The Best Podcasts for the Blind and Visually Impaired

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The Best Podcasts for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Today we are sharing some of our favorite podcasts for the blind and visually impaired community. At WSB, we’ve shared some content creators who are blind and visually impaired, but we’ve never focused on just podcasts. There are so many great podcasts geared towards the blind and visually impaired community. Podcasts are a great medium for the blind and visually impaired community because they are inherently auditory. No sight needed! 

We have a wide variety of podcasts from podcasts specifically for the blind and visually impaired to accessibility to even dystopian fiction! You are sure to find something you enjoy on this list.

Be My Eyes Podcast

Be My Eyes (the popular app for the blind and visually impaired) created a great podcast about blindness, sight loss, and what it means to be a person who is blind or visually impaired today. The podcast takes an interview format, interviewing those in the blind and visually impaired community doing amazing things like being consultants in Hollywood to a chemist who is blind.

 

Airacast

Airacast is another great blindness-related podcast by one of our favorite apps out there, AIRA! The Airacast focuses on new updates on the app, tips, and tricks on how to make your use of AIRA the most effective, and even audio described museum tours! 

 

13 Letters

Not only does Be My Eyes produce a podcast about blindness, they have an entire podcast about Accessibility - 13 letters. This podcast can get tech-heavy but it’s a great way to learn about web accessibility and how it works and has changed over the years.

 

Black Out

Black Out is a podcast you can binge in one week. It is a fictional story podcast, but it has great audio features that we had to feature here. Black Out is an apocalyptic thriller, told through a local radio host as the electrical grid goes down for the entire nation. It is also presented by Sonos, the speaker brand, so they use some very interesting auditory features through the podcast you won’t want to miss! You’ll be hooked by the first episode.

 

That Blind Tech Show

That Blind Tech Show is the perfect podcast for all of our assistive technology lovers out there! This podcast gives you the latest news in the assistive technology world. From interviews to tech reviews, they cover a wide range of topics with a good mix of humor! 

 

Blind Abroad

Blind Abroad only has a few episodes (so far) but it’s a great podcast for those looking to get out of their comfort zones. James discusses traveling abroad as a blind filmmaker and accessibility. While only a few episodes are out, we can’t wait for more! 

Ripple Effects: Travelers with Disabilities Abroad

Ripple Effects: Travelers with Disabilities Abroad is a podcast dedicated to those traveling abroad with a disability and the positive effects that can have on a single person or society.  

A Step Forward - Allied Independence

A Step Forward podcast was made for and by Orientation and Mobility Specialists can be enjoyed by anyone interested in helping those who are blind and visually impaired, staying focused and productive, and new things happening in the O&M field.

 

Rare with Flair

Rare with Flair is a podcast started by two twenty-somethings, including Casey, who we mentioned on our blog post about content creators who are blind and visually impaired! This podcast shares stories from two twenty-somethings on their lives with a rare illness (including legal blindness!) and how they are thriving with their disabilities.

Twenty Thousand Hertz

Twenty Thousand Hertz isn’t specifically for the Blind and Visually Impaired but is another one that might be of specific interest to the community. 20,000 Hertz focuses on “the world’s most interesting and recognizable sounds”. He has guest speakers (like Bill Nye!) to discuss the science of sound, discuss different sounds and how they are produced, and even neurological conditions with sound.

 

99% invisible

99% Invisible is another podcast that could have great interest to the blind and visually impaired community. The podcast is all about design and architecture but has a focus on the parts of design the “every-day” person might not think about. The podcast certainly has a focus on the accessibility of design as well. The host brings in different people to talk about certain design features and is able to weave masterful storylines into each episode.

We’re Alive

We’re Alive is another fiction podcast but we wanted to feature it here because of the audio descriptions throughout, especially if you’re looking for something dystopian and drama-filled!

