Beyond Sight: A BISM Podcast

In this month’s episode of Beyond Sight, hosts Qualik Ford and Derique Simon sit down with Kevin Cross, member of the BISM Board of Trustees to explore the world of blind entrepreneurship. The conversation covers what it really takes to start and grow a business as a blind person, from turning an idea into a plan to working through inaccessible tools, skeptical lenders, and assumptions about what blind people can do. Kevin also talks about the creativity and problem-solving that blindness often builds, which turn out to be real strengths in business. Listeners will come away with practical insight, honest stories, and a clear sense of how entrepreneurship can open doors to independence, opportunity, and leadership, moving us all a little further Beyond Sight.

This month on Beyond Sight, host Qualik Ford is joined by Heather Harris, HR Manager, and Kariza Herbert, Talent and Culture Manager, for a conversation on what it takes to hire blind and low-vision employees well. They dig into the gap between compliance-driven accommodation and genuinely inclusive hiring practices. From job postings and interview processes to onboarding and retention, Heather and Kariza bring the HR perspective on what employers still misunderstand about blindness in the workplace.

In this month’s episode of Beyond Sight, hosts Qualik Ford and Derique Simon sit down with Gold STAR student Adam Shrieves, Access Technology Instructor Lina Howard, and IT and Training Coordinator Kyle Garcia to break down their favorite assistive technology, and the features that drive them crazy. 

In this episode of Beyond Sight, hosts Qualik Ford and Derique Simon sit down with BISM President Mike Gosse and Chief Revenue Officer Tony Rodriguez to look back on the past fiscal year, the milestones reached, and what's ahead for the organization. 

In this month's episode of Beyond Sight, hosts Qualik Ford and Derique Simon sit down with Sophia Keil, Operations Technology and Process Improvement Engineer, and Shane Jones, Director of Operations, to dig into what inclusivity in manufacturing really means in practice. The conversation looks at how BISM builds workplaces where blind and low-vision employees aren't just accommodated but central to the operation. Together, they share how improving the production floor opens up meaningful, sustainable employment and moves us all a little further Beyond Sight. 

Join hosts Qualik Ford and Derique Simon for Episode 23 of Beyond Sight: A BISM Podcast, Faces of BISM Jaeah + Terri. IIn this episode they sit down with BISM's HR Director Jaeah Fortune and HR Generalist Terri Walker to explore what human resources looks like inside a disability-focused organization, how the department has evolved under Jaeah's leadership, and how both women decompress when the workday is done. 

Join hosts Qualik Ford and Derique Simon for Episode 22 of Beyond Sight: A BISM Podcast, ITR's 40-Year Legacy of Transformation. In celebration of the 40th anniversary of BISM’s Independence Training and Rehabilitation (ITR) programs, we invited several key figures throughout its history to reflect on the program’s evolution. One recurring theme that kept coming up: how ITR creates opportunities and empowers those who are living with blindness.   Join us for this special episode where ITR staff members and community partners share their experiences with the program and how it has shaped their career trajectories.   

Join hosts Qualik Ford and Derique Simon for Episode 21 of Beyond Sight: A BISM Podcast, The Power of a BISM Internship. In this episode, they explore how BISM’s internship program opens doors for blind and low-vision individuals to gain hands-on experience, build confidence, and discover meaningful career pathways. From real-world projects and mentorship to learning workplace skills in a supportive environment, this conversation highlights how internships can be a powerful stepping stone toward long-term success and independence. Tune in to hear how BISM is helping interns turn their talents into opportunity and future careers.

Join us for this episode of Beyond Sight as our hosts explore the world of adaptive sports and the power of making athletics accessible to everyone. We’re joined by special guests from the League of Dreams, who share how their organization is leveling the playing field for athletes of all abilities. From the excitement of beep baseball to the broader impact of inclusive recreation, this conversation highlights how adaptive sports give people the chance to compete, connect, and dream big. Tune in to hear how the game is changing—and why everyone deserves the chance to play ball.

Join us for this month’s episode of Beyond Sight as we talk about the journey of learning, growing, and knowing among the blind and low-vision community. We talk about the importance of finding resources and community — and especially, that feeling of “belonging.” With our special guests to share their unique perspectives as an individual who is blind and a parent of a child who is blind, we’re finding out what it means to go Beyond Sight.