Keeping Your Job After Vision Loss
A change in your vision may make some parts of your job more challenging. But with a bit of help and some new skills, you may be able to stay in your job. Hadley Chief Program Officer Ed Haines and Learning Expert Steve Kelley join the podcast to talk about our new Working with Vision Loss workshops and to share tips for where to find support and how to ask for what you need.
Hadley Presents
Keeping Your Job After Vision Loss
Presented by Ricky Enger
Ricky Enger: Welcome to Hadley Presents. I'm your host, Ricky Enger, inviting you to sit back, relax, and enjoy a conversation with the experts. In this episode, Chief Program Officer Ed Haines along with learning expert Steve Kelley join us to discuss keeping your job after vision loss. Welcome to the show, both of you.
Steve Kelley: Hey, Ricky.
Ed Haines: Thanks, Ricky.
Ricky Enger: It is so great to have you both here. We're discussing a topic that I think is incredibly important. Really looking forward to just jumping right into things, listening to the history behind some of this, and just giving some tips and tricks for something that can initially feel really traumatic for people. I think having that knowledge of what do you do next really can take away some of that fear.
Before we get into the topic, I would like to give a chance for each of you to introduce yourselves. I think since both of you have been on the show before, although you may be new to some people, why don't we keep the introductions to just tell us a bit about how you are familiar with the process of what happens for maintaining employment after vision loss? Ed, we'll start with you. You've been pretty instrumental in creating Hadley's new series on keeping your job after vision loss, so how did you become knowledgeable about this topic?
Ed Haines: Sure, Ricky. Thanks. Thanks for giving a plug for this new series. I'd love to talk about that a little bit, too. I currently work for Hadley, but for many years I was a vocational rehabilitation counselor for both the state of Indiana and the state of Michigan, and I was a voc rehab counselor for people with vision loss specifically, so I've spent a lot of years helping individuals with vision loss figure out their employment goals and figure out how they can achieve those goals.
Ricky Enger: Excellent. How about you, Steve?
Steve Kelley: Thanks, Ricky. Yeah, I ended up getting a certification as a vision rehab therapist and I've also got a certification for rehab counseling. Although I didn't spend nearly as much time as Ed doing vocational rehab, I did an internship there and worked pretty closely with the vocational rehab counselors in the state that I live in.
Ricky Enger: Fantastic. We have, as we alluded to a bit ago, we've just launched a series on the Hadley website that goes through this particular topic, what kinds of things do you need to know as you are losing your vision and you want to continue to work, how does all that happen? Why do you think it's an important thing to have?
Ed Haines: Well, Hadley's all about helping adults discover new ways to do things that have been made difficult by vision loss. One of those things is keeping your job, right? For a lot of people, work is really, really important on so many levels, not just because of the income, but because it helps us be a contributing member of society. It gives meaning to our lives. It provides socialization. There's a million reasons why people want to stay on the job. When you receive a diagnosis of vision loss, a lot of folks just assume that their work life is going to be over at that point, and that is just not the case. We've launched two workshops. One's called “Staying on the Job” and the other one's called “Talking with Your Employer,” trying to give folks just some basic steps, basic things to think about before they take a drastic step of leaving their employment.
Ricky Enger: Steve, I guess you've experienced this from a couple of different perspectives. You have worked with people who are facing this predicament of, "Oh, no, what do I do next? This is all pretty overwhelming and scary," and I think you've been that person before, too. One thing I always wonder about is how much awareness the average everyday person in the general public who has no experience with vision loss, are they even aware that people who have problems with their vision are in the workforce?
Steve Kelley: Do we have a scale that's below zero here? [Laughs] Because no, absolutely not and we just have developed I think these preconceived notions of what people with a vision loss or blindness can and can't do. Often, there's no basis in reality, because I just don't think that we often have a whole lot of exposure to people in the workplace who are there using assistive technology and doing things in a different way. What happens is when you find yourself in that situation, you're going to those preconceived notions that you have and asking yourself, "Oh, gosh, what can I do? What will I be able to do?" because you really just have no clue. Not only that, you have people that show up after years of not knowing where to turn because they didn't know how to find vocational rehab.
Ricky Enger: That's an excellent point. I think you really hit the nail on the head. When you talk about that moment of, "What will I do? What can I do? I don't know anything about any of this and what I do know is not always positive." If somebody is just diagnosed, they're in that period of, "Whoa, what do I do?", what's the first thing that you would tell them about what to do regarding their job?
Ed Haines: Well, the first thing I tell them is what not to do, and if at all possible, I would say, "Don't quit your job right out of the gate. Take some time first before you make that decision." I mean, you may need the income, you may like your job for a number of other reasons. I've known so many folks who, when they receive a diagnosis of vision loss, everything's so overwhelming, they're wondering about transportation. They're wondering about home; they're wondering about their family. It may be difficult to do things at home as well as in the work environment and so it seems like just the logical thing to do is just get rid of one of those variables and say, "Okay, I'm going to quit work if possible."
