Navigating Life with Vision Loss

Join host Kim Wardlow and guest Michael Sisneros, Aftersight's Community Outreach Specialist, for a festive episode dedicated to making your holiday decorations both safe and accessible for everyone, including those with low vision. Michael shares practical tips and personal stories on enhancing your holiday décor with tactile, olfactory, and audio elements to make the season memorable and inclusive. Whether it's adding scented pine cones, crafting textured ornaments, or arranging lights for visibility, there are endless ways to ensure a joyful and accessible holiday.

Michael, who also cares for his father with low vision, discusses how his family maintains traditions while keeping their holiday home accessible. From a motion-activated train around the Christmas tree to scented ornaments that last for years, Michael brings a wealth of ideas to enrich your holiday season safely. Learn about cost-effective décor solutions, organizational tips, and ways to make your home welcoming for all guests with low vision.

Contact Aftersight:

Phone: (720) 712-8856

Email: [email protected]

Colorado Gives Day Reminder

Support Aftersight’s mission by donating through Colorado Gives Day and selecting Aftersight as your chosen nonprofit. Early donations are also accepted, with each contribution helping Aftersight receive additional funds through a donation boost.

Chapter Markers

00:00 Intro and episode overview

00:11 Decorating tips and caregiving experience

05:20 Accessible décor and family traditions

11:18 Tips on lighting, texture, and sound elements

17:42 Using color and contrast in holiday décor

21:16 Safety considerations for low-vision guests

30:58 Favorite holiday memory and closing remarks

In this holiday episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow welcomes guest Ted Tahquechi to discuss accessible travel tips for navigating the busy holiday season. Ted shares valuable advice on managing challenges for travelers with low vision or blindness, covering everything from navigating crowded airports to using technology for luggage tracking and communicating effectively with staff. With practical tips and thoughtful insights, this episode aims to help listeners travel with confidence and ease during the holidays.

Contact Information:

Guest Contact: Ted Tahquechi’s websites:

tahquechi.com - for his art and photography.

blindtravels.com - for accessible travel insights.

Aftersight Contact:

Website: aftersight.org

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (720) 712-8856

Support Aftersight on Colorado Gives Day:

coloradogives.org - Search for “Aftersight” to donate and support podcasts like Navigating Life with Vision Loss.

Next Episode Preview: Join us next week for an episode on "Holiday Decor with our special guest Michael Sisneros.

Episode Highlights and Chapter Markers:

Introduction and Holiday Travel Overview – 00:23

Meet Ted Tahquechi – 01:12

Travel Tips for Navigating Busy Spaces – 03:10

Using Technology for Stress-Free Travel – 05:01

Traveling with a Guide Dog – 09:25

Planning for Delays and Layovers – 12:48

Arrival and Navigating Unfamiliar Destinations – 16:00

Booking Accessible Accommodations – 18:16

Common Misconceptions About Accessible Travel – 19:46

Improvements in Accessible Travel Services – 21:11

Finding Community and Resources for Accessible Travel – 26:42

Embracing the Joy of Holiday Travel – 29:40

Join Kim Wardlow, your host, along with the Aftersight team in the first episode of our 8-week holiday series, "Home for the Holidays." As we kick off the season, the team shares their unique holiday traditions, favorite songs and movies, and the cherished memories that bring warmth to the season. From nostalgic ornaments to the art of making tamales, you'll hear stories that highlight the diversity of holiday customs and the ways we each celebrate. This episode invites listeners to connect and share their own traditions with us.

Contact Information:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (720) 712-8856 (Aftersight)

We’d love to hear your unique holiday traditions, or if you have questions for our hosts and guests throughout the holiday series, please reach out!

Chapter Markers:

00:09 – Opening and Introduction to Navigating Life with Vision Loss

00:26 – Kim Wardlow introduces the holiday series and topic overview

01:00 – Team introductions and favorite holiday songs and movies

08:00 – Discussions on family holiday traditions and festive foods

18:52 – Personal stories of memorable holiday meals and customs

30:12 – Cultural holiday celebrations and unique family practices

35:56 – Christmas tree traditions and decorating fun

41:00 – Closing remarks and next week’s episode teaser on family gatherings

Colorado Gives Day Information:

As part of the holiday season, please consider participating in Colorado Gives Day by donating to Aftersight. Simply visit coloradogivesday.org and search for "Aftersight" to support our mission. Your donation will help us continue to create meaningful content and support the low-vision community.

