Change Makers: A Podcast from APH

In this episode of Change Makers, we’re talking about the Americans with Disabilities Act, better known as the ADA. We’re going to talk briefly about how the ADA came about and what the ADA has accomplished, what advances should be made and how to advocate for yourself or a loved one.

On this Podcast (In Order of Appearance)

• Jack Fox Fox, Narrator
• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Paul Schroeder,  APH Vice President, Government and Community Affairs.
• Tai Tomasi, APH Director, Accessibility, Diversity and Inclusion

Additional Links

• Email Tai Tomasi

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

Hello and welcome to Change Makers,  today we’re celebrating Helen Keller. Her birthday is Sunday, June 27 and to celebrate this Change Maker, we’re going to talk to two experts who examine her work up close and personal on a regular basis. We'll also learn how refreshable braille devices have opened the doors for everyone to communicate. We will also have a special segment from an Ohio State School for the Blind Senior.

On this Podcast (In Order of Appearance)

• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Micheal Hudson, APH Museum Director
• Justin Gardner, AFB Helen Keller Archivist, Museum of the American Printing House for the Blind
• Peggy Sinclair-Morris, KSB Principal
• Jerimiah T., This I Believe speaker

Additional Links

• Letters to Helen Keller from Students in Wrangell, Alaska
• The Status of Blind Women in the World
• Photograph of bust of Helen Keller by Hans Albrecht von Harrach. 1931
• Photograph of the head of a metal (bronze?) sculpture of Helen Keller's head and torso by Jo Davidson
• Bronze bust of Polly Thomson by Donald Rothenberg
• APH Museum website

APH Products

• To Love This Life: Quotations by Helen Keller
• Deaf Blind Pocket Communicator
• Braille Trail Reader LE
• Chameleon 20
• Mantis Q40
• Sunu Band

EDITORS NOTE: College Success @ Perkins is now available to students in grades 9-12.

On this episode of Change Makers, we highlight the numerous services available with a discussion lead by members from APH, AERBVI, College Success @ Perkins and VisionServe Alliance.

On this Podcast (In Order of Appearance)

• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Kathryn Botsford, Digital Content Strategist and Lead Researcher, APH ConnectCenter
• Olaya Landa-Vialard, Director, APH ConnectCenter
• Lee Nasehi, President & CEO, VisionServe Alliance
• Mark Richert, Interim Executive Director at Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired
• Leslie Thatcher, Director, College Success @ Perkins
• Paul Ferrara, Communications Accessibility Editor, Dot6
• Mandy Lau, Reach and Match
• Emily T., This I Believe speaker

Additional Links

• FCC Seeks on Updating Rules Implementing the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act
• Compass: A College Success @ Perkins Program
• Reach and Match Braille Learning and Sensory Play Mat
• Reach and Match Learning Kit
• [email protected]
   

Webinar Links

• Using Reach and Match to Engage and Educate all Children
• Creative Learning to Meet Educational and Therapy Goals Using the Reach & Match

On this episode of Change Makers, we are celebrating TVI's. We'll learn more about the field and the important work they do and the need for more TVI’s.  After that, we’ll check in with Partners with Paul.

Podcast Participants (In Order of Appearance)

• Sara Brown: APH Public Relations Manager, [email protected]
• Emily Coleman: Superintendent of the Texas School for the Blind, [email protected]
• Kristin Oien: Specialist for the Blind / Visually Impaired, Minnesota Department of Education  [email protected]
• Rachel Bigham: M.Ed., TVI, COMS, Visual Impairments Specialist, Zanesville City Schools, [email protected]
• Leanne Grillott: APH National Director of Outreach Services, [email protected]
• Paul Ferrara: Partners with Paul Host, CPACC, ADS, Certified Braille Transcriber Communications Accessibility Editor, [email protected]
• Joyce Lopez: Product Developer, PlayAbility Toys
• Dr. Marty Fox: President, PlayAbility Toys

PlayAbility Toys Additional Links
Company Page

Nurture Smart

PlayAbility Toys at APH

Rib-It Balls 14 inch
Rib-It Balls 18 inch
Rib-It Balls 30 inch

Paint-Pot Palette

Paint by Number Safari Tropical Rainforest
Paint by Number Safari Under the Sea
Paint by Number Safari Backyard Creatures
Paint by Number Safari Desert Creatures

In this episode of Change Makers, we're celebrating National Inventors Month by learning how an APH product is created. From an idea to a physical product. We'll talk to product managers about the process and hear why partnerships are so important.

Podcast Participants (in order of appearance)

• Sara Brown: APH Public Relations Manager
• Mark Renfrow: APH Director of Educational Product Innovation
• Greg Stilson: APH Head of Global Innovation

Change Makers previews the upcoming 2021 National Coding Symposium that will take place Tuesday, May 11, through Friday, May 14. The event, hosted by the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) and California School for the Blind (CSB) is co-sponsored by CareerConnect, part of the APH ConnectCenter and made possible in part by support from Fox Family Foundation.

The National Coding Symposium's goal is to demonstrate the world of coding, programming and related careers, are available and accessible to students with visual impairments. The free, virtual event will feature two daily keynote speakers, several presentations and multiple breakout panel sessions. Keynote speakers, presenters, and panelists come from a diverse coding career background of programmers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, inventors, hiring managers, career center directors and counselors, university and high school instructors and more.  

