Change Makers: A Podcast from APH

On this episode of Change Makers, hear how parents, 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

• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Melisa Matthews, APH Digital Content Manager APH ConnectCenter FamilyConnect
• Krista Reid, Mother
• Angel Webb, Mother
• Tiffany Buzzard, Mother
• Amy Shephard, Educator

Additional Links

• APH ConnectCenter
• Bringing Braille Basics Home
• Self Advocacy and Teamwork are the Name of the Game
• Raising a Child who is Blind to Know She Can Do Anything
• Parent Advisory Board: When Personal and Professional Roles Merge
• Email Change Makers

On this episode of Change Makers, we’re checking in on the Dot Experience. We’ll get an update on the latest in the process, learn about the prototyping groups, and the important feedback they’re providing, and hear the thought process that goes into making everything in the museum touchable. After that, learn about the influencer campaign and learn about the most recent Connect the Dots, powered by PNC foundation event.

Participants

• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Jo Haas, APH Vice President of Advancement and the Dot Experience  Museum Fundraising
• Paul Schroeder, APH Vice President Impact and Outreach
• Jackson King, Solid Light Project Manager
• Marje Kaiser, Ed.D., APH Board member
• Erin Sigmund, APH Community Relations and Policy Advisor

Additional Links

• The Dot Experience
• Solid Light
• Legacies of Influence: Honoring the Impactful Individuals in Our Lives
• Connect the Dots, powered by PNC Foundation
• Email Change Makers

On this episode during Black History Month, we’re examining how diseases commonly found among African Americans can impact eyes. After that, hear feedback about the recent monarch teacher and professional training.

On this podcast (In order of appearance)

• Narrator
• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Joern Soltau, M.D., UofL Physician – Eye Specialist
• Leslie Weilbacher, APH Outreach Regional Specialist - Northwest Region
• Jeff Schwartz, APH Director of Regional Training and Outreach - Education & Outreach

Additional Links

• High Blood Pressure Symptoms from the CDC
• High Blood Pressure from the American Heart Association
• Diabetes Symptoms from the Mayo Clinic
• What is Diabetes from the CDC
• Glaucoma Symptoms from the Mayo Clinic
• Glaucoma information from the Cleveland Clinic
• Diabetic Retinopathy from the Mayo Clinic
• Diabetic Retinopathy information from Johns Hopkins Medicine
• Tips to Prevent Vision Loss from the CDC
• Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA)
• Mastering the Monarch
• Building an Early Tactile Foundation for Graphics Understanding
• APH Hive
• Email Change Makers

On this episode of Change Makers we are talking about the upcoming Abacus Bee. Held in March, this event will host the best and brightest abacus students right here in Louisville, Kentucky.

On this Podcast (In Order of Appearance)

• Narrator
• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Jennifer Brooks, APH Outreach Specialist – NorthCentral Region 

Additional Links

• Abacus Bee 2024
• About APH Abacus Bee
• Connect the Dots, powered by PNC Foundation

On this episode of Change Makers, learn more about the Hive’s newest course on the topic of reading, designed for educators but also helpful for caregivers. The course was developed through a partnership with the state of Ohio and offers one of a kind learning with access to unique, accessible, resources. After that, hear about our recent event that announced a grant from PNC Foundation that will fund the delivery of the first official program of The Dot Experience, in partnership with the Louisville Free Public Library.
 
On this podcast

• Narrator
• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Amy Campbell, APH Hive Director
• Shawna Benson, Program Director, Teaching Diverse Learners Center at OCALI
• Angelica Gagaliardi, Outreach Specialist Outreach Center for Deafness and Blindness at OCALI
• Christine Croyle, Program Director for OCALI
• Erin Sigmund, Community Relations and Policy Advisor

Additional Links 

• APH Hive
• The Outreach Center for Deafness and Blindness
• Literacy Access for All
• APH Museum
• APH Museum Connect the Dots
• PNC Foundation
• Louisville Free Public Library

Connect the Dots, powered by PNC Foundation schedule

• Sat., Jan. 6 - Happy Birthday Louis Braille at the Northeast Regional Library (15 Bellevoir Circle)
• Sat., Feb. 17 - Light and Shadow at the Main Library (301 York St.)
• Sat., March 30 - “How do people who are blind read?” at the Highlands Shelby Park Library (1250 Bardstown Road)
• Sat., April 13 - Career: Sports at the Iroquois Library (601 W. Woodlawn Ave.)
• Sat., May 18 - “How do people who are blind do math?” at the Main Library (301 York St.)
• Sat., June 15 - Happy Birthday Helen Keller at the St. Matthews Library (3940 Grandview Ave.)
• Sat., July 13 - Touch and Texture at the South Central Regional (7300 Jefferson Blvd.)
• Sat., Aug. 3 - Career: Cooking at the Southwest Regional Library (9725 Dixie Highway)
• Sat., Sept. 28 - “How do people who are blind navigate?” at Newburg Branch Library (4800 Exeter Ave.)
• Sat., Oct. 19 - Sound and Vibration at Western Library (604 S. 10th St.)
• Sat., Nov. 2 - Career: Science at South Central Regional Library (7300 Jefferson Blvd.)
• Sat., Dec. 14 - “Happy Holidays Mary Ingalls!” at Jeffersontown Branch Library (10635 Watterson Trail)

On this episode, hear from APH leaders about the past 12 months, and what’s ahead for the next few months.

