Proctor Keith Christian and Finalist Lynn Wu will join us to talk about the exciting and upcoming Braille Challenge. The Braille Challenge is the only academic competition in North America that motivates young blind students, in grades one through twelve, to master and practice their Braille literacy skills. To listen to this week’s “Speaking Out for the Blind,” go to: http://acbradio.org/mainstream, and choose one of the links under the headings “Listen to ACB Radio Mainstream” and “Now Playing;” or call 1-518-906-1820, and when prompted, press “1” for ACB Radio Mainstream East or press “2” for ACB Radio Mainstream West. You may also listen to the program live on the ACB Link mobile app. For more information, go to http://link.acb.org. Show archive page is at http://acbradio.org/speaking-out-for-the-blind. Please note that there is a link located at the top half of the page and below the heading that says: “Home » Speaking Out for the Blind” where you can subscribe to the podcast feed and listen to Speaking Out for the Blind shows ranging from episode ninety-four to the present. You may also access the feed at http://acbradio.org/softb. Facebook page is at Speaking Out for the Blind and Twitter page is at SpeakOutfortheBlind (you may also access this at SpeakOutBlind). For more info related to this week’s show, go to: https://speakingoutfortheblind.weebly.com/list-of-episodes-and-show-news/for-more-information-episode-247-the-braille-challenge

KSTP-TV in Minneapolis reports that a collaboration between the Minnesota department of Transportation, or MnDOT, and the University of Minnesota, or U of M, is hoping to help visually impaired people cross streets more safely. MnDOT Signal Operations Engineer Mike Fairbanks and U of M Senior Research Associate Chen-Fu  Liao join us to explain how they’re accomplishing this important goal. To listen to this week’s “Speaking Out for the Blind,” go to: http://acbradio.org/mainstream, and choose one of the links under the headings “Listen to ACB Radio Mainstream” and “Now Playing;” or call 1-518-906-1820, and when prompted, press “1” for ACB Radio Mainstream East or press “2” for ACB Radio Mainstream West. You may also listen to the program live on the ACB Link mobile app. For more information, go to http://link.acb.org. Show archive page is at http://acbradio.org/speaking-out-for-the-blind. Please note that there is a link located at the top half of the page and below the heading that says: “Home » Speaking Out for the Blind” where you can subscribe to the podcast feed and listen to Speaking Out for the Blind shows ranging from episode ninety-four to the present. You may also access the feed at http://acbradio.org/softb. Facebook page is at Speaking Out for the Blind and Twitter page is at SpeakOutfortheBlind (you may also access this at SpeakOutBlind). For more info related to this week’s show, go to: https://speakingoutfortheblind.weebly.com/list-of-episodes-and-show-news/for-more-information-episode-246-signal-crossings

The Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Jessica Gercke and Steve Walker will join us. Steve will talk about his life as a blind person and former marine, and especially his new blind dog Murphy, formerly Louis. To listen to this week’s “Speaking Out for the Blind,” go to: http://acbradio.org/mainstream, and choose one of the links under the headings “Listen to ACB Radio Mainstream” and “Now Playing;” or call 1-518-906-1820, and when prompted, press “1” for ACB Radio Mainstream East or press “2” for ACB Radio Mainstream West. You may also listen to the program live on the ACB Link mobile app. For more information, go to http://link.acb.org. Show archive page is at http://acbradio.org/speaking-out-for-the-blind. Please note that there is a link located at the top half of the page and below the heading that says: “Home » Speaking Out for the Blind” where you can subscribe to the podcast feed and listen to Speaking Out for the Blind shows ranging from episode ninety-four to the present. You may also access the feed at http://acbradio.org/softb. Facebook page is at Speaking Out for the Blind and Twitter page is at SpeakOutfortheBlind (you may also access this at SpeakOutBlind). For more info related to this week’s show, go to: https://speakingoutfortheblind.weebly.com/list-of-episodes-and-show-news/for-more-information-episode-245-louis

Business Wire reports a surprising study on the blind and visually impaired and their use of smart speakers. According to Strategy Analytics, the current designs of smart speakers that rely heavily on visual feedback are keeping the blind from enjoying a beneficial smart home experience. Why is this the case? Report author and UX Innovation Practice Director Lisa Cooper will join us to answer this question. To listen to this week’s “Speaking Out for the Blind,” go to: http://acbradio.org/mainstream, and choose one of the links under the headings “Listen to ACB Radio Mainstream” and “Now Playing;” or call 1-518-906-1820, and when prompted, press “1” for ACB Radio Mainstream East or press “2” for ACB Radio Mainstream West. You may also listen to the program live on the ACB Link mobile app. For more information, go to http://link.acb.org. Show archive page is at http://acbradio.org/speaking-out-for-the-blind. Please note that there is a link located at the top half of the page and below the heading that says: “Home » Speaking Out for the Blind” where you can subscribe to the podcast feed and listen to Speaking Out for the Blind shows ranging from episode ninety-four to the present. You may also access the feed at http://acbradio.org/softb. Facebook page is at Speaking Out for the Blind and Twitter page is at SpeakOutfortheBlind (you may also access this at SpeakOutBlind). For more info related to this week’s show, go to: https://speakingoutfortheblind.weebly.com/list-of-episodes-and-show-news/for-more-information-episode-244-the-blind-and-smart-speakers

