Advertise on podcast: AFB Possibilities

Welcome back to another episode of AFB Possibilities, a podcast from the American Foundation for the Blind. In this episode, Tony Stephens sits down for a conversation with Matt Ater. Matt is Senior Vice President for Vispero, a leading global assistive technology and digital accessibility company. In this episode, Matt share his own journey as a blind leader in the digital accessibility space. Together, he and Tony cover the span from the early days of low tech, to what exciting opportunities are on the horizon through high tech. Matt's leadership has helped make the world more accessible for people who are blind or have low vision -- he's even in the kiosk Hall of Fame. So, we hope you enjoy this conversation. You can learn more about the exciting work of Vispero at: https://vispero.com Be sure to like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and click here to access the podcast page for past episodes and transcripts. To learn more about AFB or to support our work, visit us online at www.afb.org. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

As we kick-off 2026, we wanted to share a special episode taken from the opening plenary of the AFB Leadership Conference held in Arlington, Virginia this past November. In this episode, we welcome leaders from across the field of blindness who weigh in on the current pressing issues facing people who are blind or have low vision today. Please be sure to like and subscribe to this podcast from wherever you get your podcasts. We're excited to bring an engaging new season of content to you over the coming year as we ramp up our podcasting efforts. Transcripts are available here on the AFB podcast page. For questions or comments, or to suggest an episode, email [email protected]. Learn more about the American Foundation for the Blind by visiting our website at www.afb.org and consider making a tax-deductible contribution to support our work. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Welcome to another episode of the AFB Possibilities Podcast. To mark Vocational Rehabilitation awareness week, which spans June 9th - 13th, AFB’s Tony Stephens sat down for an engaging conversation with Dr. Randy Pierce of Future Insight and Russell Martello from Visions to discuss the benefits around holistic approaches to rehabilitation.  Tony, Randy, and Russell met through the annual Vision Serve Alliance Conference this past April, where they spearheaded a track on holistic rehabilitation for people who are blind or low vision. At the end of the conference, they were committed to carrying on the conversations from the conference. So, Tony was excited they were able to join him to not only share their passion for this innovative approach to fostering independence, but we also get a sense of the rich history each guest has, which has helped form their own success in the field of blindness and low vision. Russel serves as the Chief Development Officer for Visions, which is one of New York’s leading rehabilitation centers for people who are blind or have low vision. Randy serves as President & CEO of Future Insight, one of the leading rehabilitation centers in New Hampshire. Blinded in his early 20s, Randy is also an avid extreme outdoor enthusiast. You can learn more about his own adventures across the globe in his published memoir, See You at the Summit: My blind journey from the depths of loss to the heights of achievement. AFB Possibilities is a podcast from the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB. Check out the podcast page for past episodes and transcripts HERE. Be sure to like and subscribe to catch future episodes, and consider making a gift today to help support this podcast and our broader work to create a world of endless possibilities for people who are blind or have low vision. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Spring has sprung, and so has a new season for the AFB Possibilities Podcast. As we kick-off this season, we’ll be focusing in on AFB’s Award winning documentary film Possibilities, which presents an authentic portrayal of life today for people who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision. The film was awarded this past weekend the Broader Vision Documentary Award at the Garden State Film Festival, and we’re excited to share with you one of the featured voices in the film, New Jersey’s own Krystal Allen. Recorded in 2024, AFB’s own Melody Goodspeed joined Krystal for a conversation on the challenges people face when striving for independence, and the joys of shared experiences that blind people share across the world. Haling from Newark, New Jersey, Krystal is a leading community voice for people with vision loss and founded the nonprofit EyesLikeMine, which is rooted in the firm belief that “Vision loss doesn’t break us, it builds…” She shares her own story and the work underway in North Jersey to breakdown misconceptions of blindness. A past fellow with AFB's Blind Leaders Development Program, she stresses the importance of mentoring and finding those pathways that open doors to independence. Formally the Inform & Connect podcast, the AFB Possibilities Podcast captures the real life experiences of people who are blind or have low vision and those working to make our world more inclusive and accessible. A production of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), listeners can learn more about the work of AFB by visiting www.afb.org.  Be sure to like and subscribe to this podcast and consider supporting our work by making a tax-deductible gift to AFB. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

