Change Makers: A Podcast from APH

On this episode of Change Makers, we’re continuing our spotlight series featuring the incredible cast members of The Dot Experience. Opening Friday, October 30, The Dot Experience is a new immersive, inclusive museum that invites visitors to explore blindness, braille, accessibility, and the power of human connection. 

Today, we are learning more about Sugandha Gupta. Sugandha is a textile artist, designer, maker, disability advocate, educator and most importantly, a cast member of The Dot Experience.

On this episode

• Narrator
• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Sugandha Gupta, The Dot Experience Cast Member.

Additional Links

• The Dot Experience Website
• Read The Dot Experience blog on Sugandha Gupta
• Sugandha Gupta website
• Sugandha Gupta Instagram
• Email Change Makers

On this episode we are talking about Accessibility Awareness in honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, which was Thursday, May 18. Learn what you can do to ensure your workplace and social media is accessible, and how the new Dot Experience, which just broke ground, is incorporating accessibility from the ground up. Plus hear from the emcee of the groundbreaking event,  Joe Strechay.

On this Podcast (In Order of Appearance)

• Jack Fox, APH Narrator
• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Maurice Brown, APH Vice President of the Human Resources Department
• Abby Pullis, APH Digital Engagement Manager
• Caitlin Stewart-Wilcox, APH Digital Media Specialist
• Sina Bahram, Prime Access Consulting President
• Joe Strechay, Entertainment Accessibility and Inclusion Expert

Additional Links

• GAAD
• APH Accessibility Hub
• Take Action Today! 2022 GAAD Social Tips
• The Dot Experience
• Prime Access Consulting
• Reading List - Mosaic

Additional Information about Prime Access Consulting (PAC)

• Sina Bahram, Prime Access Consulting President
• Corey Timpson, Prime Access Consulting Principal

Mission
To collaborate with your organization to create welcoming, equitable, and delightful experiences for the widest possible audience.

Practice
Via our inclusive design methodology, we help you design, develop, and produce inclusive experiences. We work across digital and physical spaces, spanning websites, mobile apps, small-to-large capital projects, themed experiences, and much more. Our rigorous approach yields solutions that deliver world-class accessibility in a sustainable manner.

Approach
Having worked with hundreds of clients spanning cultural, themed entertainment, technology, education, non-profit, and government organizations, PAC has enjoyed the privilege of working on capital builds, incubator projects, visitor experiences of all shapes and sizes, and infrastructure and operations spanning all sectors. We have built museums, architected complex high-impact digital projects, and co-invented some of the world's most advanced and impactful accessibility solutions.

On this episode of Change Makers, learn about accessibility! In sports and video games! Hear from two incredible change makers, doing incredible things all to make the world a more accessible place. After that, we’ll check in and learn about the recent Connect the Dots, powered by PNC Foundation event, and what to expect for the next one.

On this Podcast (In Order of Appearance)

• Narrator
• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Amanda Dennis, APH Engagement Specialist
• Brandon Cole, Professional Video Game Accessibility Consultant
• Erin Sigmund, APH Community Relations and Policy Advisor

Additional Links

•  Sports Courts
• Building Your Orientation and Mobility Toolkit
• Youtube: Fans erupt after blind teen basketball player sinks her free throw | USA TODAY
• Sticky Dots Adhesive
• Feel ‘n Peel Stickers: Nemeth Braille-Print Numbers 0-100
• Goalball - U.S. Association of Blind Athletes
• Amanda Dennis Bio - Team USA
• Last of Us video game
• Mortal Kombat
• Forza Motorsport
• Brandon Cole YouTube page
• BrandonCole.net
• Connect the Dots
• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• Email Change Makers

This episode of Change Makers explores the inclusive design process behind The Dot Experience, including prototyping with people who are disabled, creating multisensory experiences, and designing for visitors to experience the museum together.

Corey Timpson and Sina Bahram of Prime Access Consulting also discuss APH’s commitment to making inclusion an opportunity, not a constraint, and how The Dot Experience could raise the bar for accessible design.

On this episode of Change Makers, we’re continuing our spotlight series featuring the incredible cast members of The Dot Experience. Opening Friday, October 30, The Dot Experience is a new immersive, inclusive museum that invites visitors to explore blindness, braille, accessibility, and the power of human connection. 

Today, we are learning more about Anthony Ferraro. Anthony is a motivational speaker, skateboarder, content creator, most importantly, a cast member of The Dot Experience.

