EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2322 Blazing the Trails with Awarewolf Gear (May 31, 2023)


2322 Blazing the Trails with Awarewolf Gear (May 31, 2023)

Show Notes
Sedona Dave is blind and was tired of people not noticing him when walking around town and crashing into him. He also wanted a better and safer way of hiking the trails around him. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Dave about how he solved his problems by starting Awarewolf Gear a journey that was frustrating at times, but rewarding in the end.

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2321 Awarewolf Gear All Terrain Cane (May 24, 2023)


2321 Awarewolf Gear All Terrain Cane (May 24, 2023)

Show Notes
The All Terrain Cane (ATC) is a sturdy folding cane designed for blind hikers. Made of lightweight titanium and having an adjustable length, the ATC is suitable for a variety of terrains. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Sedona Dave, founder of Awarewolf Gear, about how he came up with the idea, and the benefits of using it for hiking and other outdoor activities.

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2320 Firefox Accessibility Enhancements (May 17, 2023)


2320 Firefox Accessibility Enhancements (May 17, 2023)

Show Notes
Accessibility has always been an important factor in the development of the Mozilla Firefox web browser. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Jamie Teh, technical lead for accessibility at the Mozilla Foundation, about recent improvements to both the accessibility and responsiveness of Firefox for those using screen readers as well and how that work is done.

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2319 NVDA – A Community Driven Project (May 10, 2023)


2319 NVDA – A Community Driven Project (May 10, 2023)

Show Notes
The NVDA screen reader was first released in 2006 and continues to be used by people around the world. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with founder Michael Curran about the ongoing development efforts of NVDA, including the active community involvement and feedback-driven approach that continue to shape the future of this free and open-source software.

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2318 BrailleDoodle Tactile Tablet (May 3, 2023)


2318 BrailleDoodle Tactile Tablet (May 3, 2023)

Show Notes
The BrailleDoodle is an inexpensive refreshable 2-sided tablet for learning Braille and creating tactile images. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with inventor Daniel Lubiner, CEO and founder of TouchPad Pro Foundation which makes the device, about the inspiration for the device, its features, and the role it can play in education and daily life.

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2317 Trailblazing for Inclusivity (Apr. 26, 2023)


2317 Trailblazing for Inclusivity (Apr. 26, 2023)

Show Notes
Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Greg Daniels, who has been blind since youth, about his journey of overcoming challenges and achieving success as a computer programmer for over 35 years. Before “inclusion” was popular, Greg’s story exemplifies the power of determination, resilience, and the importance of the support of family, teachers, and employers.

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2316 Musical Scores with the Accessible MuseScore 4 (Apr. 19, 2023)


2316 Musical Scores with the Accessible MuseScore 4 (Apr. 19, 2023)

Show Notes
MuseScore is a sophisticated and feature rich program for creating and listening to musical scores. The release of version 4 brings many improvements to accessibility for people using screen readers. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Marc Sabatella, an educator and one of the developers of MuseScore, about this free, open source application.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2315 The Beat Goes On – The Life of a Blind Music Producer (Apr. 12, 2023)


2315 The Beat Goes On – The Life of a Blind Music Producer (Apr. 12, 2023)

Show Notes
Scott Chesworth is a blind music producer who also offers mixing and mastering services for his clients. He can often be found tutoring and training others. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Scott about his journey into music, his passion for working with others and his commitment to making music accessible for people with disabilities.

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2314 Memoirs of a Guide Dog (Apr. 5, 2023)


2314 Memoirs of a Guide Dog (Apr. 5, 2023)

Show Notes
Mark Carlson is familiar with blindness as it runs in his family. He has come to view his lack of sight as second nature and approaches life with a positive outlook and sense of humor. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Mark about his life and the books he has written about his guide dogs as well as his other passion, military strategy.

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2313 Innovations from the DAISY Consortium (Mar. 29, 2023)


2313 Innovations from the DAISY Consortium (Mar. 29, 2023)

Show Notes
The DAISY Consortium is an international organization that aims to improve access to information for people with print disabilities around the world. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with George Kerscher and Richard Orme about their impact on e-pub standards and their latest work to reach more people in underdeveloped countries.

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2312 Braille Ignition Kits from NBP (Mar. 22, 2023)


2312 Braille Ignition Kits from NBP (Mar. 22, 2023)

Show Notes
The National Braille Press produces a variety of braille books and manuals for all ages and interests. Now they have released a set of resource kits developed specifically for teachers of the visually impaired. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Kesel Wilson, editorial director at the NBP, about what is in these resource kits and how they can be used effectively.

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2311 Victor Reader Stream 3 (Mar. 15, 2023)


2311 Victor Reader Stream 3 (Mar. 15, 2023)

Show Notes
The popular Victor Reader Stream from Humanware has recently been updated with an improved design and new features. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Mathieu Paquette, Product Manager of Victor Reader products, and Peter Tucic, Director of Strategic Partnerships, about this accessible palm-sized multimedia device and why you might enjoy using it.

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2310 The Blind Kitchen (Mar. 8, 2023)


2310 The Blind Kitchen (Mar. 8, 2023)

Show Notes
Debra Erickson is the executive chef and founder of The Blind Kitchen where adaptive tools, helpful strategies, and specialized knowledge are provided to blind and vision-impaired people who want to cook safely, confidently, and independently. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Debra who shares tips and tools that make working in the kitchen safer and easier.

