Life After Blindness

In this episode, join Tim Schwartz, along with his co-hosts Ryan Palm and Charles Hiser, as they dive into the captivating topic of the Spoon Theory and its application to the blind and visually impaired community. Charles sets the stage by providing background information on the Spoon Theory—a metaphor created by Christine Miserandino, who herself has lupus, as a way to explain the experience of living with chronic illness or disability to others who may not understand. The trio recognizes the significance of Miserandino’s contribution and how it has resonated with countless individuals facing similar challenges. Tim then opens up about his wife Jennifer’s experiences with back, knee, and nerve issues, illustrating how Spoon Theory profoundly relates to their daily lives. Drawing from the original blog post, the trio explores how Spoon Theory intertwines with blindness and visual impairment. They touch upon attending NFB conventions and exhilarating concerts, shedding light on the impact of sensory overload and limited sensory input. Throughout the episode, Ryan and Charles share their own encounters with Spoon Theory, delving into the struggles of reading print, braille, and computer screens. They discuss the importance of accessible alternatives and the role of technology in creating a more inclusive environment. Don’t miss this candid and enlightening conversation that blends personal anecdotes with the key insights from the original blog post. Tune in to the Life After Blindness Podcast to gain a deeper understanding of Spoon Theory and its profound implications for those with limited sensory input. If you would like to support Life After Blindness and receive exclusive perks, become a patron. You can also get in touch by emailing: [email protected] The post How Spoon Theory Relates to Blindness and Visual Impairment appeared first on Life After Blindness.

In this episode of the Life After Blindness podcast, I’m joined by my friend Aaron Linson from Lab Computers to talk about the all-new Victor Reader Stream 3rd Generation from HumanWare. Aaron’s spent some quality time testing out the device, and in this episode, we break down what’s new, what’s improved, and why a lot of people in the blind and visually impaired community still love using a dedicated device like this — even with smartphones offering so many options these days. WHAT WE TALK ABOUT The evolution of the Victor Reader Stream through the years New button layout and improved tactile feedback Better Wi-Fi (5 GHz!) and smoother downloads and streaming Internal memory plus SD card support up to 1 TB Separate mic and headphone jacks, USB-C charging, and a louder speaker File support for DAISY, MP3, EPUB, NLS BARD, Bookshare, podcasts, and more New voice options and updated navigation menus Battery life (up to 15 hours) and lightweight, portable design Why this kind of standalone device still makes sense, especially when smartphone apps crash, update unexpectedly, or drain your battery ABOUT AARON LINSON Aaron is a Product Support Specialist at Lab Computers and a longtime user of assistive tech. He’s worked with Google, Fable, and others to test and improve accessible tools and devices. He really understands what works—and what doesn’t—for blind users. To reach Aaron directly: Email: [email protected] Phone: (502) 447-4586 AVAILABILITY The Victor Reader Stream 3rd Gen is available now in the U.S. for $550 from HumanWare. It’s expected to launch in Canada and the UK soon. STAY IN TOUCH Got questions or feedback about this episode? I’d love to hear from you. Email me: [email protected] Follow me on Twitter/X: @labcast Join us on Facebook: facebook.com/labcast Support the podcast on Patreon: patreon.com/labcast Thanks again to Aaron for coming on the show! And as always, remember: There truly can be a life after blindness. The post The Humanware Third Generation Victor Reader Stream with Lab Computers’ Aaron Linson appeared first on Life After Blindness.

