Limitless: Blind Beginnings Podcast

This week on the podcast, Shawn and Ishita welcome special guest Shawna Lawson for a timely conversation in honour of National AccessAbility Week, taking place this year from May 25 to June 1. Together, they explore the importance of this national initiative and the critical need for ongoing efforts toward disability inclusion in all areas of society. Shawna brings a unique dual perspective to the conversation, not only as President of the Blind Beginnings Board of Directors, but also as co-founder of Inclusive Experiences, a company that supports organizations in making their spaces and services more accessible. The discussion highlights a recent grant that’s enabling Blind Beginnings to expand its Blindness 101 awareness workshops across Canada, helping to educate the public and shift perceptions of blindness and disability. They also dive into the power of lived experience in facilitating workshops and how personal storytelling and real-world insight can spark meaningful change.

Show Notes:

https://www.inclusive-experiences.ca/

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

In this episode of the Limitless Podcast, Shawn welcomes Kaia, Rob and Jill to the podcast to explore how mainstream AI is being integrated into technology and affecting life for the blind and partially sighted community. Kaia, a Grade 11 student with low vision, shares how she uses powerful AI tools like Seeing AI, Grammarly, ChatGPT, and a host of other apps to make school and daily life more accessible. Jill, on the other hand, gives us a firsthand look at her experience using Meta AI glasses—cutting-edge technology that offers hands-free, real-time descriptions of the world around her. Finally, Rob, our Podcast Producer, joins the conversation to highlight how quickly AI is evolving and making its way into everyday devices. It's a thought provoking conversation about the growing prevalence of AI in both assistive technology and mainstream devices that you don't want to miss!

Ever dreamed of exploring Japan? How about doing it without sighted assistance? Get ready for an epic adventure on this episode as Shawn chats with an intrepid trio – Clement, Russell, and Aman – who didn't just dream of visiting Japan, they made it happen. Follow their journey through bustling Tokyo, vibrant Osaka, and Fukuoka and discover how Clement, (who is totally blind and fluent in Japanese), masterminded the logistics, and how Russell and Aman embraced the unknown. From tackling tricky touch screens to mastering Japan's complex public transport, hear their hilarious hurdles, breakthroughs, and the real-world travel strategies they used to explore with confidence. It’s a great story of friendship, self-advocacy, and proving that adventure truly has no limits!

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

In this special episode of the podcast, Shawn turns the mic onto one of the podcast's very own co-hosts, Jinnie to get to know her better. Jinnie shares her personal journey, including her experience with bilateral microplia, her long-standing involvement with Blind Beginnings, and her passion for creative writing. Jinnie gives her perspective on the challenges and nuances of accessing literature in desired formats, discusses the pros and cons of Braille and technology, and describes her experience speaking at an open mic night and her involvement in a current exhibit at the Vines Den Gallery Space in Vancouver.

Show Notes
Kickstart Disability Arts & Culture
https://kickstartdisability.ca/

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

Recently, two of our regular podcast co-hosts -  Keisha and Jinnie - secured speaking roles on the Hallmark television series, “When Calls the Heart”. In this episode of the podcast, Shawn welcomes them along with the director of the episode, Siobhan Divine, to talk about the experience. From an inclusive casting process, accessible script, and on-set accommodations, they talk about the cast and crew’s collaborative effort to ensure an accessible experience before diving into the more general topic of the importance of casting actors with disabilities and authentic representation in film and TV.

Make sure you catch When Calls the Heart on the Hallmark Channel or on Amazon Prime —now with audio description available!

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.

On this special episode of the Limitless Podcast, we’re handing the mic over to our Youth! Acacia takes the lead in hosting a discussion with Ishita and Romina about the experience of watching sports as a blind or partially sighted fan. Together with Acacia, they share personal insights on using magnifiers, apps, and other tools to stay connected to the action and explore the thrill of live events. They also dive into the importance of clear, descriptive commentary and explore ideas for improving accessibility, from personalized commentators to better accommodations at live games. Tune in for an engaging, youth-led perspective on making sports more inclusive for all.

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

In this episode of Limitless, Shawn is joined by co-hosts Keisha, Jinnie, and Jill for an open and honest conversation about mobility as blind or partially sighted individuals. They share personal experiences, frustrations, and triumphs—from the challenges of learning new routes to the invaluable role of Orientation and Mobility (O&M) training. Together, they dive into the complexities of mental mapping, the power of self-reliance, and the do’s and don’ts of offering assistance. Ever wondered how to help without overstepping? They’ve got advice for sighted individuals on how to provide respectful and meaningful support.

Join us for a fascinating and insightful conversation as Shawn invites a panel of guests to discuss language used to describe vision impairment within the blind and partially sighted community. Guests Randi, Ishita, Amy, and Dougie share their experiences and preferences for terms like "blind," "visually impaired," "partially sighted," and "low vision" and the importance of using inclusive language that resonates with individuals and the broader community.

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

In this episode Shawn dives into a thought-provoking conversation with Monty, who is completely blind and embraces what he calls “relentless self-reliance.” Together, they explore Monty’s lived experience and independence, sharing practical tips and ingenious strategies he’s developed over the years. From mastering online shopping to tackling complex home repairs, Monty’s resourceful approach to everyday challenges offers a unique perspective on creativity and resilience. You won’t want to miss this captivating look at how innovation and determination can overcome obstacles in unexpected ways.

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.

We’ve hit a major milestone—our 200th episode! To mark this special occasion, we’re shaking things up and celebrating together. Host Shawn gathers a dynamic panel of co-hosts—Clement, John, Randi, Ishita, Nina, and Keisha—for a heartfelt and fun-filled discussion reflecting on the past four years of the podcast. Join us as we delve into the podcast’s journey, sharing personal stories, favorite memories, and the impact it has had on both our professional and personal lives. From moments of growth to unexpected lessons, we celebrate how this podcast has connected us and our loyal listeners. Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or you’re just tuning in, this episode is a heartfelt thank-you to our listeners and a celebration of all we’ve achieved together.

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.