The Blind Chick

Summary In this conversation, Oksana Chichikova discusses the challenges and discrimination faced by blind individuals in Russia and the United States. She shares her experiences with accessibility in voting and the workplace, as well as her advocacy work for inclusion and diversity. Oksana also highlights the beauty and hospitality of Russia and invites listeners to visit Moscow. The conversation concludes with a message of positivity and kindness. Takeaways Blind individuals face discrimination and challenges in both Russia and the United States. Accessibility in voting and the workplace is still a work in progress. Advocacy for inclusion and diversity is important to create positive change. Russia and Moscow offer beautiful sights and a welcoming culture. Choosing positivity and kindness can make a difference in people's lives. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview 01:22 Challenges and Discrimination Faced by Blind Individuals 08:28 Advocacy for Inclusion and Diversity 10:46 The Beauty and Hospitality of Russia Thank you for listening to this episode of The Blind Chick if you have any questions for Penn or Moses please feel free to email us at feedback@aftersight.org or if you're feeling bold you can give us a phone call at 720-712-8856. I hope you have a great week.

Summary In this episode of The Blind Chick, Penn and Moses interview Oksana Chuchinkova, the diversity and inclusion manager at a global institution and an advocate for blind beauty. They discuss Oksana's favorite season, her involvement with Bold Blind Beauty, her experiences growing up blind in Russia, and the challenges faced by blind individuals in finding employment. They also touch on the importance of representation and breaking stereotypes. The conversation ends with a teaser for the next episode, where they will explore the accessibility differences between growing up blind in Moscow and the United States. Takeaways Blind individuals face challenges in finding employment due to prejudice and inaccessible software. Representation and breaking stereotypes are important for blind individuals. Oksana shares her experiences growing up blind in Russia and the importance of finding a sense of belonging. The next episode will explore the accessibility differences between growing up blind in Moscow and the United States. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Summer Plans 02:17 Introducing Oksana Chuchinkova 03:00 Favorite Season and Bold Blind Beauty 05:40 What is Bold Blind Beauty? 09:30 Passions and Belonging 12:42 Growing Up Blind in Russia 21:33 Unemployment Statistics and Inaccessible Software 24:50 Project for Blind Employment 26:39 Teaser: Accessibility Differences Thank you for listening to this episode of The Blind Chick. If you have any questions, please give us a call at 720-712-8856 or email us at feedback@aftersight.org. Thanks for listening, and we'll see you next week.

Summary In this conversation, Tamara, also known as Unsightly Opinions, discusses her fashion sense, social media presence, vision loss due to albinism, education, and advocacy work. She shares her daily routine and the challenges of managing social media and editing videos. Tamara's goal is to show possibility, demonstrate capability, and remove barriers for individuals with disabilities. The conversation concludes with a discussion about Mother's Day and the importance of being kind to oneself and others. Takeaways Tamara, also known as Unsightly Opinions, is a vlogger, musician, and advocate for individuals with disabilities. She has a passion for fashion and shares her unique style on social media. Tamara has albinism, a genetic condition that results in a lack of pigment and affects her vision. She had a supportive education experience and advocates for equity and accessibility in education. Tamara's daily routine is busy, as she balances her work as a vlogger and musician with other commitments. Managing social media and editing videos is time-consuming but rewarding for Tamara. Her goal is to show possibility, demonstrate capability, and remove barriers for individuals with disabilities. Mother's Day is an important time to appreciate and honor the special women in our lives. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Yoga Class 03:00 Tamara's Fashion Sense 07:58 Tamara's Social Media Presence 13:03 Tamara's Vision Loss and Albinism 16:01 Tamara's Education and Advocacy 22:58 Managing Social Media and Editing Videos 26:58 Tamara's Goals and Impact 29:00 Mother's Day and Conclusion Thank you for listening to this episode of the blind chick. If you have any questions for PanzaPenn and Moses, please feel free to give us a call at 720-712-8856 or you can email us at feedback at at firstsight.org. Have a great week.

Summary In this episode, Penn and Moses welcome Precious Perez, a talented musician and author. They discuss Precious' background in music, her journey as an artist, and the inspiration behind her book 'Vision: My Story of Strength'. Precious shares her passion for music and her desire to break barriers as a Latina woman in the industry. She also emphasizes the importance of love and kindness in leaving a positive legacy. The episode concludes with a reminder to be kind to oneself and others. Takeaways Follow your passion and keep working towards your goals. Don't be afraid to ask for help and lean on the support of others. Choose love and kindness in all aspects of life. Leave a positive legacy by making a difference in the lives of others. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Costa Rica Trip 03:18 Precious' Background and Book 08:32 Passion for Music and Career Path 10:50 Preferred Genre and Musical Journey 13:14 Recording Music in Costa Rica 14:10 Legacy and Impact 15:56 Takeaway and Contact Information Thank you for listening to this episode of the blind chick if you have any questions for Penn or Moses, please call us at 720-712-8856 or email us at feedback@aftersight.org. Thanks for listening and will see you next week.

