Inform & Connect: An American Foundation for the Blind Podcast

This episode of Inform & Connect will feature Helen Selsdon, who manages the Helen Keller Archive and serves as a grant writer and spokesperson for AFB’s historical collections.

Helen will discuss the enormous project that was the digitization of the Helen Keller Archival Collection – the world’s largest repository of letters, speeches, press clippings, scrapbooks, photographs, architectural drawings, artifacts and audio-video materials relating to Helen Keller.

Full Transcript

Inform & Connect, the American Foundation for the Blind’s live group conversation and podcast created to foster togetherness and camaraderie within the blindness community through informal storytelling and learning about relevant, interesting topics, returns December 9th. The episode will feature special guests Dr. L. Penny Rosenblum, AFB Director of Research; and Elizabeth: Bolander, teacher of students with visual impairments (TVI) and Ph.D. candidate at New Mexico State University.

Dr. Rosenblum and Ms. Bolander will be discussing "Mainstream and Assistive Technology Use in the Workplace,” sharing information from nine focus groups held in October and November. They will also cover how those with visual impairments can better position themselves to obtain and maintain employment, along with how the focus group findings provide valuable information to tech companies, employers, IT professionals, and those involved in hiring.

Melody Goodspeed, AFB Major Gifts Specialist, will guide the conversation.

A complete  transcript is available on our website.

Inform & Connect, the American Foundation for the Blind’s ongoing series created to foster togetherness and camaraderie within the blindness community through informal storytelling and learning about relevant, interesting topics, returns with guest Jeff Heck, owner of NaJor Productions.

Jeff founded NaJor Productions in 1996 as an outlet for his passion for being behind the camera and writing. Most of the company’s clients hail from the corporate and educational sectors. Jeff has been involved in writing, filming, editing, and the distribution of over 600 titles.

A transcript of this episode is available on our website. 

Inform and Connect, the American Foundation for the Blind’s ongoing series created to foster togetherness and camaraderie within the blindness community through informal storytelling and learning about relevant, interesting topics, features special guest Thomas Reid, creator of the Reid My Mind podcast.

Thomas’s podcast contains stories and profiles of compelling people impacted by all degrees of blindness and disability. He also explores his own experiences in his unique way pairing his words with music and sound design. With this strong focus on audio, Reid My Mind is a platform for Thomas to share interviews, stories, opinions in all media formats.

Transcript

In this episode of AFB's Inform & Connect podcast, Melody speaks with Gena Harper, Senior Vice President, Investing with Impact Director, Senior Investment Management Consultant at Morgan Stanley. 

Gena will share the story of her personal and professional journey, and setting the example of a life lived with no limits. Having joined AFB’s board of trustees in January 2020, she will also discuss what AFB’s mission means to her and why the work the organization does is as important as ever.

A transcript is available on our website. 

Inform & Connect, the American Foundation for the Blind’s ongoing series created to foster togetherness and camaraderie within the blindness community through informal storytelling and learning about relevant, interesting topics, returns July 8th featuring special guest Becky Andrews, owner and clinical director of Resilient Solutions, Inc.

Becky is an entrepreneur, licensed mental health counselor, runner, and a fierce advocate for blind women. She was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa at age 18, and took on the challenge of learning to live life to its fullest. She is passionate about advocating for people with disabilities and has conducted numerous trainings to schools, corporations, and community meetings.

A transcript of this podcast is available on our website.

This week on Inform & Connect, Melody speaks with C. Scott Hansen, Sr. Director, Guest Technology, Global Operations Marriott International, Inc.

In our current times, we are moving back to the world of travel. We can all agree this looks very different from what we were used to. Scott not only has a vast amount of knowledge in the hospitality industry, but is a seasoned traveler that wants to collaborate with us all in this unchartered territory.

Transcript available on the AFB website. 

We have a special edition episode of Inform & Connect featuring the American Foundation for the Blind’s Director of Research Dr. L. Penny Rosenblum.

Dr. Rosenblum will be discussing the Flatten Inaccessibility research report, the culmination of survey findings from 1,921 U.S. participants who are blind (65%) or have low vision (35%). The survey investigated the experiences of these participants during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to determine how they were affected in areas including access to transportation, healthcare, access to food and supplies, employment, education, and voting.

A transcript is available on our website.

Inform & Connect, the American Foundation for the Blind’s ongoing series created to foster togetherness and camaraderie within the blindness community through informal storytelling and learning about relevant, and interesting topics. Today's guest is Alexa Jovanovic, designer and founder of Aille Design.

The company works alongside a diverse team of fashion lovers from blind, visually impaired and sighted communities, creating fashion-forward products that empower and celebrate inclusivity. The intricate beading describes clothing characteristics, such as color, textiles, wash instructions, and fit.

Transcript: https://www.afb.org/inform-connect-episode08-alexa-jovanovic

Inform & Connect, the American Foundation for the Blind’s ongoing series created to foster togetherness and camaraderie within the blindness community through informal storytelling and learning about relevant, interesting topics. Today, Melody's guest is Catherine Harrison, a professional commercial print and fitness model.

Catherine was a Registered Nurse prior to her sight loss. She was diagnosed in 1995 with retinitis pigmentosa, only weeks after returning from serving for two years on the mission field in Nigeria. When her eyesight worsened to the degree she could no longer be effective in nursing, she forged a new career path that has blossomed. She has been a national public speaker and article writer for several magazines, sharing her story of learning to walk with strength and faith behind a white cane. Her mission is not only to successfully work as a model who happens to have a visual impairment, but to empower women of all ages to step into their strength, regardless of their circumstances, with poise and courage.

Transcript: https://www.afb.org/inform-connect-episode07-catherine-harrison