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Living Blind

Living Blind

By Living Blind

Welcome to “Living Blind” (formerly Life In BALANCE), the official podcast of BALANCE for Blind Adults. This podcast explores the perspectives and lived experiences of people with sight loss, and delves into barriers, challenges, and real-life strategies for living life to the fullest. Each interview provides insights to inspire and inform. What is it like to live without sight in a sighted world? Come listen and learn!

Visit our website at www.balancefba.org to learn more!
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Meet me at the Intersection of... with Ben Akuoko

Living BlindJan 21, 2022

00:00
31:17
Musical Vision: A Brief History of Music and Blindness with Lucas Harris & Michelle McQuigge

Musical Vision: A Brief History of Music and Blindness with Lucas Harris & Michelle McQuigge

In May, 2023, the Toronto Chamber Choir presented its program “Musical Vision” about blind musicians and composers who did not let their visual disability prevent them from composing and performing great music. In this episode, Lucas Harris, Director of the Toronto Chamber Choir, and Michelle McQuigge, Concert Narrator, came on to talk with Naomi about how the concert came about, and some of the incredible things they learned during the research and preparation for the concert. The program included music from well known composers like Bach and Handel, both who had received “surgeries” from self-proclaimed eye surgeon John Taylor, as well as lesser known blind composers and musicians like Maria Theresia Von Paradis and Joachín Rodrigo. The concert took the audience through a historical “tour” of blind contributors to the musical canon, up to the modern period, and then featured a new piece by Toronto composer and pianist Michael Arnowitt. BALANCE was a proud partner on the concert, and is also proud to partner on the follow up fundraising concert on June 5, 2024.


If you would like to weigh in on this topic, send us an email at livingblindpodcast@balancefba.org.


Follow BALANCE for Blind Adults on FacebookTwitterInstagram, and YouTube.


Follow Michelle McQuigge on Twitter, and Lucas Harris on his website.


⁠Donate⁠ to BALANCE


Resources:

Past Concerts: 2022–23: A Season of Musical Vision

Musical Vision: A Brief History of Music & Blindness (Text only version (for screen readers)

Musical Vision: A Brief History of Music & Blindness (Large Print Version)

Musical Vision: A Brief History of Music & Blindness (Formatted Booklet with Images)

Learn more about the TCC 2024 Fundraiser, featuring more from blind composers.

Mar 12, 202441:41
What is the Canada Disability Benefit, and How Will Collaboration Change the Disability Landscape in this Country? with Len Baker

What is the Canada Disability Benefit, and How Will Collaboration Change the Disability Landscape in this Country? with Len Baker

The Canada Disability Benefit will come into effect in one year, and then it will take another year to produce it’s regulations. This is just one important fact we learn as we listen to one of it’s leading champions describe the CDB on this episode of Living Blind. Len Baker, President and CEO of March of Dimes Canada, worked with government and leaders of other national organizations serving people with disabilities, to ensure that the CDB, a long awaited income top-up, comes into effect and has the opportunity to make a much-needed difference in the lives of Canadians withdisabilities. In addition, Len and Naomi discuss the importance of collaboration in order to effect real change. Naomi has this to say about her interview with Len: “Speaking with Len Baker raised my awareness about the work he, March of Dimes, and other non-profit organizations are doing to support quality of life for Canadians with disabilities. It is important for Canadians to be aware not only of the services they can access themselves, but also the greater advocacy work that the very same organizations do at the legislative level. Len’s call to action for organizations across Canada to collaborate reminds us that we are better when we work together.


If you would like to weigh in on this topic, send us an email at ⁠livingblindpodcast@balancefba.org⁠.


Follow BALANCE for Blind Adults on ⁠Facebook⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠Instagram⁠, and ⁠YouTube⁠.


⁠Donate⁠ to BALANCE

Feb 09, 202445:21
Keep Calm and Carry On: Jason Romero on Resilience

Keep Calm and Carry On: Jason Romero on Resilience

In this episode, Naomi talks with Jason Romero, author, athlete, inspirational speaker. Jason is an expert on Success & Resilience, who travels the world educating companies and classrooms about how they can achieve their dreams. Jason is the subject of a full-length documentary film, as well as a former attorney and CEO. The BBC, Today Show, Forbes, Runnersworld and NPR are just some of the media outlets that have reported on his accomplishments. Jason has been a national marathon champion, a Paralympian on Team USA and placed 4th at the Paralympic World Marathon Championships in 2015 in London. He holds more than 10 world records in extreme endurance sports including the 10-day run, 1,000 mile run and 6-day run. He is an IronMan triathlete, and an extreme endurance runner having completed some of the toughest ultramarathons in the world including the Badwater Ultramarathon (135 miles in Death Valley in July), Spartathlon (153 miles from Athens to Sparta) and the Leadville 100. Jason is best known for being the 1st and only blind person to run across America, and his run still ranks as one of the top 10 fastest foot crossings in history at 51.5 miles per day. Our Executive Producer heard Jason speak at the VisionServe Alliance CEO Summit in April, 2023, and found it so inspiring she decided to ask him immediately afterwards if he would agree to be a guest on the Living Blind Podcast. Listening to Jason, one feels that anything is possible as long as we try, and that any obstacle can be overcome, even the toughest ones.


