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Artwork for Blind Abilities

Blind Abilities

Blind Abilities Team
Assistive Technology
Visual Impairment
Mental Health
Twin Cities Blind Sailing
Suicide
Education
Sailing
Lutheran Braille Workers
Blindshell Classic 2
Youth Programs
Independence
Boston Blind Sailing
Self-Care
Aira
Artificial Intelligence
Enhanced Vision
Friendship
Family Relationships
Words and Language
Regattas

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-ImprovementEducationHow To

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Artwork for Blind Abilities

Latest Episodes

What's the difference between self-esteem and self-confidence—and why does something as simple as a pair of shoes sometimes spark the conversation? In this Wellness Wednesday episode, Beth, Robin, and Jeff explore how the way we present ourselves can... more

In this episode of Blind Abilities, Jeff welcomes Kevin Chao, an early adopter who has taken more than 60 rides in autonomous vehicles across San Francisco and Austin. Kevin shares his firsthand experiences riding in Tesla RoboTaxis, Waymo vehicles, ... more

What happens when the foundation of disability rights is challenged? In this powerful conversation, Jeff Thompson welcomes back disability advocate and Villanova graduate Kaleigh Brendle to talk about the growing legal challenge to Section 504—one of... more

In Episode 4 of Blind Abilities – The Musical, Lori, Christina, Pete, and Jeff explore the strength and diversity found within the blind and low vision community by highlighting two major national organizations serving people who are blind or visuall... 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

Kevin Chao
Guest added to discuss Zoox, Waymo, and RoboTaxi experiences
Independent technology reviewer and tester in the Bay Area
Episode: Riding the Future: Inside Tesla, Waymo, and Zoox Autonomous Rides with Kevin Chao
Kaleigh Brendle
Disability advocate and founder of Judys League
Judys League
Episode: Honor Judy, Protect 504: Why Awareness and Advocacy Matter Right Now
Ricky Ties
Minnesota Regional Manager for Envision Blind Sports
Envision Blind Sports
Episode: Fear Less - Do More! Envision Blind Sports Is Here!
Jillian Stringfellow
Program Director for Envision Blind Sports
Envision Blind Sports
Episode: Fear Less - Do More! Envision Blind Sports Is Here!
Joshua Olukanni
A graduate student at Georgetown University pursuing a Master's of Science in Finance.
Georgetown University
Episode: From High School to Grad School: Winning Scholarships Without Going into Debt
Maddy Majors
Former Peer Ambassador for State Services for the Blind and current student at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, double majoring in Sociology and Technical Writing and Communication.
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Episode: Scholarships Don't Find You—You Find Them: A Student's Real-World Guide
Michael Colbrunn
Business Owner Operator in the Business Enterprise Program
State Services for the Blind of Minnesota
Episode: Owning Your Future with State Services for the Blind: Inside the Business Enterprise Program
David Mayne
Founder of the Apex Program for NovaCoast
NovaCoast
Episode: Unlock Your Future with Cybersecurity Through The Apex Program
Dr. Kirk Adams
Strategic Advisor and former President of the American Foundation for the Blind
NovaCoast
Episode: Unlock Your Future with Cybersecurity Through The Apex Program

Host

Jeff Thompson
Host of discussions exploring blindness perspectives, assistive technology, and personal stories from the visually impaired community.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 65 ratings
  • 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 States2 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
    a year 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
  • Great information

    I found your podcast in November 2021 and have been an avid listener ever cents. The iPhone 101 demos have help me improve my iOS VoiceOver skills immensely. The informative, fun, casual conversation between Jeff, Serina and Kelly on tech abilities are highly enjoyable. The feature segments with Shakers and movers in the Blind Tech world are always relevant. Nice job all around.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cindy19691984
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the podcast for its engaging discussions and inspiring personal stories.
Positive feedback highlights the emotional connection and community sense it fosters among listeners.
Some critics mention a desire for more focus on specific topics rather than a broad range.
Many appreciate the informative nature, particularly regarding assistive technology and educational resources.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#81
Germany/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#28
Israel/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#38
Saudi Arabia/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#103
Argentina/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#104
India/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#106
Ukraine/Education/How To

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Honor Judy, Protect 504: Why Awareness and Advocacy Matter Right Now
Q: Kaleigh, last time you were on the show, we were talking about the challenges to section 504. Can you explain what's happening and why people are paying attention now?
The lawsuit initially claimed 504 was unconstitutional, but the focus has shifted to the portions about the most integrated setting and how that rule has been strengthened in 2024. The stakes are high because overturning this could undermine protections in 504, the ADA, and IDEA, and could push more services into segregated or less integrated settings.
Wellness Wednesday: How are You? I'm Fine. Hmmm. Exploring Inclusion, Belonging, and the deep human need to be Seen and Heard
Q: How do you feel included or what would help you feel more included?
Participants expressed the importance of feeling listened to and engaged, especially in social settings, highlighting a shift needed in how people interact with older adults.
Wellness Wednesday: How are You? I'm Fine. Hmmm. Exploring Inclusion, Belonging, and the deep human need to be Seen and Heard
Q: How do you define fine when someone asks, how are you?
The discussion emphasizes that many people say they're 'fine' even when they're not, which can mask deeper feelings of isolation and unmet needs for connection.
From Classroom to Career — Josh Subhan's Internship Journey
Q: What advice do you have for students interested in internships?
Josh advises students to persevere and keep applying, emphasizing the importance of utilizing connections to find opportunities.
From Classroom to Career — Josh Subhan's Internship Journey
Q: How did State Services for the Blind assist you in your internship search?
SSB provided connections and resources to help Josh with interview preparation and application tips.

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 podcast serves as a valuable resource focused on assistive technology and the experiences of individuals living with visual impairments. Featuring inspiring stories from guests who have navigated educational and professional pathways, it emphasizes practical advice and strategies for personal growth and independence. Topics range widely from adaptive sports and assistive tech, like screen readers, to discussions on scholarships and the college experience for visually impaired students. The conversations are often enriched by expert insights and personal anecdotes, providing listeners with actionable information alongside emotional support for their journeys.

Where can I find podcast stats for Blind Abilities?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Blind Abilities. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Blind Abilities and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Blind Abilities get?

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What are the audience demographics for Blind Abilities?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Blind Abilities, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

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. Double Tap
3. Eyes On Success with hosts Peter and Nancy Torpey
4. The Blind Life Podcast
5. Freedom Scientific Training Podcast

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?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Blind Abilities from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Blind Abilities?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Blind Abilities. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Blind Abilities?

Recent guests on Blind Abilities include:

1. Kevin Chao
2. Kaleigh Brendle
3. Ricky Ties
4. Jillian Stringfellow
5. Joshua Olukanni
6. Maddy Majors
7. Michael Colbrunn
8. David Mayne

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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