 

No barriers podcast

No Barriers provides a space for anyone to see that they can live a life free of barriers. No Barriers explores the struggles we all face and how to overcome them to achieve everything we want to in life. If you are looking for an inspiring and motivating podcast, this is the one for you.

AppleVIS

AppleVis is a great podcast about everything Apple and Accessibility! This podcast talks about the latest updates from Apple from an accessibility standpoint. From tips like saving an audio message on your iPhone to all the latest updates to apple, AppleVis covers it all!

Reid My Mind

Reid my Mind focuses on all kinds of stories of those with disabilities, but specifically the blind and visually impaired. Thomas Reid, the host, is able to provide his own commentary as a person who is blind.

Cooking in the Dark

Cooking in the Dark is for all our foodies out there. Cooking in the Dark is a cooking show for the blind and visually impaired. Join them as they make any kind of recipe, and show you helpful tips too.

Beyond Radio Network

While not technically a podcast, we wanted to include Beyond Radio Network in our list because you can listen on a podcast feed anytime you want or listen to a wide variety of shows live. Beyond Radio Network feature shows that you might not hear on traditional radio with a wide range of music genres.

What podcasts have you been listening to? Let us know in the comments!

If you are interested in guest blogging for WSB or have any topics you would like us to cover, please contact Lee Rogers at lrogers@wsblind.org

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Goals for the Blind and Visually Impaired for the New Year

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New Years Goals for the Blind and Visually Impaired

 Happy New Year from WSB! Do you need some help coming up with some manageable goals for 2021?  We know 2020 was an unprecedented year, with probably a lot of your goals thrown out the window. We wanted to share some simple ideas to get you started on the right track in the New Year.

1.     Go on Walk Every Day

There are so many benefits to going for a walk every day. It doesn’t need to be a huge walk but even a 10-minute walk around the neighborhood can have great benefits for our mental and physical health. Not to mention, it keeps your O&M skills sharp!

2.     Go somewhere new each week.

This might seem like a simple task for some, but it can be challenging for the blind and visually impaired community. We have to plan so much more when going somewhere new but that doesn’t mean it is impossible! Again, it can be something simple. Try a new coffee shop or even going for a walk in a new neighborhood.

You don’t even need to leave your house to be transported to somewhere new with the AIRA podcast! AIRA has a series on their podcast “Afternoons at the Museum” where you can learn all about different museums and virtually go through exhibits (and we know they’re trained in creating great audio descriptions!).

3.     Try out a new hobby

There are so many ways to keep yourself entertained these days. Why not take some time this New Year to figure out a hobby you really enjoy? Try cooking a new recipe or even starting a workout plan. You don’t have to do it every day but figuring out a hobby you enjoy is a great way to start off the year.

4.     Reach out to someone every day

Before 2020, isolation and loneliness in the blind and visually impaired community was already a huge problem. Now, many people in the blind and visually impaired community may feel even more isolated due to the pandemic. Reaching out to someone every day can help you feel less alone, even if you are inside by yourself every day!  

If you don’t have many people to reach out to now, you can even reach out on Facebook groups. There are so many blindness and disability-focused Facebook groups if you search for them. This is also so important if you are grieving your own vision loss, or you know someone who has lost their vision recently.

5.     Start a new career

Start the new year off right by starting a new career! WSB has so many career-training programs on-campus and online. With an 85% placement rate after graduation, WSB can help you find your dream career this year! Even if you aren’t sure what you want to study, we are here to help you decide. Contact us if you are interested!

6.     Journal

Similar to going for a walk every day, there are tremendous benefits for journaling. With all of the stress of the world, it can be a great way to get your feelings out and try a different kind of creative outlet.

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 What are your goals for the New Year?

If you are interested in guest blogging for WSB or have any topics you would like us to cover, please contact Lee Rogers at lrogers@wsblind.org or 501-664-7100

WSB Holiday Playlist

up close photo of a piano with holiday lights with blue box underneath with white text “Wsb holiday playlist”

Need some last-minute holiday cheer? We’ve created a fun holiday playlist featuring some of our favorite holiday songs for the blind and sighted alike! Enjoy some favorite holiday music from our clients and staff below!

