Voting with Vision Loss
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.
Hadley
Voting with Vision Loss
Presented by Ricky Enger
Ricky Enger: Whether you're figuring out how to get to your voting precinct or wondering how you'll mark your choices when you get there, there might be additional logistics to consider when casting your ballot. In this episode, Hadley's Steve Kelley joins us as we discuss voting with vision loss. I'm Ricky Enger, and this is Hadley Presents. Welcome to the show, Steve.
Steve Kelley: Hey, Ricky. I'm delighted to be here.
Ricky Enger: I am so happy to have you, and you are on the assistive technology team with me. Surprisingly for once, we're not here to talk technology, although I have a feeling a gadget or two may sneak its way in somewhere, right?
Steve Kelley: Of course, it will. What are you thinking?
Ricky Enger: So I am really, really happy that you're here to talk about this with me. We both have experienced vision loss. I'm blind since birth, and you have a bit of a different journey, but I think that really helps to walk through some of this because we've had different experiences and we're in different states, which is going to help a lot too because we bring those perspectives to the table.
So as I was thinking about putting this podcast together, I naively, as it turns out, assumed that I kind of knew what we might talk about and I thought I knew how it would go. And then as I started digging in and putting the pieces together, it was like information overload. There is so much, whatever piece of it you're digging into. So, if you are trying to figure some of this out, what's your take on where people should start for just the basics, like figuring out where you go and what the rules are for your state?
Steve Kelley: Well, I think every state is different. And you're right, it is really overwhelming. The big takeaway that I got doing a little bit of research is, number one, start early. Don't start November 1st or November 2nd. Start now. And I think that the first thing a person should do is just call their town hall or whoever is in charge of voting, the municipal offices, and start asking questions now about how accessible is it?
How do I get a ballot sent to me if you can do an absentee ballot? And we even talked about how to get a ride there if you need a ride. So the big thing is to start early and start with your town locally.
Ricky Enger: That's a really good point. So I think in my town I was able to look up the County Board of Elections in my town, and so I was able to get a number for that. The other thing you can do if you are looking online and you're trying to figure out where to start, there is one URL that will direct you through to a lot of these other places. And thankfully, it's really easy to remember. It's just vote.gov. I’ll go ahead and spell that, it’s V-O-T-E dot G-O-V. So that's the official government URL.
It's the federal government URL, but it has collected all of the official state government websites. So you know if you're linking from there that you're getting to something official. I don't know how many links I've seen on social media or doing a quick Google search, and you just don't know when you go there, this looks right, but is it actually official info that I'm getting?
Steve Kelley: Oh yeah. When we talked before, you had said it was just overwhelming. It's like everybody's got their finger in the pie. Everybody really has their own intentions, good, bad, or otherwise, for getting your attention about voting. So I think it's so important, like you said, just to start with at least the government sanctioned one so you know that it's trustworthy and you're going to get to your state and that sort of thing. So that's a great place to start.
Ricky Enger: And you are so right about starting early. I think there are good reasons for that, because there are things that you've got to think through before the day of. Some of it might be stuff you've never really had to think about before. One thing I was noticing is that you might think, oh, I can register to vote maybe the day of or a week before, but every state actually has their own deadlines for that as well.
And in some cases, you may think you're registered, but things may have changed since that point. So it's a really good idea to check your registration, which you can do at that vote.gov site, which is great. Are there other things that people should be thinking about right now as opposed to maybe the week before voting?
Steve Kelley: Oh yeah. So for example, in my case, sometimes going down to the voting booth and getting one of those paper ballots. In the past I've done it with the handheld magnifier and the little light on the magnifier and it takes forever. So at some point, I just decided, oh, let's get an absentee ballot.
So if you're like me, if you're thinking about getting an absentee paper ballot sent to you, you want to do that way in advance so that there's time for you to get the ballot and time for you to return the ballot. You might need to have somebody there to assist with reading it or however it is that you work it out. I might use a desktop magnifier or something like that myself, but we're all different.
