AFB Possibilities

This past year, producer and host of AFB Possibilities Tony Stephens traveled to west Virginia to capture the stories of six individuals who are blind or have low vision. Traveling by train from the East Coast, he experienced first hand the states beauty and ruggedness as they crawled through the Appalachian Mountains before settling on the banks of the Ohio River. What he discovered was a strong spirit of independence standing on the shoulders of communities that strive to take care of one-another. The same values that made these mountain towns thrive in the early days of our nation's founding remain just as strong today in the stories of these six individuals: Heather, Lee, Earl, Asher, John and Aaron. The stories were featured in the 2025 documentary short film Unseen Horizons, which is available to watch on YouTube. A production of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), the documentary film was made possible through the generous support of the Teubert Foundation. Produced and edited by Tony Stephens at the Pickle Factory in Baltimore, Maryland with digital media support from Kelly Gasque and Breanna Kerr. Theme music for this episode is "As Far As the Eye Can See" by Tristan Barton licensed through ArtList.IO. Visit the podcast page on our website and consider making a gift today to support our work creating a world of endless possibilities for people who are blind or have low vision. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

In 2025, the American Foundation for the blind (AFB) launched the AFB Scholars Program, which provides substantial financial support and mentoring to graduate and undergraduate students who are blind. Our first cohort welcomed four students into the program, and we had a chance at the 2025 AFB Leadership Conference to sit down and meet with two of the scholars, Josh Olukanni at Georgetown and Annika Ariel at Stanford. Applications are open through February. 17th for our next class of scholars. Visit the scholars program page to learn more and apply. Goto: https://www.afb.org/scholarships. Visit the podcast page for other episodes and transcripts, and to learn more about AFB or to support our work creating a world of endless possibilities for people who are blind or have low vision, visit us online at www.afb.org. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Welcome back to another episode of AFB Possibilities, a podcast from the American Foundation for the Blind. In this episode, Tony Stephens sits down for a conversation with Matt Ater. Matt is Senior Vice President for Vispero, a leading global assistive technology and digital accessibility company. In this episode, Matt share his own journey as a blind leader in the digital accessibility space. Together, he and Tony cover the span from the early days of low tech, to what exciting opportunities are on the horizon through high tech. Matt's leadership has helped make the world more accessible for people who are blind or have low vision -- he's even in the kiosk Hall of Fame. So, we hope you enjoy this conversation. You can learn more about the exciting work of Vispero at: https://vispero.com Be sure to like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and click here to access the podcast page for past episodes and transcripts. To learn more about AFB or to support our work, visit us online at www.afb.org. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

As we kick-off 2026, we wanted to share a special episode taken from the opening plenary of the AFB Leadership Conference held in Arlington, Virginia this past November. In this episode, we welcome leaders from across the field of blindness who weigh in on the current pressing issues facing people who are blind or have low vision today. Please be sure to like and subscribe to this podcast from wherever you get your podcasts. We're excited to bring an engaging new season of content to you over the coming year as we ramp up our podcasting efforts. Transcripts are available here on the AFB podcast page. For questions or comments, or to suggest an episode, email communications@afb.org. Learn more about the American Foundation for the Blind by visiting our website at www.afb.org and consider making a tax-deductible contribution to support our work. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Welcome to another episode of the AFB Possibilities Podcast. To mark Vocational Rehabilitation awareness week, which spans June 9th - 13th, AFB’s Tony Stephens sat down for an engaging conversation with Dr. Randy Pierce of Future Insight and Russell Martello from Visions to discuss the benefits around holistic approaches to rehabilitation.  Tony, Randy, and Russell met through the annual Vision Serve Alliance Conference this past April, where they spearheaded a track on holistic rehabilitation for people who are blind or low vision. At the end of the conference, they were committed to carrying on the conversations from the conference. So, Tony was excited they were able to join him to not only share their passion for this innovative approach to fostering independence, but we also get a sense of the rich history each guest has, which has helped form their own success in the field of blindness and low vision. Russel serves as the Chief Development Officer for Visions, which is one of New York’s leading rehabilitation centers for people who are blind or have low vision. Randy serves as President & CEO of Future Insight, one of the leading rehabilitation centers in New Hampshire. Blinded in his early 20s, Randy is also an avid extreme outdoor enthusiast. You can learn more about his own adventures across the globe in his published memoir, See You at the Summit: My blind journey from the depths of loss to the heights of achievement. AFB Possibilities is a podcast from the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB. Check out the podcast page for past episodes and transcripts HERE. Be sure to like and subscribe to catch future episodes, and consider making a gift today to help support this podcast and our broader work to create a world of endless possibilities for people who are blind or have low vision. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Spring has sprung, and so has a new season for the AFB Possibilities Podcast. As we kick-off this season, we’ll be focusing in on AFB’s Award winning documentary film Possibilities, which presents an authentic portrayal of life today for people who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision. The film was awarded this past weekend the Broader Vision Documentary Award at the Garden State Film Festival, and we’re excited to share with you one of the featured voices in the film, New Jersey’s own Krystal Allen. Recorded in 2024, AFB’s own Melody Goodspeed joined Krystal for a conversation on the challenges people face when striving for independence, and the joys of shared experiences that blind people share across the world. Haling from Newark, New Jersey, Krystal is a leading community voice for people with vision loss and founded the nonprofit EyesLikeMine, which is rooted in the firm belief that “Vision loss doesn’t break us, it builds…” She shares her own story and the work underway in North Jersey to breakdown misconceptions of blindness. A past fellow with AFB's Blind Leaders Development Program, she stresses the importance of mentoring and finding those pathways that open doors to independence. Formally the Inform & Connect podcast, the AFB Possibilities Podcast captures the real life experiences of people who are blind or have low vision and those working to make our world more inclusive and accessible. A production of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), listeners can learn more about the work of AFB by visiting www.afb.org.  Be sure to like and subscribe to this podcast and consider supporting our work by making a tax-deductible gift to AFB. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

