Blind Luminations

While we might not be as funny, Blind Luminations his the Seinfeld of podcasts this week!

As Marc and Jan scramble to get ready for their vacation, the two had to make some hard choices. The result? A pre-camping trip podcast about nothing! Without a topic of the week, the blindnamic duo covers any random subject their little hearts desire. Accessible parking follow-up? Check! Stealing a blind man's cane? Check! People thinking Marc and Jan are siblings? Check! Marketing ideas to monetize this thing? Double check!

As you can tell, we've still jam packed as much content into this shorter episode as humanly possible.  (Don't worry, we'll be back to our usual format next week with The Episode About Travelling Blind!)

If you haven't already, follow us on social media! We're currently trying to reach 100 followers on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/blindluminations/ and will give you something special when it happens! You can also hit us up on Twitter at https://twitter.com/blindlumination/ and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/blindluminations/.

(Episode art: A stick figure of Marc angrily holds his cane as flames rise up around him. As he says "Grrrrrrr...," a stick figure of Jan stands next to him and responds, "Oh no, you didn't listen to our podcast!" The words "Blind Fury" are written above the two. This sketch was drawn by Marc, who is completely blind.)

As a famous cat once said, "It never hurts to help!"

While that usually ended in disaster for him, this week's episode of the Blind Luminations podcast proves that a little bit of thought goes a long way. Hear Marc and Jan tackle (and sometimes rant about) accessibility awareness. The two go through their experiences in dealing with unintentional issues and outright jerks. (Here's a hint: Don't create your own parking spot between two cars that are parked in accessible parking spaces!)

Anyway, after deciding on a title for the episode, the two cover lots of ground. This includes rants about blocking sidewalks, why putting a patio set between a ramp and accessible entrance is a bad idea, the need for streamlined accessibility standards and how not to get your tail lights caned. (I'm just saying... we have two different stories of people creating their own parking spots here!!! Why would anyone in their right minds think this is okay?!?!?!?!)

Calming down now... lack of sleep and lots of pent up anger make this one our longest episode to date. Be sure to tune in and tell all your friends about the fun we have together! :)

If you haven't already, follow us on social media! We're currently trying to reach 100 followers on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/blindluminations/ and will give you something special when it happens! You can also hit us up on Twitter at https://twitter.com/blindlumination/ and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/blindluminations/.

Episode Links

The different types of accessible parking permits in Ontario, Canada - https://bit.ly/2Yemfsp

(Episode art: Stick figures of Marc and Jan are standing in the grass. Jan yells "Get off our lawn!" and Marc responds, "Um... it's a dog." On the right side of the image, a stick figure dog says "Bark Woof!" Jan's Rant is written above the scene. The sketch was drawn by Marc, who is completely blind.)

From apps on your phone to  landmarks on the ground, there are many ways to navigate using objects  and with sounds!

After realizing they didn't cover everything the day after their last episode (at 3 in the morning no less,) Marc and Jan are back with some more navigating fun! Find out how Marc actually navigates in a grocery store (no, he doesn't just drive a cart by himself,) what he  would do without a guide, the proper technique to using a cane, which objects cause him the most pain when he runs into them and which mistakes are (or aren't) funny.

If that wasn't enough, we share how Marc provides directions to drivers despite being blind, his ability to sense if someone's travelled too far and why his brain is superior to everyone else's... well except for the whole being blind thing. Yeah, that's a pretty big one.

Links mentioned on the podcast:

Blind Abilities Super Duper Extra: Spider-Man: Far From Home is Here And Audio Describer Roy Samuelson Spins His Own Web on Audio Description - https://bit.ly/2JoLMqm

If you haven't already, follow us on social media too! We're currently trying to get 100 followers on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/blindluminations/ and will give you something special when it happens! You can also hit us up on Twitter at https://twitter.com/blindlumination/ and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/blindluminations/.

(Episode Art: A stick figure of Jan is driving a shopping cart towards a stick figure of Marc as she yells "REVENGE!" He responds, "Jan...?" while not realizing what's going on. "Blind Shopping 2 (The Reckoning)" is written in large letters at the top of the image. The sketch was drawn by Marc, who is completely blind.)

The Dixie Chicks once sang about wide open spaces but sometimes it's not as easy for the blind.

On this week's episode Marc (The Blind Guy himself) and his sighted-wife Jan talk about the trials and tribulations of public spaces. From avoiding clubs because of noise and learning how to navigate a massive pop culture convention, we tackle it all.

Why is the mall a source of anxiety for Marc and like a parting of the sea for Jan? Just how important is a good navigator really? When should a blind person not joke about threatening to hit his wife? Then there's the most important question of all: What happens when your guide forgets what they're doing and leaves you behind? (Okay, so that last one is oddly specific, we admit.)

Either way, we have the answers for all of these questions and more, so get your earholes ready for some audio goodness!

If you haven't already, follow us on social media too! We're on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/blindluminations/, Twitter at https://twitter.com/blindlumination/ and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/blindluminations/.

(Episode Art: A stick figure of Marc is holding the handle of a shopping cart and says, "Jan?" Meanwhile, a stick figure of Jan is laying underneath the cart saying, "Owwwww..." "Blind Shopping" is written in big letters at the top of the image. The sketch was drawn by Marc, who is completely blind.)

The Episode About Described Video

Ever wonder how a blind person "watches" movies or TV without being confused by what's going on?

Fret not faithful Luminati, your two favourite lumineers are here to light the way! This week, Marc and Jan are going to the movies and getting descriptive to give you the answers you want. Find out what descriptive video is, how it works for movie theatres, TV screens, streaming services and what benefits or drawbacks there are with this solution for the blind.

We've come a long way from Jan describing 40-Year-Old Virgin to Marc (yes, there's a totally awesome story behind that, by the way) but there's still plenty of work to do! All of this and a follow-up to The Episode About Eating Blind await, so click, subscribe, download and enjoy our theatre of the earholes that we call a podcast!

If you haven't already, follow us on social media too! We're on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/blindluminations/, Twitter at https://twitter.com/blindlumination/ and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/blindluminations/.

Episode Links

TV for all: how a Canadian company is making TV better for people with visual impairments - https://bit.ly/2RuEBPX

Time Stamperidoos

0:00 - Episode start

0:24 Introductions

4:10 What we've been up to

17:36 Topic of the week

61:11 A Follow-up on The Episode About Eating Blind

68:01 Where to find us on social media

68:36 Apologies for late episode/Difference between Jan and Marc's body temperatures

70:06 Final goodbyes and closing credits

(Episode art: A stick figure of Marc says "I'm glad that Fred and Charlotte hooked up!” Jan’s stick figure replies, "I think you got the wrong headset.” At the bottom of the image, "After Avengers: end Game" is written  and "Blind Spoilers" is written at the top. This sketch was drawn by Marc, who is completely blind.)