In this episode, your host Melody Goodspeed sits down with the audio description team for the AFB documentary film Possibilities (2024). She’s joined by AD producer Roy Samuelson, AD writer Colleen Connor, AD QC specialist Serina Gilbert,AD performer Sautana Howery, and AD writer Bridget Melton. The team shares the unique approach they took toward creating open audio description for the film, as well as offer a behind-the-scenes look at the audio description craft and the work it takes to make compelling audio description. AFB Possibilities is a production of the American Foundation for the blind, a podcast that focuses on life, culture, and inclusion for people who are blind or have low vision. AFB Possibilities is produced and edited by Tony Stephens at the Pickle Factory in Baltimore, MD with digital media support by Kelly Gasque and Breanna Kerr. The theme music is by Zizo, compliments of ArtList.IO.. To learn more about AFB, or to help support our work, visit www.afb.org. Be sure to like and subscribe, and you can visit the podcast page at: https://afb.org/news-publications/media/afb-possibilities-podcast This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Welcome to the AFB Possibilities Podcast. In this first episode of the newly rebranded podcast from the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), we wanted to share with you a special interview during this season of giving with AFB trustee Ted Francavilla and financial advisor Liz Updike. The AFB Possibilities Podcast is a production of the American Foundation for the blind. Previously the Inform and Connect Podcast, we take a deep dive into life, culture, and happenings for those experiencing blindness and low-vision. Melody Goodspeed is the host. And with her faithful guide dog Barney by her side, they travel the country, both literally and virtually, capturing the stories and experiences from the blind and low-vision community. Ted Francavilla has been an active member of the AFB Board of Trustees, shepherding AFB's finances over the years. A retired senior executive with JPMorgan Chase, he's been a passionate advocate for people who are blind or have low vision over the decades, and he recognizes the importance that donors play toward making nonprofit missions move forward. Elizabeth Updike has over 40 years in the business of financial planning and wealth management. Together, she and Ted share best practices and advice for those of retirement age on how they can give smartly and make their money last longer. Like this program? Please like and subscribe, and even consider making a donation to support our work expanding opportunity and creating a world of endless possibilities for people who are blind or have low vision. Visit www.afb.org to learn more. Check out the AFB Possibilities podcast page for past episodes and transcripts. Produced and edited by Tony Stephens at the Pickle Factory in Baltimore, Maryland. Digital media support from Kelly Gasque and Breanna Kerr. Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

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.

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.

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 [email protected]. Visit the podcast page for past episodes and transcripts of the podcast.

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.

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 [email protected]. Learn more about the American Foundation for the blind by visiting www.afb.org.

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

Jim Stovall has been a National Olympic weightlifting champion, a successful investment broker, president of the Emmy Award-winning Narrative Television Network, and a highly sought-after author and platform speaker. He is the author of more than 50 books, including the bestseller, The Ultimate Gift, also a major motion picture from 20th Century Fox starring James Garner and Abigail Breslin. Five of his other novels have also been made into movies with two more in production. Episode Transcript

Ishan is the founder and CEO of VIP World Services, where they design innovative accessible solutions for corporates to cater to the needs of Visually Impaired People (VIP). He is a Service Designer with 10+ years of experiences in multi-national companies, healthcare organizations, government bodies, and startups, leveraging professional, creative and analytical skills combining his Engineering background. He is primarily skilled with ensuring user engagement and retention for the business.  Episode Transcript

This episode of Inform & Connect features Clarke Reynolds, a UK-based visual artist who uses sound and touch to bring his art to life for people who are blind or visually impaired. Clarke knew from a young age that his calling was to be an artist. At age four, he started losing sight in his right eye, and hospital treatments did little to help. He turned to art – a solitary hobby that became his passion. He earned a diploma in art and design, as well as a BA honors degree in model-making, and created art as much as he could while working as a dental model-maker. Episode Transcript