Join us on Blind Abilities as we talk with Gina Martin, founder of Diverse Abilities. Diagnosed with Progressive Cone Dystrophy in 1992, Gina's journey to embrace her blindness began in 2015. After an intensive 9-month rehabilitation at the Louisiana Center for the Blind, Gina transformed her life and career, focusing on disability awareness and empowerment. Since founding Diverse Abilities in 2019, she has delivered impactful workshops promoting inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and language (IDEAL). we hope you enjoy Gina’s inspiring story and insights on creating more inclusive environments. You can find out more about Gina and Diverse Abilities on the web. Read More

In this 34th episode of Wellness Wednesday, hosts Beth Gustin, LPC, and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, explore the concept of self-identity and the impact of external influences on our personal definitions of who we are. Join Beth and Robin as they guide you through the process of embracing your authentic self and understanding that your identity is yours to define, free from the noise and expectations of others. Tune in to discover how to confidently navigate your path and stay true to yourself.   Check out all the Wellness Wednesday episodes.   Show Hosts:             Robin Ennis on the web at www.robinennislcsw.com             Beth Gustin, LPC, NCC, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, CAGCS, PLGS             Www.transitioningthroughchange.com   You can message Beth and Robin by calling 612-367-6093 or by email. They are looking forward to hearing from you! Read More

Full Transcript   Maddy and Amy are SSB students conducting peer-to-peer programming for students across the state for instruction on various topics of interest for visually impaired students. They are also available to meet with others one-on-one for peer discussion and will be planning virtual and in-person group activities! Meet Addy and Amy as they talk about their schooling and leadership roles as Peer Ambassadors at State Services for the Blind (SSB) in Minnesota. Here  are some upcoming events mentioned in the podcast:   Student Meet Up: Come join us on Thursday, May 30th, to hang out and connect! We’ll get to know each other and talk about summer plans/activities! We will meet over  Zoom from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Hope to see you there!   Explore golfing on Monday, June 17, at Oak Marsh Golf Course. Learn more.   Three-day, two-night camping experience with Wilderness Inquiry - August 13, 14, 15.   Twin Cities Blind Sailing - Youth Camps starting June 1st - please contact Katy Boyd at kboyd@twincitiesblindsailing.org  TwinCitiesBlindSailing.org   American Council for the Blind Convention in Jacksonville Florida July 5th through July 12  National Federation for the Blind National Convention in Orlando, Florida. July 3rd through July 8th.   Two baseball opportunities:  ·       Minnesota Twins Beep Ball Clinic June 15th ·       and Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Clinic June 15th You can find all this information and links on the web at mn.gov/deed/ssb/teens/   Contact State Services for the Blind If you reside in Minnesota, and you would like to know more about Transition Services from State Services contact Pre-ETS Program and Transition Services Coordinator Shane DeSantis by email or 651-358-5205. Thanks for listening!

Debra Erickson, founder of The Blind Kitchen, joins Jeff Thompson in the Blind abilities Studio to introduce us to and bring us up to date with The Blind Kitchen, the web site, the audio described videos and what to expect in the coming months. With over 90 items on the store shelves, Debra has an adaptive tool for just about anyone. Whether you need it or someone you know that needs it, Debra has it and more than likely, has a blog or video demonstrating its uses with safety and vision loss in mind. We hope you enjoy!   From the web: The Blind Kitchen offers adaptive tools, helpful strategies, and specialized knowledge to blind and visually impaired people who want to cook safely, confidently, and independently. Our collections are available online as are our short instructional videos. Shipping is always free! Everyone has a place at the table in The Blind Kitchen! read More

In this 33rd episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC, and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, address societies desensitization to mental wellness. They discuss the pivotal role the media plays in shaping public perception and outline actionable ideas for promoting mental health in the workplace. As part of Wellness Awareness Month, this conversation sheds light on strategies to reverse negative trends and build supportive environments for mental well-being.   Check out all the Wellness Wednesday episodes.   Show Hosts:             Robin Ennis on the web at www.robinennislcsw.com             Beth Gustin, LPC, NCC, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, CAGCS, PLGS             Www.transitioningthroughchange.com   You can message Beth and Robin by calling 612-367-6093 or by email. They are looking forward to hearing from you!   Read More

Join host Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities studio as we dive into the captivating world of audio drama with our special guest, Micah Thomas, the creative force behind Story More. Micah unveils the intricate art of crafting immersive audio experiences, featuring 360-degree soundscapes that plunge listeners straight into the heart of original storytelling. With a talented cast of voice actors from across the globe, Micah shares insights into the creative process that brings these stories to life. Discover how to access and enjoy the diverse dramas that Story More offers. Tune in, turn up the volume, and lose yourself in the world of Story More, where every listen is an adventure!   Connect with Story More:   ·      On Facebook at StoryMore. ·      on TikTok, and on the web at StoryMore.com. ·      and subscribe to the Story More podcast on Apple podcast. Read More