If you would like to weigh in on this topic, send us an email at livingblindpodcast@balancefba.org or in the Living Blind Listeners Group on Facebook.


Follow BALANCE for Blind Adults on FacebookTwitterInstagram, and YouTube.


Donate to BALANCE


Jan 11, 202456:38
A Blind Lawyer with a Vision: Ben Fulton on Human Rights, Restorative Justice and More

A Blind Lawyer with a Vision: Ben Fulton on Human Rights, Restorative Justice and More

Dec 08, 202336:07
Arts-based Career Building--A multi-faceted Life with Kim Kilpatrick

Arts-based Career Building--A multi-faceted Life with Kim Kilpatrick

In this episode of the Living Blind Podcast, Naomi sat down not once but twice with the amazing and accomplished Kim Kilpatrick. While many blind tech users in Canada know Kim as the co-founder and leader of the Get Together with Technology Program of the Canadian Council of the Blind, in fact, Kim has a rich and varied career path, starting with Music Therapy and moving through technology coaching all the way through to a writer and storytelling performance artist! She began her career as a music therapist working with people with dementia and in palliative care. She has served on many boards and committees including Braille Literacy Canada where she is currently the vice president. Kim shares all the fascinating little stories from a lifetime devoted to the welfare of others and the sharing of knowledge, and what shines through in this conversation is how much she has loved every aspect of her multiple career experiences. As Naomi says: “Kim’s natural ability to connect with people of all ages and abilities through the arts struck me as we talked. It is clear that this, along with her passion for technology and Braille, are what enables her to connect with others to inspire change.”


Organizations with which Kim is affiliated:

  • MASC offers schools and communities arts experiences led by professional artists
  • Ottawa StoryTellers promotes the art of storytelling in Ottawa.
  • Radical Connections transforms healthcare with all kinds of artists.

Get in touch with Kim: kimstoryteller@icloud.com

If you would like to weigh in on this topic, send us an email at livingblindpodcast@balancefba.org or in the Living Blind Listeners Group on Facebook.

Follow BALANCE for Blind Adults on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.


Donate to BALANCE

Nov 01, 202359:19
Man, It’s Alright!: A Conversation About Masculinity and Blindness with Paul Mack and Jeffrey Rainey

Man, It’s Alright!: A Conversation About Masculinity and Blindness with Paul Mack and Jeffrey Rainey

In this first episode Season 4 of Living Blind, we delve just a little bit into the complex gender area of masculinity and how it intersects with the lived experience of blindness. Wikipedia defines “masculinity” as “a set of attributes, behaviors, and roles associated with men and boys. Masculinity can be theoretically understood as socially constructed, and there is also evidence that some behaviors considered masculine are influenced by both cultural factors and biological factors. To what extent masculinity is biologically or socially influenced is subject to debate. It is distinct from the definition of the biological male sex, as anyone can exhibit masculine traits.” While our society (and many cultures) stereotypically emphasizes the attributes of strength, capability and the role of “provider” with being “manly”, it (our society, and many cultures of the world) also stereotypically associates disability (even in the use of the word) with weakness or frailty, and dependence or lack of capacity (hence often the use of the word “handicapped”). In this episode, Paul Mack, Life Coach, and Jeffrey Rainey, former podcast producer, two men of different ages who are blind, discuss what it has meant to them to grow up and become men, and how their masculinity, and the expectations that go with it, both external and internal, intersect with their experiences as men who live with sight loss. Yes, blindness exists in a sighted world where it is associated with a lack of capacity, but Paul argues that his blindness doesn’t keep him from being a reliable partner or parent. And Jeff points out the challenges inherent in important life experiences such as dating. The following is a link to a research article about the subject of Masculinity and Disability, available online.

If you would like to weigh in on this topic, send us an email at livingblindpodcast@balancefba.org or in the Living Blind Listeners Group on Facebook. We realize we have only just scratched the surface of this challenging and important subject.

Oct 02, 202358:52
Throwback Thursday: A Listener chooses Her Favourite Episode!

Throwback Thursday: A Listener chooses Her Favourite Episode!

Jun 29, 202301:04:45
Stay Safe Out There, A Conversation about Self Defense And Violence Prevention
Jun 01, 202352:42
My Sports, Your Sports, Blind Sports - With OBSA President Glen Wade

My Sports, Your Sports, Blind Sports - With OBSA President Glen Wade

Ever wonder about getting more physically active or participating in a team sport? This episode aims to answer all your questions about sports participation for people who are blind.  Our guest is Glen Wade, President of the Ontario Blind Sports Association. Glen established his love of sports as a young boy, and it was at the Ontario School for the Blind (now W. Ross MacDonald School) where he was able to try out and compete in many sports such as hockey, baseball, football, wrestling and goalball. He would go on to pursue goalball professionally, representing Ontario 12 times at the national championships, and was named to the Canadian team 4 times with 2 trips to the Paralympics in 1984 and 1992.

