National Library Service and Free Talking Books
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.
Hadley
National Library Service and Free Talking Books
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, reader advisor, Tonia Bickford, joins us to discuss the National Library Service commonly referred to as, NLS. Welcome to the show, Tonia.
Tonia Bickford: Hi Ricky. Thank you for having me.
Ricky Enger: Thank you for joining us. And spoiler alert, one of my favorite things is reading, and I suspect we're going to be talking about that just a little bit today. So I am really excited to chat with you and to ask you to share with our listeners all about the NLS. But before we do that, why don't you just give us a quick intro, tell us a bit about yourself.
Tonia Bickford: Sure. Thank you. My name is Tonia. I live in Marquette, Michigan, and I work for Great Lakes Talking Books, which is an outreach and advisory center in the upper peninsula of Michigan. We serve 15 counties in the Upper peninsula and two counties in Michigan's Lower Peninsula with talking books and magazines.
I've been a reader advisor for Great Lakes Talking Books since 2020.
Ricky Enger: Awesome. And we keep hearing this term reader advisor, and you've mentioned that you work for a library. So I think perhaps if you're listening, you might be putting two and two together about what NLS is. But I'd love to just get your take on this, Tonia, because I know that for people who are new to vision loss, there are all these acronyms that keep getting thrown around. And you might hear NLS, NLS and people are always so excited when they say it. But you as a person who's new to all of this may have no idea what NLS actually means, or maybe more importantly why you should care. So what is NLS?
Tonia Bickford: Well, NLS to me is a network of people who want to help connect readers with books. The NLS was established in 1931 by the Pratt-Smoot Act, with the purpose of connecting the Library of Congress with libraries all over the country to provide books to blind adults. Well, since that time, the service has grown greatly to provide audio and braille books and magazines and music appreciation materials to folks of all ages, not just blind adults, but to anyone who is unable to read standard print, which includes people who have low vision or a reading or physical disability.
Ricky Enger: That's perfect because that's a question that we get a lot. People think that because we have this word blind as a part of the name for NLS, it means that you shouldn't be able to see anything in order to qualify for services from NLS. So could you just go through again, let's say you can read with magnification but you're kind of struggling still, would you be able to qualify for services for NLS?
Tonia Bickford: Yes. The service is available for people who are unable to read standard print, which means if you require large print in order to read the book, then you're eligible for our services. If you require a magnifying class to read a book, then you're eligible for our services. So yes, that is something that people think and we work really hard, and thank you by the way, for having us on your program today as one more effort to get the word out to the community that it's for anyone unable to read standard print, whether they can fix that problem or not using a magnifying glass.
Ricky Enger: That's so important to know because again, that's one of the questions we get most often at Hadley. So I imagine you do as well. Now once somebody gets signed up for services because you do have an application that you fill out...
And by the way, we can help you with that process at Hadley, but once someone does go through that application process, the next step is to do the fun stuff to start enjoying those books and magazines. So what are the ways that people can do that? Because I know everybody is at a different point in their journey with technology or how familiar they are with various things. So yeah, just curious, what are the ways people can access these books and magazines?
Tonia Bickford: I like to call people and talk with them. If they're unable to speak with me, I love to talk to their caregivers or their family members that support them because I want to know what are they reading or what were they at the time that they experienced some vision loss or disability that's preventing them to read like they used to? What's their passion? Is it science fiction? What is it? And then we talk about the kinds of situations that they have and where they're reading and what they're using to read and the internet access and technology access they have. Whatever they're comfortable with is what we do.
So if they think, oh yes, I have wireless, yes, I have a phone, or yes, I have a tablet, but I don't want to do any of that, I really just want to listen to some books. Well then the by mail service is perfect for them. We send them a digital talking book machine and it has a user guide built into it. What that means is that when they turn it on, any button they press describes itself to them and it tells you how to use the button and what it does in response. So it's kind of neat.
And then we talk about the kinds of books they like to read and how the service works with cartridges working on a turnaround service, which means you never run out of books to read, the books are automatically mailed to you, and then when you return them, we say, oh, this is a cartridge from so and so. We're going to look at their account, see their favorite subjects, their favorite authors. And by the way, if their favorite author has just released a new book and it's available that's going to be on the cartridge, it's going to be a high priority on their list, and we'll make a new cartridge for them and send it to them in the mail.
For other patrons who have internet access and have a device, they may be interested to either listen to audiobooks on the BARD Mobile app. If they have a refreshable braille display, they may want to download electronic braille onto their braille display. Or if they don't have a refreshable braille display and have been looking for one, the National Library Service also has a refreshable braille display to share with that individual. So we talk about what they're comfortable with first and foremost, and then we decide what's the best plan. You don't have to choose just one. You can use the BARD Mobile app to download books and magazines on demand when you want them, or you can use the by mail service right along with it, and some people do that. So there's lots of options and we start with what you're comfortable with.
Ricky Enger: That's wonderful. And I have such great memories of growing up and looking forward to hearing the mail truck outside because at that time it was cassettes, but now things arrive on cartridges or in braille or there is BARD Mobile, which is amazing. Just getting people connected with that reading material.