On This Episode (In Order of Appearance)

• Narrator
• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Craig Meador, Ed.D., APH President.
• Anne Durham, APH Vice President, Chief Officer Innovation and Strategy
• Paul Schroeder, APH Vice President, Impact and Outreach 

Additional Links

• The Braille Metamorphosis has Begun
• Paul Schroeder performs Highway to Braille
• Public Witness Hearing - Labor, Health and Human Services, Education,  and Related Agencies

On this episode, we’re learning about what it takes to prepare for a guide dog. On episode 61, Canes vs. Guide Dogs, we learned how guide dogs are trained, now we’re going to hear from someone expecting a guide dog detail the process. After that, hear cool gift ideas for the upcoming holidays.

On this Podcast (In Order of Appearance)

• Narrator
• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Leslie Weilbacher, APH Outreach Specialist – Northwest Region
• Melisa Matthews, Digital Content Manager Family Connect
• Addie Tighe, College Student
• Joseph Hodge, APH Lead Technical Quality Assurance Analyst 

Additional Links 

• Guide Dogs for the Blind
• Guiding Eyes for the Blind
• Leader Dogs For the Blind
• Seeing Eye Dogs
• Feel n’ Peel Sheets, Carousel of Textures
• Graphic Art Tape
• LEGO Braille Bricks
•  Walk/Run for Fitness Kit
• Tactile Clothing Tape
• Talking GlowDice
• Accessible Code and Go Mouse
• Google Pixel Tablet
• RC Snap Rover Access Kit
• Chameleon 20

On this episode of Change Makers, we are learning more about aging loved ones, mainly loved ones with declining vision. Learn what resources are available and how you can help your loved ones this holiday season

On this Episode (In Order of Appearance)

• Kathryn Frederick, Digital Content Manager VisionAware, APH ConnectCenter
• Lori Scharff, APH ConnectCenter
• Pris Rogers, Special Advisor, Aging and Vision Loss

Additional Links

• APH Connect Center
• Getting Started 2020: A Guide for People New to Vision Loss

On this episode of Change Makers, we're talking about blindness etiquette with both canes and dogs.  Hear from two cane users, and two guide dog users, as they detail their experiences, and share some basic etiquette tips for the general public.

On this Podcast (In Order of Appearance)

• Narrator
• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Joe Hodge, APH Lead Technical Quality Assurance Analyst, Technology Product Research
• Kathryn Frederick, APH Digital Content Manager VisionAware, ConnectCenter
• Addie Tighe, College Student
• Abby Hodge, Braille Instructor at Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

Additional Links 

• Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
• Charles W. McDowell Center for the Blind

On this episode of Change Makers, we are recapping our 155th Annual Meeting. Held October 4–6 at the Hyatt Regency Louisville in Downtown Louisville, Ex Officio Trustees (EOT) , EOT Census Assistants, Online Ordering Assistants, and other attendees came together to share news, ideas and inspiration. Have a listen as I talk to attendees, learn all about InSights Art and some of their artists. I also spoke with award winners and a Hall of Fame Inductee.

On this Episode (In Order of Appearance)

• Narrator
• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Sherry Holder, Outreach Coordinator for the Oklahoma School for the Blind
• David Martin, Superintendent of the Tennessee Department of Education School for the Blind
• Ginni McDonald, Ed.D., Superintendent of the Russellville School District
• Jon Harding, Superintendent of the Kansas State School for the Blind
• Justin Harris, Digital Media Accessibility Specialist I, for Georgia Tech
• Katy Ring, Ed. D, IESBVI Regional Director for western Iowa
• Lilly Leigh Dunrud, North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind
• Emily Stenberg Brown, North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind
• Robin Budryk, Assistant to the Office of Special Programs NH Accessible Educational Materials
• Tracy Gaines, Vice President, CTEBVI
• Lee Huffman, APH Sr Strategist, Accessible Technology & Community Outreach
• Kristin Villa, APH Business Administrator, EPI
• Meg Outland, APH InSights Art Coordinator
• Gina Ouellette Superintendent, California School for the Blind
• Adam Wilton, Ph.D., Program Manager at the Provincial Resource Centre for the Visually Impaired (PRCVI)
• Justice Smith, InSights Artist
• Taryn Falagan, InSights Artist
• Ian Bullock, InSights Artist
• Escher Hooper, InSights Artist
• Linda Smith, Mother of InSights Artist
• Kristen Applebee, Art Teacher
• Larry Skutchan, Wings of Freedom Award recipient
• Deane Blazie, Horizon Award recipient
• Mike Buckley, Navigator Award recipient
• Carl Augusto, Hall of Fame Inductee

Additional Links

• InSights Art information
• Hall of Fame nomination
• Mike Buckley email