Limitless: Blind Beginnings Podcast

Episode 105 - Let’s Meet Brandon

In this episode, Shawn and co-host Clement welcome Brandon Cole, descriptive video voice talent and video game accessibility consultant, to talk about the work that he does to make popular media and games more accessible. You won’t want to miss this fascinating inside look of how some developers and studios are working to help make movies and video games a more inclusive experience. 

Blind Beginnings’ mission is to inspire children and youth who are blind or partially sighted and their families through diverse programs, experiences, counseling and peer support, and opportunities to create fulfilling lives. Visit us online at www.blindbeginnings.ca to find out more!

Episode 104 - Let’s Talk About Descriptive Video Works

This week Shawn welcomes Melissa Hope and Rhys Lloyd from Descriptive Video Works, one of the leading providers of audio descriptive services, to the show to discuss their roles within the company, what audio description does, how the entire process works, and how they engage with the blind and partially sighted community in order to improve their services.

Descriptive Video Works
https://www.descriptivevideoworks.com/

Blind Beginnings’ mission is to inspire children and youth who are blind or partially sighted and their families through diverse programs, experiences, counseling and peer support, and opportunities to create fulfilling lives. Visit us online at www.blindbeginnings.ca to find out more!

Episode 103 - Let’s Meet Mona

It’s a VERY exciting episode this week as Shawn and first-time co-host Acacia welcome Assistant Professor of Bioengineering at Northeastern University, Dr. Mona Minkara to the show to discuss her documentary travel series, “Planes, Trains, and Canes”. She describes the origin of the series as a Holman Prize Winning entry and what it was like traveling to and navigating 5 different countries using only public transit as a traveler who is blind. It's a fascinating and exciting discussion of international adventure and  accessibility that you don’t want to miss!

Watch Planes, Trains, and Canes
https://planestrainsandcanes.com/

Mona Minkara Online
https://monaminkara.com/

Blind Beginnings’ mission is to inspire children and youth who are blind or partially sighted and their families through diverse programs, experiences, counseling and peer support, and opportunities to create fulfilling lives. Visit us online at www.blindbeginnings.ca to find out more!

Episode 102 - Let’s Talk About Fashion Shows

Blind Beginnings has announced that it will be hosting a fashion show on October 16 in Vancouver, and has been designed to coincide with Fashion Week 2022. This week Shawn and co-host Nika, who is volunteering on the Fashion Show Committee, welcome Randi and Kolby to discuss the event and what it’s like participating in a Fashion Show when you are blind or partially sighted. 

For more information on the Limitless Beauty, visit https://www.blindbeginnings.ca/limitless-beauty-the-blind-beginnings-fashion-show/

Blind Beginnings’ mission is to inspire children and youth who are blind or partially sighted and their families through diverse programs, experiences, counseling and peer support, and opportunities to create fulfilling lives. Visit us online at www.blindbeginnings.ca to find out more!

Episode 101 - Ask A.B.B.Y Volume 4

You’ve got questions and we have answers! We’ve been compiling some questions that our listeners have been submitting, so it’s time once again for another edition of our favorite episode series - Ask A Blind Beginning Youth! In this 4th volume, Shawn welcomes co-hosts Keisha, Kolby, and Nika to answer listener questions about a variety of topics around blindness. If you have questions for any of our co-hosts, don’t forget that you can submit your question to limitless@blindbeginnings.ca and you just might hear your question featured in a future episode! 

Blind Beginnings’ mission is to inspire children and youth who are blind or partially sighted and their families through diverse programs, experiences, counseling and peer support, and opportunities to create fulfilling lives. Visit us online at www.blindbeginnings.ca to find out more!

Episode 100 - Limitless Centennial Celebration

It seems like just yesterday that a group of Blind Beginnings alumni and staff met in a Zoom room on a warm spring night to record the inaugural episode of the Limitless Podcast. Now, 99 episodes later, yet another group has gathered to help celebrate this landmark episode with something very special. Clement and Ishita create and host a Jeopardy-style game show that tests the podcast knowledge of podcast “Superfans”, Kristy and Emily. Then, as a bonus, it’s a clash of the titans as Shawn and Nika face off to see who holds the crown of Limitless Trivia Queen! It’s a fun episode of looking back at the last 100 episodes and celebrating all our listeners who make the show possible! 

Blind Beginnings’ mission is to inspire children and youth who are blind or partially sighted and their families through diverse programs, experiences, counseling and peer support, and opportunities to create fulfilling lives. Visit us online at www.blindbeginnings.ca to find out more!

Episode 99 - Let’s Talk About The Visually Impaired Program at VCC

Vancouver Community College’s Visually Impaired Program offers courses for students who are blind and partially sighted that cover the latest in assistive technology. This week Shawn welcomes Monty, who is an instructor in the program along with co-host Jill who is a graduate of the program to talk about what the experience was like, the type of technology that is covered, and the importance and impact that assistive technology can have. 

Blind Beginnings’ mission is to inspire children and youth who are blind or partially sighted and their families through diverse programs, experiences, counseling and peer support, and opportunities to create fulfilling lives. Visit us online at www.blindbeginnings.ca to find out more!

Episode 98 - Let’s Talk About Our Moms

With Mother’s Day rapidly approaching on May 8th, Shawn gathers together with co-hosts Kolby, Ishita, and Leena to discuss how their Mothers impacted their own journeys through sight loss. It’s a very personal and open discussion about the challenges many Mothers face when they are dealing with a child who is blind and partially sighted as well as a love letter to all Mothers out there.

Blind Beginnings’ mission is to inspire children and youth who are blind or partially sighted and their families through diverse programs, experiences, counseling and peer support, and opportunities to create fulfilling lives. Visit us online at www.blindbeginnings.ca to find out more!

Episode 97 - Let’s Talk About Blind Beginnings Volunteers

Volunteers are the lifeblood of many non profit organizations, and Blind Beginnings is no exception. Volunteer Appreciation Week takes place April 24-30 2022 and to help celebrate these unsung heroes, Shawn welcomes Blind Beginnings staff members Lia Dicicco and Rob Mineault to discuss the impact that volunteers have on the organization, from programs and special events to day to day operations.

Blind Beginnings’ mission is to inspire children and youth who are blind or partially sighted and their families through diverse programs, experiences, counseling and peer support, and opportunities to create fulfilling lives. Visit us online at www.blindbeginnings.ca to find out more!

Episode 96 - Let’s Talk About Teachers of the Visually Impaired

Shawn and co-host Kolby welcome Teacher of the Visually Impaired (otherwise known as a TVI) Sofeya to the show to discuss what being a TVI entails. Kolby has a particular connection with Sofeya since she was Sofeya’s student for many years and the two share their respective perspectives of the challenges and successes they faced during Kolby’s school career. It’s a fascinating inside look at what it’s like to navigate the educational system as a youth who is blind and partially sighted and the teachers that work with them.

Blind Beginnings’ mission is to inspire children and youth who are blind or partially sighted and their families through diverse programs, experiences, counseling and peer support, and opportunities to create fulfilling lives. Visit us online at www.blindbeginnings.ca to find out more!