White Canes Connect

In Episode 111 of White Canes Connect, co-hosts David Goldstein and Emily Gindlesperger, both Vice Presidents of the NFB of Pennsylvania, discuss the exciting details surrounding the upcoming state convention in Erie. This year marks a return to Erie after over two decades, and the event will take place at the Ambassador Banquet and Conference Center. The venue promises accessibility and convenience, with two hotels connected directly to the center. Emily and David provide a rundown of the convention highlights, including a Veterans Celebration, talent show, and the highly anticipated auction and bingo night. There's also plenty of focus on the food, from a pasta bar on Thursday to a taco and street corn bar on Friday, concluding with a banquet featuring local Lake Erie perch. Emily shares her excitement about the facility's accessibility and cleanliness, addressing last year's venue challenges. They also delve into exhibit hall details, tech demonstrations, and a "Teching Care of Business" session covering both business and assistive technology. The convention promises valuable networking, learning opportunities, and a fun atmosphere for all attendees. For more information and registration, visit https://www.nfbofpa.org/2024. Show notes at https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/111  2024 NFB of PA State Convention Registration is open for this year's State Convention in Erie from 11/7 to 11/10. Learn more at https://www.NFBofPA.org/2024/. Links are there to register as an attendee, exhibitor, and sponsor. Other links include meal option descriptions, Senior Possibilities Fair registration, and phone numbers to make your hotel reservations. Teching Care of Business Session Chef Debra Erickson from The Blind Kitchen (https://www.theblindkitchen.com) will join David for a segment of the business and technology Thursday afternoon session to talk about becoming a chef, setting up her store on the web, and teaching other blind individuals how to prepare delicious meals without sight. Listen to episode 081 via direct download at https://traffic.libsyn.com/whitecanesconnect/white_canes_connect_081_post.mp3 to learn more about Debra and her business. An Easy Way to Help the NFB of PA Support the NFB of PA with every purchase at White Cane Coffee Company by going to https://www.whitecanecoffee.com/ref/nfbp. When you use that link to purchase from White Cane Coffee, the NFB of PA earns a 10% commission! Share the link with your family and friends! Listen to Erin and Bob Willman from White Cane Coffee on episode 072 of White Canes Connect. Donate to the NFB of PA If you want to donate to the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania, visit https://www.NFBofPA.org/give/. We Want to Hear Your Story Reach out with questions and comments, or share ideas! We want to hear from you. Call us at (267) 338-4495 or at [email protected]. Follow White Canes Connect Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/white-canes-connect/id1592248709  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1YDQSJqpoteGb1UMPwRSuI  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pablindpodcast   

In episode 102 of White Canes Connect, hosts Lisa Bryant and Simon Bonenfant explore web accessibility for the visually impaired. Their guests, Bob Moran from Accessibility Shield and Dennis Zehner from Sites for Hope, discuss their organizations' efforts to improve website usability for people with visual impairments.  Sites for Hope, serving the Greater Lehigh Valley and Monroe County since 1928, aims to foster independence for the visually impaired in Eastern Pennsylvania. Bob Moran highlights how most websites currently fail to accommodate disabled users, and his firm, Accessibility Shield, provides tools to diagnose and correct these oversights.  The discussion underscores ongoing challenges and advances in making digital spaces accessible, reflecting a commitment to inclusivity in web development. This episode sheds light on the technical aspects. It connects them to personal stories and the broader mission of enhancing digital accessibility for all. Show notes at https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/102  Connect with Accessibility Shield Learn more about website accessibility and the services Accessibility Shield has to offer at https://www.accessibilityshield.com. Reach out to Bob Moran via email at [email protected]. Connect with Sights for Hope Learn more about Sights for Hope at https://sightsforhope.org/. Reach out to Dennis Zehner via email at [email protected]. Give them a call: Lehigh Valley - (610) 433-6018 and Monroe County - (570) 992-7787. An