Change Makers: A Podcast from APH

This Change Makers episode is looking toward 2022. Listen as we talk to APH officials about what they want to see from renovations, innovations, finances and equality. We also talk to APH committee members about what they want to see for APH in 2022.

Participants (In Order of Appearance)

• Craig Meador, Ed. D, APH President
• Anne Durham, APH Vice President of Innovation and Strategy
• Paul Schroeder, APH Vice President Community, Government Affairs
• Tai Tomasi,  APH Director Accessibility, Belonging, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity
• Kathy Segers, Ex Officio Trustee for the State of Tennessee, EPAC Committee Member
• Scott McCallum, Superintendent at the Washington State School for the Blind, EPAC Committee Member
• Beth Pieters, Literacy Consultant for the State of Iowa, Teacher of Visually Impaired, O&M Specialist, ESAC Committee Member
• Jared Leslie, Director of Media and Development for the Foundation for Blind Children, Ex Officio Trustee for Accounts 8-9 for the Arizona Department of Education, ESAC Committee Member

Additional Links

• Email Tai Tomasi at [email protected]

As National Family Literacy Month winds down, Change Makers is discussing tactile literacy. Listen as we learn more about how tactile images are created, recent upgrades to APH’s Tactile Graphic Image Library, what APH products encourage tactile literacy and the process of teaching students tactile literacy.

Participants (In Order of Appearance)

• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Sally Hart, APH Tactile Graphics Designer
• Karen Poppe, APH Tactile Literacy Product Manager
• Donna McClure-Rogers, APH Early Childhood Product Manager
• Elizabeth McCann, Teaching Fellow at the University of Edinburgh, CPD Coordinator for Visual Impairment at Scottish Sensory Center

Additional Links:

• The Tactile Graphics Image Library: Helping Students Succeed
• [email protected]
• APHB - Login for APH Tactile Graphic Image Library
• Setting the Stage for Tactile Understanding, Guidebook, Braille
• Flip-Over Concept Books: TEXTURES
• Quick-Draw Paper
• PixBlaster embosser
• Giant Textured Beads with Pattern Matching Cards
• Tactile Treasures Kit, Tactile-Color Edition
• Picture Maker Wheatley Tactile Diagramming Kit
• Textured Sorting Circles and Shapes
• All-In-One Board
• Web Chase
• TactileDoodle
• DRAFTSMAN Tactile Drawing Board
• Color-by-Texture Marking Mats
• APH - Tactile Skills Matrix
• Tactile Book Builder Kit
• CVI Book Builder Kit
• Scottish Sensory Centre website
• Scottish Sensory Centre Twitter
• Elizabeth McCann Twitter

On this episode of Change Makers, we are celebrating National Family Literacy Month. National Family Literacy Month is an opportunity for families to read together. We’re talking about APH products that help plant the seeds for braille literacy, what APH Press books are good for educators teaching braille to children and we’ll talk about Braille Tales, an early program that helps develop braille awareness skills and an enthusiasm for literacy in the hearts of young children through free books that have print and braille.

Participants (In Order of Appearance)

• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Cathy Senft-Graves, APH Product Manager, Educational Product Innovation
• Greg Stilson, APH Head of Global Innovation
• Donna McClure Rogers, APH Product Manager, Educational Product Innovation 
• Christine Genovely, APH Prison Braille Programs Coordinator Government & Community Affairs
• Heather Spence, APH Press Director

Additional Links

• Building on Patterns: Primary Braille Literacy Program, Kindergarten, Student Kit – UEB
• Building on Patterns
• Email Cathy Senft-Graves
• Laptime and Lullabies: Parent Handbook
• Braille Tales
• Beginning with Braille: Firsthand Experiences with a Balanced Approach to Literacy
• I-M-ABLE: Individualized Meaning-Centered Approach to Braille Literacy Education
• I-M-ABLE Kit
• Reading Connections: Strategies for Teaching Students with Visual Impairments
• Word PlayHouse
• HANDS ON: Sorting Tray, Four-Section
• Guidelines and Games for Teaching Efficient Braille Reading

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. NDEAM commemorates the many contributions of people with disabilities to the workplace and the economy. We’re continuing the conversation about employment and the workplace by talking to a CareerConnect specialist and we’ll also learn about the importance of accessibility, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We'll also hear from a job seeker.

Participants (In Order of Appearance)

• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Richard Reuda, APH Digital Content Manager for the CareerConnect Program
• Tai Tomasi, APH Director of Accessibility, Diversity and Inclusion
• Paulina Vazquez , Currently seeking employment

Additional Links

• CareerConnect
• CareerConnect Blog
• Transitions: Bread, Rice, or Tostada – Cultural Inclusion at The Transition Table
• Contact Tai Tomasi at [email protected]

On this episode, we're recapping APH's Annual Meeting. We’ll hear from APH President, Craig Meador, Ed.D., speak about the state of the company and hear from award winners.