In this episode of Life After Blindness ,we share some news and updates about two popular apps for the blind and visually impaired: Aira and Microsoft Seeing AI. We also talk about a YouTube video by MrBeast, who paid for cataract surgeries for people in Africa, and we ask you a question: would you want your sight back if you had the chance? Joining Tim in this episode are two guest hosts who are also technology enthusiasts: Ryan Palm and Charles Hiser. They share their insights and opinions on the topics we discuss, as well as their personal stories and experiences. Updates about Aira We discuss the recent changes and improvements that Aira, a service that connects blind and visually impaired users with sighted agents, has made. We mention that Aira has added more agents, offered free calls for certain tasks, and integrated with other apps and devices. We also share our personal experiences and opinions on using Aira and how it has helped us in different situations. We agree that Aira is a valuable and innovative service that enhances the independence and confidence of blind and visually impaired people. Updates about Microsoft Seeing AI Next, we talk about the new features and capabilities that Microsoft Seeing AI, an app that uses artificial intelligence to describe the world to blind and visually impaired users, has added. We mention that Seeing AI has added new languages, channels, and functions, such as reading handwriting, describing colors, and recognizing emotions. We also share our personal experiences and opinions on using Seeing AI and how it has helped us in different situations. We agree that Seeing AI is a powerful and versatile app that provides useful and accurate information to blind and visually impaired people. MrBeast’s video We watch and comment on a YouTube video by MrBeast, a famous YouTube star, who partnered with a charity called SightSavers to fund cataract surgeries for people in Ethiopia. We mention that the video showed the impact and transformation that the surgeries had on the lives of the people who received them. We also share our personal feelings and thoughts on the video and the topic of sight restoration. We have different perspectives and reactions on whether we would want our sight back if we had the chance, and what factors would influence our decision. Would you want your sight back? We continue the conversation on the question of whether we would want our sight back if we had the chance. We mention that this is a personal and complex question that depends on many factors, such as the risks, costs, and benefits of the procedure, the expectations and outcomes of the result, and the identity and lifestyle of the individual. We also share our personal reasons and preferences for wanting or not wanting our sight back. We respect and understand each other’s choices and opinions, and agree that there is no right or wrong answer to this question. Thank you for listening to this episode of Life After Blindness. I hope you enjoyed it and learned something new. If you have any feedback, questions, or suggestions, please feel free to email me at [email protected] or leave a comment on the blog post for this episode. If you like this podcast, please subscribe on your favorite podcast app and share it with your friends. You can also follow me on Twitter or on Facebook. If you want to support this podcast and help me create more episodes, you can join me on Patreon. As a patron, you will get access to exclusive content, behind-the-scenes updates, and more. Until next time, remember: there can be a life after blindness. The post Aira and Seeing AI Updates – MrBeast Funds Cataract Surgeries for 1,000 People | the Question of Sight Restoration appeared first on Life After Blindness.

