Episode Summary

This episode explores the essentials of safe and confident solo travel for individuals who are blind or living with low vision. Host Kim Wardlow welcomes back seasoned traveler and travel advisor Sue Slater, who brings more than 40 years of firsthand experience traveling independently around the world.

Kim and Sue break down domestic and international travel safety, including airport navigation, researching safe neighborhoods, using rideshare responsibly, preparing for currency differences, avoiding scams and pickpockets, and keeping your passport, cards, and devices secure. Sue also highlights essential apps—including Aira, Be My Eyes, Google Translate, CityMapper, Ally, and XE Currency—and walks through realistic scenarios, from navigating New Orleans solo to handling unexpected passport emergencies abroad.

Listeners will learn how to plan ahead, assess risks, stay connected with loved ones during travel, travel with a guide dog, and build confidence through preparation. Sue closes with actionable guidance: research everything, book ahead, use vetted companies, and travel on your own terms—because “the world is your oyster” when you’re prepared.

Contact Info

Guest – Sue Slater

• Email: [email protected]

• Phone: 314-541-8400

• Additional resource: Rising Star Kulach (inclusive travel organization; contact Sue for details)

Aftersight (Feedback & Questions)

• Email: [email protected]

• Phone: 720-712-8856

Produced by Jonathan Price, Podcast & Program Producer, Aftersight

Show Credits

Host: Kim Wardlow

Guest: Sue Slater

Producer: Jonathan Price

An Aftersight Original Podcast

Chapter Markers

00:00 — Intro & episode overview

01:20 — Meet Sue Slater

03:10 — Domestic solo travel basics

06:45 — Airport navigation & accessible tools

09:05 — Researching hotels and neighborhood safety

11:30 — Using Lyft/Uber safely when traveling alone

13:30 — International travel: currency & language prep

16:00 — Phone access, SIM cards & connectivity challenges

18:45 — Booking tours and transportation in advance

21:10 — Travel insurance essentials

23:00 — Protecting passports, cards & preventing theft

27:00 — Sue’s solo travel stories: New Orleans

29:30 — Sue’s solo travel stories: Dubai

31:20 — Emergencies abroad & contacting the embassy

33:00 — Staying connected with loved ones

35:00 — Traveling with a guide dog internationally

37:00 — Best apps for blind and low-vision travelers

40:15 — Final advice for new solo travelers

42:20 — How to contact Sue & inclusive travel groups

43:20 — Outro & listener questions

Episode Summary

In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow continues the Safety Series by exploring how emotional, physical, and spiritual safety impact relationships. Joined by Bill Lundgren, host of Blindsight and longtime mental health advocate, the discussion dives deep into what it means to make wise relationship choices—from family and workplace connections to romantic and community relationships.

Listeners will learn how to:

Identify the difference between safe and unsafe relationships.

Recognize subtle signs of emotional or spiritual harm.

Build boundaries rooted in self-respect and self-love.

Cultivate supportive mentors and healthy allies.

Balance independence with interdependence in romantic and social contexts.

Bill also leads a reflective exercise on embracing yourself and trusting your instincts, reminding listeners that self-love is the first form of safety. The episode closes with encouragement to build a “circle of light”—a community of people who see, support, and respect you for who you are.

Contact Info

For questions or comments, email: [email protected]

Phone: (720) 712-8856

Website: www.aftersight.org

Producer:

Jonathan Price — Podcast & Program Producer, Aftersight

Show Credits

Host: Kim Wardlow

Guest: Bill Lundgren

Producer: Jonathan Price

Navigating Life with Vision Loss is an Aftersight Original Podcast, created to inform, empower, and connect the blind and low vision community.