After several decades as an amateur athlete, he decided to turn his attention over to sports administration. He began assisting with events run by the Ontario Blind Sports Association (OBSA) in 2011, and was elected president in 2012. He attributes his success and quality of life largely to the lessons he has learned through sports, including drive, preparedness, persistence and leadership.

In addition to explaining how the sport of goalball is played, and learning about his sporting career, Glen gives some helpful advice on how to make sports like baseball, hockey and running accessible for children and adults who are blind.

Our guest host for this episode is Madeleine Sommerville. During her student occupational therapy placement at BALANCE, Madeleine was given the opportunity to conduct an interview on the topic of her choosing for the show. As a long-time soccer player and sports fan, she decided to bring these two passions together, and reached out to the Ontario Blind Sports Association, and before long she found herself sitting down with the President! Madeleine currently works as an Occupational Therapist in school-based rehabilitation services in Parry Sound Ontario.

 

Links:

 

Learn more about The Ontario Blind Sports Association by visiting their nicely designed  Website.

 

Find Madeleine Sommerville on LinkedIn.

 

Email Glen Wade at glenw@rogers.com, OBSA program manager Richard Amelard at Richard@Blindsports.on.ca, and Executive Director Randa Gohary at randa@blindsports.on.ca.

 

 

What did you think of this episode? Get in touch with the podcast by joining our Listeners Facebook group, or by sending us an email at LivingBlindPodcast@BalanceFBA.org.

Follow BALANCE For Blind Adults on Facebook,

Twitter,

Instagram, and

Youtube.

 

The show notes and transcription for this podcast can be found at BalanceFBA.org/Podcast.

 

Donate to BALANCE: BalanceFBA.org

 

 

 

 

Apr 28, 202343:06
The Volunteer's Voluntell, with Martin, Greg and Myurika

The Volunteer's Voluntell, with Martin, Greg and Myurika

In light of April being National Volunteer month in North America, we decided to shine the spotlight on three of our wonderful volunteers here at Balance for our next instalment of Living Blind. Or, as we like to call it, The Volunteer’s Voluntell! Join Naomi Hazlett  as she sits down with Myurika Sithamparanathan, Martin Courcelles, and Greg Pickios. These three have very different responsibilities with the organization, with Myurika operating on the front lines with clients, and Martin serving behind the scenes with the board of directors. And Greg, well, has a foot in both camps.

 

Greg Pickios has Worked for a number of years in a marketing capacity for the internet division of various media companies. He recently went back to college to earn a Diploma as a Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Assistant, and currently works as an OTA and PTA. Volunteering with Balance has allowed him the opportunity to marry these two passions, and improve the lives of the blind and low vision clients he works with. Additionally, He serves as the transcriber of the Living Blind podcast, and we thank him very much for his continued hard work.

 

Myurika Sithamparanathan immigrated to Canada when she was 10 years old, and is a recent graduate from the University of Toronto, with an honours bachelor of science degree. Her passion for helping people with various needs started from a young age, and she has volunteered at BALANCE for 2 years. In that time she has served as a tele-support counselor, a life skills assistant, the facilitator for Coffee Connections, and much more. Her passion for volunteering to help those in the community stems from the work her father did as a field staff in Sri Lanka, supporting displaced people and their families during the Civil war.

 

Martin courcelles brings over 15 years of expertise in the realm of screen reading technology, and currently works at CIBC on the accessibility team as a User Experience Accessibility consultant. As a person with lived experience having to use access technology every day, Martin explains how to improve web properties and smartphone apps to ensure accessibility for all. He’s a subject matter expert at using JAWS, NVDA and Narrator on the PC, and Voiceover and Talkback on smartphones.

He became a Balance client back in 1999, when he required orientation and mobility training around the city of Toronto. Wanting to give back to the community and to the organization that was there for him when he needed help, he has enjoyed his time volunteering as a member on our board of directors so much, he’s come back twice! In his downtime, Martin enjoys running, hiking, tandem cycling and other outdoor activities.

 

 

Links:

 

Follow Greg on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-pickios-62544315/

 

Follow Myurika on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myurika-sithamparanathan-hbsc-a67034225/

 

Send her an email: MYURIKAS@gmail.com.

 

Follow Martin on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-courcelles-57271915/

 

And on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/martin.courcelles/

 

 

IF you would like to volunteer at Balance, please visit https://www.balancefba.org/volunteer-at-balance/

 

What did you think of The Volunteer’s Voluntell? Get in touch with the podcast by joining our Listeners Facebook group, or by sending us an email at LivingBlindPodcast@BalanceFBA.org.

Follow Balance For Blind Adults on Facebook,

Twitter,

Instagram, and

Youtube.

 

The show notes and transcription for this podcast can be found at BalanceFBA.org/Podcast.

 

Donate to BALANCE: BalanceFBA.org

 


 


Mar 31, 202355:29
A New Country, A New Life – With Minette Samaroo

A New Country, A New Life – With Minette Samaroo

This month on Living Blind, Naomi Hazlett is joined by Minette Samaroo, to share her journey. From Guyana to Canada, from incapacity to capability. From exclusion and isolation, to social inclusion and empowerment.