On this Episode

• Narrator
• Anthony Ferraro, The Dot Experience Cast Member
• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager

Additional Links

• Read The Dot Experience blog about Anthony Ferraro
• Anthony Ferraro Instagram
• The Dot Experience website
• Email Change Makers

On this episode of Change Makers, we’re continuing our spotlight series featuring the incredible cast members of The Dot Experience. Opening Friday, October 30, The Dot Experience is a new immersive, inclusive museum that invites visitors to explore blindness, braille, accessibility, and the power of human connection. 

Today, we are learning more about Marcus Engel. Marcus is a professional speaker, author, consultant, podcaster, professor, and, most importantly for us today, a cast member of The Dot Experience.

After our conversation with Marcus, we’ll take you inside The Dot Experience as we share highlights from a recent preview event where attendees of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) International Conference toured the museum and experienced a sneak peek of the progress, including the factory tour.

On this Episode

• Narrator
• Marcus Engel, The Dot Experience Cast Member
• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager

Additional Links

• Read The Dot Experience blog about Marcus Engel
• Marcus Engel website
• Marcus Engel LinkedIn profile
• The Dot Experience website
• Email Change Makers

In this episode, we spotlight acclaimed chef, author, and restaurateur Christine Hà, whose remarkable journey from losing her vision to becoming the first blind winner of MasterChef has inspired millions. We'll explore how her passion for cooking began and how she redefined what is possible in the culinary world. Christine also shares what it means to be a Cast Member of The Dot Experience, helping bring stories of blindness, resilience, and innovation to life for future visitors. Then, in our monthly Tech Takeaway, we'll preview the August Monarch update and highlight two exciting new programs that will soon be available to users.

On this episode

• Narrator
• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Christine Ha, Cast Member for The Dot Experience, Owner of The Blind Goat and Stuffed Belly
• Michael Dennis, APH Technology Products Specialist
• Jennifer Wenzel, APH Technology Product Specialist

Additional Links

• Read The Dot Experience blog about Christine Ha
• Read the The Dot Experience Blog featuring Christine Ha
• Christine Ha Instagram: theblindcook
• Christine Ha Facebook: Theblindcook
• Christine Ha's website, The Blind Cook
• YouTube: Christine Ha: The Blind Winner Who Changed MasterChef Forever
• YouTube: The INCREDIBLE Story Of Christine Ha - The Blind Woman Who Won MasterChef
• AAF: Chef Christine Ha Brings Cultures and Flavors Together Around the Dinner Table
• Monarch Information
• Email Change Makers

On today’s episode, we’re continuing our series of spotlight episodes featuring the incredible cast of The Dot Experience.

The Dot Experience is a new inclusive museum opening this October. It features more than 20 individuals who are blind or low vision, each sharing authentic stories.

The cast includes advocates, artists, professionals, athletes, students, parents, and workers, highlighting the many roles blind individuals hold in society and showcasing vibrant, diverse lives.

And today, we’re learning about George Stern. He’s a research assistant at the University of Mississippi and was just accepted as a doctoral candidate at Boston College. 

On this episode

• Narrator
• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• George Stern, The Dot Experience Cast Member and research assistant and doctoral candidate

Additional Links

• Read The Dot Experience Blog featuring George Stern

On this episode, celebrate the birthday of Helen Keller by highlighting her lasting impact and legacy. Justin Gardner sits down with Tony Stephens to share fascinating stories and insights about Keller’s life, achievements, and influence as a trailblazer for people who are blind or have low vision.

The episode also features the monthly Tech Takeaway, where Michael Dennis provides a closer look at Wordstock, an app designed to support literacy and accessibility.

On this episode

• Narrator
• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Justin Gardner, AFB Helen Keller Archivist at APH
• Tony Stephens, AFB Assistant Vice President for Communications
• Michael Dennis, APH Technology Products Specialist

Additional Links

• The Dot Experience
• AFB Helen Keller Archive
• American Foundation for the Blind
• AFB Possibilities Podcast

On today’s episode, we’re continuing our series of spotlight episodes featuring the incredible cast of The Dot Experience.

The Dot Experience is a new inclusive museum opening this October. It features more than 20 individuals who are blind or low vision, each sharing authentic stories.

The cast includes advocates, artists, professionals, athletes, students, parents, and workers, highlighting the many roles blind individuals hold in society and showcasing vibrant, diverse lives.

And today, we’re learning about Dan Mancina. Not only is he a Cast Member for The Dot Experience, he is also a skateboarder… and today we get to hear his story. 

On this episode

• Narrator
• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Dan Mancina, The Dot Experience Cast Member and Skateboarder

Additional Links

• Read The Dot Experience Blog featuring Dan Mancina
• The Dot Experience
• Dan Mancina on Instagram
• Email Change Makers