We've just launched these workshops not that long ago and we already, I saw a comment the other day from an individual who took the workshop and said, "Boy, if I had taken this before, I wouldn't have quit my job. I wish I hadn't." It's much easier to stay on a job that you already do than to get a brand-new job. That's true for anyone, whether you have vision loss or not. That's the first step, don't quit right out of the gate, look at your options first.
Steve Kelley: Yeah. I think that's so true, Ed. I go back to what I was saying before is that oftentimes we simply don't know how that job might be done with less vision because we haven't seen anybody do it, we are unfamiliar with any of the technology usually, and we're not getting a whole lot of help from the doctors, which isn't to say that the doctors aren't helpful, you get escorted out of the office, "Well, there's nothing more that we can do." That just means medically. You end up in this situation where you're just wandering around in this no man's land wondering what the heck you're going to do. Ed, you're so right. I mean, there are just so many options, there are accommodations, and there is technology that can be applied to almost any job, keeping that job. It's so much easier to keep the job than to try to find a new job, particularly when you've got that new diagnosis, or you're just learning some new skills with that vision impairment, I think finding that new job is then 10 times more difficult sometimes.
Ricky Enger: Then who helps with that? If you're looking around and saying, "Well, I don't know what to do. Surely there are professionals then who can give me some advice," who does that, and how do people find them?
Ed Haines: The good news, Ricky, is that yes, there are professionals that can guide you on this journey and help you out. There is a specific program that's paid for by the federal government that's a consequence of an active legislation and that's called vocational rehabilitation. Every state has a vocational rehabilitation program, and it is specifically designed to help individuals with disabilities stay on the job or become employed. That is the place you need to make a beeline for because once you establish an open case and a relationship with a state vocational rehabilitation counselor, they can help then line you up with the other professionals that are out there that can address different aspects of your job and how to keep it. Some of those professionals might be an orientation and mobility specialist who can help you learn to get around your work environment safely, an adaptive technology specialist who's going to help the technology at your work site and make sure it's accessible to you, and a number of other individuals, so there's a lot of folks out there to help, but you have to go seek out that help, and the place to start is vocational rehabilitation.
Steve Kelley: There's no cost for that either. I think that's one of the things that also is often misunderstood when a persons on the fence like this, they're worried about, "What are these things going to cost?" A lot of those professionals are paid for through state and federal funding.
Ricky Enger: That's got to be such a relief to people because if you're already worried about your income and, "How am I going to keep this going and keep my family fed?", the last thing I want to think about is spending more money that I may not have to address this issue. When people start to think about what they might do to stay on the job, vision loss can impact a number of different things, and some of it maybe you need to learn some technology, and some of it may just be, "I need better lighting," or what have you. I just learned this recently, that there are three general types of changes that you could make to your job in order to keep it. Ed, can you expand on that a bit?
Ed Haines: There are three general types of changes, and they overlap, but the first would be is that you may need to just adapt your work environment to fit your level of vision. That could be something as simple as moving your desk or your workstation away from a big window that causes glare, that could mean having your coworkers make sure that aisles are kept free of debris to make sure that you can navigate safely down the aisle. Most ways of altering your work environment are fairly simple. The great thing is you don't have to figure that out on your own. You can have a workplace accommodation assessment made, your voc rehab counselor can set that up, and you'll be surprised how many small changes can be made that will make just your environment more accessible to you.
Then another type of change is learning new skills that will be used in your current job. For instance, if you use a computer now, you may have to learn how to use a computer with speech access, for instance, rather than primarily visually. You may want to learn braille so you can access print in a different way. There's a lot of new skills you can acquire that can help keep you doing what it is you want to do.
Then finally, there are just a plethora of adaptive devices that will help you use tools, whatever work tools they are, to make sure you can still use them and use them with your current level of vision. That's basically the three areas, change your work environment, acquire new skills, and employ adaptive devices.
Ricky Enger: Do either of you have a story about an accommodation that you had never thought of, or maybe assisting someone in maintaining their employment, and you had to look for something that just stood out in some way as far as an accommodation that actually worked to help somebody maintain their employment?
Ed Haines: Yeah, I can give a great example. It's a wonderful example. I worked with a Catholic priest who was unable to drive. Priests do have to drive, especially in rural areas, they have to drive from church to church, it's a prerequisite of the job. I talked to him and then he and I talked to his Bishop and the Bishop ended up assigning him to a place called Mackinac Island where cars are not allowed. We just took driving out of the equation. He was able to minister to a new parish and keep working and doing what he wanted to do, so that was a really fun kind of accommodation.
Ricky Enger: Wow. I love it. It just goes to show that no matter what it is that you were doing, and you have this seemingly insurmountable obstacle, there are ways around that. I think that's probably going to be relieving for a lot of people. I would imagine that one of the most nerve-wracking things that you have to do in a situation like this is telling your boss what's going on, figuring out just kind of the right way to talk about what's happening so that you can get the accommodations that you need, and so that fear of actually losing the job because of something beyond your control can be negated a little bit. Are there things that you should know before you ever even open that topic of conversation with your boss?