Born with Retinitis Pigmentosa and having lived with vision loss for most of her life, Minette was born in Guyana, South America, and migrated to Canada in September 2014. She is employed at Apple Sherway Gardens as a Sales Specialist. She is currently pursuing a BA in Psychology at York University, and since this interview, has graduated from the Assistive Technology Apprenticeship Program here at Balance.


Since 2017, Minette has worked with the Alliance For Equality Of Blind Canadians(AEBC) to advocate for social change. She has designed and delivered consultations and workshops on meaningful employment, accessible education, housing, and customer service.

In addition to her work with the AEBC, Minette is an Accessibility Tester for Fable Tech, and serves as co-chair for The Accessible Housing Network and The Ontario Assistive Devices Program Working Group. Her ultimate goal is to remove inequality, discrimination, and injustice in order to make this world a better place for each of us.


Minette talks to Naomi about her life growing up with vision loss in Guiana, the challenges she faced while migrating to Canada, the freedom to work and manifest her potential changing the perception of disability, and her aspirations in counselling psychology. Her resilience is also rooted in her embrace of the Christian faith, which began as an isolated child in Guiana, and Christianity's embrace of her.


Links:


Follow Minette on LinkedInand Facebook.

Check out her appearance in a promotional video for The Disability Advantage Training Program.

What did you think of this episode? Get in touch with the podcast by joining our Listeners Facebook group, or by sending us an email at LivingBlindPodcast@BalanceFBA.org.

Follow Balance For Blind Adults on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,and Youtube.

The show notes and transcription for this podcast can be found at BalanceFBA.org/Podcast.

Donate to BALANCE: BalanceFBA.org


Feb 24, 202340:18
Living Deaf, And Blind - With Barbara Davis

Living Deaf, And Blind - With Barbara Davis

We often hear about how “Blind people are a minority within the population,” but within that broad spectrum of blindness there is an even smaller minority of folks who are born with, or develop later in life, both hearing loss and vision loss; otherwise known as deafblindness. We have not talked about living with deafblindness on our show before; until now!

Joining us this month is Barbara Davis, a devoted advocate, mother, and Grandmother. Barbara was born with Usher Syndrome, a condition in which a person has both partial or profound hearing loss in addition to progressive vision loss, due to the eye condition known as Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Barbara got her start in advocacy work in 2000, as Deafblind intervenor Services were losing funding and faced being dropped as a service offered under CNIB. She founded the Emergency Intervenor services program in 2013, and is currently working with the National Association of Deafblind America on a week-long deafblind conference to take place in 2030 in Atlanta Georgia, in honour of Helen Keller's 150th birthday.

Every spring, she can be found crocheting squares for the Yarnbombing for Deafblind Awareness month.

When she is not devoting her time to volunteer work, she is busy spoiling her grandchildren in her home in Burlington Ontario, and exploring the outdoors with her husband.

Links:

Email Barbara Davisto keep up with all of her projects.

Rosita Foley Intervener profile Page.

What is Usher Syndrome?

Yarn Bombing to Promote JUNE as Deafblind Awareness Month.

2022 Louisiana Helen Keller Deafblind Awareness Banquet.

Emergency Intervenor Services.

Deafblind Community Services (DBCS).

Deafblind Ontario (DBO).

Deafblind International (DBI).

Canadian Helen Keller Centre.

Helen Keller Services for the Blind.

Deaf Vacations.

For information about the Deafblind Escape Cruises: contact organizer Kelly Monahan, or Travel Advisor Stacy Yarbrough.

An even greater list of Deafblind organizations across Canada can be found Here.

The American Association of the Deaf-Blind (AADB.

The show notes and transcription for this podcast can be found here.

Jan 27, 202344:35
Act Naturally - With Alex Bulmer and Shayla Brown

Act Naturally - With Alex Bulmer and Shayla Brown

The holiday season is upon us once again, and we thought it was the perfect opportunity to do an episode all about theatre and the performing arts. After all, there is nothing like a good movie, play, or television program to compliment the cold, snowy winter. And so, this month, Naomi Hazlett is joined by stage and film actresses extraordinaire, Alex Bulmer and Shayla brown, to talk all about navigating the vast world of performing arts when you have low or no vision.

Named one of the most influential disabled artists by UK’s Power Magazine, Alex Bulmer has over thirty professional years’ experience across theatre, film, radio and education. She is fuelled by a curiosity of the improbable, dedicated to collaborative practice, and deeply informed by her experience of becoming blind. She is activated by obstacles, well exposed to the absurd, and embraces the disciplines of generosity, listening, and uncertainty within her artistic and personal life. Alex is co-founder of The Fire and Rescue Team, former artistic director of Common Boots Theatre, and was recently lead curator of CoMotionFestival 2022 with Harbourfront Centre. She is an award winning actor, playwright and a BAFTA nominated screenwriter.

Shayla Brown is an actress who has appeared in various film, television, and theatre productions. She is known for her supporting role in Sarah Polley’s Women Talking, as well as appearing in The Apple TV original series, See. She is also an up-and-coming performer in the Canadian Theatre seen, starring in the world premiere of George F. Walker’s orphans for the Czar in Toronto. When asked about working with Shayla, Sarah Polley, an academy award nominee and the director of Women Talking, said “she brought this wisdom, vulnerability and strength. She was also deeply attuned to the dynamics in the room, which is so important on set. She’s incredibly generous, and she’s a couple of steps ahead of most actors. A lot of actors will bring up the problems they’re facing, Shayla also offers solutions, and that’s incredibly helpful as a director.”

