Change Makers: A Podcast from APH

On this episode of Change Makers, we’re continuing our series of spotlight episodes featuring the incredible cast of The Dot Experience. Tim Hornik, Visual Impairment Services Team coordinator at the Eastern Kansas VA, shares his story of losing his vision while serving in the U.S. Army in Iraq in 2004. He discusses his journey toward accepting blindness, navigating changes in his identity and career, and learning to embrace new possibilities. Through his experiences, Hornik highlights the importance of acceptance, resilience and finding ways to thrive after life-changing events.On this podcast (In Order of Appearance)NarratorSara Brown, APH Public Relations ManagerTim Hornik, Cast Member for The Dot ExperienceAdditional LinksThe Dot ExperienceEmail Change Makers

Patrick Henry Hughes, a musician, motivational speaker, DJ and Cast Member of The Dot Experience, shares his journey and his passion for music. He discusses blindness, accessibility, independence and his experience with the University of Louisville marching band, along with what he hopes visitors learn from The Dot Experience.On this episode (in order of appearance)NarratorSara Brown, APH Public Relations ManagerPatrick Henry Hughes, The Dot Experience Cast MemberAdditional linksThe Dot Experience website

On this episode of Change Makers, we’re continuing our spotlight series featuring the incredible cast members of The Dot Experience. Opening Friday, October 30, The Dot Experience is a new immersive, inclusive museum that invites visitors to explore blindness, braille, accessibility, and the power of human connection. Today, we are learning more about Sugandha Gupta. Sugandha is a textile artist, designer, maker, disability advocate, educator and most importantly, a cast member of The Dot Experience.On this episodeNarratorSara Brown, APH Public Relations ManagerSugandha Gupta, The Dot Experience Cast Member.Additional LinksThe Dot Experience WebsiteRead The Dot Experience blog on Sugandha GuptaSugandha Gupta websiteSugandha Gupta InstagramEmail Change Makers

This episode of Change Makers explores the inclusive design process behind The Dot Experience, including prototyping with people who are disabled, creating multisensory experiences, and designing for visitors to experience the museum together.Corey Timpson and Sina Bahram of Prime Access Consulting also discuss APH’s commitment to making inclusion an opportunity, not a constraint, and how The Dot Experience could raise the bar for accessible design.

On this episode of Change Makers, we’re continuing our spotlight series featuring the incredible cast members of The Dot Experience. Opening Friday, October 30, The Dot Experience is a new immersive, inclusive museum that invites visitors to explore blindness, braille, accessibility, and the power of human connection. Today, we are learning more about Anthony Ferraro. Anthony is a motivational speaker, skateboarder, content creator, most importantly, a cast member of The Dot Experience.On this EpisodeNarratorAnthony Ferraro, The Dot Experience Cast MemberSara Brown, APH Public Relations ManagerAdditional LinksRead The Dot Experience blog about Anthony FerraroAnthony Ferraro InstagramThe Dot Experience websiteEmail Change Makers

On this episode of Change Makers, we’re continuing our spotlight series featuring the incredible cast members of The Dot Experience. Opening Friday, October 30, The Dot Experience is a new immersive, inclusive museum that invites visitors to explore blindness, braille, accessibility, and the power of human connection. Today, we are learning more about Marcus Engel. Marcus is a professional speaker, author, consultant, podcaster, professor, and, most importantly for us today, a cast member of The Dot Experience.After our conversation with Marcus, we’ll take you inside The Dot Experience as we share highlights from a recent preview event where attendees of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) International Conference toured the museum and experienced a sneak peek of the progress, including the factory tour.On this EpisodeNarratorMarcus Engel, The Dot Experience Cast MemberSara Brown, APH Public Relations ManagerAdditional LinksRead The Dot Experience blog about Marcus EngelMarcus Engel websiteMarcus Engel LinkedIn profileThe Dot Experience websiteEmail Change Makers

In this episode, we spotlight acclaimed chef, author, and restaurateur Christine Hà, whose remarkable journey from losing her vision to becoming the first blind winner of MasterChef has inspired millions. We'll explore how her passion for cooking began and how she redefined what is possible in the culinary world. Christine also shares what it means to be a Cast Member of The Dot Experience, helping bring stories of blindness, resilience, and innovation to life for future visitors. Then, in our monthly Tech Takeaway, we'll preview the August Monarch update and highlight two exciting new programs that will soon be available to users.On this episodeNarratorSara Brown, APH Public Relations ManagerChristine Ha, Cast Member for The Dot Experience, Owner of The Blind Goat and Stuffed BellyMichael Dennis, APH Technology Products SpecialistJennifer Wenzel, APH Technology Product SpecialistAdditional LinksRead The Dot Experience blog about Christine HaRead the The Dot Experience Blog featuring Christine HaChristine Ha Instagram: theblindcookChristine Ha Facebook: TheblindcookChristine Ha's website, The Blind CookYouTube: Christine Ha: The Blind Winner Who Changed MasterChef ForeverYouTube: The INCREDIBLE Story Of Christine Ha - The Blind Woman Who Won MasterChefAAF: Chef Christine Ha Brings Cultures and Flavors Together Around the Dinner TableMonarch InformationEmail Change Makers

On today’s episode, we’re continuing our series of spotlight episodes featuring the incredible cast of The Dot Experience.The Dot Experience is a new inclusive museum opening this October. It features more than 20 individuals who are blind or low vision, each sharing authentic stories.The cast includes advocates, artists, professionals, athletes, students, parents, and workers, highlighting the many roles blind individuals hold in society and showcasing vibrant, diverse lives.And today, we’re learning about George Stern. He’s a research assistant at the University of Mississippi and was just accepted as a doctoral candidate at Boston College. On this episodeNarratorSara Brown, APH Public Relations ManagerGeorge Stern, The Dot Experience Cast Member and research assistant and doctoral candidateAdditional LinksRead The Dot Experience Blog featuring George Stern

On this episode, celebrate the birthday of Helen Keller by highlighting her lasting impact and legacy. Justin Gardner sits down with Tony Stephens to share fascinating stories and insights about Keller’s life, achievements, and influence as a trailblazer for people who are blind or have low vision.The episode also features the monthly Tech Takeaway, where Michael Dennis provides a closer look at Wordstock, an app designed to support literacy and accessibility.On this episodeNarratorSara Brown, APH Public Relations ManagerJustin Gardner, AFB Helen Keller Archivist at APHTony Stephens, AFB Assistant Vice President for CommunicationsMichael Dennis, APH Technology Products SpecialistAdditional LinksThe Dot ExperienceAFB Helen Keller ArchiveAmerican Foundation for the BlindAFB Possibilities Podcast

On today’s episode, we’re continuing our series of spotlight episodes featuring the incredible cast of The Dot Experience.The Dot Experience is a new inclusive museum opening this October. It features more than 20 individuals who are blind or low vision, each sharing authentic stories.The cast includes advocates, artists, professionals, athletes, students, parents, and workers, highlighting the many roles blind individuals hold in society and showcasing vibrant, diverse lives.And today, we’re learning about Dan Mancina. Not only is he a Cast Member for The Dot Experience, he is also a skateboarder… and today we get to hear his story. On this episodeNarratorSara Brown, APH Public Relations ManagerDan Mancina, The Dot Experience Cast Member and SkateboarderAdditional LinksRead The Dot Experience Blog featuring Dan MancinaThe Dot ExperienceDan Mancina on InstagramEmail Change Makers