Blind Abilities

What technology will help your student succeed—and who can help them learn to use it? In this Tools for School episode, State Services for the Blind assistive technology specialists Jesse Anderson and John Hess introduce the personalized support available to help blind and low vision students prepare for college, employment, and greater independence.   From exploring screen readers, magnification, and braille displays to identifying training needs, these specialists help students build a toolkit around their goals. They explain how counselor referrals lead to technology assessments, equipment recommendations, and opportunities for individual instruction.   Students, parents, and teachers will discover why typing, navigating websites, managing email, and accessing classroom materials matter long before graduation. Along the way, Jesse and John share practical learning resources, encourage students to practice through activities they enjoy, and remind everyone that asking for help is part of becoming independent. Start the conversation now and build confidence for what comes next.   Links of interest:   Tools for School: College Planning, Cool Tech, and Student Connections College Student Panel – Tools for School 2026 The Spectacle Newsletter Youth Services at SSB To find out more about the services provided at State Services for the Blind, and what they can do for you, contact Shane DeSantis at [email protected] or call Shane at 651-385-5205.   Full Transcript:

What if you could feel someone smile, wave, or reach out for a handshake? Jeff Thompson welcomes HapWare cofounder Jack Walters to explore ALEYE, a wearable wristband designed to translate facial expressions, gestures, and other nonverbal cues into distinct vibration patterns. Working with a smartphone camera or Meta glasses, ALEYE offers blind and low vision users another way to access the silent side of conversation. How do you learn those patterns? Can you choose which cues you receive? And what's coming next? Discover how touch could open new possibilities for connection, from classrooms and job interviews to everyday social moments.   Links of interests: HapWare.com HapWare.com/events   Thanks for listening!   Full Transcript:

Podcast Summary: The White Cane Project is going nationwide! After Sight and AwareWolf Gear are teaming up to get free white canes into the hands of blind and low vision people across the United States, with shipping covered, too.   On Blind Abilities, Jeff Thompson and Pete Lane sit down with Kim Wardlow, Penn Street, Bari Azman, and Sedona Dave to hear how it all came together. It started when Penn kept meeting riders on Colorado public transit whose canes were broken, too short, or missing altogether. What began with Penn handing out her own spare canes grew into a Colorado program with support from the Lions. Now the team can finally say yes to requests from across the country.   Hear what sets the Urban Xplorer and All-Terrain Cane apart, from navigating busy sidewalks to exploring rugged trails, and find out how to request a cane through After Sight's White Cane Project online.   Links of interests: AfterSight.org AwareWolfGear.com AwareWolfGear.com/WCP   Thanks for listening! Full Transcript

Podcast Summary: What comes after high school, and how can you help shape what happens next? In this Tools for School episode, State Services for the Blind counselors Lindsey and Kat explain how to build a relationship with your counselor, prepare for college, and speak up for the support you need. Students and parents will hear practical guidance on technology assessments, campus travel training, financial aid paperwork, and getting approval before making purchases. Questions from the audience bring the process into focus. Earl Harrison of Selvas BLV introduces technology including the BrailleSense 7, with touch-sensitive braille cells and Smart Scroll, alongside braille displays and magnification options. SSB assistive technology specialists add more possibilities. Then Peer Ambassadors Preston and Ava get students talking, laughing, and swapping strategies for identifying groceries and matching clothes. From counselor conversations to everyday problem-solving, this interactive session invites you to ask questions, explore tools, and take the lead.   Links of interest: College Student Panel – Tools for School The Spectacle Newsletter Youth Services at SSB To find out more about the services provided at State Services for the Blind, and what they can do for you, contact Shane DeSantis at [email protected] or call Shane at 651-385-5205.   Full Transcript

What happens when blind students have space to try, make mistakes, and discover what they can do? Confidence grows—and everyday tasks become steppingstones toward independence. On Blind Abilities, Jeff Thompson welcomes Kia Sadler from Minnesota State Services for the Blind to explore the Independent Living Skills Lab, a hands-on program where students learn alongside peers in a welcoming environment. From preparing lunch and managing laundry to dining confidently, exploring kitchen technology, and shopping for groceries, these classes turn practical skills into opportunities for greater freedom at home, college, and work. Parents will hear why encouraging participation and practicing at home can make a lasting difference. Students can build new friendships, ask questions, and discover techniques that work for them. Classes meet the second Saturday, October through May, from 9 a.m. to noon. Choose individual sessions and register by the preceding Monday. To learn more or sign up, email [email protected] directly.   Links of Interests: Contact Kia Sadler: [email protected] The Spectacle Newsletter Youth Services at SSB To find out more about the services provided at State Services for the Blind, and what they can do for you, contact Shane DeSantis at [email protected] or call Shane at 651-385-5205.   Full Transcript