In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, Kim Wardlow welcomes Dr. L Penny Rosenblum, a nationally recognized expert in blindness education and advocacy. With over 30 years of experience in research, teaching, and program development, Penny shares her insights on how students, families, and educators can advocate for accessible education.

She discusses the impact of the pandemic on blind and low-vision students, the role of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and practical steps for self-advocacy in schools. The conversation also covers key laws affecting students with disabilities and strategies for parents to ensure their children receive appropriate educational support.

Penny shares personal stories, including her own experience growing up with low vision, and offers valuable advice on navigating accessibility challenges in the education system.

Episode Highlights & Chapter Markers:

00:02 – Welcome to Navigating Life with Vision Loss

00:27 – Introduction to Penny Rosenblum & today’s topic: Advocacy in Education

02:23 – Penny’s background: Living through every phase of blind education

04:04 – Early experiences with advocacy & learning to stand firm

05:46 – The pandemic’s impact on blind students & education accessibility

08:51 – Challenges of virtual learning & accessibility solutions

11:41 – Education in 2025: Current challenges & improvements

13:08 – Advice for parents navigating districts with limited support

19:36 – When to consider specialized schools for blind students

23:09 – Teaching students self-advocacy skills from a young age

26:52 – Key laws impacting blind students, including IDEA and IEP rights

35:46 – The Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) and its importance

38:32 – Advocating effectively: Keeping records, finding allies, and solving problems

42:06 – Stories of successful advocacy & self-advocacy strategies

46:10 – Closing thoughts: Encouraging independence and problem-solving

Connect with Us:

📧 Email: [email protected]

📞 Call/Text: (720) 712-8856

🌐 Website: Aftersight.org

💬 Share Your Thoughts!

Have feedback or questions? We’d love to hear from you! Connect with us and share your thoughts on this episode.

🎧 Next Week’s Episode: Advocating in the Workplace with Dominic Petrillo – A sports writer navigating accessibility in his career. Don’t miss it!