Steve Kelley: I just did a review not too long ago of the Talking With Your Employer workshop. One of the great recommendations, and there were several, just to try too familiar yourself. You're not going to become a lawyer or anything like that, but become familiar with some of the terminology that is used. The word "accommodations," for example. Just use the same kind of language that's used in the legislation, or the ADA. And having a really good understanding, or as good an understanding as you can have of what's going on with your vision at the moment, and what it is that you need. And if you can be specific about your needs, that's so helpful because just like you, very few people around you are really going to know much about this, so you need to become the expert as much as you can, and really be an advocate about those specific things. I think that that is helpful moving forward and just relax and realize that there is a way forward. A lot of times people are very willing to help. One of the things that has always struck me is if you're a loyal employee, your employer wants to keep you right there on the job. They don't want you to go any place, so recognize that as a loyal employee, people want you to stay, and your employer wants to work with you.
Ricky Enger: That's a fantastic point because you may be feeling at a pretty low point yourself and thinking, you're questioning so many things, one of which might be, "Am I really that valuable? Am I easily replaceable?", or whatever, and someone who has worked hard is a loyal employee has made a name for themselves in one way or another in the organization, they don't want you to go anywhere. Is there one approach that works better than any other for talking to your boss? Or can you talk based on whatever your relationship is with your boss and knowing what that's like? Are there some dos and don'ts there, or is it pretty much as long as you're familiar with what it is you need, keep that in mind, and any approach you take is going to work?
Ed Haines: It depends on everyone's unique situation. There's no right time to talk to your employer and there's no right way, but there are some don'ts. It's mainly one don't, don't come in unprepared. You need to come to that conversation with preparation, with practice, and be able to provide positive solutions. You're an asset to that employer. Your job is to let them know you're going to continue to be an asset to them and here's how you're going to do it. It doesn't hurt to do a whole lot of homework, and again, employ those professionals that are there in the background to help you do it. I always recommend to people, don't go into that conversation unless you've practiced it a whole bunch. Practice with friends, relations, anybody you can find, and make sure you have your spiel down. You'll be ready for questions that may come up. Again, your vocal rehab counselor can help with that.
Steve Kelley: It's so contrary, I think, to the way you might be feeling at the time because something like this can really impact your self-esteem in a negative way, right, so I think it's so important, as Ed said, to actually sit down and start talking about it, explore it with your family and friends and people that you trust and talk about it a little bit more so that you become more comfortable talking about it. You'll also become more curious about it and find out more information and become a much better advocate, and really, that's what your employer wants to hear. Your employer wants to hear you solving whatever the problem happens to be and coming up with positive solutions.
Ricky Enger: Fantastic points, both of you. But what if after all that, you've done some soul-searching, and for whatever reason, you decide that your current job is just not going to work anymore, whether it's because of changes that have happened because of your vision loss, or maybe you're just ready to make a change, so many other things are happening in your life, and now you're ready to, "I always wondered what it would be like to do this job and I'm ready to try that now." What can you do to get new job skills, to find new ways to do things, and to seek out that new career?
Ed Haines: Well, the good news is that the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, one of the things they do is to help people become retrained. That can be anything from a vocational program to, even to college. Each state has their own rules and regulations as to how and when they do that, but those services are available, so you would start by just having your vocational rehabilitation counselor help you with an interest inventory test. If you just don't have any idea at all what you'd like to do, they'll help you figure that out, and then they'll help you figure out how to get the training you need to get there.
Steve Kelley: That was one of the really cool things that I found both personally as a client and then also later working with folks is that you are in a position as a VR counselor to listen to people and reflect some of what's going on. There's a little bit of counseling that actually goes on, but I think that's one of the most valuable things that the vocational rehab counselor does for somebody is actually help during that exploration process, because you're right, not everything is necessarily going to fit after a vision loss, and sometimes it's a great opportunity for some fine-tuning. Sometimes it may not have been a good job or a good fit before that and now is a great opportunity to explore something else.
Ed Haines: Yeah, that's right. I will say one thing, I've had so many people come into my office over the years, they're out of work, and they'll say, "Okay, what do people with vision impairments do?" Well, my response is always the same, "What do you want to do? Then we'll figure out how to make it work with your vision impairment." Don't limit yourself. People with vision impairments are in all sorts of occupations. The days are over when people with vision impairments were slotted into very specific areas. What is it you want to do? We'll help you figure that out, then we’ll help you figure out how to get there.
Ricky Enger: I think it's worth mentioning also that if you're still wondering, "I got to find a voc rehab person, whatever that is, and then get started on this journey," it's worth mentioning that at Hadley, we’re here to point you to those resources in your particular area because sometimes that, too, can be a real challenge is, where am I even supposed to look to find these professionals? At Hadley, we can help with that.
We have talked a bit about the new series, which was the reason we decided to come together and record the podcast. Perhaps you're wondering, "Well, how do I even find that series?" If you are not signed up on the Hadley website, that is certainly the first step, and it's a pretty quick and easy process. We can also help you through that over the phone if you want, (800) 323-4238 is a great number to keep handy so that you can call us for any help that you need up to and including getting signed up on the website and finding this series that we've talked about a bit and experiencing that for yourself.
Thank you both so much for being here. Before we wrap up, I just want to ask each of you, if there's anything you would say to that person who is on the cusp of saying, "I just don't know if I can handle this. I'm going to go ahead and quit my job and I'll figure out the rest later," or perhaps they're in the midst of trying to figure out these accommodations and things are still a little bit difficult, what would you say to people?