This is a great song for the blind and visually impaired! We definitely want a self-driving car!

A client favorite and a very silly one at that!

Another client favorite!

Another client favorite!

‘Another great blind and visually impaired related one is from Guide Dogs for the Blind! They created “A Guide Dog’s Night Before Christmas” You can view the lyrics here!

What is your favorite holiday song? Let us know in the comments!

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Gift Guide for the Blind and Visually Impaired

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Gift Guide for the Blind and Visually Impaired

With the holidays right around the corner, we’re bringing you a gift guide for the blind and visually impaired! If you’re looking for a present for someone who is blind/visually impaired or you’re looking for a few things to add to your wish list, we’ve got you covered! We also have a wide range of prices and categories for everyone on your list!

Small gifts and gestures with a big impact

Braille cards

At the beginning of the year we featured these amazing Quilled cards with braille! If you’re looking to send a holiday card, why not grab a braille holiday card for one for your blind and visually impaired friends?

Offer a ride

A gift doesn’t always have to cost money. If you can drive, offering your blind or visually impaired friend a ride can have a huge impact.

Help a friend sign up for Libby

Another free gift idea! Do you have a friend who loves to read? The Libby app is through your local library where you can download ebooks for free. Small gestures can have a huge impact, and helping someone who maybe isn’t as technology savvy download and use the Libby app is a great gesture.

Gift Cards  

Uber gift card

An Uber gift card is not only practical, but it is something you know your blind or visually impaired friend will love! 

Audible Gift membership

For someone who loves a good audio book, you can’t go wrong with an Audible Membership. With a monthly subscription, you get an audiobook credit each month. And they have almost every book you can imagine!

Technology  

Google home

One product that we love at WSB – a google home! Google homes are great to make your entire house more accessible. We talk more in depth about how to use a Google Home in your kitchen in this post. You can go with a google home mini for a more affordable option as well.

Tiles

We’ve talked about Tiles a few times on the WSB blog, but they are certainly worth a mention on the gift guide! Tiles attach to any item and then you use an app on your phone, when triggered, that creates a beeping sound on your item to help find it! We love Tiles for traveling or even trying to find your keys!

Charging bank

As people who are visually impaired and blind, we use our phones a lot. A portable charging bank is the perfect gift to ensure you never run out of battery.

Sunuband

A more extravagant gift but if you’re looking to give someone a new piece of assistive technology, a SunuBand is a great choice. If you’re feeling charitable, you can even gift a SunuBand for those in need! SunuBand is a wearable device that can help detect objects in the way. We even have a great tutorial on how it works here:

Bluetooth headphones

Bluetooth headphones are everywhere these days, and we can see why! They are the perfect tech accessory for those who use VoiceOver, JAWS, or NVDA. With Bluetooth headphones, you won’t have to carry around clunky wired headphones. And they come in a wide variety of kinds now from airpods to over the ear headphones.

iPhone SE

Another gift on the pricey side but an iPhone SE is the perfect gift for someone in need of a new phone. iPhones are accessible right out of the box! (Simply go to settings > accessibility and turn on VoiceOver or enlarge the text or you can simply ask Siri to turn on Voiceover). And if you know someone who needs help learning about their new technology, be sure to check out our Online Fundamentals Courses! WSB offers an Assistive Technology fundamentals course that can help new assistive technology users.

Apparel

Eyeswear apparel

There are so many great Etsy shops, but one of our favorites is Eyeswear Apparel! The slogan is “Blindness Advocacy with a twist!” Eyeswear Apparel features a wide variety of items with great, funny slogans! The shirts feature a print saying with a different brailled saying underneath (which are normally very sarcastic and humorous!).