Together they talk to Naomi about how they got started in the performing arts, the similarities and differences between live theatre and film and television, and tell stories about experiences working with directors and set designers in order to ensure they had accommodations on set, even mining them for creative gain.

Finally, they provide some advice to those getting started in the performing arts, and share their recommendations for the media and performing arts industry going forward, particularly in the realm of casting blind and low vision actors across all types of roles, and creating inclusive environments where everyone can excel. As Alex herself puts it, “You are not playing blind, but rather you are playing a character who is blind.”

Follow Alex Bulmer on Facebook and Instagram, her website at alexbulmer.co.uk, and Perceptual Archaeology.

Follow Shayla Brown on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and IMDB.

What did you think of this episode? Get in touch with the podcast by joining our Listeners Facebook group, or by sending us an email at LivingBlindPodcast@BalanceFBA.org.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and twitter, by searching Balance For Blind Adults.

The show notes and transcription for this episode can be found at BalanceFBA.org/Podcast.

Donate to BALANCE: BalanceFBA.org/donate

Dec 23, 202252:43
To Dog or Not To Dog? | With Samantha Moore And Anita Laurnitus

To Dog or Not To Dog? | With Samantha Moore And Anita Laurnitus

November is a transitional month, no matter where you live. The temperature of the air changes, as does the terrain under foot. This affects how you travel, and if you have low or no vision you are already travelling with a mobility aid, whether it be a cane or guide dog. Everyone chooses between the two at some point in their lives, and in this November episode of Living Blind we are tackling the age-old question, To Dog, or not to dog?

Host Naomi Hazlett is joined by first time dog owner Samantha Moore, and certified orientation and mobility instructor Anita Laurnitus. Sam is the Events lead at  Equal Voice, a Multi-partisan organization which advocates for women and gender diversity in Canadian Politics. She got her first guide dog, a golden yellow Labrador retriever named Rockette, in March of 2022.

Anita is a certified orientation and mobility instructor with the Toronto District School Board. She previously worked as an O and M instructor and volunteer coordinator here at Balance, from 2007 to 2022.

Come along with the panel for a fun, free flowing chat, as Sam takes us on a journey of the first year having Rockette in both her personal and professional life, the pros and cons of canes and dogs, and what ultimately influenced her decision to get a dog after so many years. Anita expounds on Sam’s experience from her vantage point, and explains how she conducts O&M training for clients who travel with canes VS. those with dogs.

Sam talks about the application process, from choosing a school and filling out the paperwork, matching the right dog for you and your lifestyle, and evaluating the honeymoon phase to determine if the assigned dog is the one for you. For Sam and others like her, this also entailed going through the whole process during the pandemic, so what challenges did that present to clients, the schools, O&M instructors A la Anita, and the dogs themselves. Sam also talks about Rockette’s upbringing in prison, as part of the Prison Puppy Program.

For more information on choosing a guide dog school, check out a list of schools available in Canada and the United States.

Follow Samantha and Anita on LinkedIn, and Rockette on Instagram.

What did you think of this episode? Get in touch with the podcast by joining our Listeners Facebook group, or by sending us an email at LivingBlindPodcast@BalanceFBA.org.


Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and twitter, by searching Balance For Blind Adults.


The show notes and transcription for this episode can be found at BalanceFBA.org/Podcast.


Donate to BALANCE: BalanceFBA.org



Nov 25, 202251:58
Facilitating Independence with Everyday Activities: A Conversation About Occupational Therapy

Facilitating Independence with Everyday Activities: A Conversation About Occupational Therapy

In honour of Occupational Therapy Month (October) in Canada, Naomi Hazlett sits down with registered Occupational Therapist and previous guest host Eve Pervin, for a light-hearted and in depth interview all about the field of O.T. and the services both useful to blind people, and helpful for participants at BALANCE. Eve started at BALANCE while she was still a student at the University of Toronto, and worked full time with the organization from September of 2021 through September 2022. Longtime listeners might also recognize Eve’s voice from her Interview with David Lepofsky.

In this episode, Naomi and Eve discuss the lessons Eve has learned working as an O.T. with blind and partially sighted clients of all ages, as well as the myths and misconceptions surrounding both the world of blindness and the field of occupational therapy itself. Hear some of Eve's memorable stories about helping clients with cooking in the kitchen, applying makeup in the mirror, making devices with touch screens accessible, and finding alternative ways of reading books and other print materials.

The two also discuss the intersectionality and plurality of clients served by BALANCE and how the clients themselves are at the centre of decision-making and program planning as an Occupational Therapist. Finally, Eve provides some words to the wise for O.T's of all ages and stages in their careers, and also health care practitioners across all walks of life.

You can read more about the field of Occupational Therapy through the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, and click here if you would like to book an appointment with an O.T. at Balance.

You can contact Eve by sending her an email, and following her on LinkedIn.