Join us next week with guest Ted Tahquechi As we dive into travel and understanding that travel, as someone who is blind, can be quite difficult. But don't worry, we'll steer you in the right way.

Happy Holidays from all of us at Aftersight, and thank you for being part of our community!

In this final episode of our emergency preparedness series, Navigating Life with Vision Loss host Kim Wardlow speaks with Monika Weber, Boulder County’s Emergency Management Coordinator, and Ryan Airey from the Office of Recovery and Resiliency. They cover essential steps for recovery post-evacuation and sheltering in place. The discussion offers practical tips for preparing go-bags, understanding your insurance, and accessing shelters, ensuring everyone, especially those with disabilities, has the resources they need to navigate emergencies confidently.

Aftersight Contact Information

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (720) 712-8856

Boulder County Disaster Hotline: 303-441-1000

Help Aftersight on Colorado Gives Day by donating at Colorado Gives Day.

Stay tuned as we kick off our holiday series with topics from family traditions to travel and mental health. Thank you for joining us in preparing for a safer tomorrow!

Introduction and Recap of Preparedness Series — 00:30 - 01:50

Meet Ryan Airey and His Role in Recovery — 01:54 - 02:40

Evacuation Shelters and Accessibility — 03:14 - 06:30

Service Animals and Pets in Shelters — 08:04 - 09:50

Sheltering in Place Preparations — 10:11 - 12:30

Adapting Homes for Shelter-in-Place Scenarios — 12:37 - 15:00

Planning for Delayed Emergency Response — 16:13 - 17:35

Insurance Preparedness — 20:27 - 23:58

FEMA's Role in Response and Recovery — 24:30 - 26:54

Navigating Disaster Recovery Centers — 28:06 - 29:58

Final Tips for Disaster Preparation — 33:53 - 35:40

Conclusion and Upcoming Holiday Series — 36:50 - End

In this conversation, Kim Wardlow and Monika Weber discuss the importance of emergency preparedness, focusing on evacuation planning, transportation options, and the need for a support system. They emphasize the significance of pre-planning for evacuations, especially in areas prone to wildfires and other disasters. The discussion also covers the importance of preparing for cold weather emergencies and the need for families to have clear communication and plans in place. Additionally, they touch on post-evacuation recovery and the resources available for those affected by disasters.

Takeaways

Evacuation planning involves knowing transportation options.

Public transportation may not operate during emergencies.

Building a support system with neighbors is essential.

Practice evacuation plans with pets to ensure safety.

Prepare for cold weather emergencies with adequate supplies.

Create a list of essential items to take during evacuation.

Communication is crucial during evacuation situations.

Consider alternative transportation methods if needed.

Know your evacuation routes ahead of time.

Post-evacuation recovery can be a lengthy process.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Emergency Preparedness

00:56 Planning for Evacuation

03:57 Transportation and Support Systems

07:14 Evacuation Planning for Families and Pets

14:06 Preparing for Cold Weather Emergencies

29:03 Post-Evacuation Considerations

In this episode, Kim Wardlow and Monika Weber discuss the critical topic of emergency preparedness. They explore the importance of being prepared for various disasters, the role of community support, and the necessity of understanding alert systems. Monika shares her journey into emergency management and highlights common hazards faced in the Boulder area, emphasizing the need for personal preparedness and actionable steps individuals can take to ensure their safety and that of their community.

Takeaways

Emergency preparedness can seem overwhelming, but is essential.

Community support is crucial during emergencies.

Understanding local alert systems can save lives.

Assessing personal risks helps in creating effective plans.

Having a backup plan is vital for safety.

Preparedness should be a communal effort.

Sign up for alerts to stay informed during emergencies.

Take small, actionable steps towards preparedness.

It's important to know your resources and support systems.

Every step taken towards preparedness is a step in the right direction.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Emergency Preparedness

02:00 Monika Weber's Journey into Emergency Management

03:27 Common Disasters and Preparedness Strategies

06:08 The Importance of Community Support in Emergencies

07:14 Understanding Alert Systems

21:22 Actionable Steps for Personal Preparedness

Episode Summary:

In this episode of *Navigating Life with Vision Loss*, host Kim Wardlow and accessibility advocate Liz Bottner focus on how you can stay prepared during emergencies in public spaces. Liz shares practical tips for you, like using Aira, Be My Eyes, and local emergency alerts to stay informed and navigate unfamiliar situations. She also shares personal experiences, offering insights on how you can stay calm and flexible when things get stressful.

