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Blind Abilities

BlindAbilities Team

Blind Abilities: Podcasts with a Blindness Perspective.

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All Episodes

13:28

Anchoring in the Now: Tools to Navigate Anxiety and...

Blind Abilities ·

2025/04/03

Podcast Summary: In this episode of Wellness Wednesday , Beth and Robin explore the emotional challenges of facing the unknown. Drawing on their therapeutic experience, they offer gentle grounding techniques such as mindfulness, affirmations, and power songs to restore a sense of control. They remind listeners that anxiety is a natural response and emphasize the […]

42:24

Peer Perspectives: How SSB Helps Students Build...

Blind Abilities ·

2025/03/31

Podcast Summary: This Blind Abilities episode features peer ambassadors Amy and Maddy, who share how Minnesota’s State Services for the Blind (SSB) has supported their educational and vocational journeys. From summer camps to career exploration and technology training, SSB has played a vital role in helping them develop independence, self-advocacy, and professional readiness. Transition Coordinator […]

30:58

Student Readiness: Navigating College with...

Blind Abilities ·

2025/03/27

Podcast Summary: In this episode of Blind Abilities, Jeff Thompson speaks with three professionals from State Services for the Blind (SSB)—Kate Larson, Randi Lasher, and Shane DeSantis—who support students with vision loss as they prepare for life after high school. They share helpful tips about applying for college, getting financial aid (like FAFSA and scholarships), […]

19:20

Defending Disability Rights: The Threat to Section...

Blind Abilities ·

2025/03/16

Podcast Summary: This podcast episode highlights the alarming legal challenge to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a foundational disability rights law in the United States. Kaleigh Brendle, a student advocate, explains that 17 attorneys general have filed a lawsuit arguing that Section 504 is unconstitutional. If repealed, this could strip away protections […]

13:06

Wellness Wednesday: Disaster Readiness: What’s Your...

Blind Abilities ·

2025/03/13

Podcast Summary: This episode of Wellness Wednesday with hosts Beth Gustin, LPC, and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, explores emergency preparedness for natural disasters, with a focus on considerations for blind and low vision individuals. With recent fires in California and extreme cold weather across the U.S., the hosts emphasize the importance of having a plan […]

13:26

Exploring the Outdoors: A Winter Adventure for Blind...

Blind Abilities ·

2025/02/28

Podcast Summary: Have you ever wanted to experience the thrill of snowshoeing, learn how to build a campfire, or master winter hiking skills? In this special podcast episode, we take you on a journey to Fort Snelling State Park, where State Services for the Blind (SSB) partnered with Wilderness Inquiry to create an unforgettable winter experience for blind […]

13:40

Wellness Wednesday: Insecure or Secure? Exploring...

Blind Abilities ·

2025/02/26

Podcast Summary: On this episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth and Robin respond to a listener’s question about the connection between premature birth and attachment styles. Research suggests a link between prematurity and both secure and insecure attachment styles. They explore the three insecure attachment styles and how they can shape relationships. While this is just […]

34:44

Heights Unseen: Julius Mbura’s Mission Beyond...

Blind Abilities ·

2025/02/18

Podcast Summary: Julius Mbura, a blind adventurer, advocate, and model from Kenya, is redefining possibility. With an Awarewolf Gear All-Terrain Cane, he scaled Mount Kilimanjaro and six other Kenyan peaks, proving that blindness is no barrier to greatness. Founder of Heights Unseen, he aims to provide 4,000 mobility canes to blind individuals in Kenya, championing independence and […]

20:28

Experiencing Blindness Through Taste: The Educational...

Blind Abilities ·

2025/02/18

Full Transcript Podcast Summary: The Desserts in the Dark event at Minnesota State Academy for the Blind (MSAB) provided a hands-on experience for sighted participants to gain insight into the world of blindness. Guests wore blindfolds while enjoying a variety of desserts, decorating cookies, and engaging in a Braille decoding activity. Led by blind and […]

13:28

Wellness Wednesday: Valentine’s Day Reimagined:...

Blind Abilities ·

2025/02/05

Podcast Summary: Full Transcript Valentine’s Day is often seen as a celebration of romantic love, but what if love starts from within? In this Wellness Wednesday episode, Beth and Robin explore the foundation of love—self-love. Without it, we risk settling for less, struggling with boundaries, and feeling unworthy. Self-love isn’t about grand gestures; it’s in […]

25:03

Connecting, Learning, and Thriving: Highlights from...