By the way, yet another plug for Hadley. I love when I can do this. We do have workshops on how to use that NLS talking book player. We also have workshops on how to check out the BARD website, so a lot of great stuff there. But as I'm thinking about what it was like when I was younger, I always had the assistance of a reader advisor showing me what books might be available, what things I might be interested in. But for a lot of people, they are accustomed to strolling into the bookstore and seeing something that catches their eye on the shelf, or maybe they were not a reader traditionally before vision loss and they're looking to get into that. But the act of discovering books is something that people might be struggling with.
So how do you do that as a reader advisor and just connect with people to let them know what's available and make sure that they don't end up getting something that they really just don't like much?
Tonia Bickford: Right. Well, we set expectations that we might have to weed through some things till we get it right. If they're using Barb Mobile and downloading books, it's really intimidating because when you go to search your mind blanks and you think, what do I want? Who do I like? What do I want to read? I'm tired of the authors I love. So we can help connect people to books by, if they're using BARD Mobile, we have some tips and tricks and we can say, hey, by the way, I know you loved Tom Lake by Ann Patchett, why don't you click on the dot, dot, dot button in your BARD Mobile app to see what other books are available for download by Ann or other books in that same subject area? So the read alike is something that we often help with.
New patrons we talk about what they like. Sometimes you're right, the answer is, well, I haven't been reading because I couldn't see, so I don't know what I want to read anymore. And so I talk about, well, this is what other patrons are reading right now. A gentleman just asked for Jonas Jonasson, The 100-Year-Old Man Who Jumped Out the Window. And we talked about that book and about how much he liked it, and he said, this is a laugh out loud book. I suggest it to anyone. Well, then I do. So I share not only things that I've learned about, but I share tips from other patrons. If it's made someone happy, that's what I start with. Hey, this is something that might make you laugh, might help pass the time.
Other times we talk about some of the features of our service is that, for example, if someone says, well, I usually like the books that Oprah recommends, do you have those? Well, we do. We have series of books. So if you say, I want an Oprah book, well, I can look at the long list of Oprah books. When we talk we can talk about things that they're worried about or the things that are on their mind. And more recently, I've had many people ask me for the United States Constitution, I've had people ask me for the Bible.
So it's just kind of a starting point and letting them know that there are resources. If they're comfortable using the internet, there is an online catalog where they can browse the books. We can also talk about the newsletter that comes out from our regional library and it comes through email, and they also include the information in they're printed circulation twice a year, but it's called Book Buzz and they recommend books, and they also include staff and patron recommendations, which is really neat.
So we just go to the resources that seem right for the individual, but we also try to equip them with the tools if they're open to the idea of how they can discover and find books that are interesting to them on their own. BARD Mobile has that great Recently Added list of books that have just, they're hot off the press. They're recently added to BARD. BARD also has the What's Popular list. Now I've had some people say I never like what everybody else is reading. Well, we can talk about that and how we can find some books.
It seems like patrons are in three categories. I have the patron that knows exactly what they want and they call me or they email me and they give me a list of books that they want to read. I have patrons that ask me to send them those books on cartridges. I also sometimes can add wishlist items to patrons using BARD, so I can remote in and I can just fill up their wishlist. So it makes it easy for them to find the book because it's simply in their wishlist and they just click to download. The third group of patrons. They're open to just trying everything I have in mystery, short stories, and then we'll go from there.
Ricky Enger: What I like about all of this, I think if you were to sum it up, it's essentially you're meeting people where they are. So if they are very tech-savvy, then here are your tools, go enjoy finding things on your own and of course you can call us if you have questions about what to read next. And then I love kind of the community aspect too, where you are taking information from other people and that informs what you may recommend to someone else who calls.
One question that we get a lot, it's a subject that comes up over and over again, is that reading, using audio is such an unfamiliar thing for many people. They're not accustomed to listening in order to get their information. And then on top of that, you have the technology to access some of this maybe brand new as well, whether it's the app or the talking book player. And people get just a little bit overwhelmed by finding this new way to read and then trying to figure out the technology too. Do you have tips for someone who is making that transition from reading in print to this other method?
Tonia Bickford: I do. Not everybody's an auditory learner, and right off the bat I do mention that they're not alone. And I think it helps to set expectations about the fact that it may not be easy to transition to listening to books. But here's where we can equip people with the tools they need to have success. First of all, some people prefer a male voice or they prefer a female voice with the tone changed and the players allow you to do that, and so does the app and mobile.
So there's some things we can do. Sometimes we suggest wearing headphones. I'm in a assisted living center and I have a roommate and I'm not tracking my book because there's so much activity with people walking in and out of my room and my roommate talking to me and the TV going. So we talk about using headphones at times. And then reducing the stress about the whole process by saying, well, you know, you can reverse 15 seconds, a minute, five minutes and start again. If you've lost the pace of the book and the storyline, you can go back.
