Bike traveling over 3600 miles in his 60 miles for 60 days fund raising adventure.

A Line of Sight, that’s ALineOfSight.org.uk

Initiative is to raise $40 per mile to assist 3600 people transform their lives with a surgery for cataracts. I posted a message from his blog page below so you can read all about his A Line of Sight fund raiser.

Chris talks about his mother’s commitment to “No MollyCuddle” and how she prepared him and his siblings for the future.

Chris talks about the ride and being blind and gives Transition age students some advice. Chris himself being a college graduate has also succeeded in business and his words are something to listen to.

I did not know Chris before; however, I have been reading his blogs on the ALineOfSight.org.uk and have enjoyed his writings and humor.

Chris and his team passed through Minnesota and I just had to reach out and believe me, I am glad that I got a chance to share a few moments with Chris Mairs.

I hope you take a look at Chris’s A Line of Sight web page and help make a difference.

 

Full Transcript

 

Thank you for listening.

You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities

On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com

Send us an email

Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.

 

Chris Mairs is crossing the United States on a Tandem Bike traveling over 3600 miles in his 60 miles for 60 days fund raising adventure.

A Line of Sight, that’s ALineOfSight.org.uk

Initiative is to raise $40 per mile to assist 3600 people transform their lives with a surgery for cataracts. I posted a message from his blog page below so you can read all about his A Line of Sight fund raiser.

Chris talks about his mother’s commitment to “No MollyCuddle” and how she prepared him and his siblings for the future.

Chris talks about the ride and being blind and gives Transition age students some advice. Chris himself being a college graduate has also succeeded in business and his words are something to listen to.

I did not know Chris before; however, I have been reading his blogs on the ALineOfSight.org.uk and have enjoyed his writings and humor.

Chris and his team passed through Minnesota and I just had to reach out and believe me, I am glad that I got a chance to share a few moments with Chris Mairs.

I hope you take a look at Chris’s A Line of Sight web page and help make a difference.

Here is a note taken from Chris’s web site:

I have been registered blind since the age of 18 and turned 60 in early 2017. Although my condition, degenerative RP, is not treatable, I have been incredibly fortunate to live in the developed world. My education, my career and my personal life have all provided me with immense opportunities in a life that has been filled with pleasure and purpose.

However, most of the 39 million blind people in the developing world are not so lucky. Blindness is an isolating and frightening disability with crippling economic impact. The family of someone without sight loses two incomes, one from the blind person themselves and one from the family member who becomes their full time carer.

But the most common cause of sight loss in the world, cataracts, can be cured at a cost of only £30 or $40 per surgical intervention.

I cannot boil the ocean, nor can I save the world, but with your help we will transform 3,600 lives.  On June 18th 2017 I am riding a tandem across America from Oregon to New Hampshire. By raising £30/$40 for every mile we ride, we will restore sight to 3,600 people through low cost, highly effective cataract surgery undertaken by our partner See International.

Why 3,600 interventions? Two simple reasons:

• I am pledging to cure 60 people of blindness for each year or my life so far.

• This just happens to be the approximate distance from Astoria, Oregon to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Averaging somewhat over 60 miles a day, we will complete the ride in a little under 60 days, providing a perfect backbone for my 60×60@60 pledge.

I am incredibly lucky to have 2 co-riders, James and Alastair, who will be sharing the front seat of the tandem. Alastair is in charge from Astoria to Sioux Falls, where he will step aside for fresh horses, a.k.a. James.

See complete transcription below.

Thank you for listening!

You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities

On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com

Send us an email

Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.

Transcription:

Chris Mairs: Tandem Bicycling Across America For Blindness

[Music]

Chris:

No mollycoddling, and what mollycoddling means is it’s like protecting somebody, wrapping them in cotton and wool, but actually at a time I think my Mom realized that if she’d provided us with too much protecti...

