Change Makers: A Podcast from APH

On this Change Makers episode, learn how braille books are made. Hear about the process that goes into every book that is made from start to finish. After that, learn what’s new with the Reach and Match products.

On this Podcast (In Order of Appearance)

• Michael Haynes, Manager, Accessible Tests and Textbooks Department
• Jane Thompson, Director, Accessible Tests and Textbook Department
• Sally Hart, Accessible Textbook Tactile Graphics Editor
• Jonathan Carson, Braille and Accessible Media Editor III
• Mandy Lau, Founder & Director, Reach & Match®

Additional Links

• Email Mandy Lau
• Email Change Makers

What resources are available for job seekers? This episode breaks down a special toolkit that helps those looking for employment and build critical skills that will ultimately lead to a successful job search. 

Participants (In Order of Appearance)

• Narrator
• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Richard Rueda, APH ConnectCenter Assistant Director
• Lori Scharff, APH ConnectCenter
• Marianne Haegeli, Program Director, NSITE Learning and Leadership
• Selene Monjaraz, Toolkit User

Additional Links

• Job Seeker’s Toolkit
• Personal Employment Stories
• The Gibney Family Foundation

On this special episode of Change Makers, we are spotlighting APH’s very own change maker, Bruce Sexton. Expect special episodes like this from time-to-time. Hear from APH employees who are blind or low vision about their early life, education, obstacles, successes, and what they’ve learned along the way.

On this episode (In Order of Appearance)

• Narrator
• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Bruce Sexton, APH Director of Access and Belonging

Additional Links

• Email Change Makers

On this episode of Change Makers, we are learning what’s new at GoodMaps. It’s an exciting time for the indoor navigation company, as they look to launch their new app, grow their indoor mapping locations, and work to incorporate future technology into their newest products. After we talk to GoodMaps, we’ll get our monthly update on the Connect the Dots events. 

Podcast Participants (In order of appearance)

• Narrator
• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Theresa Reno-Weber, GoodMaps CEO
• Erin Sigmund, APH Community Relations and Policy Advisor

Additional Links

• GoodMaps
• Email Change Makers

On this episode of Change Makers we are wrapping up Deafblind Awareness Month by talking to two individuals who are deafblind. Hear them share their experiences, and detail a few simple things others can do to make sure other deafblind individuals are always included.

On this Podcast (In Order of Appearance)

• Narrator
• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Danielle Burton, APH Communications Accessibility Editor
• Meagan Gorsuch, Program Manager for Vancro

Additional Links

• Meet Henna, the 2021 Guide/Hearing Hero Dog
• 2021 Hero Dog Awards | Guide/Hearing Hero Dog - Henna
• Email ChangeMakers

On today’s episode we’re getting an update about APH Huntington. Hear about their goals for this year, and learn about their recent grant. After that, get the latest with the Connect the Dots, powered by PNC Foundation.

On this episode (In order of appearance)

• Narrator
• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Lee Huffman, APH  Low Vision Product Manager, Product Development
• Kathy Nichols, APH Senior Museum Educator

Additional Links

• APH Huntington: Accessible Tech Initiatives in West Virginia
• Connect the Dots - 2024 APH Museum
• The Dot Experience

On today’s episode we’re talking about listening vs. reading, Is learning braille necessary? I’m talking to experts in the field and a young adult on their experiences and thoughts on this topic.

On this episode (In order of appearance)

• Narrator
• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Abby Hodge, Braille Instructor Abby Hodge at Charles W. McDowell Center for the Blind
• Krystal Guillory, Teacher of Blind and Visually Impaired Students Lincoln Parish Schools
• Dr. Donna Brostek Lee, University of Kentucky Clinical Associate Professor
• Jessica Minneci, APH Communications Associate

Additional Links 

• Monarch
• Polly
• Chameleon 20
• Mantis Q40
• Charles W. McDowell Center for the Blind
• Lincoln Parish Schools
• Donna Lee at the University of Kentucky College of Education
• APH Blog

On this episode of Change Makers, enjoy an update on the Monarch as it's set to launch in just a few short months. There have been numerous interviews and updates about the Monarch, and each time there’s something bigger and better to discuss…and that holds true for this episode. We’re learning more about the price of the Monarch and how you can get on the list; feedback about the Monarch and how the overall reception is shaping the software; and the latest with eBraille.

On this episode (In order of appearance)

• Narrator
• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Anne Lancaster, APH Vice President, Chief Officer Innovation and Strategy
• Greg Stilson, APH Head of Global Innovation
• Jason Martin, APH Technical Innovations Product Manager
• Willow Free, APH Technology Product Manager, Educational Product Innovation

Additional Links

• Monarch Waitlist
• Find your Representative
• The Braille Metamorphosis has Begun
• The eBRF Revolution
• Email Change Makers

On this episode of Change Makers, enjoy hearing roving interviews from the 2024 Abacus Bee. Held in Louisville, Ky. students from across the country came to demonstrate their math skills on the abacus. After that, hear from APH's Erin Sigmund about the next Connect the Dots, powered by PNC Foundation event.

On this Podcast (In order of appearance)

• Narrator
• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Sarah Vanderpool, parent
• Mary Herod, parent
• Melisa Matthews, APH Digital Content Manager ConnectCenter
• Jennifer Brooks, APH Outreach Regional Specialist - Northcentral Region
• John Tracey, Simons Foundation Program Director, Science, Society and Culture
• Ryan Jenkins, Abacus Bee participant
• Lison, parent
• Tiffany Stevens, TVI
• Louis, Abacus Bee participant
• Joe Strechay, Producer and Consultant
• McKenzie Gibson, Abacus Bee participant
• Maggie, Abacus Bee participant
• Leanne Grillot, APH Senior Director of Outreach Services
• Erin Sigmund, APH Community Relations and Policy Advisor

Additional Links

• Abacus Bee 2024 Finals
• About the Abacus Bee
• Simons Foundation
• Connect the Dots 2024

On this episode of Change Makers, we continue our conversation about how parents, grandparents and education professionals advocate for their children, in school and in public. They’ll share their experiences and what they’ve learned on this journey.

Podcast Participants (In order of appearance)

• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Melisa Matthews, APH Digital Content Manager APH ConnectCenter FamilyConnect
• Rob Harris, Father
• Angela Baldwin, Grandmother
• Jana Villemez, Family Engagement Initiative at NCDB and Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Additional Links

• Attending the APH ConnectCenter Family Retreat
• Rosie the Resilient
• APH FamilyConnect