Steve Kelley: I think the first thing I would do is say, "Take a breath. Step back a little bit," because number one, Ed is right, your initial instinct may be to bail on the job because you're having difficulty doing it, you don't have the skills just yet. Hold off, take a step back, check in with that vocational rehab counselor. Who knows? Maybe ultimately you will leave the job, and that's okay, but do it on your own terms.
The other thing is be open to recognize that some of your preconceived notions about what is going to happen with a vision loss and your ability to do your job or other jobs may not be accurate. In fact, I can almost guarantee it's not accurate, so just be open to what might come your way, I know it sounds odd, but the opportunities that are going to present themselves in the future for you.
Ed Haines: Well, I couldn't improve on anything Steve said, it's just the absolutely perfect response. I'll just add one other thing is that also be open to doing things in a different way. You'll find how liberating that is once you take that jump. That can apply not just to work, but also things you do around the house. If you're open to doing things differently, you'll find that you'll still be able to do what you want to do.
Ricky Enger: Fantastic. Thank you both for sharing your time and your expertise. I know it's going to be useful and impactful for so many people.
Ed Haines: Well, thanks, Ricky. It's a great topic.
Steve Kelley: Yeah, it's been a pleasure chatting with you both.
Ricky Enger: Got something to say? Share your thoughts about this episode of Hadley Presents or make suggestions for future episodes. We'd love to hear from you. Send us an email at [email protected]. That's P-O-D-C-A-S-T @ Hadley dot E-D-U. Or leave us a message at (847) 784-2870. Thanks for listening.
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Episode 118
Vision loss can be emotionally overwhelming. In this episode, we chat with a clinical psychologist who is legally blind herself, Dr. Ann Wagner. She shares how learning from and connecting with our emotions can bring about healing and transformation.
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Episode 117
Preparing for a disaster is important for everyone. But for people with vision loss, it requires some extra thought and planning. In this episode, we share some ideas on how you can prepare.
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Episode 116
Did you know that veterans are eligible for vision services and equipment through the Veterans Administration even if their vision loss developed many years later and was not as a result of service? Learn more as we chat with a representative of the Hines VA.
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Episode 115
Voting can be tricky if you've lost some vision. In this episode, we discuss a variety of ways to cast your ballot, no matter your level of vision.
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Episode 114
The Bright Focus Foundation funds research to find cures for macular degeneration and glaucoma, among other conditions. In this episode, we learn about their glaucoma and macular degeneration monthly chats. These sessions with scientists are open to the public and offer insights into the latest breakthroughs, treatments, and promising research on the horizon.
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Episode 113
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has a lot to offer people with vision loss. Whether it's reading menus, describing pictures, or even narrating scenery, AI can make a big difference. This week we chat with Steven Scott, host of the Double Tap podcast, about some of the best AI-powered tools out there… so far. Link to Double Tap on Apple Podcasts.
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Episode 112
When the doctor says, "there's nothing more I can do for you," what next? Who can help you make the most of your remaining vision and learn how to live more comfortably with vision loss? We break it down for you.
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Episode 111
This week we talk to Dave Epstein, the visually impaired creator of the All Terrain Cane. He shares about his life with a progressive eye disease and his love of hiking. These two pieces of Dave lead him to develop his unconventional cane.
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Episode 110
When you have vision loss, scams can be even more challenging to avoid. Listen in as we get some tips and tricks from Veronica Lewis who runs a low vision assistive technology website.
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Episode 109
Be My Eyes CEO, Mike Buckley, joins us to talk about how this free, smart phone app merges technology and human kindness and how it's now using AI to describe the world in front of you.
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Episode 108
Recently retired, David Tatel served for decades on the US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. He also happens to be visually impaired. In this episode, he and Ricky talk about his recently written memoir, a book about his life as a judge, a husband, a father, a grandfather, and how all of these roles intersect with his experience with vision loss.
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Episode 107
This week we talk smartphone tools and when you might want to use the different options. Jennifer Shimon from the Wisconsin Office for the Blind and Visually Impaired joins Ricky.
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Episode 106
Sometimes, navigating life with vision loss goes a bit sideways. Things don't always turn out exactly as we've planned, and it can help to just laugh at these strange situations.
We've shared several episodes of listeners' stories, what we're calling vision loss bloopers. Today, Ricky Enger and Doug Walker share some more of these bloopers along with a few of their own.
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Episode 105
Prevent Blindness' patient advocacy program empowers people facing vision impairment. Patients learn how to promote change with their physicians, their families, drug companies, and even policy makers.
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Episode 104
Ever thought about getting a guide dog? Listen in as we chat with members Jeff Flodin and Ed McDaniel about their experiences with guide dogs and some common misperceptions.
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Episode 103
The National Library Service has a free talking book program for anyone in the US with vision loss. Tonia Bickford, an advisor from Michigan's talking books program, joins us to discuss how to get the most out of this free service.
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Episode 102
This week we learn more about visual hallucinations that sometimes accompany vision loss, a condition called Charles Bonnet syndrome.