Share your own emergency tips and tune in for more helpful advice on staying prepared this month! [email protected] or call us at (720)712-8856

Takeaways

Emergency preparedness is crucial for everyone, especially those with disabilities.

Public spaces can present unique challenges during emergencies.

Technology can aid in receiving emergency alerts and navigating unfamiliar areas.

Asking for help is vital in emergency situations.

Advocacy is necessary for improving accessibility in emergency preparedness.

Real-life experiences can inform better practices for emergency situations.

Flexibility and grace are important during stressful emergencies.

Ride share services must be held accountable for service animal policies.

Community involvement can enhance emergency preparedness efforts.

Regularly familiarize yourself with emergency exits and routes in unfamiliar places.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Emergency Preparedness

01:31 Accessibility Challenges in Public Spaces

05:30 Navigating Emergencies with Low Vision

07:01 Real-Life Emergency Experiences

11:11 The Importance of Asking for Help

17:06 Dealing with Ride Share Issues

25:01 Advocacy for Emergency Preparedness

30:05 Utilizing Technology for Safety

34:13 Final Thoughts on Emergency Preparedness

You know you have questions for us so why not ask them Give us a call at (720) 712-8856 or email us at [email protected]. In this conversation...

Kim Wardlow and Liz Bottner discuss the critical aspects of emergency preparedness, particularly for individuals with low vision or disabilities. They emphasize the importance of having a well-organized emergency kit, the need for a support network, and strategies for interacting with emergency responders. The discussion also highlights the necessity of flexibility in planning and the importance of regularly reviewing and updating emergency supplies.

Takeaways

Emergency preparedness is crucial for everyone, especially those with disabilities.

Being prepared is an ongoing process, not a one-time task.

Having a go bag with essential items is vital for emergencies.

Regularly check and update your emergency supplies.

Establish a support network for emergencies.

Communicate your needs to emergency responders in advance.

Flexibility is key in emergency situations.

Include items for pets in your emergency kit.

Utilize accessible formats for important documents.

Give yourself grace and be open to the unexpected in emergencies.

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Emergency Preparedness

06:40 Home Organization for Emergencies

14:44 Essential Items for Your Emergency Bag

19:39 Building a Support Network

23:15 Interacting with Emergency Responders

26:48 Flexibility in Emergency Planning

We know you have questions. We have answers. Give us a call at (720) 712-8856

In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow and fashion expert Trisha Waechtor discuss the importance of fashion as a form of self-expression and empowerment for women in the blind and low vision community. They explore how clothing choices can influence confidence, the significance of building a versatile wardrobe, and essential grooming and skincare tips. The conversation also covers makeup application techniques and encourages listeners to engage in fashion discussions to enhance their personal style.

Takeaways

Fashion is a powerful form of self-expression.

Clothing choices significantly impact confidence levels.

Building a versatile wardrobe starts with a base color.

Comfort in clothing is essential for confidence.

Investing in a good bra can enhance overall appearance.

Hygiene practices contribute to feeling good about oneself.

Simple skincare routines can be effective and inexpensive.

Makeup application techniques can enhance natural beauty.

Engaging in fashion conversations can broaden style options.

Everyone can explore and express their unique fashion sense.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Fashion and Vision Loss

01:31 The Role of Fashion in Self-Expression

11:48 Building a Versatile Wardrobe

20:45 Grooming and Skincare Essentials

28:15 Makeup Tips for Confidence

45:26 Encouragement for Fashion Exploration

Thank you for joining us on this journey. If you have questions for Kim or any of our guests, give us a call at (720) 712-8856. In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss...

...host Kim Wardlow and guest Tricia Waechter discuss the importance of men's fashion and grooming. They explore how dressing well can boost confidence, the significance of fit in clothing, and practical grooming tips for men, especially those with vision loss. The conversation emphasizes the psychological benefits of looking sharp and provides actionable advice on building a versatile wardrobe, maintaining personal hygiene, and expressing individuality through style.

Takeaways

Dressing sharp builds confidence for men.

Fit is really important in men's fashion.

Invest in a dark charcoal suit for versatility.

Make your life simple with color choices.

Prepare your outfit the night before to reduce stress.

Cleanliness is key for grooming routines.

Use an electric razor for easy shaving.

Regular haircuts keep you looking sharp and tidy.

Shoe care is essential for a polished look.

Express yourself through your hairstyle and clothing choices.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Men's Fashion and Grooming

16:10 Grooming Essentials for Men

24:24 Expressing Yourself Through Style