Blind Abilities ·

2025/02/01

Podcast Summary: The ACB Minnesota State Convention: Zooming into 2025 was an exciting gathering of Minnesota’s blindness community, offering insights, connections, and resources. Highlights included updates from State Services for the Blind, discussions on assistive technology like the NLS e-Reader, and opportunities in employment, including pharmacy technician training for those with low vision. The convention […]

23:48

Two Journeys to Employment: From High School to...

Blind Abilities ·

2025/01/27

Podcast Summary: In this 2nd episode of the Two Journeys to Employment, Gabby Gingras shares her inspiring journey from student to professional, emphasizing the importance of self-advocacy, resilience, and using available resources. As a visually impaired environmental Studies graduate, Gabby describes her role at Rainbow Tree Care, advocating for herself at work, and overcoming challenges in education […]

31:32

Two Journeys to Employment: Unlocking Potential:...

Blind Abilities ·

2025/01/23

Podcast Summary: In episode 1 of the Two Journeys to Employment series, Kat Wilke shares her inspiring journey from high school to becoming a speech-language pathologist. Diagnosed with Stargardt’s disease in eighth grade, Kat overcame challenges with vision loss by connecting with Minnesota’s State Services for the Blind (SSB), which helped her develop self-advocacy skills and […]

18:41

Wellness Wednesday: I’m Laughing at That, Now

Blind Abilities ·

2025/01/21

Podcast Summary: Beth and Robin revisit their most awkward, cringe-worthy, or downright baffling moments—the ones that weren’t funny at all back then. But hindsight (and a good sense of humor) turn those memories into laughable lessons. Discover how finding the funny side of life’s little mishaps can boost your well-being and lighten your load. Because let’s face […]

7:01

Something to Think About: Managing App Updates and...

Blind Abilities ·

2025/01/15

Full Transcript Podcast Summary: In this Something to Think About episode, Jeff brings a bit of awareness to the data usage while updating apps. Updating apps can significantly impact your data usage, especially if you’re on a limited plan. Regular updates, sometimes over 500MB per app, can quickly add up. While updates can improve security and features, […]

32:15

Tech Abilities: O&M, Gadgets, and the Positivity...

Blind Abilities ·

2025/01/08

Podcast Summary: Hold onto your canes, because the Tech Abilities crew is back! Jeff and Serina round up Leslie Dickson, Cheryl Macintosh, and Katy Todd for the first New Year episode spanning the rains of Washington to the heights of Colorado. Cheryl’s ditching the guide dog for some hardcore O&M cane skills, while Katy’s testing out a hoverboard for the blind. Meanwhile, someone finally ordered the Glide navigation device […]

49:32

Advocacy in Action: Stories of Persistence and Change

Blind Abilities ·

2024/12/31

Podcast Summary: Full Transcript This episode of Blind Abilities highlights the inspiring journeys of three individuals—Judy Sanders, Janet Dickelman, and Ben Zheng—who exemplify advocacy in action. Judy recounts her pioneering efforts to challenge discriminatory policies in education and airline seating. Janet reflects on self-advocacy from her school days and her leadership within the American Council […]

11:26

Wellness Wednesday: Festive Reflections: Celebrating...

Blind Abilities ·

2024/12/25

Podcast Summary: This special holiday episode of the Wellness Wednesday series on the Blind Abilities Podcast is a heartfelt, lighthearted reflection on the holiday season and the approaching new year. Hosts Beth Gustin and Robin Ennis explore the joys and challenges of the festive season, sharing personal stories, traditions, and self-care tips. Beth’s enthusiasm shines as she discusses her love for […]

37:36

The Future of Accessibility: Tools for Success in...

Blind Abilities ·

2024/12/16

Full Transcript Podcast Summary: Jesse Anderson, Assistive Technology Specialist at State Services for the Blind of Minnesota, discusses the latest advancements in assistive technology for high school and college students. He highlights tools like Aira’s AccessAI, BeMyAI, JAWS, and smart glasses, emphasizing the importance of learning both mobile and computer-based solutions to improve independence and […]

10:55

Wellness Wednesday: Being Alone, Not Alone, and Where...

Blind Abilities ·

2024/12/11

Podcast Summary: In Episode 46 of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC, and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, explore the delicate balance between being alone, not being alone, and the subtle spaces where loneliness might linger—especially during the holiday season. While the holidays often evoke joy and celebration, they can also bring feelings of isolation and introspection. Beth […]

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