Mark Miller has been teaching Blind and Visually Impaired students to play piano for nearly 20 years. Distance learning is nothing new to Mark Miller and his students as he began teaching through just audio phone calls using his ears. Now with Skype and Video calls, Mark has brought his teaching abilities around the world. Through chord patterns and  minimum movement Mark’s students learn songs and music theory. You can find out more about Mark’s piano lessons and contact him through his web site at: https://blindpianolessons.com Give him a call or text 847) 401-1721. Start learning or enhance the skills you already have through Mark’s piano lessons today from the convenience of your own home and a time that works for you. Contact Mark today and bring music into your life. Read More

In this 32nd  episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, focus on Stress Awareness, which is during this month of April. In today's enlightening discussion, we dive deep into the myriad ways to manage stress, recognize its early warning signs, and take proactive steps toward maintaining your well-being. Whether you're dealing with work pressure, personal challenges, or just the daily grind, this episode offers valuable insights and practical tips to help you navigate life's stresses more effectively. Join us as we explore strategies to not only cope with stress but to thrive despite it.   Check out all the Wellness Wednesday episodes.   Show Hosts:             Robin Ennis on the web at www.robinennislcsw.com             Beth Gustin, LPC, NCC, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, CAGCS, PLGS             Www.transitioningthroughchange.com   You can message Beth and Robin by calling 612-367-6093 or by email. They are looking forward to hearing from you!   Read More

In this 31st  episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, explore the therapeutic benefits of laughter. They discuss how therapists may use humor to improve client rapport and highlight laughter’s role in fostering workplace camaraderie and overall mental health.   Check out all the Wellness Wednesday episodes.   Show Hosts:             Robin Ennis on the web at www.robinennislcsw.com             Beth Gustin, LPC, NCC, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, CAGCS, PLGS             Www.transitioningthroughchange.com   You can message Beth and Robin by calling 612-367-6093 or by email. They are looking forward to hearing from you! Read More

For 23 years, the Cooking Without Looking podcast and TV show have been providing blind and visually impaired role models the opportunity to demonstrate how they can successfully cook with little to no sight. Join Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant in the virtual studio to learn all about the show. Simon speaks with Renee Rentmeester, creator and executive producer, as well as Allen Preston, one of the two co-hosts of the program. They discuss the evolution of the show, how guests are chosen, notable guests over the years, and preview an exciting announcement coming in the near future!   The program can either be accessed as a podcast or on YouTube. The podcast, hosted by Renee, features an audio-only interview with the guest, giving them an opportunity to share their journey, as well as their favorite recipe. Read More

In this 30th    episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC, Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, explore self-advocacy and Self-Confidence. How we feel in any space we find ourselves when our Accommodations come to mind..   Check out all the Wellness Wednesday episodes.   Show Hosts:             Robin Ennis on the web at www.robinennislcsw.com             Beth Gustin, LPC, NCC, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, CAGCS, PLGS             Www.transitioningthroughchange.com   You can message Beth and Robin by calling 612-367-6093 or by email. They are looking forward to hearing from you!

If you are having thoughts about suicide, please call 988 by phone or text the word, "Talk", to the number 741741.     In this profound episode of Blind Abilities, Jeff Thompson interviews Zach Tidwell, whose life story is nothing short of miraculous. Zach candidly shares the harrowing tale of how he lost his sight by shooting himself, which marked the beginning of an extraordinary turnaround. From the depths of despair, he emerged as a successful app developer, public speaker, and entrepreneur, channeling his experiences into developing the award-winning game, Zanagrams. Zach’s journey is a powerful testament to human resilience, highlighting how he taught himself coding and navigated the challenges of sudden blindness. His story isn’t just about overcoming personal adversity; it’s an inspiring message of hope, determination, and the incredible feats one can achieve by stepping outside societal boxes and persistently challenging oneself. Keep up with Zach on the web at" https://zachtidwell.net and at https://darkhorsegamestudios.com Thanks for listening!

Aira is excited to announce the beta release of Access AI, a brand new AI image chat feature within the Aira app. Access AI allows explorers to take a photo, share from their photo gallery, mobile device, or computer, get a detailed description, ask follow up questions, and receive validation of AI responses from a visual interpreter! Jeff Thompson gives us a demonstration of the new Access AI feature, and we think you will like it! Download the Aira Explorer App as the new Access AI feature is coming! Find out more about Aira and Access AI here. Thanks for listening!