In this episode, your host Melody Goodspeed sits down with the audio description team for the AFB documentary film Possibilities (2024). She’s joined by AD producer Roy Samuelson, AD writer Colleen Connor, AD QC specialist Serina Gilbert,AD performer Sautana Howery, and AD writer Bridget Melton. The team shares the unique approach they took toward creating open audio description for the film, as well as offer a behind-the-scenes look at the audio description craft and the work it takes to make compelling audio description. AFB Possibilities is a production of the American Foundation for the blind, a podcast that focuses on life, culture, and inclusion for people who are blind or have low vision. AFB Possibilities is produced and edited by Tony Stephens at the Pickle Factory in Baltimore, MD with digital media support by Kelly Gasque and Breanna Kerr. The theme music is by Zizo, compliments of ArtList.IO.. To learn more about AFB, or to help support our work, visit www.afb.org. Be sure to like and subscribe, and you can visit the podcast page at: https://afb.org/news-publications/media/afb-possibilities-podcast This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Welcome to the AFB Possibilities Podcast. In this first episode of the newly rebranded podcast from the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), we wanted to share with you a special interview during this season of giving with AFB trustee Ted Francavilla and financial advisor Liz Updike. The AFB Possibilities Podcast is a production of the American Foundation for the blind. Previously the Inform and Connect Podcast, we take a deep dive into life, culture, and happenings for those experiencing blindness and low-vision. Melody Goodspeed is the host. And with her faithful guide dog Barney by her side, they travel the country, both literally and virtually, capturing the stories and experiences from the blind and low-vision community. Ted Francavilla has been an active member of the AFB Board of Trustees, shepherding AFB's finances over the years. A retired senior executive with JPMorgan Chase, he's been a passionate advocate for people who are blind or have low vision over the decades, and he recognizes the importance that donors play toward making nonprofit missions move forward. Elizabeth Updike has over 40 years in the business of financial planning and wealth management. Together, she and Ted share best practices and advice for those of retirement age on how they can give smartly and make their money last longer. Like this program? Please like and subscribe, and even consider making a donation to support our work expanding opportunity and creating a world of endless possibilities for people who are blind or have low vision. Visit www.afb.org to learn more. Check out the AFB Possibilities podcast page for past episodes and transcripts. Produced and edited by Tony Stephens at the Pickle Factory in Baltimore, Maryland. Digital media support from Kelly Gasque and Breanna Kerr. Questions or comments? Email us at communications@afb.org. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Inform & Connect continues with Nefertiti Matos Olivares, a fervent advocate for accessible culture, transit, tech, and personal fitness. Nefertiti currently works as an Assistive Technology Trainer for the New York Public Library’s Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library, where she provides one-on-one technology coaching, creates programming, and facilitates group workshops on a range of tech topics for the blind and visually impaired community in both English and Spanish. As a bilingual Latina-American, Nefertiti brings a wealth of cultural and social competency to her narrating, writing, and quality control work. She is passionate about audio description and is a fervent supporter of the arts, committed to bringing about an inclusive society in which culture is a shared space for all. Episode Transcript

https://www.andrewleland.orgIn this episode of the Inform & Connect podcast, Melody and Tony welcome Andrew Leland, author of the recently released book The Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End of Sight, available through Penguin/Random House. Leland’s book, which is part memoir and part cultural breakdown of blindness throughout history, shares his experiences loosing his sight from Retinitis Pigmentosa, commonly referred to as RP. From the publisher: “A witty, winning, and revelatory personal narrative of the author’s transition from sightedness to blindness and his quest to learn about blindness as a rich culture all its own.” Andrew breaks down the driving themes throughout his book, and embarks on a discussion with Melody and Tony on the many shared experiences that others who are blind or low vision face each day. Visit Andrew's website to learn more about the book and his other creative and informative projects. Enjoy this episode? Be sure to like and subscribe from wherever you listen to podcasts. Inform and Connect is a production of The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). Consider making a contribution today to help AFB create a world of no limits for people who are blind or have low vision.

