A Sense of Texas

NFADB

Being a parent is hard enough, and being a parent to an individual with dual sensory loss presents a whole new set of challenges. Luckily, several groups have been created to help families of individuals with dual sensory loss get support as well as advocate for their loved one. Jacqueline Izaguirre and Melanie Knapp join us to talk about The National Family Association for Deaf-Blind (NFADB) and The Deaf-Blind Multihandicapped Association of Texas (DBMAT) and how they have helped them support and advocate for their loved ones with dual sensory loss. 

 

For more information on NFADB, DBMAT, and the Cogswell-Macy Act please use the following links:

NFADB: https://www.nfadb.org/

DBMAT: https://dbmat-tx.org/

Cogswell-Macy Act: https://cogswellmacyact.org/

 

Please feel free to contact Jacqueline or Melanie if you have more questions about NFADB or DBMAT. 

Jacqueline Izaguirre: jacqueline@nfadb.org

Melanie Knapp: melanie@nfadb.org

BADIE

The “Benefits of Audio Description in Education,” or BADIE contest is an opportunity for students to find something of interest to them and share their opinion of the description. Susan Glass, Tabitha Kenlon, and Jason Stark join us from the American Council of the Blind’s Audio Description Project and the Described and Captioned Media Program to give us all the details.

 

For more info about the contest: badiecontest.org

Craig Edgley - TSBVI

Our students always benefit from mentors and teachers who can identify with their disability so it's great to have Craig Edgley from TSBVI join us. Losing sight at a young age Craig has earned a bachelor's degree and a master's degree so he's well aware of how to navigate the needs of blind and visually impaired students in an educational environment. We're so happy to have him here to share his experience and expertise. 

The Monarch

Greg Stilson, Karen Anderson and Peter Tucic give us the inside scoop about the Monarch. This innovative tactile device aims to modernize and advance the ways we can access braille and tactile graphics.

 

For more info from the American Printing House visit:

https://www.aph.org/the-ebrf-revolution/

https://www.aph.org/dtd-fact-sheet/

 

Karen Anderson's Article: 

https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/fr/fr41/4/fr410414.htm

Peggy Garrett - American Council of the Blind of Texas

While the population of blind and visually impaired people is comparatively small, the resources available are quite large. One of those resources is the American Council of the Blind of Texas. Joining us is Peggy Garrett, Immediate Past President – Constitution & Bylaws Chair of ACBT, to tell us about what ACB does and how they can help people who are blind and visually impaired reach their goals. 

For more information on services and how to get in touch with American Council of the Blind of Texas visit their website at https://acbtexas.org/

The Blind History Lady (Peggy Chong)

Peggy Chong, AKA The Blind History Lady, has taken it upon herself to document and explore lesser known historical figures who are blind. Today’s episode primarily focuses on Don Mahoney, however this is just the tip of the iceberg of knowledge that Peggy has accumulated over her impressive career.

Check out: https://theblindhistorylady.com/ to find out more.

Email: theblindhistorylady@gmail.com to join the monthly email list!

TSBVI MakerSpace and Broadcast Studio

One of the biggest hurdles in teaching students with visual impairments is creating accessible learning environments for STEM and many software applications that are minimally accessible, like video and audio editing. Joining the podcast this week are Chris Correll and Sue O'Brien who are pioneering new curriculums in our TSBVI MakerSpace and Rosa M. Gonzales Center for Broadcast Communication to help bridge these gaps in learning. 

Programming note: we will be on a break for the holiday and will return with another episode January 15th. 

Goalball

After TSBVI recently competed in the U.S. National High school Goalball Championship, we thought it would be a great time for an episode about what goalball is and what it means to the players and anyone else supporting the sport. We will hear from Mark Gronquist, Tammy Reed and Zach Arambula- and be sure to stick around until the end to hear from pro athlete, Libby Daugherty!

Kassy Maloney - Allied Independence

A few years ago, Kassy Maloney created an online space for Orientation and Mobility providers that has continued to grow. Her company, Allied Independence, provides professional development and resources to practitioners around the world. She highlights their programs and shares some of her own professional perspectives on our show. 

 

Website: https://alliedindependenceonline.com

Kassy's Interview with Emily on her podcast "A Step Forward": https://alliedindependenceonline.com/astepforward/motherhood-propelled-first-female-superintendent-with-emily-coleman

 

Lee Sonnenberg - AER

Lee Sonnenberg shares his experiences as the newest Executive Director at the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, as well as his perspective as a parent of a child with a visual impairment. Be sure to stick around until the end where Kate Borg, President of the Texas AER and Outreach Director at TSBVI, shares more about TAER.

Peter Tucic - HumanWare

Peter Tucic is the Director of Strategic Partnerships at Humanware. As a blind individual himself, he openly shares about his work and his upbringing. Be sure to stay on until the end when he provides solid takeaways for students who are blind and looking to be empowered.

For more information on HumanWare and their products visit https://www.humanware.com/en-usa/home

Polly

The American Printing House for the Blind has partnered with Thinkerbell to create a new Braille teaching tool and learning device titled, "Polly." Shivam Agarwal and Donna McClure-Rogers tell us about the device, the intended outcomes, and the many ways it will positively impact a student's education and independence. To find out more and join the "Polly" wait list please visit https://www.aph.org/polly-wait-list/.

New Season, New Song

Going into our 5th season and our 81st (!!!!) episode we thought it was time to mix things up a bit. Last year we tasked on campus musical masterminds the Semi-Modulars with creating a new theme for our show and we're so happy to share it with you for the first time. We talk with band members Brandon, Destiny, Heather, Joel, and their fearless leader Daniel Butler about the creative process and how they came up with the new song.

We love the Semi-Modulars here at A Sense of Texas and hope you do too. To check out all the albums they've created over the years visit https://thesemimodulars.bandcamp.com/ and download all your favorites. 

Dr. Michele McDonnall - NRTC

With graduations happening all around the country it's an important time to think about the skills our students are taking with them as they transition to adulthood. We thought this was the perfect time to bring on Dr. Michele McDonnall from the National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision to talk about the work they do to help people with blindness and low vision get into the workforce.

For more information on the NRTC please visit their website at https://www.blind.msstate.edu/

Also, with graduations upon us that means we're rapidly approaching summer and we'll be taking a break. Our next episode will arrive September 15. Enjoy your summer!

Birdability

Virginia Rose, Founder and President of Birdability, along with Freya McGregor, Director of programs and outreach, and an occupational therapist, discuss the group's goals and their personal journeys that led them to birding. 

Through education, outreach and advocacy, Birdability works to ensure the birding community and the outdoors are welcoming, inclusive, safe and accessible for everybody.