Woodworking for the Blind Summer workshop Sessions

 

Sixth Annual Summer Workshop

Now Two Separate Sessions

All Members Invited

 

Advanced Woodworking Session

Monday, August 21, thru Saturday August 26, 2017

Welcoming Dinner Monday evening August 21

 

Woodworking Fundamentals Session

Saturday, August 26, thru August 31, 2017

Welcoming Dinner Saturday evening August 26

 

Each Session Has 4 Full Days of Meetings, Discussions, Instructions, Technique Sharing, Meals and Refreshments

Spouses and Companions are Welcome!

 

Summer Workshop Fee $350 (Includes Meals and Lodging)

Includes Workshop Facilities, Instruction, Meals and Lodging

Spouses and Companions $150

 

Hosted by George Wurtzel and Brian Buhrow

(San Francisco Lighthouse for the Blind)

at their newly expanded, spacious workshop at

Enchanted Hills Camp in Napa, California

 

Fly to either San Francisco or Oakland Airport

Arrival Transportation to Napa Available

Through Evans Airporter Service

 

EHC will pick up at Evans Airporter Office

 

To register for the Advanced Woodworking Session go to:

https://form.jotform.com/70997934794176

To register for the Woodworking Fundamentals Session go to:

https://Form.jotform.com/71006204494145

 

Thank you for listening!

You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities

On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com

Send us an email

Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App

Aira Presents Susan Mazrui: Director of Public Policy at AT&T - Disability, Education & Employment

 

Susan Mazrui shares her journey through education, employment and how she faced the challenges and the low expectations along the way. As director of Public Policy at AT&T, Susan works with aging and disability issues. Susan is still learning as technology keeps changing and encourages others to learn as much as they can about the tools they will need in the workplace. Susan is an Aira explorer and enjoys having instant access to information when she wants it. It’s the “small things” that Aira does that can really make a difference and like a mosquito in a King’s tent, small things can move Kings.

Join Susan Mazrui at the 2017 National Federation of the Blind convention and learn about her journey and the suggestions she has for students transitioning from high school to college and to the workplace.

 

Explore your world 

like never before

From exploring new neighborhoods and restaurants in the city, to traveling the globe - Aira empowers the blind to experience their world and surroundings like never before.

Accessible devices

Aira's platform works on wearable devices such as Google Glass and Vuzix that can be paired with your smartphones.

Real-time request

The tiny camera mounted on your wearable device provides instant feedback so Aira Agents can safely guide you with any activity.

Certified agents

Our network of trained Aira Agents, who could even be one of your family or friends, are able to assist you whenever and wherever.

 

You can find out more about Aira on the web and follow Aira on Twitter @Airaio

 

Thank you for listening.

You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities

On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com

Send us an email

Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.

Susan Mazrui shares her journey through education, employment and how she faced the challenges and the low expectations along the way. As director of Public Policy at AT&T, Susan works with aging and disability issues. Susan is still learning as technology keeps changing and encourages others to learn as much as they can about the tools they will need in the workplace. Susan is an Aira explorer and enjoys having instant access to information when she wants it. It’s the “small things” that Aira does that can really make a difference and like a mosquito in a King’s tent, small things can move Kings.

Join Susan Mazrui at the 2017 National Federation of the Blind convention and learn about her journey and the suggestions she has for students transitioning from high school to college and to the workplace.

Explore your world

like never before

From exploring new neighborhoods and restaurants in the city, to traveling the globe – Aira empowers the blind to experience their world and surroundings like never before.

Accessible devices

Aira’s platform works on wearable devices such as Google Glass and Vuzix that can be paired with your smartphones.

Real-time request

The tiny camera mounted on your wearable device provides instant feedback so Aira Agents can safely guide you with any activity.

Certified agents

Our network of trained Aira Agents, who could even be one of your family or friends, are able to assist you whenever and wherever.

You can find out more about Aira on the web and follow Aira on Twitter @Airaio

Thank you for listening!

You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities

On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com

Send us an email

Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.