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Artwork for Blind Abilities

Blind Abilities

Blind Abilities Team
Assistive Technology
State Services For the Blind
Mental Health
Blindness
Self-Care
Accessibility
Education
Visual Impairment
Aira
Braille
Independence
Wellness
Self-Advocacy
University Of Minnesota
National Federation Of the Blind
Career Exploration
Orientation and Mobility
Anxiety
Grief
Scholarships

The most comprehensive resource for Assistive Technology, success Stories, College and Career Pathways and all with a Blindness Perspective.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes897Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Self-ImprovementHow ToEducation

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Artwork for Blind Abilities

Latest Episodes

Jenine Stanley joins Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities Studio to discuss Aira's new Build AI Program, an initiative designed to help shape the future of accessible technology. The program gives Aira users an opportunity to contribute to the develo... more

Minnesota's first Cane Quest brought together students, families, teachers, orientation and mobility (O&M) specialists, and volunteers for a day focused on confidence, independence, and real-world travel skills.

• Students practiced tactile maps, c... more

This episode of Wellness Wednesday returns with an open and heartfelt conversation in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, focusing on the importance of community and connection. Hosts Beth Gustin, Robin Ennis, and Jeff Thompson reflect on h... more

Career Climb is more than a weekend workshop—it's a launchpad for blind and low vision students to explore careers, strengthen independence, and build confidence for the future. Through hands-on activities in self-discovery, budgeting, resumes, Linke... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Max Nelson
Two-time Paralympian in Nordic skiing, Team USA
Team USA, College of St. Scholastica
Episode: More Than a Competition: Minnesota's First Cane Quest
Jeremy Grandstaff
Head of Career Climb event
State Services for the Blind of Minnesota (SSB Minnesota)
Episode: Career Climb: Building Confidence, Careers, and Independence for the Future
Tony Gebhard
Instructor, teacher, and developer of NVDA Coach
NVDA Coach (Tony Gebhard)
Episode: NVDA Coach: From First Keystroke to Confidence—A Free Tool Changing How NVDA Is Learned
Pete Lane
From Florida, technology enthusiast and accessibility advocate
Independent/Blind Abilities guest
Episode: Blind Abilities - the Musical No. 5: When the Screen Spoke Back to Me - Curiosity, Confidence, and Accessible Tech
Christina Covington
From Colorado, accessibility advocate
Independent
Episode: Blind Abilities - the Musical No. 5: When the Screen Spoke Back to Me - Curiosity, Confidence, and Accessible Tech
Lori Thompson
From Minnesota, accessibility advocate
Independent
Episode: Blind Abilities - the Musical No. 5: When the Screen Spoke Back to Me - Curiosity, Confidence, and Accessible Tech
Tiffany Moon
Director of Youth Programs, Colorado Center for the Blind
Colorado Center for the Blind
Episode: No Limits to Learning: A Summer Program That Builds Independence
Christopher Morgan
Attendee of CCB's No Limits Learning Summer Program
Colorado Center for the Blind
Episode: No Limits to Learning: A Summer Program That Builds Independence
Louie McGee
Student finishing law degree in Chicago; advocate for disability rights
University of Illinois Chicago / Minnesota Disability Law Center (MDLC) intern
Episode: Curiosity Opens the Door: Louie McGee's Journey from Minnesota to Law School

Host

Jeffrey Thompson
Host of Blind Abilities; primary interviewer and guide for episode conversations; associated with Blind Abilities organization.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 64 ratings
  • Audio and Content is Awesome!

    I really like how you have changed over the years to adjust to the needs of the community. There’s a little something for everyone. And I like how it’s not just a “Tech show“ as 95% of us live life more than play with gadgets. Keep on keeping on.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    VirdieTweeTwee
    United States2 months ago
  • Unrecognizable

    I'm suffering whiplash. I feel blind abilities just does not know what it wants to be. There was once blind abilities, tech abilities, wellness Wednesday, the blind drive and announce some musical??? It's all nonsensical. Please pick a lane and drive it. The blindness community, as you know is very niche. So when there are episodes specifically geared towards Minnesota state services for the blind, you are disenfranchising most of your listeners. And with no consistent release schedule, this pod... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Callucin
    United States5 months ago
  • Good format, entertaining people, and useful information. Entertaining and interesting even when I don't plan on using a particular product.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Andy M
    2 years ago
  • So grateful!