Spectrum News 1 reports that the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in their College of Visual and Performing Arts are collaborating on a big art project with Industries of the Blind. The special project is helping University of North Carolina at Greensboro or UNCG Visual and Performing Arts students learn more about the blind community and their day-to-day lives. Joining us to talk about the project will be UNCG School of Performing Arts recent graduate Mary Martinez, Industries of the Blind Director of Community Outreach Richard Oliver, and Industries of the Blind employee Afiya Jackson. To listen to this week’s “Speaking Out for the Blind,” go to: http://acbradio.org/mainstream, and choose one of the links under the headings “Listen to ACB Radio Mainstream” and “Now Playing;” or call 1-518-906-1820, and when prompted, press “1” for ACB Radio Mainstream East or press “2” for ACB Radio Mainstream West. You may also listen to the program live on the ACB Link mobile app. For more information, go to http://link.acb.org. Show archive page is at http://acbradio.org/speaking-out-for-the-blind. Please note that there is a link located at the top half of the page and below the heading that says: “Home » Speaking Out for the Blind” where you can subscribe to the podcast feed and listen to Speaking Out for the Blind shows ranging from episode ninety-four to the present. You may also access the feed at http://acbradio.org/softb. Facebook page is at Speaking Out for the Blind and Twitter page is at SpeakOutfortheBlind (you may also access this at SpeakOutBlind). My new show email address is: [email protected]. For more info related to this week’s show, go to: https://speakingoutfortheblind.weebly.com/list-of-episodes-and-show-news/for-more-information-episode-243-creating-art-for-the-blind

WISH-TV reports that rising pop star Christina Swider, aka, Xtina Louise is joining forces with Visually Impaired Preschool Services Indiana. Visually Impaired Preschool Services, or VIPS, is a nonprofit that provides vision-specific early intervention services for blind and visually impaired infants and toddlers. Christina, and VIPS Indiana’s Regional Director Meredith Howell, join us to talk about the pop star’s efforts to help blind toddlers live the happiest first years of their lives. To listen to this week’s “Speaking Out for the Blind,” go to: http://acbradio.org/mainstream, and choose one of the links under the headings “Listen to ACB Radio Mainstream” and “Now Playing;” or call 1-518-906-1820, and when prompted, press “1” for ACB Radio Mainstream East or press “2” for ACB Radio Mainstream West. You may also listen to the program live on the ACB Link mobile app. For more information, go to http://link.acb.org. Show archive page is at http://acbradio.org/speaking-out-for-the-blind. Please note that there is a link located at the top half of the page and below the heading that says: “Home » Speaking Out for the Blind” where you can subscribe to the podcast feed and listen to Speaking Out for the Blind shows ranging from episode ninety-four to the present. You may also access the feed at http://acbradio.org/softb. Facebook page is at Speaking Out for the Blind and Twitter page is at SpeakOutfortheBlind (you may also access this at SpeakOutBlind). My new show email address is: [email protected]. For more info related to this week’s show, go to: https://speakingoutfortheblind.weebly.com/list-of-episodes-and-show-news/for-more-information-episode-242-vips

The Green Bay Press Gazette reports that New York based blind dancer Krishna Washburn is the founder and instructor of Dark Room Ballet. Dark Room Ballet is an introductory dance curriculum that teaches accessible ballet lessons to the blind and visually impaired. Krishna and her student George Stern join us to talk about Dark Room Ballet. To listen to this week’s “Speaking Out for the Blind,” go to: http://acbradio.org/mainstream, and choose one of the links under the headings “Listen to ACB Radio Mainstream” and “Now Playing;” or call 1-518-906-1820, and when prompted, press “1” for ACB Radio Mainstream East or press “2” for ACB Radio Mainstream West. You may also listen to the program live on the ACB Link mobile app. For more information, go to http://link.acb.org. Show archive page is at http://acbradio.org/speaking-out-for-the-blind. Please note that there is a link located at the top half of the page and below the heading that says: “Home » Speaking Out for the Blind” where you can subscribe to the podcast feed and listen to Speaking Out for the Blind shows ranging from episode ninety-four to the present. You may also access the feed at http://acbradio.org/softb. Facebook page is at Speaking Out for the Blind and Twitter page is at SpeakOutfortheBlind (you may also access this at SpeakOutBlind). My new show email address is: [email protected]. For more info related to this week’s show, go to: https://speakingoutfortheblind.weebly.com/list-of-episodes-and-show-news/for-more-information-episode-241-ballet-for-the-blind