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Episode 101
Sometimes vision loss can make us feel less secure. This week we talk about personal safety with Hadley's Chief Program Officer, Ed Haines.
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Episode 100
For many living with vision loss, watching TV is less enjoyable as they can't see what's happening on the screen very well anymore.
Audio description fills the void by narrating key visual elements. Listen in as Ricky chats with Hadley member and avid audio description user, Judy Davis. -
Episode 99
Listen in to our conversation with Dr. Mondal, a low vision optometrist and professor at the University of Wisconsin. We chat about what to expect from a visit to a low vision specialist and the kind of help they can offer.
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Episode 98
Have you listened to Hadley's community-generated audio podcast yet? In this episode, Ricky and Marc Arneson, Hadley's Director of Community, share a few stories from Insights & Sound Bites and discuss how to contribute your own story. Insights & Sound Bites | Hadley
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Episode 97
Listen in as artist Chloe Duplessis explains how a degenerative eye disease changed, and didn't change, her life and love of art. "I thought art required sight. I was wrong."
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Episode 96
Dr. Judy Box, a Hadley member living with macular degeneration, shares her tips for managing those important conversations with your eye doctor.
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Episode 95
In this episode, the Hadley team talks all things gifts. Giving them, getting them, what's on their wish lists, and how vision loss may, or may not, impact these activities.
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Episode 94
Friendships often change when one has vision loss. Whether it's adaptations to the activities you enjoy together, asking for help, or turning that help down … there are conversations to be had. Let's tune in as two Hadley members, Eugenia DeReu and Tara Perry, share their experiences with what's changed for them — and what's stayed the same.
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Episode 93
Losing some vision can make for shopping challenges. Here are a few mishaps that Hadley members have run into. Have your own to share? Email us at [email protected]
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Episode 92
This week we chat with the chief technology officer from Envision as he shares how their free mobile app or camera-enabled glasses can help those with vision loss. It speaks aloud written information, describes surroundings and objects, and even tells you who's nearby.
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Episode 91
Lots of questions, concerns, and stereotypes connected to use of the white cane. In this episode, we address several of them from past discussions on the topic.
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Episode 90
Listen in as Hadley's Director of Community, Marc Arneson, chats with Hadley members Bill Massey and Gregory Peterson about their participation in Hadley's new Peer-to-Peer program.
To learn if getting a peer connection is for you, call us at 1-800-323-4238. -
Episode 89
Listen in as we chat with Ed Haines about getting the most out of our magnifiers.
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Episode 88
Listen in as we chat with animal lovers Debbie Worman and Sheri Robinson about the joys and challenges of caring for a pet when you have vision loss.
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Episode 87
Listen in as Hadley member, Wendy Spencer Davis, shares why she decided to learn some braille and how it's helping her in everyday life.
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Episode 86
Ed McDaniel, a psychologist with low vision, joins us to talk about common emotional triggers people with vision loss face and how to recognize and manage them.
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Episode 85
Jessica Grogan from the American Diabetes Association joins us to talk about managing your blood sugar with vision loss.
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Episode 84
Tune into our chat with Sarah Clark, a visually impaired marriage and family therapist, as she offers her unique insight into some common family dynamics that often make adjustment more challenging and how to navigate through them successfully.
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Episode 83
Join us as we chat with Hadley member, Kris, about her experience living with vision loss in a senior community.
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Episode 82
Listen in as Hadley staff share their real-life bloopers—times when things didn’t quite go as planned.
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Episode 81
Join us as we take a dive into the features of the BlindShell cell phone.
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Episode 80
Listen in as Pastor Scott Himel shares his advice for participating in religious services no matter your level of vision.
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Episode 79
Join us to learn about how ScripTalk technology translates medication labels into speech and where you can find a participating pharmacy.
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Episode 78
Join occupational therapist from Duke Eye Center, Fay Tripp, in a conversation about bioptic glasses—what they are and who can benefit from them.
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Episode 77
Listen in as we chat with birding expert Freya McGregor who shares her tips on how you can enjoy this hobby, no matter your level of vision.
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Episode 76
Listen in as Hadley's Doug Walker and Ricky Enger chat about how they use GPS in their daily lives. From walking directions to finding items or assisting a driver by navigating a trip, GPS can be a very handy tool.
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Episode 75
Listen in as we chat with Dave Steele about his life, poetry, and vision loss.
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Episode 74
Listen in as we discuss some common situations that can make us feel unsafe and share ideas on how to address them. We're joined today by Christy Ray and Ricky Jones of STRIVE4You.Org
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Episode 73
Unfortunately, it's not uncommon for feelings of shame to creep in when we've lost some vision. Join social worker Jeff Flodin and psychologist Ed McDaniel, both visually impaired themselves, as they explore where these feelings come from and how they have worked through these emotions in their own lives.
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Episode 72
Listen in as Dorrie Rush of OE Magazine shares how she resisted using a white cane for years, the stigma she feared, and the confidence and security she found once it was in her hand.
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Episode 71
Learn how CVS pharmacy customers throughout the US can access a free service that reads aloud prescription medication information.