Participants (In Order of Appearance)

• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Craig Meador, Ed.D., APH President
• Marje Kaiser, Ed.D., Wings of Freedom Award recipient
• Gilles Pepin, Horizon Award recipient
• Stine Storm, Louis Award recipient
• Dr. Kirk Adams, Navigator Award recipient
• Dr. Penny Rosenblum, Navigator Award recipient

Additional Links

• APH State of the Company Speech
• Learning Through Play with LEGO Braille Bricks - Online Course
• World Sight Day
• LEGO Braille Bricks Youtube Page
• Read the first Access and Engagement Report
• Read the second Access and Engagement Report

On this episode of Change Makers, we'll preview the upcoming Annual Meeting. We'll talk to an organizer and find out what participants can expect. We'll also learn about the completely redesigned Louis Database and check-in with the National Prison Braille Network.

Participants (In Order of Appearance)

• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Leanne Grillott, APH National Director of Outreach Services
• Linda Turner, APH Digital Resources / Technical Services Manager
• Jayma Hawkins, APH Prison Braille Senior Director

Additional Links

• 2021 APH Annual Meeting Registration
• Louis Database
• National Prison Braille Network

On this episode of Change Makers, we're getting ready for the InSights Art competition. We'll learn more about the competition, the importance of art and how art is taught to children and adults with visual impairments, as well as hear from an InSights Art artist.

Participants (In order of appearance)

• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Rob Guillen, APH Special Programs Coordinator
• Meg Outland, APH Special Programs Assistant
• Erin Schalk, The Braille Institute Art Instructor
• Josephine "Joey" Hernandez, InSights Art participant and Independent Artist

Additional Links

• www.erinschalk.com 
• https://brailleinstitute.org/ 

On this episode of Change Makers, we’re detailing ways you can keep children active, especially during the coming winter months. We’ll learn about various APH products that help keep kids moving and hear from an educator about the ways children benefit from physical activity. We'll also learn about AudioJack with Partners with Paul.

Podcast Guests (In Order of Appearance)

• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Tristan Pierce, APH Product Manager, Educational Product Innovation
• Paul Ferara, APH Communications Accessibility Editor and Partners with Paul Host
• David Tobin, AudioJack Founder and CEO
• Ashley Emmons, VIPS, TVI, COMS and Early Childhood Special Educator 

 APH Products and Sites

• Tangle Toy
• Walk/Run for Fitness
• Jump Rope to Fitness
• 30-Love Tennis
• Sound Ball
• Portable Sound Source and Sound Localization Guidebook
• APH Downloadable Product Manuals
• The “I Am” Challenge: Olympics/Paralympics
• Institute of Movement Studies for Individuals with Visual Impairments

Additional Links

• Goalball Competition Schedule
• AudioJack

 Camp Abilities

• Camps
• Videos

On this episode of Change Makers, we’re talking about how to advocate as a parent or guardian for your child. We will talk to APH experts about how you can help your child get the resources they deserve and how to choose the best educational devices to fit their needs. 

Podcast Guests (In Order of Appearance)

• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Olaya Landa-Vialard, APH ConnectCenter Director
• Leanne Grillott, APH National Director of Outreach Services

Additional Links

• [email protected]
• ConnectCenter.org
• FamilyConnect.org
• Information and Referral Telephone Line: 1-800-252-5463
• Welcome to Holland

On this episode of Change Makers, we’re talking how APH gets its funding and what you can do to provide your input.

Podcast Guests (In Order of Appearance)
Sara Brown
Paul Schroeder
Paul Ferrara
Mike Wood

Additional Links
Juno

Congressional Information

The federal government provides substantial financial support for special education, including education for students who are blind or visually impaired. Each year, Congress decides how much funding to allocate to programs like APH. Congress will soon be making those decisions. 

Parents, educators, and students, are the best messengers to educate Congress or state legislatures about the educational needs of students who are blind or visually impaired and the services that ensure success. 

Providing information to educate a member of Congress or other policymaker is legal, expected and very helpful to them in doing their job. An email or phone call describing your experience with available educational material like accessible books, technology or special instruction aids is very useful.

• To find your representative use the state directory or zip code search 
• Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (116th Congress)
• US Senate, Subcommittee on Appropriations for Education and other Agencies

Legislation

• Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act, H.R. 1959, S. 813

Access Technology Affordability Act (ATAA)

• H.R. 431
• S. 212