Check out our CEO, Sharon Giovinazzo, wearing one the shirts!

Sharon wearing a face mask with a halloween smile with a black sweatshirt that reads “blindness is a spectrum” with braille font underneath

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Grief and Vision Loss

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Grief and Vision Loss: How to cope and how to help a loved one

With vision loss comes a lot of grief. At WSB we work with many clients who have lost their vision later in life. Whether they’ve lost it in the past few years or have had vision loss for years, it is still an extremely difficult process of grieving the loss of your vision. Today on the blog we wanted to bring you some tips on how to cope with vision loss and how to help those who may be grieving the loss of their vision and how you can help.

How to cope with grief and vision loss

1.     Be Patient

The grief process is different for everyone and can take as little or as long as you need. Be patient with yourself. Take things one day at a time. 

2.     Learn about your vision condition

It might be helpful in your grieving process to learn about your vision condition. This can help when you go to the doctor so you can ask any relevant questions.  

3.     Don’t isolate yourself. Talk with someone you trust

Isolation is one of the biggest detriments to those who have lost their vision. We covered the effects isolation can have on the blind and visually impaired back in March with the pandemic, but social isolation is a big problem for the blind and visually impaired community during normal times. Reach out to someone you trust and let them know how you are feeling.

4.     Seek professional help

There is no shame in seeking professional help. Counselors can help provide tools and ways to process grief.

5.     Know you are not alone. Connect with peers.

There are so many different groups you can connect with. Whether it is an in-person group or online, there are many different ways to connect with others who are going through the same thing. There are so many Facebook groups you can join or you can read books by people who have gone through something similar.

6.     Start small

When you are dealing with grieving your vision loss you don’t need to do everything at once! Start with small tasks like learning to make a simple meal for yourself. During this time, it is especially important to be nice to yourself.

What you can do to help those with vision loss

1.     Listen

One of the most important things you can do is listen. While you may not be able to give any concrete advice, providing a listening ear can be one of the most helpful things you can for someone who has lost their vision.

2.     If they are new to vision loss, help them find resources to help

The person experiencing vision loss may be feeling overwhelmed, lost, and scared. Reaching out and helping them find resources to help (when they are ready) is another great option to help those grieving their vision loss. Vocational Rehabilitation can be a great resource to help someone get back to work, or even attending a program at WSB! We even have a wide variety of social work services available to clients who are grieving their vision loss.

3.     Be Patient

The grief process is different for everyone. Be patient with those who have lost their vision. It may take them weeks or months to adjust to a new way of living. Give them the grace and time to process what they are going through.  

4.     Ask Directly how you can help

The person experiencing vision loss may not know what to ask for or want to ask for help. By asking directly if they need a ride or need help going to the grocery store, you are giving them concrete things you can help them with.

If you or someone you know is struggling, we have also compiled a list of resources to help on our social work services webpage.

Physical Fitness Tips for the Blind and Visually Impaired

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Physical Fitness Tips for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Physical fitness is important for everyone. But it can be especially hard for the blind and visually impaired community. You, or someone you know, may not know how to participate or how to do so safely. And don’t get us wrong, there are so many barriers for the blind and visually impaired when it comes to working out. From transportation, fear of getting hurt, or financial, there are plenty of reasons why people may not partake in physical fitness. But at WSB, we want to encourage everyone to get fit even if that means going for a small walk around your neighborhood! So, here are some tips to get you started if you’re looking to incorporate some physical fitness into your life!

1.     Find an online program

Be sure to check out the United States Association of Blind Athletes! They provide resources and even online group challenges you can take part in on their Facebook page.

There are also so many great YouTube videos and online programs you can try. From yoga to HIIT, there is a wide variety of workout programs you can try. Yoga With Adriene is a great beginner-friendly yoga practice, while not specifically made for the blind and visually impaired, is a great option. There are also audio described only workouts on BlindAlive, a great resource for all kinds of workouts.