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Episode 70
Join us as we chat with author Hannah Fairbairn about the tips and tricks she has learned to take some of the stress out of holiday get-togethers, no matter your vision.
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Episode 69
We're joined by the creator of The Blind Life YouTube channel, Sam Seavey. Sam shares his personal journey with vision loss and advice he has for people who are newer to vision loss.
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Episode 68
Whether you like to read for enjoyment or need to check your mail, reading is an essential part of your day. We're sharing tips and tricks for how to continue reading, the best low-tech and high-tech gadgets, and the benefits of learning braille.
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Episode 67
Chief Innovation Officer Doug Walker chats with us about the launch of Hadley's newest podcast, Insights & Sound Bites. This new podcast will offer short stories shared by listeners. By tapping into the power of our community, we hope to share ideas, discoveries, and moments of inspiration along the journey through vision loss.
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Episode 66
Jim Hoxie and Joanna Jones join us to discuss their children’s book, "Grandpa's White Cane." Jim shares how vision loss shaped his life and how he and Joanna, a retired teacher, began instructing children about the importance of white cane awareness and the do's and don'ts for helping people with visual impairment.
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Episode 65
Blogger and social worker Jeff Flodin talks about his personal journey with vision loss and how his passion for helping people led him to blog about his experiences.
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Episode 64
Hadley has partnered with the National Eye Institute (NEI) to offer a Spanish-language version of our popular cooking workshop series. Devina Fan, director of the National Eye Health Education Program at NEI, joins the podcast to talk more about this new initiative, NEI’s expanding Spanish content, and the importance of connecting Hispanic and Latino communities to important vision resources.
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Episode 62
Certified accessible travel advocate Melvin Reynolds joins the podcast to share tips for getting the most out of traveling, no matter your level of vision. Melvin gives advice on what to research ahead of a trip, considerations for traveling with a guide dog, and how a certified accessible travel advocate can help.
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Episode 61
Karen and Dan Leonetti share how vision loss has changed their relationship and the advice they have for other couples.
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Episode 60
Rabbi Lenny Sarko joins us to talk about how his vision loss journey led him to create a first-of-its-kind braille Sefer Torah that people around the country can access.
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Episode 59
Actor and artist Bruce Horak talks about his personal journey with vision loss, how he got interested in painting, and his role in the new television series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
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Episode 58
CEO of Eschenbach Optik of America Ken Bradley joins the podcast to discuss how Eschenbach has adapted through the pandemic to help people with visual impairment access low vision devices remotely. Through their "Telelowvision" program, you can try out magnification devices from the comfort of your home to find what works best for you before you buy.
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Episode 57
Scottish radio broadcaster and podcaster Steven Scott loves finding and talking about tech stuff. He's especially fond of apps and gadgets that make life easier for him and others with vision loss.
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Episode 56
NYT Columnist Frank Bruni returns to the podcast to talk about his new book. Frank describes his personal experiences with vision loss and how, with time, his perspective has grown.
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Episode 55
IT professional and stand-up comedian Todd Blenkhorn talks about his personal journey with vision loss and how his passion for stand-up helped him find and share the humor in daily interactions.
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Episode 54
In this episode, we're sharing highlights from previous interviews with a glaucoma specialist, retina specialist, and a low vision doctor. Listen in to learn more about common eye conditions, treatments, and what to expect at these specialist appointments.
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Episode 53
Master Gardener Sue Brasel and Hadley's Chief Program Officer and gardener Ed Haines join us for a chat about gardening, no matter your level of vision or gardening experience. They share tips for how to get started, common challenges, and the many benefits of gardening.
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Episode 52
We're joined by Carol Mackey, an avid discussion group participant, and co-host Debbie Worman to chat about what Hadley groups are, how to join, and what you can get out of them. With 10 groups on a variety of topics, there's something for everyone. Listen in or chime in – it’s up to you.
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Episode 51
Bold Blind Beauty blogger Stephanae McCoy joins us for a chat on beauty, style and confidence. Stephanae talks about how vision loss shaped her life, and then shares some of her favorite fashion and beauty tips.
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Episode 50
Hadley staff share their favorite kitchen gadgets and tips. Whether you're an experienced home chef or a total novice, you're bound to pick up a few ideas that fit your vision needs and make your time in the kitchen more productive (and fun).
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Episode 49
We sat down with Kim Walker, co-director of research and development at Hadley, and Mark Andrews, one of the Hadley advisors who reviewed our exciting new approach for adults with vision loss to learn braille. From labeling items in your home to identifying buttons on an elevator, braille can be a wonderful tool for everyday use.
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Episode 48
New York Times Best-Selling Author, Gretchen Rubin, chats about her research on how tapping into different senses can enrich our lives and connect us to each other in surprising ways.
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Episode 47
Twin sisters Jenelle and Joy join the podcast to share their personal experiences with vision loss and adjusting to it emotionally. While they look identical, their perspectives and journeys differ, highlighting their mission to show that "there is no right way to go blind."
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Episode 46
Hadley learner Sharon Noseworthy shares tips and tricks for hosting get-togethers of any type or size, no matter your vision. Sharon has always loved the role of hostess and has learned to adjust her approach now that her own vision has declined.