Chapter Markers

00:00 — Welcome and Series Recap

02:17 — Defining Safety in Relationships

05:27 — The Importance of Self-Love

07:13 — Trusting Instincts and Inner Wisdom

08:23 — Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Safety

12:50 — Family and Sibling Dynamics

17:14 — Finding Safe Support Beyond Family

19:32 — Safety and Mentorship in the Workplace

26:15 — Building Trust and Setting Boundaries

28:34 — Safety in Romantic Relationships

33:47 — Maintaining Independence and Balance

36:08 — Respect and Equality in Relationships

40:40 — Family Rules and Couples Communication

43:34 — Healthy Communication and Growth

48:16 — Closing Thoughts and Colorado Gives Day Message

In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow welcomes Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer at AccessiBe, National Ambassador for the National Federation of the Blind’s Braille Literacy Campaign, and author of Thunder Dog and Live Like a Guide Dog. The conversation explores safety and self-advocacy in healthcare settings for people who are blind or have low vision. Michael shares personal stories, including a recent hospital experience that highlights gaps in staff understanding of blindness, and offers strategies for educating providers, asserting one’s needs, and ensuring safety in medical environments. He emphasizes the importance of confidence, self-advocacy, and continuous education—both for blind individuals and for medical professionals.

Michael also discusses accessible technology in healthcare, from Kaiser Permanente’s app and medication labeling systems to tools like Envision labels and Braille organization strategies. He stresses that blindness itself is not the problem—societal attitudes and lack of awareness are. The episode closes with practical advice: ask questions, advocate for confidentiality, and remember that learning blindness skills through organizations like the Colorado Center for the Blind and NFB can empower independence and safety.

Contact Info

Guest: Michael Hingson

Chief Vision Officer, AccessiBe

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.michaelhingson.com

Books: Thunder Dog, Live Like a Guide Dog, Running with Roselle

Aftersight Contact:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (720) 712-8856

Website: www.aftersight.org

Producer: Jonathan Price, Podcast and Program Producer, Aftersight

Show Credits

Host: Kim Wardlow

Guest: Michael Hingson

Producer: Jonathan Price

An Aftersight Original Podcast

Chapter Markers

00:00 — Intro: Navigating Life with Vision Loss

00:25 — Meet Guest Michael Hingson

02:53 — Understanding Barriers in Healthcare Settings

07:30 — Advocating for Yourself in Medical Situations

09:53 — Dealing with Misunderstanding and Bias

11:57 — The Art of Self-Advocacy Without Conflict

13:32 — Communicating with New Providers

15:54 — Knowing and Defending Your Rights

19:06 — Accessible Health Tech and Kaiser Permanente

21:31 — Labeling Medication and Accessibility Tools

23:24 — Adapting to Vision Loss Later in Life

26:38 — Blindness as Perception, Not Limitation

28:50 — Changing Medical Education on Disability Awareness

31:15 — The Importance of Inclusion and Communication

31:32 — Final Advice: Confidence, Questions, and Community

33:19 — Closing and Resources

Host Kim Wardlow welcomes Annaliese Knop, mental health professional, and Laura Millar, public health expert—co-founders of the Blind Sexuality Access Network (BSAN)—for a deep, empowering discussion about safe online dating, boundaries, consent, and healthy connections in the blind and low-vision community.

They unpack the “Be Nice and Educate” mindset often taught to blind individuals, showing how it can unintentionally suppress autonomy. Annaliese and Laura explain the FRIES model of consent (Freely given, Reversible, Informed, Enthusiastic, and Specific) and offer concrete tools to identify red flags, build confidence in saying “no,” and create emotionally and physically safe dating experiences.

The episode also explores reactive independence vs. interdependence, how internalized ableism can affect relationships, and how to reframe blindness as strength rather than limitation. Through humor, vulnerability, and practical wisdom, this conversation encourages listeners to embrace joy, agency, and dignity in dating—online and offline.

Contact Info

Guests & Organization

Blind Sexuality Access Network (BSAN)

Website & Facebook: Search “Blind Sexuality Access Network”

Aftersight Contact

📞 (720) 712-8856

✉️ [email protected]

🌐 aftersight.org

Producer

Jonathan Price, Podcast & Program Producer — Aftersight

Show Credits

Host: Kim Wardlow

Guests: Annaliese Knop & Laura Millar

Production: Jonathan Price

An Aftersight Original Podcast

Chapter Markers

00:00 — Introduction

00:26 — Safe Online Dating Overview

01:00 — Origins of the Blind Sexuality Access Network

02:45 — Combining Sex Positivity and Blind Positivity

05:00 — Personal Journeys and Motivation

07:35 — The “Be Nice and Educate” Problem

10:00 — Trauma, Boundaries, and Consent Culture

12:15 — The 5C Framework for Responding to Harm

14:40 — The FRIES Model of Consent

17:05 — Empowerment in Online Dating

19:27 — Learning to Say “No” with Support

21:50 — Red and Green Flags in Online Profiles

26:14 — Trusting Gut Feelings (Interoception)