Easy Way to Help the NFB of PA Support the NFB of PA with every purchase at White Cane Coffee Company by going to https://www.whitecanecoffee.com/ref/nfbp. When you use that link to purchase from White Cane Coffee, the NFB of PA earns a 10% commission! Share the link with your family and friends! Listen to Erin and Bob Willman from White Cane Coffee on episode 072 of White Canes Connect. Donate to the NFB of PA If you want to donate to the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania, visit https://www.NFBofPA.org/give/. We Want to Hear Your Story Reach out with questions and comments, or share ideas! We want to hear from you. Call us at (267) 338-4495 or at [email protected]. Follow White Canes Connect Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/white-canes-connect/id1592248709  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1YDQSJqpoteGb1UMPwRSuI  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pablindpodcast 

Meet Cazerny Bussey Cazerny Bussey is a recording artist, author, entrepreneur, speaker, advocate, and founder of Even Though I'm Blind. After losing his sight as a teenager, he continued pursuing music and eventually discovered a much larger community of blind people doing extraordinary things. That discovery helped inspire a mission to use media to amplify their voices. In Episode 159, Cazerny talks with David Goldstein and Lisa Bryant about ETIB Radio, the Even Though I'm Blind Experience podcast, its growing resource directory, opportunities for blind creators, and his goal of changing public perceptions about blindness. He also discusses The Money Master: Alex's Guide to Financial Literacy, a book inspired by lessons he wanted his own children to learn about saving, investing, entrepreneurship, and making smarter financial decisions. What You'll Learn Why Cazerny created Even Though I'm Blind How media can challenge stereotypes about blindness How ETIB supports blind musicians, creators, and storytellers Why Cazerny believes blind people need to tell their own stories How fatherhood inspired his work in financial literacy What Cazerny hopes to build next Top Takeaways Representation matters. Cazerny spent years being the only blind person in many rooms before discovering how broad and accomplished the blind community really is. Blind people should control their own narratives. ETIB is designed to give blind people platforms to tell their stories rather than having others define blindness for them. Creativity comes with standards. Cazerny wants to provide opportunities while also helping creators improve their craft and reach professional quality. Financial literacy should start early. The Money Master grew from lessons Cazerny wanted to teach his own children. Links and Resources Even Though I'm Blind https://eventhoughimblind.com Cazerny Bussey https://eventhoughimblind.com/cazernybussey/ The Money Master: Alex's Guide to Financial Literacy https://amzn.to/4qVNyCq 2026 NFB of Pennsylvania State Convention https://nfbofpa.org/2026 Contact White Canes Connect Call 267-338-4495 and leave a message of up to three minutes, or email [email protected]. David and Lisa specifically invite listeners to share their reaction to the song clip at the end of the episode. Key Podcast Moments Cazerny's blindness journey: He talks about attending Frank Sinatra School of the Arts and losing his remaining sight following retinal detachments and surgeries when he was 15. Discovering the blind community: After years of often being the only blind person in the room, Cazerny began researching the community and discovered blind students, athletes, models, entrepreneurs, artists, and leaders. The birth of Even Though I'm Blind: Cazerny explains that ETIB became a media platform and movement focused on amplifying blind and visually impaired voices. Taking the conversation mainstream: He recounts asking Busta Rhymes about the distinction between sight and vision, creating a conversation in which the artist said he was willing to learn. ETIB's growing platforms: Cazerny describes a radio station featuring dozens of blind and visually impaired artists, a podcast, blog, and directory of organizations and services. The Money Master: He explains how teaching his children about money led to a financial-literacy book aimed at helping younger people understand saving and smarter money decisions. His long-term vision: Cazerny talks about expanding ETIB into larger media projects and creating spaces where blind people can develop creative and technical skills. Stay through the credits: The episode closes with a clip from Cazerny's music and an invitation for listeners to respond to the lyrics.