But just knowing, I think just telling people, yeah, this is natural. You're not alone. A lot of people struggle with this because they're just not auditory learners. They were visual learners, and it takes time to adjust to auditory. What my example is, when you asked for directions, when someone told you what you needed to do, did you walk away from that person thinking I have no idea what they just said to me? Or did you go back and say, we need to write this down because I'll never remember this if we don't write this down? Well, there's a tip for you that you're a visual person. It's going to take you some time to adjust to listening to the audiobook and focusing on the words that are being said and the storyline. And some people find a very happy balance between cooking and listening or between crocheting and listening or sewing and listening or whatever it is that they're doing. They are actively listening while also not necessarily shutting out the world around them, but they find a balance.
I think a lot of people are afraid to admit that the audiobooks are hard for them to listen to. We have the way to exclude accents. So if someone says, well, I loved that mystery series but I had a really hard time understanding the narrator. Well, we can work to make sure that the narrators that narrate the books they want to read do not have an accent. If they say to us that they were really upset by something they heard in a book, well then we can switch and only provide them with rated books. The National Library Service has unrated and rated books, and it's just what's happening, but a lot of commercial publishers are providing audiobooks that are not rated. And so we don't really know what's in them. Sometimes you can guess what's in them based on the author who's written the book, but if someone is really sensitive to what they hear in the books, then we can just limit the list of books that we send them to rated books, and we can then exclude books with strong language or strong violence in that kind of content. So that they know when they receive the books that it's something they want to listen to.
Another strategy to help with folks who are new to listening to books is not to send them War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, but to send them something shorter, like perhaps a series of short stories. And then some people when they don't know what to read, sometimes we talk about what they liked to read when they were young. And a lot of times people say, yeah, I would really love to reread Island of the Blue Dolphins or The Red Pony by John Steinbeck, you name it. Sometimes we just start with something they know and that really helps them sort of adjust because they have a timeline and they have a visual in their mind for that story already. So that's a really good way to acclimate someone to audiobooks.
Ricky Enger: Wow, that's such a great tip for transitioning. To take something that you're already familiar with or to just break it into chunks. I find that I do this when I'm traveling and the world is a little bit frenetic and I know that I am going to keep getting interrupted with, I have to change planes or whatever, short stories are great because you can come back to them and you haven't lost a lot of time, or it's a little easier to pick up than like you said, something like War and Peace. So it really does sound like there are so many options for people to jump back into reading if it's something that they are missing.
It's so heartbreaking when we hear people say, I am losing my vision and I loved to read, but I guess this is something that I just am not going to be able to do anymore. Thankfully, we can tell them, no, that is not something you have to give up. If you didn't read before and you want to, now you can. So I think it's evident that both of us are so very thankful and passionate about NLS and what it can provide to people.
I feel like we've just really scratched the surface though, about what NLS does have to offer, so I'm wondering if you have any final thoughts, any things that you want to leave people with that they should know about this service?
Tonia Bickford: You have a person you can call and talk to at your advisory and Outreach Center, but you also have NLS directly has programs with patrons and they have a quarterly and monthly program and LISTSERV that are available for their patrons. The quarterly program is called The Patron Corner, and it's a virtual meeting and it's an opportunity for patrons to ask NLS staff directly questions and listen to other questions other people have. They also have the monthly Many Faces of BARD meeting that allows folks to learn about BARD topics in BARD, the future of BARD, and ask questions directly from the NLS staff.
As a referral institution the public libraries across the country should be thanked. We appreciate them so much. They are the primary referring agencies for people who walk up to the circulation desk at their local library because that's where they used to read and say, where's your large print? Or where are your audiobooks? And the public libraries, they often mention their collections of audiobooks, which are usually on CD, and they usually mention their large print books, but most times they suggest their Libby app. All across the country there might be a variety of ebook and audiobook providers working with your local public library, but they mention, we've got this. So they've got some great tools themselves. But the public libraries, I don't know what we would do without them because they are the ones that connect us to people who are struggling.
And you asked earlier about people who are unable to read like they used to and think, well, I can read with a magnifying glass, I don't need the service. But if you ask that person the question of, can you read as long as you used to read? Are you able to get as far as you used to read? And usually I get the answer of no. I used to read all night long and now, oh, I can only read for an hour. But that's okay, I can still read. But the key point is can you read like you used to? Even if you have a magnifying glass, and even if you're using large print, can you really read like you used to read? If the answer's no, well then please call us.
Ricky Enger: I love that. Just putting people in touch with that material in a way that again, becomes comfortable. You don't want reading to be a struggle. Reading is a joy. And anything that we can do to put people in touch with resources that let them do that, we are all about that.
Tonia, thank you so much for sharing about NLS and what you do to help your patrons and just the things that are available. Hadley does have a monthly discussion group called Book Nook where bookworms get together and talk about various topics related to reading, and if you have questions about NLS or if you'd like help filling out that application, please do call us at Hadley. We're happy to help. And if you happen to be in Tonia's neck of the woods in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, then contact that library. If not, we'll help you get in touch with your local branch.
Thank you again, Tonia, for stopping by. It's been such a pleasure and so informative.
Tonia Bickford: Thank you for having me, Ricky. I really appreciate the opportunity to talk about this service.
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 [email protected] or leave us a message at 847-784-2870. Thanks for listening.
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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.