Nation’s Blind Podcast

Empowering Blind Students Through IEP Advocacy

In this episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast, Melissa is joined by Individualized Education Program (IEP) advocates Katie Filaski, and Javier Diaz. They discuss their experiences supporting blind students and their families and share tips and insights on why IEP advocacy matters.

Important Links:

Individualized Education Plans | National Federation of the Blind

Home | National Organization of Parents of Blind Children

 

Increasing Accessibility in Higher Education

In this episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast, Melissa Riccobono and Chris Danielsen are joined by students Harold Rogers and Miranda Lacy. They share their experiences pursuing higher education as blind students, as well as the challenges they faced with accessing educational materials, services and activities.

Important Link:

Self-Advocacy in Higher Education Toolkit | National Federation of the Blind

Just Keep Moving

In this episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast, Melissa Riccobono and Anil Lewis are joined by Terri Rupp, an ultramarathon runner, Richie Flores, president of our Sports and Recreation Division, and Cassie McNabb, president of our National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC). They discuss all things movement, from running marathons to sports. Melissa and Cassie also share their experience participating in a 10k walk/run across the most thrilling bridge in America to raise funds to bridge the gap between blind people and our dreams.

Knowing and Promoting Our Truth as Blind People

In this episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast, Melissa Riccobono and Anil Lewis are joined by Julie Deden, our 2025 Jacobus tenBroek award winner and executive director of the Colorado Center for the Blind. They are also joined by Wesley Hillman, a Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship winner who was a first-time attendee of the National Convention. They discuss President Riccobono’s banquet speech and the importance of collective action and knowing our truth and capabilities as blind people.

 

 

Guide Dogs: A Partner and Friend

In this episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast, our hosts are joined by Raul Gallegos, president of the National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU) and Meghan Whalen, a guide dog trainer. They discuss their experiences and the benefits of having a guide dog. As well as how NAGDU supports guide dog owners and those who are considering getting a guide dog.

Time to Submit Your Resolution

If you haven’t already submitted a policy proposal for consideration at the national convention in the form of a resolution, or are just curious about the process, then this episode will tell you everything you need to know.

President Riccobono talks with Resolutions Committee Chair, Donald Porterfield, who also serves as president of the National Federation of the Blind of Arizona and on our national Board of Directors, about how to submit a resolution, what happens once it’s submitted, and the importance of resolutions to the activity of our movement.

Efficient Ways to Use Technology

In honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, we have invited Jonathan Mosen, our executive director for accessibility excellence and Brittany Savage, an instructor at our Colorado Center for the Blind. They discuss the latest technology, efficient ways to use technology, and emphasize the importance of being tech-savvy with low tech skills.

Travel with Confidence

In this episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast, Melissa and Anil are joined by Pam Allen, executive director of the Louisiana Center for the Blind, and Jordyn Castor. They provide advice on how blind people can travel with confidence to the National Convention, conferences, vacation, and more. They are also joined by Carlin Thomas who provides audio descriptions for vacations, live performances and events. 

Always Partisan for Blind People

In this episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast, Melissa and Chris are joined by President Riccobono. They discuss our stance on recent proposals to restructure or eliminate government agencies and programs that serve the blind community, such as the Department of Education, Social Security Administration, and Institute of Museum and Library Services. They emphasize our commitment to being partisan for blind people and advocating for policies that directly benefit the blind. They also address concerns that our members and followers have about the organized blind movement. 

Advocacy for Blind Americans

In this episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast, Anil and Melissa are joined by legislative directors Denise Avant, and Liz Wisecarver. They discuss the Blind Americans Return to Work Act, ways that blind people can advocate for ourselves, and highlights from the 2025 Washington Seminar.