Speaking Out for the Blind

The Same-Day Paratransit Innovation Act, or H.R. 8128, was just introduced in the House of Representatives. The Act plans to remove the rule of scheduling paratransit rides more than twenty-four hours in advance. Scheduling rides twenty-four hours in advance makes it difficult to take care of last-minute needs. The last-minute needs might include work meetings and unexpected doctor visits. H.R. 8128 would call for same day paratransit services. The same-day services would give riders greater control, flexibility, and independence over their schedules. ACB’s Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs Claire Stanley is here to talk about the Same-Day Paratransit Innovation Act.  …

More video games are being released with audio description. How does audio description help blind players win the games and reach all their levels? Aaron Spelker, the Cahir of ACB’s Audio Description Project Gaming Committee, joins us to answer this question.

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-384-accessible-video-games-for-the-blind

Ways to Connect to Speaking Out for the Blind 

Amazon Alexa enabled device (RECOMMENDED) …

KOB-TV in Albuquerque is reporting that the New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired is getting $6 million for upgrades. The upgrades will enhance accessibility for wheelchair-bound kids. Here to talk about the upgrades is Pual Kilman. Mr. Kilman is the New Mexico School for the Blind’s Early Childhood Program Principal. 

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-383-new-mexico-school-for-the-blind-and-visually-impaireds-accessiblity-improvements

Ways to Connect to Speaking Out for the Blind  …

The American Council of the Blind is launching STEP. STEP stands for Strengthen Teens, Elevate Potential. Strengthen Teens, Elevate Potential is a new youth program launching at ACB’s 2026 Convention. STEP is for blind and visually impaired high school students and their families to explore independence, identity, advocacy, and life beyond high school. We welcome back ACB’s very own Cindy Holis to talk about the program. 

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-382-acb-step-program

Ways to Connect to Speaking Out for the Blind  …

The American Council of the Blind’s 2026 Leadership Conference is coming. It’s the smaller convention leading up to ACB’s bigger convention in St. Louis, Missouri this July. Here to talk about the leadership conference is ACB President Deb Cook Lewis. 

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-381-2026-acb-leadership-conference

Ways to Connect to Speaking Out for the Blind 

Amazon Alexa enabled device (RECOMMENDED) …

Popular Mechanics says that mammals may not have ocular regeneration superpowers. But a new study shows that nature might have a couple of tricks up its sleeve. Joining me to talk about the recent study on restoring vision in humans is Athanasios (Thanasis) Alexandris. Thanasis is the study’s lead author and works for Johns Hopkins University. 

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-380-mammals-restoring-vision

Ways to Connect to Speaking Out for the Blind 

Amazon Alexa enabled device (RECOMMENDED) …

CBS Texas reports that Chris Jones is a blind man who loves to barbecue. He loves barbecuing so much that he opened his own barbecue restaurant in Duncanville, Texas. Chris is here to talk about his restaurant and how he grills the best smoked meats.

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-379-the-blind-pitmaster

Ways to Connect to Speaking Out for the Blind 

Amazon Alexa enabled device (RECOMMENDED)

“Alexa, Ask ACB Media to play Media 1”. (1 = stream number). …

The Modesto Bee reports that Visually Impaired Persons Support, or VIPS, provides independent living skills services. The services are for blind and visually impaired Stansilaus and Tuolumne County, California residents. Here to talk about VIPS are Executive Director Isaiah Siordia, and clients Patrick Spangler, Zowie Mason, and Nevaeh Ross Burton. 

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-378-vips

Ways to Connect to Speaking Out for the Blind 

Amazon Alexa enabled device (RECOMMENDED) …

CBS San Francisco reports that Asanda Pavlacka is a blind multi-sport athlete. Asanda has competed in gymnastics, swimming, running, and martial arts. And she’s competed in blind cricket. Asanda made it to the USA team to represent America. And she recently participated in the first World Cup Cricket in India. Asanda joins us to talk about that exciting experience. 

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-377-asanda-pavlacka

Ways to Connect to Speaking Out for the Blind  …

ACB Next Generation is an American Council of the Blind special interest affiliate. This affiliate is targeted towards ACB members under forty. Some of ACB Nextgen’s members are young parents and professionals and college graduates. Joining us to talk about ACB Next Generation is its President Kristen Kelling. 

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-376-acb-next-generation

Ways to Connect to Speaking Out for the Blind 

Amazon Alexa enabled device (RECOMMENDED) …