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Episode 45
We're joined by Teepa Snow, occupational therapist and founder of Positive Approach to Care, to learn more about the challenges of having both vision loss and dementia. Teepa addresses common misconceptions about dementia and shares practical tips for supporting someone with both conditions.
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Episode 44
We sat down with several Hadley staff members and asked them about their favorite tech tips, apps, and gadgets. Whether you consider yourself a tech expert or novice, the group recommends a variety of high-tech and low-tech options that fit your comfort level and interests.
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Episode 43
Judge David Tatel has served on the second most powerful court in the country since 1994. He also happens to be blind. Judge Tatel joins us to share his story on building a law career and family while dealing with changing vision, the technology and resources he's found useful, and what made him consider getting a guide dog in recent years.
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Episode 42
In honor of White Cane Safety Day today, we're joined by Hadley learner Larry Carlson and Orientation and Mobility Specialist Elijah Haines for a conversation about this important tool. Larry shares what made him decide to use a white cane, and Elijah shares tips for what to consider and how to adjust to using a white cane.
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Episode 41
Supriya Raman, manager of the Disability and Multicultural branches of the TSA, shares tips on traveling among shifting COVID restrictions. Supriya covers what to expect at the airport and what resources are available for people with visual impairment.
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Episode 40
Photographer Michael Nye chats with us about his latest art exhibit, "My Heart is Not Blind," a collection of photos and audio interviews of people with visual impairment. Through these stories, Michael provides a look into what he calls "our shared humanity and shared fragility," as well as common misunderstandings about blindness.
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Episode 39
Champion blind golfer Chad NeSmith talks about how vision loss shaped his life, and how he shares his passion for golf with others with vision loss.
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Episode 38
Doug Walker, Hadley co-director of R&D, and Ed Haines, Hadley Chief Program Officer, chat about the making of Hadley's "Adjusting to Vision Loss" workshop series. The series guides people through the emotional aspects of vision loss. Doug serves as the series' personal storyteller and narrator.
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Episode 37
In this episode we chat with ophthalmologist Dr. Angela Elam from the University of Michigan. Dr. Elam addresses common questions and concerns, and shares her advice for returning to the eye doctor among shifting COVID restrictions.
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Episode 36
Dorrie Rush, OE's Chief Content Officer, joins us for a chat about this wonderful online resource chock full of tips for living well with vision loss. You'll find great articles on using tech tools, tips for health and well-being, stories from others living with vision loss, a terrific podcast, and more.
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Episode 35
Learn about a new service that’s just launched in 2020 called Accessible Pharmacy. Accessible packaging and labeling and personalized customer support all free of charge to the end consumer, and specifically designed for those with vision impairment.
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Episode 34
Audio Describe the World! That’s the mantra of UniDescription: a free smartphone app that provides audio descriptions and navigation tips for US National Parks and other public places.
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Episode 33
In this episode, we chat with low vision optometrist Dr. Mark Wilkinson from the University of Iowa. Dr. Wilkinson answers common questions and shares his advice for getting the most out of low vision optometry appointments.
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Episode 32
Jan and Elgie Dow share how vision loss has changed their relationship and the advice they have for other couples.
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Episode 31
Join Hadley advisor Eddie Becerra as he shares about losing his sight from diabetic retinopathy, and how he gained a new perspective on life.
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Episode 30
Classically trained chef Regina Mitchell shares how vision loss shaped her life. Regina worked her way back into the kitchen and is now helping others cook with confidence, no matter their vision.
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Episode 29
In this episode we sit down with the director of Well Connected, an organization that offers free, call-in groups for adults over 60 on a wide variety of interest areas: games, music, meditation and more.
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Episode 28
Support groups can be a great way to connect with others who "get it." Listen in as as low vision support group leaders Lynndah Lahey and Judy Davis describe how their groups are run and what their members get out of them.
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Episode 27
World-renowned artist John Bramblitt describes how vision loss has shaped his painting and his life.
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Episode 26
In this episode, we chat with Dr. Tim Murray of the American Society of Retina Specialists. Dr. Murray treats eye diseases such as macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. He answers common questions and shares his insights into the future of treatments.
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Episode 25
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jullia Rosdahl, a glaucoma specialist from the Duke Eye Center, and ask her some of the many questions we’ve heard about glaucoma, its risk factors, and how to treat the disease.
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Episode 24
Hadley learning expert Jessica Smith shares her experience raising a puppy that may eventually become a guide dog. She covers what she’s learned and things to consider if you’d like to volunteer to help out a guide dog school.
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Episode 23
October 15 is White Cane Safety Day, a day to recognize this important tool that empowers people with visual impairment to travel safely and independently. It also brings attention to the general public to be mindful of visually impaired neighbors, giving them additional consideration and right-of-way when needed. We sat down with Kellee Sanchez, an orientation and mobility specialist, to talk about the history of White Cane Safety Day, and how a white cane can help those with vision loss.
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Episode 22
Be My Eyes is a free smartphone app that connects visually impaired users with sighted volunteers for help with visual tasks. We sat down with Will Butler from Be My Eyes to hear how the app started, tips for using it, and exciting new features that provide specialized assistance, including with Hadley.
