Episodes
Wednesday May 10, 2023
The MrBeast Cure Controversy
Wednesday May 10, 2023
Wednesday May 10, 2023
The wealthy and influential YouTube celebrity MrBeast recently caused a stir in our community by posting a video in which he “cured” the blindness of a thousand people by funding cataract removal. In this episode, Anil Lewis and Chris Danielsen discuss why well-intentioned public efforts like this can be problematic. They also talk about what it means to be “okay with blindness” and about the importance of understanding and respecting individual choices regarding whether to seek or accept medical intervention to improve or restore eyesight.
Thursday Apr 20, 2023
U.S. Currency to Become Easier to Use
Thursday Apr 20, 2023
Thursday Apr 20, 2023
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing, United states Treasury Department, is close to producing paper currency with tactile features to make it more easily identifiable by the blind beginning with a new ten-dollar bill in 2026. Anil Lewis and Chris Danielsen discuss how blind people currently use paper money and the long journey to this announcement. But first, they do some myth-busting about the historical position of the National Federation of the Blind on changing our country’s paper money.
Important links:
2008 Resolutions, containing Resolution 2008-08 regarding the blind and American paper currency
Tuesday Apr 11, 2023
The Myth of the Model Federationist
Tuesday Apr 11, 2023
Tuesday Apr 11, 2023
Is there such a thing as a model Federationist or blind person? Is Federation philosophy a rigid set of rules? How do we provide support and raise expectations without judging each other’s choices? Anil and melissa discuss these questions, dispel some common misconceptions, and point to some resources to help understand and apply the NFB philosophy.
Important links:
NFB Philosophy: What It Is and What It Is Not (Braille Monitor article by President Riccobono and others)
The nature of Independence (speech by Dr. Kenneth Jernigan given at the 1993 National Convention)
Monday Mar 20, 2023
NFB Helps Win Battle for Blind Federal Employees
Monday Mar 20, 2023
Monday Mar 20, 2023
This episode highlights recent developments in a case supported by the National Federation of the Blind, Orozco v. Garland, addressing the right of federal employees to sue their agencies under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act when information and communication technology are inaccessible to them in violation of that law. Roving reporter Chris Danielsen interviewed Ronza Othman, an attorney and president of the National Association of Blind Government Employees, right after oral arguments in the case to understand its implications. Anil and Melissa play that interview, discuss what has happened since the case was argued, and talk about what it hopefully means for the future.
Important links:
Voice of the Nation’s Blind blog post about the case
News brief about the court ruling
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) report on section 508 compliance
Response of Senator Bob Casey to the DOJ report
Monday Mar 13, 2023
Meet the Monarch
Monday Mar 13, 2023
Monday Mar 13, 2023
In January 2023, Anil and Melissa spoke with Dr. Craig Meador, President of the American Printing House for the Blind (APH). They discussed the monarch, the new dynamic tactile display that has emerged from a partnership among APH, Humanware, and the National Federation of the Blind. With ten lines that can display both braille and tactile graphics, this device is a potential game-changer, especially for blind students. Hear about its potential and the ways in which a partnership with the organized blind movement made it possible.
Wednesday Feb 22, 2023
Meet the National Organization of Blind Black Leaders
Wednesday Feb 22, 2023
Wednesday Feb 22, 2023
In celebration of Black History Month, this episode highlights the National Organization of Blind Black Leaders, a division of the National Federation of the Blind. Melissa and Anil talk with Shawn Callaway, the division’s president, who is also president of the Washington, DC affiliate and a member of the national board of directors. Shawn explains the inspiration for forming the division, its mentoring and educational efforts, and how it functions as an integral part of the National Federation of the blind. The division welcomes all, and you can become a part of it by reaching out to Shawn at callaway.shawn@gmail.com.
Important links:
- Transcript of this episode
- Reflection, Revolution, and Race: A Growing Understanding Within the Organized Blind Movement, 2021 banquet address by President Mark Riccobono (transcript):
- Strength through a Diverse Organized Blind Movement: The Intersection Of Characteristics And The Common Bond Of Raising Expectations; Moderator: Colin Wong, Co-Chair, National Federation of the Blind Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, a panel from 2021 National Convention (transcript)
- Not Blind to Color in the Federation: A Panel on the Experience of Black and Blind in America, a panel from 2021 National Convention (transcript)
Thursday Dec 22, 2022
Kellogg’s and NaviLens: A Path to Inclusion One Cereal at a Time
Thursday Dec 22, 2022
Thursday Dec 22, 2022
In this episode, Melissa chats with Beth Foor from Kellogg Company, makers of some of your favorite cereals and snacks. Beth shares her story with blindness and discusses NaviLens, a technology to assist blind and low-vision adults. Kellogg is proud to be the first food company to feature this technology on packaging in the U.S on select cereal boxes. The NaviLens app and the NaviLens GO app are available for free download for use on both iPhone and Android.
Tuesday Nov 01, 2022
Supporting Tomorrow’s Teachers of blind Students
Tuesday Nov 01, 2022
Tuesday Nov 01, 2022
In this episode, Anil and Melissa talk with Karen Anderson, who coordinates educational programs at the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute. She talks about the Teacher of Tomorrow program, which connects teachers of blind K-12 students with blind people so that our lived experience can inform their instruction of the children they teach. Karen shares the reaction of some of these teachers to the kick-off event of the year-long program, which was held at the end of September 2022.
Wednesday Oct 12, 2022
October 12, 2022 – Blind Equality Achievement Month Featuring President Riccobono
Wednesday Oct 12, 2022
Wednesday Oct 12, 2022
This episode features an interview with NFB President Mark Riccobono about the purpose and importance of Blind Equality Achievement Month, formerly known as Meet the Blind Month. President Riccobono talks with anil and Melissa about how blind people are often forced to educate the public in situations that are not ideal, making it critical for us to plan intentional ways of conducting this education. Blind Equality Achievement Month is a dedicated time for us to create these intentional opportunities by conducting educational events or by simply interacting with the rest of the public in our own communities through volunteering, social events, and more. #BlindMonth
Important link: https://nfb.org/blindmonth
Thursday Sep 22, 2022
September 22, 2022 – Netflix Winner of 2022 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award
Thursday Sep 22, 2022
Thursday Sep 22, 2022
This episode features an interview with Elisa Beniero of Netflix. The popular streaming service received one of the 2022 Dr. Jacob Bolotin awards at the national convention in New Orleans. The award was given for Netflix’s industry-leading work in providing quality audio description in multiple languages for an ever-increasing number of hours of programming (over 18,000 at the time the interview was recorded and counting), as well as for its focus on authentic casting of the blind and for accessibility innovations on its app and platform. Elisa talks to Chris danielsen about Netflix’s commitment in all of these areas and more.