But you want to make sure that you've got plenty of time to complete it too. So that's the other piece of it and get it back there. The other thing too, Ricky, I think sometimes depending on where we live, I mean, Uber and Lyft, they're going to offer rides in places that you can get Uber and Lyft. Now where I live, getting Uber and Lyft is a crapshoot.
Ricky Enger: You might have one driver for the whole city.
Steve Kelley: Exactly. And I know a lot of people listening are going to be in the same place. So I got some really good advice when I called the other day and he suggested if you're looking for a ride, you want to check first with the town office to see if there's somebody coordinating rides in your community.
If not, check with the area agency on aging or disability rights in your state because each one of them might be organizing some sort of ride share to vote. But all of that coordination, as we both know, is going to take a little bit of time. So the next thing is, how am I going to get there if you need a ride? So plan ahead for that.
Ricky Enger: Yeah, that's really important. Transportation is a thing that you might not have had to think about before. And maybe you even had your driver's license at that time, which made me think about, oh, voter IDs, how does all of that work? If you're accustomed to, well, yeah, I've got my license, I'm good, you may need to think about what photo ID do I actually have and what are the requirements for my state.
So I know I have a state ID, so it is much like a driver's license except that it does indicate no, this person probably should not be driving. But in every other way, it verifies who I am. So that's one option. Another option is the County Board of Elections. Among many things that they do, they can assist with getting specifically a voter ID is what it's called. I mean, that's its whole purpose.
It is free to get one of those, and they just verify who you are. They get a photo, and you can use that if there are ID requirements in your state, which is pretty cool.
Steve Kelley: And you can see from just this that each one of these little baby steps, it's not huge, they're all very doable, but time's going to slip away quickly. You've got to start this stuff right now and start thinking about it and each one of these little steps towards voting.
Ricky Enger: Exactly, yeah. So you were talking about ways of voting earlier, and you mentioned that you were going to do an absentee ballot, which is really cool because you'll be able to get that by mail and fill it out in whatever way makes sense for you. And I think there's not a lot of knowledge about these different voting options, whether it's an absentee ballot. Some states have some form of online voting.
Now, generally, what that means is that you can request a ballot online, then you get it. It's a file that you can fill out. It's a fillable PDF. So if you're able to type in that, then you can fill it out and there's a digital signature. And then there's this secure portal that you're able to email it through. So that's one option that is available. Which things have you done? The method I've used for the last few years is these accessible voting machines.
So they have a machine that you can plug a set of headphones in to. It has a little keypad with arrows on it that will let you scroll through your choices, and it gives you a little tutorial at the beginning so that you can figure out what you're doing if you've never touched one of these before. I know there are some low vision accessibility options there too, like high contrast and making the fonts larger.
So that's one option that people have. What have you done thus far in your years of voting? Which of these options have you done?
Steve Kelley: I went in a couple of years ago. And again, I went in ahead of time, several days before voting, and asked to see the accessible voting machine. Because I was curious, did we have one? Sure enough, we did, and somebody was kind enough to sit down and work with me. And I thought, oh my God, by the time I figure this thing out, it would actually take less time for me to go in and use the handheld magnifier, which I knew already takes half an hour, 45 minutes by the time I get done with it.
So for a couple of years I did the absentee ballot. And then the last time I went in, I just said to my partner, "Here's the deal, if I go in by myself with my magnifier, it's going to take me half an hour. If you, however, go in with me and just tell me what's on the ballot and we do it together, boom, we're going to be out of there in five minutes."
But I think a lot of people are in a situation, maybe they're not comfortable going in with the spouse, the partner or other family members because they want more independence. I think people should know that you can generally go in and ask to have a reader or some assistance and maybe you end up with somebody from both parties overseeing it, but the reality is you can do it that way.
Ricky Enger: Yeah, that is a definite possibility because they do have members of each party on site. And you might run into a situation where they're not as familiar with how this should work as you are, so it's good to know that going in. But you can have someone from each party go in just to make sure that your vote is being cast as you are specifying and to make sure that everything is as nonpartisan as it can be.
And you're so right about friends and family. If you are getting to the polls with someone but you don't happen to fully agree with their positions on things or vice versa, that can feel so uncomfortable to trust someone. Even though we don't agree, I trust you to cast my ballot. Or you know what? I want another option.
