Living Blind

Our regular host, Naomi Hazlett, is back! And in this episode she is joined by the Schiafone Brothers, Christopher and Brandon Schiafone. That’s right, a double feature! Both brothers have degrees in psychology, but come from very different backgrounds. They provide a brief backstory of their career pathways, and how they ultimately ended up studying psychology in order to become better practitioners. There is also a surprise at the end of this interview, so be sure to stay tuned!

Brandon began his life in journalism and public relations, before ultimately becoming a certified life coach. However, in order to do his job effectively and to the fullest, he realized that with a background in behavioural psychology, there was an opportunity to become a one-stop shop for his clients; having the tools to provide legitimate therapy and a blue print for creating a better life. His future will see him utilizing his background in life coaching, along with his education in psychology, to become a certified and practicing couples counsellor.

Chris holds his Social Service Worker Diploma from Seneca College, which he received in 2015. During his placement time he was working with the vision loss community, as well as adults with intellectual disabilities. Finding himself at a crossroads and wondering what he ultimately wanted to specialize in, he got accepted into the university of Guelph Humber’s psychology program, where he decided to focus on Neuroscience. He has recently completed his first Undergraduate degree in Psychology, a Diploma in General Arts And Science, and a Certificate in Research Skills And Analysis from Humber College. He has been working as a data and accessibility analyst for sensetech solutions, and is doing research work with the Centre for Applied Neuroscience. He is currently investigating a Master’s degree in the areas of psychology, Neuroscience and Design.

Both guests provide insight into their experiences going through college and university as blind and low vision students, how they overcame barriers to accessible learning in their fields of study, and the strategies that educators can use to make their classes more accessible when it comes to the visual aspects of learning. These range from general accommodations such as accessible textbooks and screen reading software for computers, to more in-depth areas such as graphics and data analysis software, and diagrams of the human brain and nervous systems which required very creative tactile workarounds.

The brothers offer advice to anyone who is interested in pursuing further education in a post-secondary institution, psychology or otherwise, and how to advocate for yourself in order to get the most out of your studies. 

Christopher Contact info: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-m-schiafone/?originalSubdomain=ca 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cmschiafone

Centre for Applied Neuroscience: https://www.knowyourbrain.ca/

Brandon Contact Info:

Website: http://www.brandonschiafone.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-schiafone-mnlp-mtlt-mcht-9bb95454/?originalSubdomain=ca

Twitter: https://twitter.com › unleashbrandon

Footnote: this episode was inspired by an earlier instalment of our program called Mental Health Matters, featuring a social worker and counsellor with sight loss named Lisa Derencinovic. It is available for streaming in the living blind podcast feed wherever you get your podcasts, or at the following link. https://anchor.fm/balancefba/episodes/Mental-Health-Matters-with-Lisa-e167167

The show notes for this podcast can be found at https://www.balancefba.org/podcast/ 

Donate to BALANCE: https://www.balancefba.org/donate/

In the third and final installment of our 3–part series “Meet me at the Intersection of…”, we have guest host Ramya Amuthan, and her guest Timeshia Edwards.

Timeshia is almost totally blind, and is Moose Cree First Nations. She currently works at the Canadian National Institute for the Blind as a coordinator in the Come To Work Program, serving Ontario west and north. She joins Ramya to discuss many aspects of her life as a blind and indigenous person in Canada, including education, culture and role models. Growing up the eldest of six children in the foster system in small town Northern Ontario, and being the only one with sight loss, she then moved to Brantford Ontario in the sixth grade to live with her adopted family, and spend the second half of her public schooling at the W. Ross Macdonald provincial school for blind, low vision and deafblind students. She talks to Ramya about going through the public school system as a blind person in a remote northern region, and the creative solutions and accommodations her supportive staff developed to account for the isolation and scarcity of resources. Understanding who you are, where you come from, and passing on the traditions of your culture has always been important to Timeshia. Even so, she talks frankly about how this knowledge is not always readily passed onto indigenous youth, due to the intergenerational traumas experienced by their ancestors.

With a background in recreational therapy and a passion for working with youth, Timeshia now works as a counselor at the W. Ross Macdonald school, along with the come to work program at CNIB. It is her life-long mission to serve as a mentor and role model for youth with low and no vision, providing them with the services, skillsets and opportunities they need; just as so many have done for her throughout her life.

Email Timeshia Edwards at [email protected]

Donate to BALANCE: https://www.balancefba.org/donate/

In part 2 of our 3–part series “Meet me at the Intersection of…”, we have guest host Ramya Amuthan, and her guest Ben Akuoko.

Ben is a 33-year-old black man who lives with Retinitis Pigmentosa. He is currently working at the CNIB (GTA) as a Program Lead for Advocacy and Accessibility. He was diagnosed with the eye condition at the age of 2 years old. Ben and Ramya discuss Ben’s experience growing up with RP, how he’s grown as a listener, and the steps he takes to take care of himself. He also delves into the intersections of culture, race and disability from his own experience of them; and some of the limitations and problems that organizations and institutions run into when they focus too much on one aspect of someone's identity.

