Envision Podcast

Dr. Leo Bissonnette’s Journey with Envision: Accessibility Built with the Community

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Leo Bissonnette—early adopter, educator, and longtime collaborator—to explore how assistive technology becomes life-changing when it’s built with the blind and low vision community at the center.

Leo shares:

• A pivotal moment with Envision Glasses in 2020 that turned a simple TV ticker into an “eye-opener” for everyday accessibility.

• How Ally made holiday shopping, finding books, and everyday tasks seamless in 2025.

• Why the Solos glasses + Ally app combination reduces friction and expands independence—from reading documents to navigating hotels.

• The difference between accessibility by design and retrofitting, and why starting with “What do you want to do?” matters.

• Practical advice for families, trainers, and communities to support new tech users with small, confidence-building steps.

We also discuss training the trainer, universal design, and how innovations born for accessibility often become mainstream improvements for everyone.

If you’re new to Envision, try a small task with Ally—read a document, identify an item in your kitchen, or look up a book—and build from there. Independence grows one step at a time.

Join us as we pull back the curtain on the Ally Solos Glasses, a new era in accessible AI. In this special episode, we sit down with Solos Co-Founder Ken Fan to hear his team’s story, from their early days in smart tech to their human-first design philosophy.

Learn why this partnership is more than just hardware and software—it’s a shared vision for true independence. Ken explains why Solos chose to partner with Ally to ensure the new glasses are designed from the ground up for the blind and low-vision community. We also cover key topics like:

• Why the modular design makes the glasses so lightweight and comfortable.

• How Ally’s AI provides uncensored, transparent information.

• Our commitment to your privacy, with a system that puts you in control of your data.

• Exclusive insights on upcoming features, including shortcuts and document guidance.

Plus, stay for the live Q&A section, where we answer the community’s top questions. This is the story of how our teams came together to create a device that feels made for you.

Go to ally.me/glasses to pre-order your glasses

In this episode, we sit down with Costanza, product designer at Envision, to explore the design journey behind Ally—our AI-powered assistant built specifically for people who are blind or have low vision. Costanza shares how her team puts accessibility at the center of every design decision, from simplifying app navigation to supporting screen readers and haptic feedback. Hear how user stories, like Marco’s study sessions and Selly’s upside-down documents, inspire new ideas and smarter features. If you’re curious about how great design can make technology more inclusive, this episode is for you.

In this episode of the Envision Podcast, Vanessa speaks with Tim Shaw, Manager of Evaluation and Support Services at the Texas Workforce Commission—and a passionate advocate for accessibility and independence.

Tim shares his personal journey of vision loss and how it has shaped his professional mission to support others who are blind and low vision. He provides an in-depth look at the Commission's two key programs: vocational rehabilitation for job seekers and the older individuals who are blind program for those aiming to maintain independence.

The conversation dives deep into how artificial intelligence is transforming accessibility, from scene descriptions and resume optimization to personalized navigation and travel planning. Tim candidly discusses both the promise and pitfalls of AI, emphasizing the importance of inclusive design and user testing. He also gives a behind-the-scenes look at his creative use of AI in songwriting and music video production—revealing he’s written nearly 150 songs!

Tune in for an inspiring discussion on how technology, when built inclusively, can empower people who are blind or low-vision to live, work, and explore more independently than ever before.

in this episode, we sit down with neeraj gupta from vista center for the blind and visually impaired to explore the world of assistive technology, training, and how to create real pathways to independence. neeraj shares his own journey navigating vision loss, how assistive tech opened new possibilities, and why collaboration between nonprofits and innovators like envision is key. tune in for a heartfelt conversation about breaking down barriers, tapping into funding and resources, and building careers and confidence for people who are blind or have low vision.

Discover ally today, download the ally app or go to ⁠ally.me⁠

Follow @allydotme on Tiktok, Instagram or X.

In this episode of the Envision Podcast, Bhagya from the Envision team talks with Dr. Stanley Janel, a retired physician, passionate art lover, and founder of the Blind Posse. Together, they dive into the journey of making museums more welcoming for people who are blind or have low vision. Dr. Janel shares his personal story, the roots of the Blind Posse, and their six basic access objectives that are helping reshape art experiences around the world.

Learn how collaboration, advocacy, and thoughtful audio descriptions can open up a world of art for everyone.

Discover ally today, download the ally app or go to ally.me

Follow @allydotme on Tiktok, Instagram or X.

From smart assistants with attitude to hands-free AI that helps navigate daily life—this episode of the Envision podcast dives into how AI is transforming assistive technology for people who are blind or have low vision. Join us and Sam from The Blind Life for a candid, insightful, and fun conversation about tech, travel, independence, and why a companion like Ally might just become your new best friend.

In celebration of International Women’s Day, we sit down with Abby Esteves, iOS engineer at Envision, to discuss her journey in tech. From starting as a UI/UX designer to developing accessible AI-powered apps for people who are blind or have low vision, Abby shares her experiences, challenges, and advice for women in STEM.

We also talk about remote work, accessibility in app development, and the power of AI assistance like ally, Envision’s new conversational AI assistant. Plus, find out which ally personalities Abby has created for herself!

🚀 Tune in for an inspiring conversation on women in engineering, tech accessibility, and the future of AI.

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Learn more about ally: ally.me

Learn more about the Envision Glasses: letsenvision.com/glasses

Find us on social media @LetsEnvision!

In this episode, we sit down with Jerry Mader, a blind broadcaster, musician, and Internet Radio Hall of Fame inductee, who has spent over two decades redefining the audio entertainment world. Jerry shares how he uses AI, specifically Ally, to enhance his radio shows, navigate daily tasks, and even provide emotional support. Learn how technology and creativity intersect in Jerry’s inspiring story of resilience, innovation, and community building.

Join the ⁠⁠⁠ally beta⁠⁠⁠

Book a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠free demo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ now!

Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠Community Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Share your thoughts and connect with us on social media: @LetsEnvision on Instagram, X, Facebook, Mastodon, and LinkedIn.

Join us for an inspiring episode as we celebrate World Braille Day with Chela Robles, a certified braille transcriber and lifelong braille user. Chela shares her journey of learning braille through playful methods as a child, her experiences as a transcriber, and the vital role braille plays in literacy and independence for people who are blind or have low vision. Whether you’re a braille user or simply curious about its impact, this episode offers valuable insights and celebrates the resilience of the blind and low vision community.

Join the ⁠⁠⁠ally beta⁠⁠⁠

Book a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠free demo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ now!

Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠Community Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Share your thoughts and connect with us on social media: @LetsEnvision on Instagram, X, Facebook, Mastodon, and LinkedIn.