Summary In this episode, Penn and Moses Street are back for Part 2 as they chat with Andre Van Hall about overcoming prejudice and embracing change. Andre shares his personal experiences as a blind individual and offers insights on how to shift from prejudice to curiosity. He emphasizes the importance of humility and acceptance in fostering curiosity and understanding. Andre also discusses the concept of neuroplasticity and the need to rewire our expectations and prejudices. The conversation highlights the power of choosing to see the light in difficult situations and the impact of curiosity on personal growth. Takeaways Prejudice can be transformed into curiosity through humility and acceptance. Neuroplasticity allows us to rewire our expectations and prejudices. Choosing to see the light in difficult situations can lead to personal growth. Curiosity and understanding are fostered by humility and acceptance. Embracing change requires a willingness to rewire our thinking and overcome prejudices. Chapters 00:00 Introducing Andre Van Hall and the Power of Curiosity 06:41 Andre's Book: A Practical Guide to Embracing Change 12:47 Challenging Preconceived Notions of Blindness 23:39 Choosing to See the Light: Personal Growth Thank you for listening to this episode of The Blind Chick if you have any questions for Penn or Moses, please feel free to email us at feedback@aftersight.org or call us at 720-712-8856. Have a fantastic week.

Summary In this episode of The Blind Chick, hosts Penn and Moses interviews Andre Van Hall, a motivational speaker and curiosity instigator. Andre shares his journey of overcoming challenges, including losing his vision, losing his career, and battling cancer. He emphasizes the importance of humility and reaching out for support during difficult times. Andre also discusses the power of curiosity in navigating change and finding new opportunities. The episode ends with a teaser for part two and an announcement about a new podcast called Game Changers. Takeaways Humility is key in navigating difficult change and accepting support from others. Curiosity can help reduce stress and open up new opportunities during times of change. Reaching out for help and being open to new experiences can lead to personal growth and success. Overcoming prejudices and misconceptions about blindness can lead to a more fulfilling life. Sound Bites "We tend to underestimate the strength of people that surround us and how willing they are to help us." "I need to start to go in a different direction." "The best way to deal with stress is get curious." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Costa Rica Trip 05:16 Facing Life Disruptors 09:22 The Power of Humility and Support 15:26 Using Curiosity to Navigate Change Thank you for listening to The Blind Chick. If you have any questions for Penn or Moses, give us a call at (720) 712-8856 or email us at feedback@aftersight.org

Summary In this episode, Jocelyn Hunter, Senior Director of Communications at Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind, shares her experiences and insights. She discusses the top three things to experience in Washington, DC, including the US Capitol Tour, the Portrait Gallery, and a baseball game. Jocelyn also talks about her journey of gaining confidence and independence after being diagnosed with a rare eye condition. She shares her work experience on Capitol Hill and her career growth at Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind. Jocelyn emphasizes the organization's mission of creating independence for the blind and visually impaired and highlights the services they offer. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 03:19 Top Three Things to Experience in Washington, DC 06:09 Gaining Confidence and Independence 08:04 Working on Capitol Hill 13:03 Career Growth at Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind 22:29 Creating Independence for the Blind and Visually Impaired 23:31 Services Offered by Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind 26:43 Closing Remarks Thank you for listening to this episode of The blind Chick. We know you have questions, so let us know what they are. Call us at (720) 712-8856 or email us at feedback@aftersight.org. Have a great week.