    I lost my vision roughly 4 years ago and thought I had lost almost everything. almost every episode of this show. Someone is interviewed that opens one of those things back up to me! I cannot thank the creator of this show enough!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ViciousToaster
    Canada2 years ago
  • Engaging editing and content

    The Blind Abilities Podcast is edited to immediately draw you in for what is sure to be an in depth and meaningful conversation. True to its name, the accomplishments are the priority theme of the show and not always the disability of vision loss. It’s nice to have conversations that equalize the world beyond sight and discuss what the human spirit is able to accomplish.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The app blogger
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate practical tips and independence focus.
High-quality editing and meaningful conversations about accessibility.
Some listeners wish for a steadier release schedule and clearer branding.
Great mix of tech demos and human stories, very informative.
Consistent, actionable content with inspiring guest lineups.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#160
United States/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#130
Italy/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#138
France/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#74
United Arab Emirates/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#77
India/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#81
Russia/Education/How To

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

More Than a Competition: Minnesota's First Cane Quest
Q: What helps you manage independence in daily life?
Independent use of canes, adaptive tech like iPad-assisted reading, and a strong support network enable participation in school, work, and community activities.
More Than a Competition: Minnesota's First Cane Quest
Q: What inspires you to keep going?
The drive comes from pride in progress, support from athletes and family, and the belief that anything is possible with persistence and the right tools.
NVDA Coach: From First Keystroke to Confidence—A Free Tool Changing How NVDA Is Learned
Q: Where can people find the podcast or other related content?
The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube, and there are related show pages at blindabilities.com.
NVDA Coach: From First Keystroke to Confidence—A Free Tool Changing How NVDA Is Learned
Q: How can listeners contact you or find more about the Coach?
They can email info at tonygebhard.me and access the Coach via the NVDA Add-on Store following the described steps.
NVDA Coach: From First Keystroke to Confidence—A Free Tool Changing How NVDA Is Learned
Q: Why would an AT instructor want to use NVDA Coach?
It gives instructors a ready-made module to use with students, allowing them to assign specific lessons and monitor progress, much like TrainingWare, while enabling collaborative learning.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Blind Abilities

What is Blind Abilities about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on accessibility technology, independent living, and empowerment for visually impaired and blind audiences. Across episodes, guests discuss practical how-tos (screen readers, iOS VoiceOver, and assistive apps), career paths, education programs, and advocacy efforts, often blending personal journeys with technical demonstrations. A standout is the consistent focus on real-world usability, hands-on training, and community-driven development of tools and programs that widen independence, employment, and participation in daily life. The format frequently mixes expert guests, case studies, and practical demonstrations, making it valuable for listeners who want actionable tips, inspiring stories, and up-to-date accessibility ins... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Blind Abilities?

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How many listeners does Blind Abilities get?

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What are the audience demographics for Blind Abilities?

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How many subscribers and views does Blind Abilities have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Blind Abilities has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Blind Abilities?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Blind Abilities:

1. That Real Blind Tech Show
2. Access On
3. Mystic Access Podcast
4. Double Tap
5. iSee - Using various technologies from a blind persons perspective.

How many episodes of Blind Abilities are there?

Blind Abilities launched 11 years ago and published 897 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Blind Abilities?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Blind Abilities?

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What guests have appeared on Blind Abilities?

Recent guests on Blind Abilities include:

1. Max Nelson
2. Jeremy Grandstaff
3. Tony Gebhard
4. Pete Lane
5. Christina Covington
6. Lori Thompson
7. Tiffany Moon
8. Christopher Morgan

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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