We have in the show notes, if you've never experienced any of these talking ballot machines with low vision options, that may seem really, really intimidating, we will have a link to some video demos that go through what you might expect as you walk up to any of these machines. And go figure, they're not standardized, so there are at least four different types of these machines that you can use.
So you may not know which one is going to be at your precinct without calling a municipal place, your County Board of Elections or whatever it is, to ask, okay, number one, where's my voting precinct? And two, do you know which accessible voting machine is going to be there? They are required to have those on site. They are not really required to know how to use them.
So that may be incumbent on you as you go in to be familiar and say, "No, I got this." If you're going in and you're doing something that is a little different than the hundreds of other people who have gone through there before you, there may be some discomfort or some questions like, are you sure you know how to operate this? I'm going to stare over your shoulder as you're doing it, which is not great.
Steve Kelley: That was my experience when someone was showing me the machine. I don't want to discourage anybody by sharing my story. Again, this goes back to starting early. I think if you contact your municipality and ask in advance, you can go in days, weeks ahead of time to try it out to see if there's somebody there who can practice. You'll walk in there feeling a lot more confident like, yeah, I really do have this. I can do this.
Ricky Enger: Absolutely. I tend to go with my son mainly because he's voting at the same time. He's my ride to the polls. And for whatever reason, the fact that he's nearby, I wish this weren't the case, but just being honest, whenever they see him and he has a set of fully working eyes, they tend to back off a little bit and not watch as closely to make sure I know what I'm doing. Because the thought is, well, he's nearby and he will "take care" of anything if she gets in trouble.
So that's just one of those things to consider as you're heading out. And speaking of getting to the polls, we've already touched on some of this, but I had just a heartbreaking statistic to share. There was a study done and it was done in 2018, and it said that only 36% of the eligible voters without a car made it to the polls or cast their ballot in some way.
And that is in contrast to 67% of eligible voters with a car who made it. So what a significant difference, and it just goes to show that transportation is a huge consideration for people. How am I going to get there? And if there's that barrier, I may never make it in. So thinking about this kind of stuff, I know Uber and Lyft will provide free rides to anyone going to the polls on election day. Now, that doesn't apply for early voting that I'm aware of.
A lot of places you can’t just do an absentee ballot, but you can go and vote in person early. So you may have to make different arrangements for that. I know that there are churches and other faith-based organizations that can organize rides to the polls, things like that. So there are a number of options. But like you said, it's important to think about that ahead of time. Are there any options I missed for getting to the polls either on election day or early?
Steve Kelley: Not that I'm aware of, although I have to say that that is a super discouraging number. That's like half of the people who showed up without vehicles that did with vehicles. So clearly that's getting in the way of people participating in voting. As I'm listening to this, I'm just thinking, and this is one of the things that I heard when I spoke to someone at the state. Why not go ahead and request the absentee ballot if you're worried about transportation and make that a possible option.
And you can always show up at the polling station with the absentee ballot if you do have an opportunity. And ask that question. I mean, make sure there's that flexibility, that way you've got both things covered. You've got two possibilities. Maybe that's the approach to take if you don't know at this point.
Ricky Enger: I'm all for having a backup plan and a backup for the backup for sure. So I know in my state, if you're doing an absentee ballot, you get the ballot. You have to have, I believe, two witnesses to that ballot who will also provide I think a signature and they provide their IDs and such. So every state is different with that as well. I just spoke to someone who was having, I think it was a city election or something like that. She's in Massachusetts, and I was so jealous hearing what her options were.
She was able to vote online. And it wasn't one of these where you have the PDF, and you fill it in, and you send it in with a portal and all of that. It was fully online. So it was like a webpage that you would check your boxes and submit it. So it is worth checking that vote.gov site. I believe there are thirteen states that offer some form of online early voting. And just going through and figuring out, okay, these are my options. Now, which one do I want to try first?
Steve Kelley: Right. Mine is one of those states too that offers the electronic version. But like yours, as I was reading the directions, I think somebody who's very comfortable with their computer, their screen reader and attaching files, they're going to have no trouble at all with it.