CNIB Diversity and Inclusion Link: https://cnib.ca/en/support-us/advocate/diversity-inclusion-we-are-cnib?region=on_east

In part 1 of our 3–part series “Meet me at the Intersection of…”, we have guest host Ramya Amuthan, and her guest Windy Ho-Li. As an Asian immigrant to Toronto from Hong-Kong, Windy has a unique perspective on her lived experience with sight loss. Windy discusses several different aspects of her identity, and how these aspects have intersected to the point that their intersections are an integral part of her life.

Windy talks frankly about the impact of sight loss on her independence, about how her Christian faith has been a source of solace and encouragement, and about how her volunteer work in the Cantonese speaking community has included the convening of a support group for members with sight loss, for whom the language barrier has made access to English-based services and supports, a challenge. She also speaks openly about what it means to live with the uncertainty of sight loss, dealing with surgeries, the role of quiet time when faced with challenges, and what brings her life joy and satisfaction.

Joy Beyond Vision Community Website: https://www.joybeyondvision.ca/

Donate to BALANCE: https://www.balancefba.org/donate/

Michelle McQuigge joins Naomi to discuss her career as a journalist for the Canadian Press. They talk about the power of inclusion and mentorship, the need to prove yourself to able-bodied people, and how the pandemic has made journalism more accessible for Michelle as a blind person. Tune in to this hot-off-the-press podcast to learn more!

Follow Michelle on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/mich_mcq

National Disability Employment Awareness Month: https://www.easterseals.org/october-is-national-disability-employment-awareness-month/

Join student turned BALANCE occupational therapist Eve as she sits down with David Lepofsky, Canadian lawyer, educator, and disability advocate. Blind for much of his life, David discusses the advancements that have been made in assistive technology for the low-vision community, his distinguished law career, and impressive advocacy work.

Stay tuned to the end of the episode for a post-show conversation with Eve and Naomi.

Some helpful resources, mentioned in the episode:

Bose Frames: https://www.bose.ca/en_ca/products/frames.html?mc=24_PS_FR_BO_DT_GO_&gclid=CjwKCAjw7--KBhAMEiwAxfpkWKWzJHQW2IjEu5L4uMZmDs6ls6dsx7B8g9XHPqs3bB-qoNAEmlqmZxoCgLMQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Mosen at Large Podcast: https://mosen.org/mosenatlarge/

iSee Podcast: https://davidwoodbr.podbean.com/

Seeing AI app: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/ai/seeing-ai

AODA Alliance General Site: https://www.aodaalliance.org/

Follow the link to sign up for AODA Alliance Email updates: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/j/E6CF25EC7212F550

Arch Disability Law Centre: https://archdisabilitylaw.ca/

YouTube Video: Fight to Amend Canadian Charter of Rights to Protect Disability Equality

Because of BALANCE Campaign: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/balance-for-blind-adults/p2p/because-of-balance-2021/

John Rae and Melissa Smith join Naomi in discussing everything art! John is a well-known advocate in the GTA for blind and low vision folks, and has lived experience of accessing, or not accessing, art as a partially-sighted person. Melissa is currently the Assistant Curator of Access and Learning at the Art Gallery of Ontario, and tells us about what art galleries do well and what could be better when it comes to accessibility.

Take a listen and learn about tactile translation, guided tours, universal design, and how to get the most out of galleries, museums, and other places where art lives and happens.

AGO Andy Warhol Exhibit: https://ago.ca/exhibitions/andy-warhol

Accessibility at the AGO: https://ago.ca/visit/accessibility-ago

Black Creek Pioneer Village: https://blackcreek.ca/places-to-explore/

Naomi sat down with Lisa Derencinovic, a social worker and counsellor with sight loss who lives and works in Toronto, Canada. Lisa has her own business, Counseling with Lisa, and provides counselling services, both group and individual, on contract with BALANCE for Blind Adults. 

Naomi learns from Lisa about the intersection between blindness and mental health, ableism, and the counselling process.  Lisa also provides strategies for physical, mental and emotional self-care that can help to take care of one’s mental health. A key take-away is that seeking and receiving help for mental health is as important as doing so for your physical health and is not a sign of weakness, but of strength.

For more information about Counselling with Lisa, please visit https://www.counsellingwithlisa.ca/

If you are living with sight loss in Toronto, and you need mental health support, please contact us at 416-236-1796.

If you are located in Canada and are in need of urgent mental health services, please call Crisis Services Canada at 1-883-456-4566. If you are located internationally, we urge you to reach out to your local mental health agency.

“The only person who knows my experience is me and if I don’t speak up about this, no one will ever know and they will go through their life full of assumptions.”

Step behind the scenes as we sit down with Bruce Horak, painter, musician, and actor. He walks us through his process as a visually impaired artist, and what he’s been working on since 2011.

Learn more about Bruce at his website http://www.brucehorak.com/

This month we chat with Lawrence, host of the podcast “Outdoors with Lawrence Gunther.” He and Naomi chat about sailing, fishing, and cooking on a grill outdoors, among other things.

More about Lawrence at his website here: https://lawrencegunther.com/