The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind in St. Augustine has a new President. The St. Augustine Record reports that the new President is named Tracie Casio Snow. Tracie joins us to talk about how she plans to improve the school to help its blind and visually impaired students live, learn, and grow. To listen to this week’s “Speaking Out for the Blind,” go to: http://acbradio.org/mainstream, and choose one of the links under the headings “Listen to ACB Radio Mainstream” and “Now Playing;” or call 1-518-906-1820, and when prompted, press “1” for ACB Radio Mainstream East or press “2” for ACB Radio Mainstream West. You may also listen to the program live on the ACB Link mobile app. For more information, go to http://link.acb.org. Show archive page is at http://acbradio.org/speaking-out-for-the-blind. Please note that there is a link located at the top half of the page and below the heading that says: “Home » Speaking Out for the Blind” where you can subscribe to the podcast feed and listen to Speaking Out for the Blind shows ranging from episode ninety-four to the present. You may also access the feed at http://acbradio.org/softb. Facebook page is at Speaking Out for the Blind and Twitter page is at SpeakOutfortheBlind (you may also access this at SpeakOutBlind). My new show email address is: [email protected]. For more info related to this week’s show, go to: https://speakingoutfortheblind.weebly.com/list-of-episodes-and-show-news/for-more-information-episode-240-the-florida-school-for-the-deaf-and-the-blinds-new-president

According to Mass Transit Magazine, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority has teamed up with the Sensible Innovation and Alphapointe companies to create a wayfinding app for helping blind customers use transit more accurately and safely. Joining us to talk about the new app will be Kansas City Area Transportation Authority CEO Robbie Makinen and Alphapointe President and CEO Reinhard Mabry.

To listen to this week’s “Speaking Out for the Blind,” go to: http://acbradio.org/mainstream, and choose one of the links under the headings “Listen to ACB Radio Mainstream” and “Now Playing;” or call 1-518-906-1820, and when prompted, press “1” for ACB Radio Mainstream East or press “2” for ACB Radio Mainstream West. You may also listen to the program live on the ACB Link mobile app. For more information, go to http://link.acb.org. Show archive page is at http://acbradio.org/speaking-out-for-the-blind. Please note that there is a link located at the top half of the page and below the heading that says: “Home » Speaking Out for the Blind” where you can subscribe to the podcast feed and listen to Speaking Out for the Blind shows ranging from episode ninety-four to the present. You may also access the feed at http://acbradio.org/softb. Facebook page is at Speaking Out for the Blind and Twitter page is at SpeakOutfortheBlind (you may also access this at SpeakOutBlind). My new show email address is: [email protected].

For more info related to this week’s show, go to: https://speakingoutfortheblind.weebly.com/list-of-episodes-and-show-news/for-more-information-episode-239-that-brand-spanking-new-transit-app

We’re going to talk with Gail Hamilton. Gail is a blind accomplished musician, author, and a nationally recognized professional speaker. Her unparalled determination, immense knowledge, and astounding experiences have inspired thousands to live lives of action, purpose, and vision. Gail joins us to talk about herself and how she inspires people to live life to the fullest.

To listen to this week’s “Speaking Out for the Blind,” go to: http://acbradio.org/mainstream, and choose one of the links under the headings “Listen to ACB Radio Mainstream” and “Now Playing;” or call 1-518-906-1820, and when prompted, press “1” for ACB Radio Mainstream East or press “2” for ACB Radio Mainstream West. You may also listen to the program live on the ACB Link mobile app. For more information, go to http://link.acb.org. Show archive page is at http://acbradio.org/speaking-out-for-the-blind. Please note that there is a link located at the top half of the page and below the heading that says: “Home » Speaking Out for the Blind” where you can subscribe to the podcast feed and listen to Speaking Out for the Blind shows ranging from episode ninety-four to the present. You may also access the feed at http://acbradio.org/softb. Facebook page is at Speaking Out for the Blind and Twitter page is at SpeakOutfortheBlind (you may also access this at SpeakOutBlind). My new show email address is: [email protected].

For more info related to this week’s show, go to: https://speakingoutfortheblind.weebly.com/list-of-episodes-and-show-news/for-more-information-episode-238-gail-hamilton