28:39 — Disclosure and Internalized Ableism

31:02 — First Date Safety Strategies

35:19 — Communicating Access Needs

37:39 — Independence vs. Interdependence

41:53 — Reactive Independence and Toxic Perfectionism

43:53 — Closing Advice and BSAN Invitation

Kim Wardlow talks with Desiree Farley, Community Protection Specialist at the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office, about recognizing and recovering from scams and fraud. They cover tech-support pop-ups, account takeovers, spoofed calls and AI voice mimicry, contractor and door-to-door schemes, safe public Wi-Fi use, device updates, credit freezes, and why reporting matters. Practical safeguards include family “safe words,” letting unknown calls go to voicemail, verifying businesses, and contacting banks first after any loss. Resources noted: local DA offices, Colorado AG, FTC, BBB, and AARP peer support.

2) Contact Info

Guest: Desiree Farley, Community Protection Specialist, Boulder County District Attorney’s Office

Aftersight: [email protected]

• (720) 712-8856 • aftersight.org

Producer: Jonathan Price, Podcast & Program Producer, Aftersight

3) Show Credits

Host: Kim Wardlow

Guest: Desiree Farley

Producer: Jonathan Price

An Aftersight Original

4) Chapter Markers

00:00 — Welcome and safety season setup

02:21 — What a Community Protection Specialist does

04:43 — Why victims should report scams

06:57 — Community alerts and EBT scam example

09:23 — Tech-support pop-ups and remote-access traps

11:22 — Spotting fake websites and resisting urgency

13:43 — Spoofed calls, AI voices, and family safe words

16:02 — Keep devices updated and know support limits

18:29 — Public Wi-Fi risks and library computers

20:57 — Contractor and door-to-door fraud basics

22:59 — Vetting businesses: SOS, BBB, complaints

25:20 — First moves after a loss: call your bank

25:39 — Red flags: crypto ATMs and payment demands

28:05 — Credit freezes vs fraud alerts

30:22 — Resources: DA, AG, FTC, BBB, AARP; speaking invites

In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow continues the safety series with a deep dive into financial safety and independence. Joining her are Chris Peterson, Founder and CEO of Penny Forward, and Liz Botner, Board Member, Financial Educator, and Accessibility Advocate. Together, they explore how education and confidence can empower individuals who are blind or have low vision to take control of their finances.

Listeners learn how to recognize and prevent financial fraud, the importance of monitoring financial activity, and practical strategies for maintaining independence even with trusted helpers. Chris and Liz share common scams targeting seniors and people with disabilities, early warning signs of financial abuse by trusted individuals, and steps to reclaim financial autonomy.

They also discuss accessible financial tools and apps like YNAB (You Need A Budget), Empower, and Excel, plus services Penny Forward offers—from online financial courses to one-on-one counseling and benefits planning. The conversation closes with an encouragement to speak up when something feels wrong and to pursue financial literacy as a form of empowerment and protection.

Contact Info

Guest Organization:

Penny Forward

Email: [email protected]

Aftersight Contact:

Website: www.aftersight.org

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (720) 712-8856

Producer: Jonathan Price, Podcast & Program Producer, Aftersight

Show Credits

Host: Kim Wardlow

Guests: Chris Peterson & Liz Botner, Penny Forward

Producer: Jonathan Price

Show: Navigating Life with Vision Loss — An Aftersight Original Podcast

Chapter Markers

00:00 – Welcome and Introduction

01:10 – What Financial Safety Means to You

04:30 – Origins of Penny Forward

07:10 – Confidence, Education, and Financial Independence

09:30 – Avoiding Vulnerability and Building Awareness

11:50 – Common Scams and Red Flags

14:20 – Recognizing Fraud from Trusted Individuals

19:00 – Monitoring Accounts and Credit Reports

21:40 – Steps Toward Independent Financial Management

26:10 – Accessible Banking and Budgeting Tools

31:00 – Penny Forward Services and Workshops

33:20 – How to Seek Help and Speak Up

38:00 – Closing Thoughts and Resources

In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow continues the safety series with a focus on fraud prevention. Attorney Heidi Gassman, a specialist in trusts, estates, and fraud prevention, shares insights from 30 years of practice. The discussion covers how fraud starts, early red flags, and practical steps to protect yourself—especially in the blind and low-vision community.