Get in touch with the podcast by joining our Listeners Facebook group, or sending us an email at LivingBlindPodcast@BalanceFBA.org.

Follow Balance For Blind Adults on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,and Youtube.

The show notes and transcription for this podcast can be found at BalanceFBA.org/Podcast.

Donate to BALANCE: https://www.balancefba.org/donate/

Oct 21, 202236:19
Nothing to Lose - Everything to Game With Richard Bennett

Nothing to Lose - Everything to Game With Richard Bennett

Are you a hard core gamer? Or, are you someone who is curious about video games, but don’t know if there is an outlet for you? Well, accessibility for people who are blind or visually impaired has become a huge priority amongst developers and enthusiasts in the gaming industry. And in light of the annual “Everyone Games” accessible gaming extravaganza being just around the corner, we are kicking off the third season of this podcast with an episode about this very topic, as Our host Naomi Hazlett is joined by Knights of the Braille Co-founder, Richard Bennett. Knights of the Braille is an inclusive online gaming community of enthusiasts dedicated to providing a variety of accessible options for tabletop roleplay games (TTRPG’s, and video games.

Having grown up in South Georgia where Dungeons and Dragons was perceived as being evil and dangerous, Richard tells us about his humble beginnings in the world of RPG’s, and the early days of making games accessible. This eventually lead up to him joining the team over at Knights of the Braille in 2019. He elaborates on how the Community organizes games for its members, provides a brief rundown of the current lineup of games being hosted on their discord server, and gives us a preview of what’s coming up in this year’s Everyone Games, taking place on Friday September 30 through Saturday October 1.

Join Naomi and Richard as they break down some of the lingo used in gaming, reminisce about a few of their fondest memories during gaming sessions, and have some fun doing a little role-play on the spot, with character voices thrown in for good measure.

Contact Knights of the Braille via Email, Facebook, Twitter, and visit their website at KnightsOfTheBrail.com.

To learn more about Everyone Games and their charity partners, visit their website at EveryoneGames.com, and follow Everyone Games on Facebook, Twitter, Redit, Twitch, and Youtube.

The Living Blind Podcast is now on Facebook, and

The show notes and transcription for this podcast can be found at BalanceFBA.org/Podcast.

Donate to BALANCE: https://www.balancefba.org/donate/

Sep 23, 202241:24
Trailer for Season 3
Sep 23, 202211:49
Revisiting Season1’s The Outdoors with Lawrence Gunther

Revisiting Season1’s The Outdoors with Lawrence Gunther

Summer is finally here! And in honour of the weather heating up and the world continuing to open up, we thought it would be a good idea to revisit one of our early shows all about exploring the Great Outdoors, with the ever-adventurous Lawrence Gunther. Lawrence Gunther is North America’s only blind conservationist and professional angler, outdoor writer, podcaster, blogger, film maker and TV host. Having lost his vision at age eight, Lawrence applies his outdoor experience, masters in environmental studies, local knowledge and ability to envisage nature with unique and insightful results.

Our Podcast host Naomi Hazlett speaks with Lawrence about bird watching, fishing, sailing, boating, cooking and barbecuing, and much more. Lawrence gives advice on how to navigate the outdoors using all five senses, along with the role that technology can serve and some of the tech items he finds useful. He also talks about exploring the outdoors with guide dogs, and how his dependency on a dog has increased over the years with his vision continuing to deteriorate.

Find Lawrence Gunther On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LawrenceGuntherOutdoors, 

on twitter at https://twitter.com/lawrencegunther,

Visit his website at LawrenceGunther.com,

As well as his Blind Fishing Boat Project 

And  Outdoors podcast.

Below are some outdoor clubs and organizations located in the Greater Toronto Area.

TRAILBLAZERS Tandem Cycling Club: https://trailblazerstandem.org/ 

The Toronto Ski Hawks: http://www.torontoskihawks.org/ 

Safari Walking Group: https://torontoaccessiblesports.ca/safari-walking-group/ 

Blind Sailing Canada: https://blindsailing.ca/ 

Ontario Blind Sports Association: https://blindsports.on.ca/

Blind Roadrunners: https://www.blindroadrunners.ca/

ACHILLES Canada: https://achillescanada.ca/

The show notes and transcription for this podcast can be found at https://www.balancefba.org/podcast/season-2/

Donate to BALANCE: https://www.balancefba.org/donate/

Jun 30, 202234:41
A Learning-Teaching Life With Blair Spry

A Learning-Teaching Life With Blair Spry

All too often, people who are blind or visually impaired are told that they cannot do this or that. As a result, one must develop self advocacy skills and be proactive in finding alternate ways of accomplishing their goals. This month, Naomi Hazlett is joined by educator, Opera singer and fashion model Blair Spry, for an illuminating conversation about his journey through life as a performing artist and school teacher with low vision.

As a singer, Blair has performed with the National Youth Choir of Canada, as well as with the Nota Bene Baroque Players. He has also starred in leading roles in Opera Laurier's productions of Igor Stravinsky's "The Rake's Progress", and Puccini's "Gianni Schicchi”.
As a teacher, he has worked with students from grades 1 through 12 within the Waterloo and Grand Erie District School Boards in Ontario. Now living in Brantford Ontario, he currently serves as an educator and Student Support Counsellor at the W. Ross Macdonald School for the blind, helping a new generation of blind and low vision children realize their full potential and establish their independence, just as so many have done for him throughout his life.