Welcome back to a new season of the Inform & Connect podcast. In this episode, AFB’s Melody Goodspeed speaks with Timothy Breitenfeldt, who is nearly completely blind. Timothy graduated with his Bachelors in Computer Science in 2019. He has been working at JPMorgan Chase for 2 years as a software engineer, and helps manage applications that support Outside Counsel for the legal department. Timothy is an advocate for digital accessibility, and has lead multiple workshops on how to develop accessible web applications. This podcast is a production of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), creating a world of no limits for people who are blind or have low vision. www.afb.org

Jim Stovall has been a National Olympic weightlifting champion, a successful investment broker, president of the Emmy Award-winning Narrative Television Network, and a highly sought-after author and platform speaker. He is the author of more than 50 books, including the bestseller, The Ultimate Gift, also a major motion picture from 20th Century Fox starring James Garner and Abigail Breslin. Five of his other novels have also been made into movies with two more in production.Episode Transcript

Ishan is the founder and CEO of VIP World Services, where they design innovative accessible solutions for corporates to cater to the needs of Visually Impaired People (VIP). He is a Service Designer with 10+ years of experiences in multi-national companies, healthcare organizations, government bodies, and startups, leveraging professional, creative and analytical skills combining his Engineering background. He is primarily skilled with ensuring user engagement and retention for the business.  Episode Transcript

Ron Brooks is totally blind and a writer, speaker, entrepreneur and evangelist for the transformation of mobility for people with disabilities. In this episode, Ron discusses employment and transportation barriers, as well as his own entrepreneurial journey and the lessons he’s learned along the way.A graduate of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University in Indianapolis, Ron has 28 years of planning, management and executive-level experience for both public transit agencies and private providers within the areas of accessible transit and paratransit.In 2020, Ron founded Accessible Avenue, where he draws upon his life and industry experiences to provide accessibility-focused training and consulting services to agencies and organizations designing, developing and delivering products and services that support the movement of people within indoor and outdoor spaces and on all forms of public and retail ground transportation.In addition to his work in the transportation and mobility industry, Ron is heavily involved in the blind/low vision and larger disability communities. Since 2019, he has served as a member of the Board of Directors for Ability360, one of the largest independent living centers in the country, and he is a past Board member for the Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. He is also an active member of the American Council of the Blind, serving as a long-time member of the ACB’s Transportation Committee.Episode Transcript

In this episode of Inform & Connect, the American Foundation for the Blind’s ongoing series created to foster togetherness and camaraderie within the blindness community, Melody speaks with Ron Brooks. Episode Transcript

Inform & Connect returns featuring a duo who share a drive for taking their love for their heritage and natural curiosity to make powerful and beautiful change in the world: ESAS Founders Amanda Sichon and Seda Bilgner. After working in the corporate beauty industry for a combination of over 25 years, Amanda and Seda set out to create a sustainable and all-natural farm to beauty manufacturing company. Inspired by their mutual love for science, agrotech (the application of modern technology to agriculture), wellness and innovation, they identified a need to create skincare and cosmetics that deliver superior benefits without compromising the health of the people who use them, the health of the people that make them, or Mother Nature. Episode Transcript

Inform & Connect, the American Foundation for the Blind’s live group conversation and podcast created to foster togetherness and camaraderie within the blindness community through informal storytelling and learning about relevant, interesting topics, returns with an episode featuring siblings Brian and Kerry Kijewski. Brian and Kerry are both blind – they were both born with Senior-Løken syndrome, a rare syndrome that affects the kidneys and eyes, and they have both had kidney transplants. Both Brian and Kerry have gotten more involved in advocacy and activism over the last several years, and discovered the Canadian Federation of the Blind (CFB), where they found support and camaraderie from others, learning the ropes of advocating for themselves and others. Transcript

In this episode of Inform & Connect, Melody speaks with Scott Tennant, CEO and Founder of Senergy Medical Group, a holistic wellness company. Scott is also a generous philanthropist, seeing philanthropy and giving back as a huge part of his life and work. His generosity and passion to raise awareness of critical issues and drive positive change is evident in his practice. He was the sole funder of the trailer for "A Daring Adventure,” which will eventually become an hour-length documentary film about Helen Keller, her life and times, and why she’s as relevant as ever today. The conversation will center around Scott’s passion for helping others and what this project means to him as a partner of AFB. Transcript

In this episode of Inform & Connect, Melody speaks with Sherry Pablo who recently graduated from the inaugural cohort of the AFB Blind Leaders Development Program.  Transcript

This episode of Inform & Connect, the American Foundation for the Blind’s podcast, features Marty Schultz, cofounder and president of ObjectiveEd, an education technology company that provides digital curricula for children with disabilities. Full transcript available on our website.