Topics include the post-2020 rise in scams, the difference between disability and incapacity, and the importance of trusted relationships. Heidi explains supported decision-making agreements, powers of attorney, and best practices for reviewing legal documents accessibly. Key takeaways: pause before acting, involve a trusted person, and never feel ashamed if targeted—report early to limit damage.

Contact Info

Guest:

Heidi Gassman, Attorney at Law — Trusts, Estates, Fraud Prevention

Aftersight:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (303) 786-7777

To reach Kim Wardlow directly: Ext. 4112

Web: aftersight.org

Producer: Jonathan Price, Podcast & Program Producer — Aftersight

Show Credits

Host — Kim Wardlow

Guest — Heidi Gassman

Producer — Jonathan Price

Editing & Post-Production — Aftersight Audio Team

A Production of Aftersight Originals

Chapter Markers

00:00 — Introduction and overview of the Safety Series

01:05 — Heidi’s background and start in fraud prevention

03:12 — Early signs of fraud and real-life examples

07:00 — How fraudsters manipulate trust and persistence

09:30 — Making yourself less of a target

11:45 — Legal structures: Power of Attorney, Trusts, Guardianships

14:20 — Supported decision-making agreements explained

18:40 — Disability vs. incapacity: knowing the difference

21:00 — When fraud comes from within families

23:10 — Guidance for blind/low-vision individuals when signing

25:25 — What to do if you suspect fraud

27:40 — When to contact law enforcement

30:00 — Resources for legal and financial support

32:20 — You are not alone: act early and report

34:30 — Final thoughts and Aftersight contact information

In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow continues the safety series with a focus on digital safety and identity protection. Guest Brandon Kennelly from Trenware, Aftersight’s managed service provider, breaks down practical strategies for protecting against phishing scams, spoofed websites, and identity theft. He explains why phishing attacks have risen dramatically, how blind and low-vision users may face unique risks with inaccessible attachments like PDFs, and why a layered defense approach is essential.

The discussion covers accessible security tools such as Windows Defender and Malwarebytes, the importance of password managers and multi-factor authentication, safe practices for online shopping and banking, and precautions when using public Wi-Fi. Brandon also addresses smartphone security, risks with QR codes, voice-activated devices like Alexa, and what to do if your identity or data has been compromised.

Listeners walk away with clear, actionable steps to safeguard their digital lives and keep personal information secure.

Contact Info

Guest: Brandon Kennelly, IT & Security Expert, Trenware

Website: https://trenware.com

Aftersight

Phone: (720) 712-8856

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.aftersight.org

Producer: Jonathan Price

Show Credits

Host: Kim Wardlow

Guest: Brandon Kennelly (Trenware)

Producer: Jonathan Price

Chapter Markers

00:02 — Welcome and Introduction

02:16 — Defining Digital Safety

04:34 — Unique Risks for Blind and Low-Vision Users

06:59 — Spoofed Websites and Verification Tools

08:33 — Practical Steps for Layered Protection

10:55 — Password Managers and Multi-Factor Authentication

12:52 — Risks of Reusing Passwords

15:21 — Online Shopping and Banking Safety

17:42 — Public Wi-Fi and VPN Use

19:51 — Smartphone Security and QR Codes

21:45 — Accessibility of Antivirus Software

24:08 — Securing Voice-Activated Devices

26:25 — Recognizing Identity Theft

27:25 — Responding to a Breach

29:01 — Final Tips and Takeaways

In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow continues the Safety Series with a deep dive into home safety and smart tools. Guest Neva Fairchild, a nationally recognized advocate and expert in independent living skills, shares her journey from growing up with low vision to becoming a leader in accessibility at the American Foundation for the Blind and Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind.

