46 episodes

Inform & Connect, AFB’s ongoing series created to foster togetherness and camaraderie within the blindness community through informal storytelling and learning about relevant and interesting topics. Transcripts for each episode are available on our website.

Inform & Connect: An American Foundation for the Blind Podcast American Foundation for the Blind

    • Society & Culture
    • 5.0 • 3 Ratings

Inform & Connect, AFB’s ongoing series created to foster togetherness and camaraderie within the blindness community through informal storytelling and learning about relevant and interesting topics. Transcripts for each episode are available on our website.

    Inform & Connect S4, E6 - Petr Kucheryavyy Returns

    Inform & Connect S4, E6 - Petr Kucheryavyy Returns

    Welcome to another episode of the Inform & Connect Podcast, a production of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). In this episode, AFB’s Melody Goodspeed and Tony Stephens catch up with Spectrum’s Petr Kucheryavyy, who provides a breakdown of what’s new with SpectrumAccess and exciting news on the horizon for consumers of audio described content. 



    As the weather moves us more indoors, what better way to meet the changing seasons than curled up on the couch streaming the latest and greatest flics, or heading out to enjoy the rush of films that move into theaters during the final months of 2023. There’s lots on the horizon around making media more accessible, and Petr shares what’s in store for not just Spectrum subscribers, but anyone who enjoys accessing inclusive media through the SpectrumAccess app. So, before you press pause to cue up your own favorite streaming playlist, be sure to like and subscribe to the Inform & Connect podcast.



    Inform & Connect is made possible through the generous supporters of the American Foundation for the Blind. Since 1921, AFB has worked to create a world of no limits for people who are blind or have low vision. Consider making a gift today to AFB! Your contribution not only helps support this podcast, but all the exciting work our team does to bring the best in evidence-based research, advocacy, and programs intended to make our mission a reality. Go to www.afb.org to learn more about AFB. Transcripts of this podcast are also available on our podcast page for each episode. 

    • 48 min
    Inform & Connect, season 4, Episode 5 -- An Interview with Andrew Leland

    Inform & Connect, season 4, Episode 5 -- An Interview with Andrew Leland

    https://www.andrewleland.orgIn this episode of the Inform & Connect podcast, Melody and Tony welcome Andrew Leland, author of the recently released book The Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End of Sight, available through Penguin/Random House. Leland’s book, which is part memoir and part cultural breakdown of blindness throughout history, shares his experiences loosing his sight from Retinitis  Pigmentosa, commonly referred to as RP.



    From the publisher: “A witty, winning, and revelatory personal narrative of the author’s transition from sightedness to blindness and his quest to learn about blindness as a rich culture all its own.” 



    Andrew breaks down the driving themes throughout his book, and embarks on a discussion with Melody and Tony on the many shared experiences that others who are blind or low vision face each day.



    Visit Andrew's website to learn more about the book and his other creative and informative projects.



    Enjoy this episode? Be sure to like and subscribe from wherever you listen to podcasts. Inform and Connect is a production of The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). Consider making a contribution today to help AFB create a world of no limits for people who are blind or have low vision.

    • 51 min
    Inform & Connect, Season 4, Episode 4 -- A conversation with Chef Jordan Thomas of the Twisted Tomato Pizzeria.

    Inform & Connect, Season 4, Episode 4 -- A conversation with Chef Jordan Thomas of the Twisted Tomato Pizzeria.

    In this episode of AFB’s Inform & Connect, Melody and Tony talk with Jordan Thomas, who runs the Twisted Tomato pizzeria in Del Ray Beach, Florida. Jordan shares his experience of going blind after serving ten years as a fire fighter in northeast Pennsylvania, and how his plot twist of loosing his sight would eventually lead him to the sunshine state where he opened his family run pizzeria, bringing a slice of home with him and his family to the Florida Coast. 

    Find out how his pizzeria has become an anchor for the blind and low vision in the local community and how fifty-cents  of every pizza sold is donated to the American Foundation for the Blind. You can visit the Twisted Tomato website to learn more about what Jordan is cooking up in South Florida.

    You can learn more about the American Foundation for the blind by visiting our website, where you can also make a donation to support our work creating a world of no limits for people who are blind or have low vision.

    For questions about this podcast, email communications@afb.org. Visit the podcast page for past episodes and transcripts of the podcast.

    • 42 min
    Inform & Connect Season 4 episode 3 -- A Conversation with AFB Trustee and Parent Innovator Victoria Watts

    Inform & Connect Season 4 episode 3 -- A Conversation with AFB Trustee and Parent Innovator Victoria Watts

    Welcome to the latest episode of the Inform & Connect podcast, a production of the American Foundation for the Blind. In this episode, we talk with new AFB Trustee Victoria Watts. Victoria is a mother of four children, her youngest a seven-year-old boy who is blind. Victoria shares her journey with her son, and the mission that followed to make the world more accessible one packaged good at a time. Listen to find out more about this maker’s mission to create a world of no limits not just for her son, but for all people who are blind or have low vision.

    • 44 min
    Inform & Connect Season 4, Episode 2 -- A Conversation with AFB President & CEO Eric Bridges

    Inform & Connect Season 4, Episode 2 -- A Conversation with AFB President & CEO Eric Bridges

    Welcome to another episode of the Inform & Connect podcast, a production of the American Foundation for the Blind. In this episode, our host Melody Goodspeed is joined by AFB’s Tony Stephens as they have a sit-down conversation with AFB’s new President & CEO Eric Bridges. Eric shares his personal experience with vision loss as a child, the paths in life that fostered leadership and his move to Washington, DC, and the pressing issues of our day around digital inclusion and accessibility.

    Subscribe now to the Inform & Connect podcast so as not to miss future episodes, and feel free to forward along any questions or comments to communications@afb.org.

    Learn more about the American Foundation for the blind by visiting www.afb.org.

    • 34 min
    04/28/2023 Inform & Connect Season 4, Episode 1 - Timothy Breitenfeld, JPMorgan Chase Software Engineer and Accessibility Advocate

    04/28/2023 Inform & Connect Season 4, Episode 1 - Timothy Breitenfeld, JPMorgan Chase Software Engineer and Accessibility Advocate

    Welcome back to a new season of the Inform & Connect podcast. In this episode, AFB’s Melody Goodspeed speaks with Timothy Breitenfeldt, who is nearly completely blind. Timothy graduated with his Bachelors in Computer Science in 2019. He has been working at JPMorgan Chase for 2 years as a software engineer, and helps manage applications that support Outside Counsel for the legal department. Timothy is an advocate for digital accessibility, and has lead multiple workshops on how to develop accessible web applications.

    This podcast is a production of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), creating a world of no limits for people who are blind or have low vision. www.afb.org

    • 30 min

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