Podcast Participants (In Order of Appearance)

• Sara Brown: APH Public Relations Manager
• Olaya Landa-Vialard: APH ConnectCenter Director
• Adrian Amandi: Director of the California Education Resources Center for the California School for the Blind
• Vanessa Herndon: Low Vision Clinic and Classroom Coordinator
• Paul Ferrara: Partners with Paul Host, APH Communications Accessibility Editor
• Diego J. Mendoza: Sunu, Inc.

Additional Links

• 2021 National Coding Symposium
• Sunu Band

Technology Awards at National Coding Symposium

During the virtual National Coding Symposium (May 11-14), five separate award opportunities for student attendees will be announced. Each selected student award winner will receive a credit of up to $3,000 towards the purchase of technology, including braille displays, video magnifiers, or other unique technology, AND a $200 Amazon gift card.

Click here to learn more about these awards and the student submission requirements, and to complete the Award Submission Form. 

Click here to learn more about the 2021 National Coding Symposium.

In this episode of Change Makers, we're learning about resources for CVI. There is a new APH Press book titled, Babies with CVI: Nurturing Visual Abilities and Development in Early Childhood. Hear from the author, Anne McComiskey, what other books are available from APH Press that discuss CVI and the author of The CVI Companion Guide, Amanda Lueck. We'll also have a segment from Partners with Paul.

Podcast Participants (In Order of Appearance)

• Sara Brown: APH Public Relations Manager
• Anne McComiskey: Babies with CVI: Nurturing Visual Abilities and Development in Early Childhood
• Heather Spence: APH Press Director
• Paul Ferrara: Partners with Paul Host
• Dan Gardner: PixBlaster
• Amanda Lueck: CVI Companion Guide

Additional Links

• Family Connect: Family-oriented site from American Printing House for the Blind.
• APH Homepage: American Printing House for the Blind.
• LilliWorks Active Learning Foundation:  Information and teaching theory of Active Learning by Lilli Nielsen.
• WonderBaby.org: Site funded by Perkins School for the Blind.
• Paths to Literacy: Collaborative site between Perkins School for the Blind and Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired that shares strategies, resources, and research for technology to enhance literacy for children.
• Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Information, ideas, articles, and suggestions.
• Little Bear Sees - Helping Children with Cortical Visual Impairment:  Website by parents offering support.
• Blind Babies Foundation:  Informative and easily readable facts.
• CVI - American Printing House for the Blind: Resource for research and support for parents and teachers.
• CViConnect: Community of professionals offering hope with personalized support. 
• Cortical Visual Impairment: An Approach to Assessment and Intervention, 2nd Edition
• Cortical Visual Impairment: Advanced Principles
• Vision and the Brain: Understanding Cerebral Visual Impairment in Children
• APH Products for CVI
• PixBlaster Search Results
• PixBlaster Embosser YouTube Training Videos
• PixBlaster User Guide
• PixBlaster FAQs

Customer Service
Toll-Free: 800-223-1839 (U.S. and Canada)
Fax: 502-899-2284
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p. m. EST

Hear APH President, Dr. Meador discuss the many curveballs COVID-19 brought to APH and how the organization adapted to those challenges. Plus      Dr. L. Penny Rosenblum, AFB Director of Research, examines the impact of COVID-19 on students with visual impairments in the Access and Engagement Study.

On this podcast (In order of appearance)

• Dr. Craig Meador - APH President
• Dr. L. Penny Rosenblum - AFB Director of Research

Additional Links

• Executive summary and report (both PDF and on the web site by sections)
• AFB Town Hall#3 – Education Across the Lifespan
• APH's Annual Meeting form October 8, 2020
• Blog Post
• Op Ed

APH is celebrating Women's History Month with a brief history of the origin of Women's History Month, followed by a look back at the pioneers and then a look at women who are currently blazing the trail for future generations.

Podcast Participants (in order of appearance)

• Mike Hudson 
• Dr. Sandra Lewis
• Paul Ferrara
• Mike Wood
• Nabiha Mujahd
• Tai Tomasi

Additional Links 

• Helen Keller Archive
• Hall of Fame
• APH Museum
• Enter to win a free Annual License of JAWS, ZoomText, or Fusion
• JAWS Annual Student License page
• ZoomText Annual Student License Page

On this podcast, we’re talking to the developers of GoodMaps Explore, the popular accessible indoor-outdoor navigation app.  We’ll learn more about the GoodMaps app, their recent award and what else the company is working on. Then, we’ll celebrate Black History Month with our final interview with our special guest, Mr. Louis Tutt.


Guests (in order of appearance)

• Greg Stilson, APH Head of Global Innovation
• Jose Gaztambide, GoodMaps CEO
• Mike May, GoodMaps Chief Evangelist
• Paul Ferrara, Communications Accessibility Editor
• David Tobin, Founder and CEO of AudioJack
• Mr. Louis Tutt, former EOT

Links

• GoodMaps
• For more information or to inquire about getting GoodMaps technology in your space, email [email protected] 
• AudioJack Homepage
• AudioJack Contest

Black History Month Links to Awards - Links are directly to the images 

• https://www.aph.org/aph-awards-plaques/
• https://www.aph.org/wings-of-freedom-award-plaque-2014-2018/
• https://www.aph.org/wings-of-freedom-award-overview-plaque/
• https://www.aph.org/from-the-field-awards-plaques/
• https://www.aph.org/overview-of-william-english-leadership-award-plaque/
• https://www.aph.org/william-english-leadership-award-plaque-1991-2002/
• https://www.aph.org/wall-of-tribute/