Every September, Philadelphia hosts more than 1,000 performances as part of the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, presented by FringeArts. In its 30th year, the Philadelphia Fringe Festival "is a city-wide celebration of innovation and creativity in contemporary performance."    On this episode, we spotlight a multi-sensory experience called Lunar Retreat, which will be performed as part of this year's Fringe Festival!    Presented by Nichole Canuso  | Branching Paths and FringeArts, Lunar Retreat features audio description, interactive activities, and multi-sensory exploration. Join Simon Bonenfant in the virtual studio, as he speaks with Lunar Retreat creator Nichole Canuso, dancer Shannon Brooks, and audio description coach Natanya Sortland.    They discuss the creation and evolution of the piece, preview what to expect, share personal reflections, and engage in an insightful conversation about their philosophies toward life.  Ready to buy your tickets? Read all the details below!    Nichole Canuso | Branching Paths  and FringeArts present  Lunar Retreat  as part of the 30th Annual Fringe Festival    "Lunar Retreat is a multi-sensory performance installation inspired by the gravitational push and pull between the Earth's oceans and the Moon. Audiences enter the experience in groups of 12 people at a time and are guided through gentle invitations from dancers, pre-recorded prompts on headphones, and a tactile set design.    The slow, rhythmic inevitability of the growing distance between the Earth and Moon, known as the "lunar retreat," is the poetic motor for this work, which uses the powerful patterns found in nature to invite people into exchanges that juxtapose tender, personal experiences alongside the vastness of global, environmental, and cosmic phenomena. Lunar Retreat creates opportunities for participants to settle their nervous systems and explore meaningful exchanges that touch on loss, grief, healing, and transformation. Lunar Retreat reflects on our deep evolutionary ties to the ocean and the moon, reminding us that we are all interconnected with the natural world.   With Lunar Retreat, we are extending an expansive invitation—inviting all of us, no matter how we identify—to come together and reflect on our relationship to cycles and grief and the natural world. To increase the accessibility of the work, we have built relationships in the Blind and Low Vision communities, through workshops, showings, explorations, and conversations. As a result of the feedback from our workshops, we have built audio description and tactile elements into the design of the show. As part of our set design, we created alternative, tactile props specifically for Blind and Low Vision audiences, to ensure that the sensory world of the piece is fully available to those experiencing it through touch. Audio description, a touch tour, performance docents and a post-show talk-back will be available to Blind/low vision participants at the following performances:"   Saturday, September 12th at 2:00pm  • TICKET LINK for Saturday, September 12 at 2pm  https://fringearts.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/?acode=ac26e22e43357d49f461320273befe68&#/instances/a0FUO00000CAhWD2A1 Sunday, September 13th at 4:45pm  • TICKET LINK for Sunday, September 13 at 4:45pm https://fringearts.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/?acode=ac26e22e43357d49f461320273befe68&#/instances/a0FUO00000CAhWD2A1   Saturday, September 19th at 6:45pm  • TICKET LINK for Saturday, September 19 at 6:45pm https://fringearts.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/?acode=ac26e22e43357d49f461320273befe68&#/instances/a0FUO00000CAhT02AL   Location: The Leonard Pearlstein Gallery, 3401 Filbert St, Philadelphia, PA 19104 Tickets: 12 tickets available at each performance.  $35 per person, discount 20% off with code Lunar20  Groups of 10 25% off, $26 per person, call the box office to purchase.  Access tickets: $2, max 4    Contact: Simon Bonenfant, Accessibility Consultant, [email protected] or Lee Etzold, Accessibility Coordinator, [email protected]   To purchase tickets via phone, call the FringeArts box office at 215.413.1318.    We hope you have enjoyed this interview. Do you have a comment to share about this episode? Send us an email at [email protected], or give us a call at 267-338-4495. We would love to hear from you!    Donate to the NFB of PA Like what you hear on White Canes Connect? Please support us and donate to the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania, visit http://www.supportpablind.org. 

