Episodes
Tuesday Aug 16, 2022
August 16, 2022 – Meet Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award Winner Caroline Karbowski
Tuesday Aug 16, 2022
Tuesday Aug 16, 2022
This episode features an interview with Caroline Karbowski, who received one of the 2022 Dr. Jacob Bolotin awards at the national convention in New Orleans. She is the founder of See3D, which provides all kinds of models created through 3D printing technology to blind people, teachers, schools, and families of blind children who request them. Caroline describes how she became a sighted Braille user and then was led to expand her skills to the creation of these tactile models, which include Braille labels if desired as well as written descriptions in accessible formats.
Important links:
learn more about see3D and request a model: https://see3d.org
Learn more about the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards: https://nfb.org/bolotin
Thursday Jul 21, 2022
July 21, 2022 – Reviewing an Outstanding Convention
Thursday Jul 21, 2022
Thursday Jul 21, 2022
In this episode, Anil and Melissa chat with President Riccobono, as well as Chris Danielsen and Danielle McCann, who participated in the “pre-shows” for virtual experience registrants prior to the board meeting and general sessions during the recent national convention. They give an overview of our first in-person convention in three years, discuss some of their personal favorite moments, and share information about how you can relive your own favorite moments or experience aspects of the convention for the first time.
Important Link
Convention Highlights https://nfb.org/convention
Friday Jun 10, 2022
June 10, 2022 – Prepare for Convention
Friday Jun 10, 2022
Friday Jun 10, 2022
In this episode, Anil and Melissa chat with John Berggren, Executive Director for Operations for the National Federation of the Blind and chairperson of convention organization and activities. He tells us about some of the features and amenities of our two hotels, including dining options and where our meeting spaces and exhibit hall will be located. They also discuss our COVID safety protocols, including how you can acquire and submit a test result prior to arriving in New Orleans and what to do if you feel ill during the convention. Finally, they preview the virtual experience for those who are unable to join us in person.
Important links:
Main convention information page: https://nfb.org/convention
Convention safety protocols: https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/2022-national-convention-safety-protocols
COVID testing protocols: https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/2022-national-convention-safety-protocols/covid-testing-protocols
Registration for virtual experience: https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=481
New Orleans City services: https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/new-orleans-city-service-locations
Thursday May 19, 2022
May 19, 2022 - Center for Excellence in Nonvisual Access #GAAD
Thursday May 19, 2022
Thursday May 19, 2022
In this special episode for Global Accessibility Awareness Day (#GAAD), Anil Lewis and his special guest co-host take a deep dive into the work of the National Federation of the Blind Center of Excellence in Nonvisual Access (CENA). Meet the team behind the work of this center, funded in part through a grant from the Maryland Department of Disabilities, and learn about the events and trainings provided, as well as resources like the International Braille and Technology Center, Accessibility Switchboard, and more. The episode also includes a message from Maryland Secretary of Disabilities Carol A. Beatty. For more information about the CENA or to collaborate with us, visit nfb.org/cena or email access@nfb.org.
Wednesday Jan 19, 2022
January 19, 2022 - Behind the scenes of JAWS with Ted Henter
Wednesday Jan 19, 2022
Wednesday Jan 19, 2022
The Nation’s Blind Podcast is back for 2022! On this first new episode, recorded in the fall of 2021, Anil and Melissa talk with Ted Henter, who is one of the pioneers of the modern Windows screen reader. Mr. Henter was the cofounder of Henter-Joyce, which created the original Job Access With Speech (JAWS) screen reader still available and widely used today. Listen to find out about his fascinating life before JAWS as well as about how this groundbreaking, life-changing product came into being.
Wednesday Jun 30, 2021
June 30, 2021 – Convention Preview with President Riccobono
Wednesday Jun 30, 2021
Wednesday Jun 30, 2021
In this episode, Anil talks with President Riccobono to get a sneak preview of #NFB21, the biggest event of the year. Learn how our President prepares his banquet speech, what his favorite parts of the convention are, and more. For the latest information about the convention, be sure to visit www.nfb.org/convention. The Nation’s Blind Podcast will take a brief post-convention hiatus and then be back better than ever!
Thursday May 13, 2021
May 6, 2021 – Spectrum Access: Audio Description to Go
Thursday May 13, 2021
Thursday May 13, 2021
In this episode, Anil and Melissa talk with Petr Kucheryavyy, senior manager at Charter Spectrum’s Product Accessibility Center of Excellence, about Spectrum Access, a free and innovative smartphone app for both iOS and Android that uses audio synchronization to allow you to hear audio description for a variety of content without regard to source or streaming platform, even if you are not a Spectrum customer. Petr explains how the app works, talks about its expanding library of over 500 movies and shows and counting, and briefly touches on other efforts that Charter Spectrum is making to incorporate accessibility across its services. For more information, you can contact: Spectrum Access inbox: SpectrumAccess@charter.com Spectrum’s Disability Support Desk: 1-844-762-1301 Spectrum’s Product Accessibility Center of Excellence: Accessibility@charter.com
Friday Apr 23, 2021
April 23, 2021 - And The Audio Description Goes to…
Friday Apr 23, 2021
Friday Apr 23, 2021
In this episode, Anil and Melissa talk with Rick Boggs, CEO and general manager of AudioEyes. He has breaking news about a forthcoming event with live audio description (AD) provided through a partnership among his company, Vitac, and a major television network, with sponsorship from Google. You’ll want to listen right away so you won’t miss the big event! You may even want to issue the Audio Description Challenge to a friend and watch it together. Rick also talks about AudioEyes, the only company providing audio description that is run and staffed by blind people, and the differences between live and pre-recorded audio description, as well as providing some interesting information about the history and craft of AD.
Wednesday Apr 14, 2021
Diversity and Inclusion in the National Federation of the Blind
Wednesday Apr 14, 2021
Wednesday Apr 14, 2021
In this episode, Anil and Melissa talk with Colin Wong, who co-chairs the diversity and Inclusion Committee of the National Federation of the Blind. Colin talks candidly about his own lived experiences as a blind Asian American, including the conflict between the “model minority” myth and low expectations for the blind in both the Asian community and among the general public. He also talks about why intentional diversity and inclusion efforts are important in the National Federation of the Blind and what members can do to get involved in and enhance the committee’s work.
Thursday Mar 18, 2021
Thursday Mar 18, 2021
Content warning: This episode of the Nation’s blind podcast discusses abuse and sexual assault. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, you are not alone. The National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential support, 24/7, at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or online.rainn.org. In this episode, Anil and Melissa talk with Marci Carpenter and Daphne Mitchell of the NFB Survivor Task Force. They discuss the role of the task force in helping to advance a safer culture in our organization. They also explore related topics including: Who is a survivor? Why might blind people in particular struggle with the concepts of boundaries and consent, and what other specific challenges do blind survivors face? What is grooming, and what role do power dynamics play in making people vulnerable to it? For the latest information about survivor-led change within the National Federation of the Blind and additional resources, visit nfb.org/survivors.