2.     Find an exercise you like

If you’re new to exercise (or sick of the exercise you’ve tried!), try something new! There are so many ways to get exercise from walking around the block to yoga to even a high-intensity workout. Try as many as you want until you find something you really enjoy.

Overview shot of the WSB gym

3.     O&M instructors can help

Did you know if you are a student on-campus at WSB you can use the UALR gym for free? We also have a gym facility on campus! And our O&M Instructor can help you get started at the gym if this is your first time going into one with low vision or blindness.

4.     Grab a friend

Working out with friends is a lot more fun! Friends can help keep you motivated. But sighted friends can also be great guides if you’re looking into running or walking.

5.     If you go to a group class, let your instructor know

Letting your instructor know that you need a bit more description in the class will probably not only benefit you but everyone else in the class!

6.     Join a group

This advice might be good for post-pandemic workouts but joining a group is always a great strategy! At WSB, we have a weekly running/walking club with volunteer guides. Be sure to look around in your city to see if you have a group of other people who are visually impaired or blind workout groups.

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Blindness in Literature: Best Nonfiction and Fiction

Blindness in Literature | Nonfiction & Fiction

We’ve talked about Content Creators who make videos or podcasts on the blog before, but we’ve never mentioned literature that has blindness as a theme! There is a wide selection of books all about blindness and low vision whether you’re looking for an inspirational tale or an escape to a fictional world. Almost all are available as audiobooks so you can enjoy them in any format.

1.     All the Light We Cannot See

First on our list of must-read books is All the Light We Cannot See. A nonfiction story based in Germany and France during WWII is a New York Times Best Seller. The novel tells the story of a blind French girl and a German boy trying to survive during the War. This book will certainly get you hooked!

2.     The Story of My Life – Helen Keller Autobiography

Her autobiography is a classic nonetheless, but we couldn’t help but mention it! You’ve probably heard of the Miracle worker, the play and movie adaptation of Helen Keller’s autobiography. Helen Keller was an author, activist, and lecturer. She was a pioneer in advocacy for those with disabilities. We highly recommend her autobiography for anyone interested in disability advocacy and history. 

3.     Molly Burke Autobiography

A very modern autobiography, but we had to mention the Audiobook by Molly Burke. Molly Burke is a motivational speaker and YouTube sensation. Last year she released her own audiobook on Audible. She depicts her story of losing her sight at 14, and thriving, with such honesty.

4.     Lion’s Story by Roy Kumpe

We couldn’t have a list of books without mentioned WSB’s Founder – Roy Kumpe! This book tells the history of Arkansas Enterprise for the Blind. It’s a great look into the history of Lions and World Services for the Blind! You can purchase it on Amazon (and while you’re there, why not donate using our wish list!).  

5.     Now I see You

Now I See You is a memoir of a woman who lost her sight due to retinitis pigmentosa. Nicole Kear battles at first with her vision loss but eventually, she uses humor to tell her story of accepting her vision loss and still living her life to the fullest.

6.     Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero

An inspirational tale for all the dog lovers! Thunder Dog tells the story of Roselle, the guide dog, leading the way during September 11th at the World Trade Center. While Michael couldn’t see what was happening, he was able to trust his guide and be led to safety. This story details the heroism and trust that goes into a guide dog pair.

7.     The Unseen Trail

For most people, blind or not, hiking the Appalachian trail might seem impossible. Michael Hanson is not the first blind person to hike the Appalachian trail, but he is the first to use only a GPS and trekking poles to do so!

8.     Touch the Top of the World

Another inspiring tale! In this memoir, Erik shares his pursuit of pushing boundaries and push past the limits. While Erik lost his vision at the age of 13, he is pursuing a dream to hike all of the world’s Seven Summits (something only a few hundred have done!).

Have you read any books about blindness that inspired or touched you lately? Let us know in the comments!

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