In this episode of the Life After Blindness Podcast, host Tim Schwartz is joined by returning contributors Ryan Palm and Charles Heiser for a wide-ranging discussion on some of the biggest challenges and changes currently facing the blind and visually impaired community. The trio unpacks two major headlines — the controversial price increase from visual interpreter service Aira, and the discontinuation of Microsoft’s Soundscape navigation app. They also dive into a powerful conversation about the personal traits that help blind individuals cope, adapt, and thrive — whether you’re newly adjusting to vision loss or have been blind your whole life. This episode blends commentary, real-life stories, tech analysis, and community-driven insight to help listeners stay informed and feel supported on their journey after blindness. ⸻ Episode Summary Host: Tim Schwartz Guest Co-Hosts: • Ryan Palm — blind since birth, musician and support group facilitator. • Charles Heiser — accessibility tester, disability educator, and advocate. Aira’s Price Hike and the Community Response The conversation opens with the breaking news that Aira — the on-demand visual interpreting service — has raised its subscription prices for individual users. Tim, Ryan, and Charles discuss the implications for blind users who depend on Aira for independence at home, school, and work. • Aira’s current plans: Confirmed at aira.io/plans • In early 2023, Aira revealed updated plans with new pricing models. Initial confusion occurred because the first published prices were “retail” plans not accounting for disability-based discounts. • Even with the discount, Aira’s most affordable individual plan (30 minutes per month) jumped from $30 to $65 — more than doubling in price. • Charles explains how many blind professionals worry whether their employers will continue covering Aira as a workplace accommodation. • Ryan shares how his wife Nikki, who is blind and works in education, relied on Aira heavily during college and teaching — and how these price changes force users to reevaluate their access. Aira has stated in newsletters and social forums that they are “listening to the community” and that the pricing change is part of a broader shift toward enterprise partnerships. As of this writing, Aira has not reversed course but has said they do not expect to raise prices again in 2025. Microsoft Soundscape Is Discontinued — What Now? Microsoft officially retired its popular Soundscape navigation app in 2023. Originally launched in 2018, Soundscape was known for its use of spatial audio and augmented reality (AR) to help blind users navigate their environment using audio cues. • Support ended: August 30, 2023 (Microsoft Research blog) • Microsoft released the app’s code as open-source on GitHub, encouraging the community to build future solutions. • The team discusses how Soundscape’s 3D audio and head tracking (via AirPods Pro) gave users a real-time sense of direction and distance — often improving orientation alongside traditional O&M skills. Soundscape Alternatives (confirmed available as of July 2025): • VoiceVista for iOS: Open-source app built from Soundscape’s codebase. • OpenScape on GitHub: Ongoing development community maintaining Soundscape’s features. • BlindSquare: A long-standing paid GPS app for iOS with robust POI navigation. • GoodMaps Explore: Indoor/outdoor navigation app that provides AR-like audio cues. Charles explains why Soundscape stood out: it wasn’t just navigation — it was about spatial awareness, training, and confidence-building for blind travelers. He even credits it with helping him navigate a new town without traditional O&M support. Tim and Ryan note the bittersweet nature of its closure. Unlike Aira, Microsoft didn’t cite financial pressure — which raises questions about commitment to blind users from mainstream tech companies. Core Traits That Help You Live the Blind Life In the second half of the episode, the group moves into a deeper, personal discussion about the traits that help blind people overcome barriers, frustration, and setbacks. This conversation started in the Life After Blindness Facebook Group, where Tim posed the question: What personal traits have helped you most in living with blindness or vision loss? The answers were rich, honest, and often surprising. The traits discussed include: • Patience: With yourself, with others, and with inaccessible tech • Self-awareness: Knowing your limits and emotional needs during adjustment • Environmental awareness: Noticing sound, temperature, and echo to replace visual cues • Independence: Defined differently by everyone, but vital to confidence • Perseverance: You will make mistakes — the key is moving forward anyway • Curiosity: The drive to figure things out when there’s no obvious path • Sense of humor: A powerful tool for coping with awkward or frustrating moments Ryan shares memorable stories from his career as a drummer — including being asked to perform live on unfamiliar drum kits, in front of skeptical audiences, just to prove he could play. Charles reflects on how gaining self-awareness and embracing new strategies helped him adjust to vision loss later in life. There’s also some lighthearted venting about iOS dictation bugs, orientation training horror stories, and the awkward reality of asking sighted coworkers for help. All with that trademark Life After Blindness mix of humor, insight, and honesty. do you have stories or favorite coping traits that you would like to share? You can: • leave a comment below. • send an email to: [email protected] More About the Co-Hosts Ryan Palm Ryan has been blind since birth and brings both personal and leadership experience to the table. He’s a semi-professional drummer, a husband and father, and an active facilitator of blindness support groups in Washington State. His perspective is grounded in lived experience and a passion for helping others navigate their journey. Charles Heiser Charles is an accessibility tester, content creator, and advocate who works for one of the leading companies in digital accessibility. He specializes in improving website, app, and document accessibility for people with disabilities and brings a wealth of technical and emotional insight into the blind experience. The post New AIRA prices, Sound Scape cancelled and having a healthy mindset appeared first on Life After Blindness.

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This week on the Life After Blindness Spotlight, I interview musician, producer, Professor and Music Ambassador Joey Stuckey. The post Life After Blindness Spotlight Interview with Musician, Producer, Professor and Music Ambassador Joey Stuckey appeared first on Life After Blindness.

Welcome to the weekend edition of v the Life After Blindness podcast. The post Smart Home Accessibility with Shawn Preece and Robyn Christopherson appeared first on Life After Blindness.