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Episode 21
Tracy Simon from Eye2Eye peer support program shares her story of vision loss, how her program works, and the benefits of connecting with and supporting each other.
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Episode 20
Ophthalmologist Dr. Lori Provencher chats with us about how the coronavirus pandemic has changed doctor's visits. She shares tips for staying safe, questions to ask, and what to expect before, during and after your next office visit.
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Episode 19
Mindfulness expert Tiffany Guske returns to the podcast to share tips and insights on how to cope with life's challenges, such as vision loss or an illness, building resilience and focusing on self-compassion instead of judgment.
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Episode 18
Author of "When You Can't Believe Your Eyes," Hannah Fairbairn, chats with us about how to communicate in everyday situations when you can't rely on visual cues. Hear Hannah's own story about losing vision, her practical tips on adjusting to vision loss, and advice she has on regaining confidence in social situations.
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Episode 17
In this episode, we continue the conversation on living during the COVID-19 pandemic with a visual impairment. Listen in as we share some experiences, tips, and strategies for coping during these difficult times.
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Episode 16
The COVID-19 crisis has brought a wave of change and uncertainty to our everyday lives. Listen in as we share personal experiences, resources and some helpful tips...all from a blind or low vision perspective.
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Episode 15
Assistive technology experts Ricky Enger and Steve Kelley review BlindShell, a mobile phone built for those with visual impairment. They discuss the basic features, how it differs from a traditional smartphone, and how to decide if it's right for you.
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Episode 14
This week we sit down with Dan Roberts, author of "The First Year-Age-Related Macular Degeneration: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed" and founder of MDSupport website and support group. Hear Dan's own story about being diagnosed with macular degeneration and what prompted him to reach out to others facing similar circumstances.
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Episode 13
Listen in as we explore the basics of using hand tools with a visual impairment. Gil Johnson, a visually impaired home repair expert, shares tips on everything from measuring, to leveling to hammering.
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Episode 12
Elections are right around the corner. So we gathered a panel to talk about options for voting no matter your level of vision. Listen in as we explore everything you need to know, from registering to vote to the many ways you can cast your ballot.
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Episode 11
Ricky sits down with Android Accessibility Product Manager Brian Kemler to discuss what is available on Android phones for those with visual impairment. From adjusting font size and color, or opting to listen with TalkBack instead, the commitment to making these powerful tools more useful to a wider audience is clear.
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Episode 10
In this episode, we chat with Gil Johnson, an experienced home repair and woodworking enthusiast about things to consider when undertaking home repair with blindness or low vision.
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Episode 9
Hadley's Debbie Good sits down to continue a conversation with author and visually impaired world traveler Dr. Wendy David. Together they explore a wide variety of helpful hints covering train, plane, and cruise travel as well as practical information on traveling internationally and navigating hotels.
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Episode 8
In this episode, Ricky Enger chats with Joe Strechay, associate producer on the Apple TV+ series SEE. The show takes place in a future where, after a viral apocalypse, all humans are blind. Joe takes us behind the scenes of the show and his work to help build an inclusive set for the cast and crew, including those with low to no vision. From casting to costumes, scripting to scenery, hear how Joe helped create a science fiction world that strives to be authentic to life with vision loss.
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Episode 7
Hadley's Debbie Good sits down with travel author Dr. Wendy David in this latest episode. In part one of this two-part interview, Debbie and Wendy discuss tips for traveling with confidence as a blind or low vision person, advice on picking destinations, considerations for traveling alone and in a group, and more!
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Episode 6
Ricky Enger is joined by Hadley's Debbie Worman and mindfulness expert Tiffany Guske in this latest episode. Debbie and Tiffany talk about what mindfulness is and the specific benefits that mindfulness can offer for those living with vision loss. Tiffany then walks listeners through a short mindfulness exercise.
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Episode 5
In this episode, Ricky Enger speaks with New York Times columnist Frank Bruni, who shares the story of his sudden vision loss from NAION. Bruni speaks candidly on his adjustment to the change, maintaining a realistic attitude towards his vision loss, and the failure of medical professionals to provide resources after diagnosis.
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Episode 4
Listen in as we share practical tips on how to keep your handwriting readable. This resource-packed episode includes many useful techniques and solutions to common handwriting challenges. Hadley Learning Expert Jennifer Ottowitz chats with Sue Dalton, Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist.
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Episode 3
In this episode, Hadley's Steve Kelley speaks with Kendra Farrow, from the National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision, located at Mississippi State. The episode serves as a guide for those new to vision rehabilitation, including determining who is eligible for services, key differences between the medical and social services models, and how to locate services in each state.
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Episode 2
In this episode, Ricky Enger chats with Microsoft's Jeremy Curry, a Senior Program Manager with the Windows Accessibility team. New vision accessibility features are now available in Windows 10 for low vision and screen reader users.
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Episode 1
In the inaugural episode of Hadley Presents, Ricky Enger and Jonathan Mosen of Aira chat about the ways in which a visual interpreter service, such as Aira, can be used to gain valuable visual information and enhance travel and leisure activities for blind and low vision users.