Neva highlights practical strategies for adapting the home environment: improving lighting, using color contrast, reducing clutter, and adopting labeling systems like Braille, ScriptTalk, and WayAround. She discusses the value of proactive safety—preventing falls before they happen, leveraging smart home speakers and smartphones for communication, and preparing for emergencies with go bags and labeled medications.

The conversation also explores balancing independence with interdependence: how to ask for help specifically, how friends and family can support without overstepping, and how everyone can benefit from simple safety measures. Neva’s personal anecdotes—like biking as a child with low vision, mishaps with mislabeled medicine, and experiences with chemical safety—bring humor and urgency to the discussion.

Listeners walk away with practical next steps and resources, including APH Connect Center, VisionAware, and 211, to make their homes safer, smarter, and more accessible.

Contact Info

Guest: Neva Fairchild

Website: expertsonblindness.com

(Phone number and contact form available on site)

Aftersight

Website: www.aftersight.org

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (720) 712-8856

Producer: Jonathan Price

Show Credits

Host: Kim Wardlow

Guest: Neva Fairchild

Producer: Jonathan Price

An Aftersight Original Podcast

Chapter Markers

00:02 — Welcome and Series Introduction

01:40 — Neva’s Story: Growing Up with Low Vision

04:50 — First Adaptations: From Cane to Home Safety

06:55 — Lighting, Color Contrast, and Clutter Control

08:15 — The Importance of Proactive Safety

09:40 — Falls and the Hidden Dangers After Age 50

11:20 — Smart Tools for Safety: Speakers, Smartphones, and More

13:45 — Go Bags and Disaster Preparedness

16:40 — Medication Labeling and Avoiding Prescription Errors

20:50 — Safe Storage: Cleaning Supplies and Household Chemicals

22:40 — Knowing Your Appliances and Fire Safety Basics

25:50 — Setting Up New Tools Safely

28:20 — Interdependence: How to Ask for Help (and Give It)

31:20 — Food Safety and Everyday Oversights

33:00 — Resources: APH Connect Center, VisionAware, and 211

35:40 — Neva’s Current Work and Contact Info

37:50 — Closing Remarks and Next Episode Preview

Kim Wardlow welcomes safety guide and advocate Amy Wilson to unpack why boundaries are a core safety skill—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. Amy reframes “self-defense” to start with psychological safety: dignity, clarity, and the right to say no without apology. Together they tackle common myths (“I’m not allowed to set boundaries”), how to spot when your limits are too loose or weaponized, and what to do when people don’t respect your “no.”

Key takeaways: clarity is kindness, no is a complete sentence, and accountability is empowering—especially in a community where “instrumental aggression” (withholding help to force compliance) can show up. Amy shares practical reps for confidence (practice out loud, role-play with safe people, set one boundary first) and reminds listeners that seasons change—and so can your circle. Next week: home safety with smart tools and practical adaptations.

Contact Info

Guest/Org: Amy Wilson — Safety Positive Foundation — https://safetypositivefdn.org

Community & Feedback (Aftersight): [email protected]

• (720) 712-8856 • https://aftersight.org

Producer Credits: Produced by Jonathan Price for Aftersight

Show Credits

Host: Kim Wardlow

Guest: Amy Wilson (Safety Positive Foundation)

Series Theme: Safety (Week 3 — Boundaries)

An Aftersight Original production

Chapter Markers

00:00 — Welcome & series setup: Safety and boundaries

02:18 — Amy’s background & the shift to psychological safety

04:37 — Biggest myth: “I’m not allowed to set boundaries”

05:43 — Defining healthy vs. unhealthy boundaries

08:09 — “Clarity is kindness” and why it matters

10:28 — Too loose vs. too rigid (and weaponized) boundaries

12:47 — Early pitfalls and the “Beetlejuice” pattern rule

15:05 — Accountability, choice, and the duty of self-advocacy

17:10 — Do blindness and vision loss change boundary work?

19:21 — Techniques to say no (and practicing it)

21:44 — When someone won’t respect your “no”

23:48 — Instrumental aggression: recognizing coercion

26:08 — First win using verbal self-advocacy

28:23 — Hardest boundary defended and healing forward

30:48 — First step this week: pick one boundary

33:10 — Rebuilding confidence & relationships after change

35:26 — Safety Positive Foundation resources & closing