But somebody who's a little bit more of a novice with any one of those things may find it a little bit challenging. But again, the good news is you can request it. Give it a try. And if you've done this early enough, if you're having trouble, you can always just show up. Again, it's planning on that extra plan B or plan C, right?
Ricky Enger: Yes. So there was one last thing I was thinking about. We've gone through, how do I get there? How am I going to cast the ballot? All of those things. But what we didn't really talk about is if you are trying to figure out what candidates am I voting for, which races are happening in the next election, how can I learn more about what's going on, are there sanctioned ways for people to do this as well in a way that's not just this scattershot approach of, oh, I read something on social media or what have you?
I know one thing I was thinking about was the voting guide. My city and state does this. Does Maine do that? They put together a guide of sorts that goes through what each candidate is and whatever they have submitted in terms of their policy status.
Steve Kelley: At the top of my list would be the League of Women Voters generally puts out a guide. Now, is it accessible? Yeah. I was telling you a funny story. Years ago, we would get those at the agency where I worked. And of course, they came in print, and it was just regular sized print. So I would end up doing an audio for a radio reading service where I would read it, and I could also send out that audio file to anybody who wanted it to make it a little more accessible.
So yeah, the League of Women Voters. Is it going to be accessible? You may have to advocate for it. And the same thing was true with my town. Because when I went to the town's website, they too had a voting guide. But the first time I discovered it a couple of years ago and downloaded it, I realized that it was not screen reader friendly. So I did email the town, and I suggested a couple of ways that they could make it screen reader friendly.
And to my great surprise, they took my advice. I know. And since that time, you can download one and just run it with your screen reader and it does just fine. So I think that this might be the case where you probably have some possibilities, but you might have to be an advocate the first time or two to make sure that it's accessible for everybody in your community. And that's a great place to start. Another reason to start a little bit early.
Ricky Enger: Yeah, that's a good point. You mentioned radio reading services as well. And if you're not familiar with those, give us a call. We're happy to walk you through that. It's essentially a service that broadcasts things of local interests. So they'll read the newspaper, in some instances. They will have local authors, all of these different things. Every radio reading service is a little different, but it's volunteers coming in and reading printed info that would be of interest to people. Same thing for NFB-NEWSLINE.
That's another great option for getting some local news in a way that maybe you used to get the paper in its printed form or navigating the online version of it, what a headache. The cool thing about NFB-NEWSLINE is that it is available by phone. So you don't have to have an app. You can enter in various codes on the phone and get to the things that you want to hear about, and then it just plays that info over the phone. So those are things that we can talk through with you as well.
Steve Kelley: And Ricky, I don't think most people are aware, but NFB-NEWSLINE is available in almost all states these days. And technically, I don't think you have to be "legally blind" or anything like that. Just functional vision loss and you can use it, and it's a free service.
Ricky Enger: Again, happy to walk you through getting set up with that. And hey, you've got time before November to do that, so do give us a call and we can do that. Wow, this feels kind of like a whirlwind discussion. I feel like we've covered so much, and yet I always say this, but I do feel like we've just scratched the surface because there's so much to talk about. But I want to thank you, Steve, for sharing your insight and your experiences with this. Any final advice that you would give to people as we wrap up?
Steve Kelley: The only thing that I would suggest, Ricky, is we have just scratched the surface, and it is a little bit overwhelming, and we recognize that. So give us a call at Hadley and ask for Ricky or Steve or frankly anybody else, and we'll get you some resources so that you have what you need and at least get pointed in the right direction and try to make it a little bit simpler.
Ricky Enger: Yes, because absolutely it is your right to be able to cast a ballot, to cast a secret private ballot. And if there are barriers that you feel are standing in your way, and maybe this is your first time voting after having experienced your vision loss, you might just be thinking, well, is it worth it? It seems difficult. I don't know. It's so important to let your voice be heard. So, anything that we can do to remove those barriers, we're happy to do so. Thank you again, Steve, for stopping by and just having a great conversation.
Steve Kelley: It's my pleasure, Ricky. Thanks for the offer.
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 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.