In addition, he runs a week-long summer music camp for blind and low vision children between the ages of 9 and 21, that has been in operation since 2007. It has even operated as a virtual camp during the COVID19 Pandemic, with recreational games and activities, campers receiving free private music lessons, writing choir songs together on Facebook, and putting on live concerts over zoom.

Join Blair and Naomi for a candid conversation about vision loss and education: learning environments in integrated schools compared with those of specialty schools for the blind, the terminology used to describe professionals who work with people with vision loss, debunking myths and stereotypes surrounding the blindness community, and much more. They also talk a little Mozart, because why not?

Email Blair Spry at spry2250@mylaurier.ca

W. Ross Macdonald school website: https://pdsbnet.ca/en/schools/w-ross-macdonald/

Music Camp for the Visually impaired Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CampsForTheVisuallyImpaired/

AMI Camp documentary: https://www.ami.ca/category/our-community/media/resilience?fbclid=IwAR2cpX1Lw90NtJS5vwsmZUhFgaxMs96x2VtevTT_63e_IUh5GnRum6zzORc

The show notes and transcription for this podcast can be found at https://www.balancefba.org/podcast/season-2/

Donate to BALANCE: https://www.balancefba.org/donate/

May 31, 202235:09
Charles Bonnet Syndrome 101 With Dr. Keith Gordon

Charles Bonnet Syndrome 101 With Dr. Keith Gordon

For this episode, and in light of Vision Health month, Naomi Hazlett sits down with BALANCE’s own Dr. Keith Gordon for a conversation all about Charles Bonnet Syndrome. Often described as the ocular equivalent of Phantom Limb, Charles Bonnet Syndrome is a condition where by people with vision loss experience visual hallucinations. Nearly one in five people with vision loss have CBS, and while it was discovered 250 years ago, it remains largely unheard of, undiagnosed, or diagnosed incorrectly. In fact, up until he began doing research on the condition with the Canadian National institute for the blind, DR. Gordon had not heard of this condition after 30 years in the ophthalmic industry. And, until she began working with clients and staff at Balance For Blind Adults, Naomi had not heard of it either.

In this interview, DR. Gordon tells stories about the research he has conducted up to this point, including some of the things people have reported seeing and how they feel about them, how many ophthalmologists, retina specialists, independent living instructors and other practitioners inform their patients of Charles Bonnet, and the reluctance and fear that people have about talking of their experiences with their hallucinations. He also elaborates on the neurological research that has been conducted up to this point, stressing that more investigation must be done at the level of the brain in order to gain more understanding about the condition and potentially find a cure.

The two of them offer advice to both the general public and medical community on how to deal with CBS appropriately, and while there is currently no cure or treatment, DR. Gordon offers practical solutions for those with CBS on how to cope with these visual hallucinations when they occur.

Dr. Keith Gordon is Chair of the Board of Directors at Balance for Blind Adults, and is currently the Senior Research Officer of the Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB). His primary research interests lie in the area of ophthalmic epidemiology. He is an adjunct professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto."

Find out more about Charles Bonnet Syndrome through the following resources:


Charles Bonnet Syndrome Foundation Australia


Charles Bonnet syndrome - RNIB - See differently


Charles Bonnet Syndrome - Retina UK


Esme's Umbrella: https://charlesbonnetsyndrome.uk/

The show notes and transcription for this podcast can be found at https://www.balancefba.org/podcast/season-2/

Donate to BALANCE: https://www.balancefba.org/donate/

Apr 29, 202240:01
Getting Psyched With The Schiafone Brothers

Getting Psyched With The Schiafone Brothers

Our regular host, Naomi Hazlett, is back! And in this episode she is joined by the Schiafone Brothers, Christopher and Brandon Schiafone. That’s right, a double feature! Both brothers have degrees in psychology, but come from very different backgrounds. They provide a brief backstory of their career pathways, and how they ultimately ended up studying psychology in order to become better practitioners. There is also a surprise at the end of this interview, so be sure to stay tuned!

Brandon began his life in journalism and public relations, before ultimately becoming a certified life coach. However, in order to do his job effectively and to the fullest, he realized that with a background in behavioural psychology, there was an opportunity to become a one-stop shop for his clients; having the tools to provide legitimate therapy and a blue print for creating a better life. His future will see him utilizing his background in life coaching, along with his education in psychology, to become a certified and practicing couples counsellor.

Chris holds his Social Service Worker Diploma from Seneca College, which he received in 2015. During his placement time he was working with the vision loss community, as well as adults with intellectual disabilities. Finding himself at a crossroads and wondering what he ultimately wanted to specialize in, he got accepted into the university of Guelph Humber’s psychology program, where he decided to focus on Neuroscience. He has recently completed his first Undergraduate degree in Psychology, a Diploma in General Arts And Science, and a Certificate in Research Skills And Analysis from Humber College. He has been working as a data and accessibility analyst for sensetech solutions, and is doing research work with the Centre for Applied Neuroscience. He is currently investigating a Master’s degree in the areas of psychology, Neuroscience and Design.