In episode 157 of White Canes Connect, the Pennsylvania Association of Blind Students takes the lead. PABS President Noor Khraisat, Vice President Leen Khraisat, Secretary Rose West, and Treasurer Dauad Yasar guide students through real-world scenarios they may encounter in college. The conversation begins with an inaccessible pop quiz and what students can do when a professor unexpectedly uses technology that doesn't work with a screen reader. Students emphasize communicating with professors, being proactive about accommodations, and involving disability services when necessary. The discussion then moves to artificial intelligence. Students talk about where AI can help, where it can become an academic integrity problem, and its unique role as an accessibility tool for blind students—for example, describing an inaccessible graphic. The group stresses transparency with professors and the importance of verifying AI-generated information. Other scenarios tackle friends who try to "help" without asking and what happens when you're left alone at a party. The recurring message: communicate what you need, maintain your independence, prepare ahead, and don't be afraid to meet new people. Finally, students share advice about getting involved on campus, joining clubs, building relationships, and finding community both in person and online. PABS provides another place where blind students can connect with people who understand many of the same experiences. Key Podcast Moments The inaccessible pop quiz What happens when a professor announces a quiz on a website your screen reader can't access? Students discuss proactive accommodations, communicating with professors, and working with disability services. Is AI an accessibility tool or academic shortcut? The group explores one of the most interesting questions in the episode: blind students may legitimately use AI to access visual information while simultaneously attending schools with strict AI policies. Communication and academic integrity are critical. "Just ask." When friends grab an arm, move belongings, order food, or otherwise "help" without permission, students explain why simply asking first is usually the best approach. Your friend disappears at the party Students talk independence, transportation, situational awareness, socializing with strangers, and making sure you always have a way home. Get involved One of the strongest pieces of college advice: join organizations, attend activity fairs, meet people, and find communities built around your interests. $1,500 scholarship opportunity The episode closes with PABS and NFB of Pennsylvania opportunities, including the Pennsylvania scholarship and State Convention in Hershey. Scholarship applications are due August 31. Apply at https://www.nfbofpa.org/scholarships/.   Top Takeaways Advocate Before There Is a Problem Accessibility conversations don't have to begin after something goes wrong. Talking with professors early about accommodations and inaccessible technology can prevent problems later. AI Is Complicated for Blind Students For a blind student, AI isn't necessarily just a writing or homework tool. It can provide access to graphics and other visual information. That creates an important distinction between using AI for accessibility and having AI do academic work for you. The students strongly recommend knowing the professor's policy and communicating openly. Help Should Start With a Question Good intentions don't automatically make an action helpful. Asking before grabbing, guiding, moving something, or making a decision for a blind person preserves independence while still allowing someone to offer assistance. Have a Plan B Whether you're dealing with inaccessible coursework or suddenly left alone socially, independence gets easier when you've thought about alternatives ahead of time. College Is More Than Class Joining clubs, meeting students with similar interests, and becoming part of campus life can create friendships and make an unfamiliar campus feel like home. Connect with PABS If you have questions for the PABS board, email them at [email protected]. Follow PABS on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/pabs_nfb/.   To read more, visit https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/157/.   Donate to the NFB of PA Like what you hear on White Canes Connect? Please support us and donate to the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania, visit http://www.supportpablind.org.  Keep Up-to-date with the Affiliate Learn about chapter and division meetings and fundraisers on Federation Focus.  It's available on the affiliate's YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@nfbofpa. New episodes drop every Monday. Contact White Canes Connect Email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at (267) 338-4495.   Follow White Canes Connect Find out why White Canes Connect is currently ranked as one of the 100 Best Visually Impaired Podcast. Find the show on: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/white-canes-connect/id1592248709  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1YDQSJqpoteGb1UMPwRSuI  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pablindpodcast  Visit our website at https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/.