For those who are blind or visually impaired, detecting and avoiding unwanted obstacles can be a challenge at times. A new device, called the biped and developed by biped AI, aims to create a frictionless traveling experience for blind and visually impaired users around the world. Worn as a portable smart harness with multi-directional cameras, the biped combines the power of obstacle detection, GPS services, and scene descriptions, giving users a complete technological travel toolbox.   Join Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant in the virtual studio, as he speaks with biped AI Co-founder and CEO Maël Fabien, to learn more about what the Biped can do for you! From the Biped Website: “biped is a smart harness, worn on shoulders, that helps you detect obstacles and get GPS instructions with AI. Comes in 2 versions: biped Pro, and Pro Plus. Warns you with sounds.” To learn more about the Biped, visit their Website.   Want to try the Biped for yourself? The team will be exhibiting at the CSUN Assistive Technology conference from March 18 through the 22nd in Anaheim California. Visit the Official Conference Webpage to learn more.     Read More

If you are having thoughts about suicide, please call 988 by phone or text the word, "Talk", to the number 741741.   In this 29th    episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC, Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, open the conversation about suicide. Looking at the demographics, occupations, and warning signs. Bringing awareness to this not so talked about subject and helping to check in with yourself and others.   If you are having thoughts about suicide, please call 988 by phone or text the word, "Talk", to the number 741741.   Check out all the Wellness Wednesday episodes.   Show Hosts:             Robin Ennis on the web at www.robinennislcsw.com             Beth Gustin, LPC, NCC, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, CAGCS, PLGS             Www.transitioningthroughchange.com   You can message Beth and Robin by calling 612-367-6093 or by email. They are looking forward to hearing from you!

our guests in this episode Come to us from BlindShell USA and Envision. BlindShell USA's President and CEO, Bari Azman, , and Diane Ducharme, Senior Program Director, along with  Envision's co-founder Karthik Kannan, announce the Envision AI app now available on the blindShell Classic 2 Accessible Cell Phone. The BlindShell Classic 2 accessible cell phone with tactile buttons has added the Envision AI app to Envision's Classic 2 growing library of accessible apps. Learn about what the Envision Team has brought to the BlindShell experience. With the "Ask Envision" AI feature, you can search scanned documents and "Ask Envision" to summarize a chapter, Ask Envision to find specific information and you can continue asking Envision to help you be more productive and efficient with your time. the BlindShell Classic 2 is available on the BlindShellUSA.com web site. You can find out more about Envision , the Envision App and more here. Thanks for listening! Web Site

In this 28th    episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC, Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, dive into self-care. Taking care of yourself and recognizing some habits that maybe you may not realize is self-care. Join Beth and Robin and get a look at how they define self-care.   Check out all the Wellness Wednesday episodes.   Show Hosts:             Robin Ennis on the web at www.robinennislcsw.com             Beth Gustin, LPC, NCC, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, CAGCS, PLGS             Www.transitioningthroughchange.com   You can message Beth and Robin by calling 612-367-6093 or by email. They are looking forward to hearing from you! Contact: You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com Send us an email and give us a call at 612-367-6093, we would love to hear from you! Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Storeand Google Play Store. Give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093 we would love to hear from you! Check out the Blind Abilities Community on Facebook, the Blind Abilities Page, and the Career Resources for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Richard Rueda, Assistant Director of the APH ConnectCenter and Lori Scharff, Lead Contractor at CareerConnect, join Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities Studio to let us know about the latest updates at  CareerConnect. Learn about the Career & Canine Connections program where the CareerConnect team and Guide Dogs for the Blind team up in Oregon for a free of charge experience combining Career exploration and experiencing using and caring for a guide dog. Check out the Career Conversations and learn from those who have successfully navigated the journey from high school to college and the workplace. What worked for them and what to expect. Learn about upcoming internship possibilities and how you can get involved with CareerConnect! To find out more about the opportunities and resources at your fingertips, check out the links below: CareerConnect https://aphconnectcenter.org/careerconnect/ ConnectCenter https://aphconnectcenter.org Any questions? email at ConnectCenter@APH.org   (from the web) CareerConnect is an integral part of the APH ConnectCenter, that provides curated information and resources to people who are blind or low vision, their families, teachers, counselors, and employers. CareerConnect offers job seekers of all ages and employers a variety of resources to help with the job search and hiring process. Read More

Many people dream of traveling around the world, but often feel constrained by money and other factors. For the blind and visually impaired community, Flight for Sight helps to remove this barrier by offering three $10,000 grants to make that dream come true!   Join Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant in the virtual studio as he speaks with Flight for Sight founder and Executive director Mike Walsh, as well as Eliana Mayson, one of the inaugural grant winners. They discuss what led to the formation of the organization.   Eliana takes the microphone to discuss her journey as a professional goal ball player and mental health professional, and how she was able to use both of those unique skills to make a huge impact during her travel journey.   They also discuss one of the biggest applications criteria: creating personalized content along the trip such as blogs, podcasts, videos, etc.   Think you’d be a good fit to take off around the globe? Visit the Flight for Sight application webpage Here. Don’t delay, applications close February 15th! Read More

In this 27th    episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC, Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, touch base on asking for Reasonable Accommodations and where to start if you are ready. disclosing a disability, especially hidden disabilities may cause one to consider not asking for the accommodations even though  the reasonable Accommodations can help them succeed.   Check out all the Wellness Wednesday episodes.   Show Hosts:             Robin Ennis on the web at www.robinennislcsw.com             Beth Gustin, LPC, NCC, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, CAGCS, PLGS             Www.transitioningthroughchange.com   You can message Beth and Robin by calling 612-367-6093 or by email. They are looking forward to hearing from you! Read More