Walking by Faith, Not Sight: Kayla Jenkins' Inspiring Journey on The Blind Chick Podcast In this episode of 'The Blind Chick,' hosts Moses and Penn Street bring to the fore stories of resilience and the triumphs over life's hurdles, particularly focusing on living with vision impairment. The narrative unfolds with Moses and Penn encouraging audience engagement through feedback and announces the addition of a new podcast, 'Game Changers,' about adaptive sports. The highlight of the episode is an inspiring conversation with guest Kayla Jenkins, a young woman who, despite an aggressive form of glaucoma that led to significant vision loss, earned her law degree and is pursuing seminary studies. Jenkins, the youngest of twelve siblings, shares her journey from aspiring lawyer to founding Blind Faith Ministries, a platform rooted in faith and resilience against adversity. Throughout, the hosts and Jenkins touch upon the importance of self-advocacy, the distinction between sight and vision, and the role of faith in navigating life's challenges. The episode not only sheds light on Kayla's personal journey and aspirations but also discusses broader themes of adaptation, support, and the impact of loss on life's path. Chapters 00:00 Welcome to The Blind Chick Podcast! 00:45 Engaging with Our Audience: Feedback and Announcements 01:32 Introducing Game Changers: A New Podcast on Adaptive Sports 02:00 Don't Miss the Audio Trekker Hike Event! 03:11 Meet Kayla Jenkins: Law Graduate and Seminary Student 05:02 Kayla's Love for Vintage Fashion and Overcoming Vision Challenges 07:13 Finding Personal Style with Vision Loss 08:36 Kayla's Family Background and Hereditary Glaucoma 10:04 Kayla's Journey to Becoming a Lawyer 11:42 Facing Vision Loss During Law School 14:55 The Birth of Blind Faith Ministries 20:16 Kayla's Vision for Blind Faith Ministries and Being a Light for Others 24:58 Final Thoughts and Gratitude Thank you for listening to this episode of The Blind Chick. If you would like to make a comment or suggest a guest or have questions for Penn or Moses, please call us at 720-712-8856 or email us at feedback@aftersight.org. Have a great week.

Summary In this episode, Penn and Moses are joined again by Joe Strechay, a blind filmmaker and advocate for disability representation in the film industry. Joe shares his experience working on the film 'All the Light We Cannot See' and the challenges of casting actors with low-vision. He discusses the importance of realistic representation and the impact it can have on changing societal perceptions of blindness. Joe also talks about his journey in the film industry and his future projects. He emphasizes the need for more opportunities for blind and low-vision individuals in the industry and the power of storytelling to create positive change. Takeaways Realistic representation of blindness in film and television can help change societal perceptions of blindness. Casting actors with visual impairments can bring authenticity and depth to characters with disabilities. There is a need for more opportunities for disabled individuals in the film industry, both in front of and behind the camera. Storytelling has the power to challenge stereotypes and create positive change. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:10 Guest Introduction 03:32 Casting Process 04:27 Challenges in Casting 05:48 Impact of Blindness Representation 06:47 Meeting Aria 07:44 Bringing the Book to Life 08:34 Creating Realistic Blindness 09:30 Sound Design and Immersion 10:56 Attention to Detail 11:55 Joe's Journey in the Film Industry 13:45 Future Projects 14:44 Impact of Joe's Work 16:37 Joe's Background and Passion for Film 19:33 Transition to Writing and Consulting 20:25 Representation in the Industry 21:51 Breaking Barriers 23:46 Upcoming Projects 25:41 Consulting Work and The Dot Experience 26:33 Conclusion Thank you for listening to this episode of The Blind Chick. If you have any questions, please call us at 720-712-8856 or you can email us at feedback@aftersight.org. Thanks for listening.

Empowerment and Inclusion: A Conversation with Joe Stretchay on 'The Blind Chick' Podcast This episode of 'The Blind Chick,' an Aftersight original podcast, features hosts Moses and Penn Street engaging in a heartfelt conversation with Joe Stretchay, a renowned figure in the film industry known for his work on advocating for the inclusion of blind and low-vision actors. The discussion covers a range of topics, including overcoming adversity, the significance of representation in media, and the impact of Stretchay's work on challenging ableism in the film industry. Stretchay shares insights from his involvement in major productions like 'See,' 'Daredevil,' and 'The OA,' emphasizing the importance of authentic representation and innovative techniques that cater to blind and low-vision individuals. The episode not only celebrates the achievements and contributions of Joe Stretchay but also underscores the broader themes of strength, resilience, and the transformative power of representation in media. 00:00 Welcome to The Blind Chick Podcast! 00:33 Listener Feedback and Contact Info 01:15 Celebrating Birthdays and Special Guests 01:32 Joe Stretchay: A Visionary in the Film Industry 03:57 Exploring Ableism in Entertainment 05:09 The Art of Touch Language in 'See' 08:12 Behind the Scenes: Creating a World for the Blind 16:50 The Impact of Authentic Representation in Film 17:33 Universal Design and Accessibility in Set Design 26:57 Concluding Thoughts and Birthday Wishes Thank you for listening to this episode of The Blind Chick. If you would like to have your question answered by Penn and Moses, please give us a call at 720-712-8856 or if you would rather email us you can do so at feedback@aftersight.org