Both guests provide insight into their experiences going through college and university as blind and low vision students, how they overcame barriers to accessible learning in their fields of study, and the strategies that educators can use to make their classes more accessible when it comes to the visual aspects of learning. These range from general accommodations such as accessible textbooks and screen reading software for computers, to more in-depth areas such as graphics and data analysis software, and diagrams of the human brain and nervous systems which required very creative tactile workarounds.

The brothers offer advice to anyone who is interested in pursuing further education in a post-secondary institution, psychology or otherwise, and how to advocate for yourself in order to get the most out of your studies. 


Christopher Contact info: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-m-schiafone/?originalSubdomain=ca 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cmschiafone

Centre for Applied Neuroscience: https://www.knowyourbrain.ca/


Brandon Contact Info:

Website: http://www.brandonschiafone.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-schiafone-mnlp-mtlt-mcht-9bb95454/?originalSubdomain=ca

Twitter: https://twitter.com › unleashbrandon


Footnote: this episode was inspired by an earlier instalment of our program called Mental Health Matters, featuring a social worker and counsellor with sight loss named Lisa Derencinovic. It is available for streaming in the living blind podcast feed wherever you get your podcasts, or at the following link. https://anchor.fm/balancefba/episodes/Mental-Health-Matters-with-Lisa-e167167


The show notes for this podcast can be found at https://www.balancefba.org/podcast/ 


Donate to BALANCE: https://www.balancefba.org/donate/

Mar 31, 202248:29
Meet me at the Intersection of... with Timeshia Edwards

Meet me at the Intersection of... with Timeshia Edwards

In the third and final installment of our 3–part series “Meet me at the Intersection of…”, we have guest host Ramya Amuthan, and her guest Timeshia Edwards.

Timeshia is almost totally blind, and is Moose Cree First Nations. She currently works at the Canadian National Institute for the Blind as a coordinator in the Come To Work Program, serving Ontario west and north. She joins Ramya to discuss many aspects of her life as a blind and indigenous person in Canada, including education, culture and role models. Growing up the eldest of six children in the foster system in small town Northern Ontario, and being the only one with sight loss, she then moved to Brantford Ontario in the sixth grade to live with her adopted family, and spend the second half of her public schooling at the W. Ross Macdonald provincial school for blind, low vision and deafblind students. She talks to Ramya about going through the public school system as a blind person in a remote northern region, and the creative solutions and accommodations her supportive staff developed to account for the isolation and scarcity of resources. Understanding who you are, where you come from, and passing on the traditions of your culture has always been important to Timeshia. Even so, she talks frankly about how this knowledge is not always readily passed onto indigenous youth, due to the intergenerational traumas experienced by their ancestors.

With a background in recreational therapy and a passion for working with youth, Timeshia now works as a counselor at the W. Ross Macdonald school, along with the come to work program at CNIB. It is her life-long mission to serve as a mentor and role model for youth with low and no vision, providing them with the services, skillsets and opportunities they need; just as so many have done for her throughout her life.

Email Timeshia Edwards at timeshia.edwards@gmail.com

Donate to BALANCE: https://www.balancefba.org/donate/

Feb 25, 202233:27
Meet me at the Intersection of... with Ben Akuoko
Jan 21, 202231:17
Meet me at the Intersection of.... with Windy Ho Li
Dec 17, 202124:48
When Workplace Supports Work- One Journalist's Story
Nov 19, 202141:14
Learning from Experience- A Conversation with David Lepofsky
Oct 20, 202136:48
Accessing Visual Arts, Here’s How
Sep 24, 202146:15
Mental Health Matters with Lisa
Sep 24, 202127:27
Art and Artistry with Bruce
Sep 24, 202139:44
The Outdoors with Lawrence
Sep 24, 202131:28
Out and About with Bill and Neisha
Sep 24, 202129:07
Parenting with Jewel

Parenting with Jewel

Jewel and Naomi discuss strategies for parenting with a disability, from birth to the teenage years.

Sep 24, 202113:48
Kitchen Hacks with Sunila and Ramya

Kitchen Hacks with Sunila and Ramya

We welcome this week’s hostess with the most-ess, Gobika! She interviews guests Sunila and Ramya to help uncover their clever cooking hacks.

Sep 24, 202108:56
Active Leisure with Neisha

Active Leisure with Neisha

Naomi discusses ways to adapt leisurely activities to vision loss and the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle with this week’s guest Neisha.

Sep 24, 202112:12
Trailer for Season 2

Trailer for Season 2

We’ve got a new name, and a whole lot coming your way in Season 2! Naomi talks about the name change, and this season’s episodes that you won’t want to miss. Come and join us

Sep 01, 202100:55
Makeup with Jewel

Makeup with Jewel

Our host Naomi interviews Jewel about makeup tips and tricks that she uses to ensure she is applying her makeup properly and to her satisfaction.

May 25, 202116:06
Cooking with Jewel

Cooking with Jewel

Naomi talks about strategies for cooking safely and enjoyably. She interviews Jewel about how she makes her favourite dishes.

May 25, 202110:17