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2309 Eschenbach’s Haus Call Tele-low-vision Program (Mar. 1, 2023)


2309 Eschenbach’s Haus Call Tele-low-vision Program (Mar. 1, 2023)

Show Notes
Although assistive devices can’t improve your vision, they can help you use the vision you do have to perform tasks more easily. Now you can work with a specialist remotely to find the device that’s right for you. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Timothy Gels, director of marketing for Eschenbach Optik of America about their tele-low-vision service.

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2308 An Inside Look at Audio Book Narration (Feb. 22, 2023)


2308 An Inside Look at Audio Book Narration (Feb. 22, 2023)

Show Notes
Listening to audio books has become a very popular way of reading. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Hillary Huber, a voice actress who has narrated over 700 audio books for both blind and sighted listeners, about how audio books are made, the challenges faced by narrators, and what makes her job fun and rewarding. There’s more to it than you’d expect.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2307 The Path to Employment with NSITE (Feb. 15, 2023)


2307 The Path to Employment with NSITE (Feb. 15, 2023)

Show Notes
NSITE is an organization that trains, prepares, and helps blind clients obtain employment. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Matthew Kehl, a blind job seeker who completed a program through NSITE and obtained a Sourcing Specialist certificate. He shares his experiences with the training and support from NSITE in helping him secure employment.

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2306 Encore of 1831 Rocky Mountain Highs and Lows (Feb. 8, 2023)


2306 Encore of 1831 Rocky Mountain Highs and Lows (Feb. 8, 2023)

Show Notes
Join hosts Peter and Nancy Torpey as they explore their new home state of Colorado in celebration of their 35th anniversary. Follow them as they prepare for their journey, walk trails along raging rivers, hike along narrow ledges hanging on steep canyon walls, and more. You might even learn the true story of Mike the headless chicken!

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2305 Orbis Flying Eye Hospital (Feb. 1, 2023)


2305 Orbis Flying Eye Hospital (Feb. 1, 2023)

Show Notes
Vision impairment affects many people around the world. Unfortunately, it is difficult to reach and treat people who live in remote areas. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Maria Montero, an ophthalmologist and assistant director of clinical services of the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital about how their model addresses the problem.

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2304 Equipping Beep Baseball Worldwide (Jan. 25, 2023)


2304 Equipping Beep Baseball Worldwide (Jan. 25, 2023)

Show Notes
Learn how beep baseballs are made as well as about the surprising connection between beep baseball and the phone company when hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with John Cruz, lead volunteer for the group that assembles beep baseball equipment, and J Kelly, chapter president of the Colorado Legacy West Pioneers. We’ll also talk about how the game is played.

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2303 The View from Inside at Vispero (Jan. 18, 2023)


2303 The View from Inside at Vispero (Jan. 18, 2023)

Show Notes
Ryan Jones has recently stepped up to take on the role of Vice President of Software Products at Vispero following the retirement of Eric Damery who held that position for many years. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Ryan about how his long career with Vispero has prepared him for this role and his outlook for the future of accessibility.

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2302 JAWS Evolves to Meet Changing Needs (Jan. 11, 2023)


2302 JAWS Evolves to Meet Changing Needs (Jan. 11, 2023)

Show Notes
In this second of a two-part series, we talk about how the JAWS screen reader has had to adapt to advances in computer technology as well as to the evolving requirements of users. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with long time colleagues and friends Ted Henter, Eric Damery, and Glen Gordon as they reminisce about their contributions to accessibility.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2301 Early Days of JAWS (Jan. 4, 2023)


2301 Early Days of JAWS (Jan. 4, 2023)

Show Notes
In this first of a two-part series, we trace the history of the JAWS screen reader and how it has evolved to adapt to advances in technology over the years. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Ted Henter, founder of Henter Joyce, Eric Damery, retired vice president of blindness products, and Glen Gordon, lead software developer now at Freedom Scientific.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2252 Hosting and Producing Eyes On Success (Dec. 28, 2022)


2252 Hosting and Producing Eyes On Success (Dec. 28, 2022)

Show Notes
Listeners often want to know more about the hosts and producers of Eyes On Success and how the show works. Well, this week they get to hear excerpts from an interview that Aaron Rockford, host of the Aaron’s Opinion podcast, did with Nancy and Peter Torpey. Enter “eos_show” into the search field on our web site to find more shows about us or the show.

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2251 Encore of 1929 Tarot Card Reading (Dec. 21, 2022)


2251 Encore of 1929 Tarot Card Reading (Dec. 21, 2022)

Show Notes
What does the future hold for Eyes On Success? Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey find out when they talk with Eden Kizer, a totally blind professional tarot card reader, about the magic of tarot cards, how she became a tarot card reader, and how she turned it into a profitable business that she can do from the comfort of her own home.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2250 Flight for Sight (Dec. 14, 2022)


2250 Flight for Sight (Dec. 14, 2022)

Show Notes
Blind people are capable of doing almost anything they want these days. But would you expect a blind person to be piloting a plane? Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Kaiya Armstrong, a blind college student, who learned to fly a plane and then flew herself cross country thanks to a program sponsored by the Foundation for Blind Children.

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2249 Science Without Sight (Dec. 7, 2022)


2249 Science Without Sight (Dec. 7, 2022)

Show Notes
As many of our listeners know, despite being born blind, co-host of Eyes On Success Peter Torpey enjoyed math and science as a youth and went on to obtain a Ph.D. in Engineering Physics and work as a research scientist at Xerox Corporation. This week Marie Sina of Deutsche Welle talks to Peter about his educational and work experiences in science.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2248 Hello Darkness, My Old Friend (Nov. 30, 2022)


2248 Hello Darkness, My Old Friend (Nov. 30, 2022)

Show Notes
“Hello Darkness, My Old Friend” is the story of a young man who, after losing his eyesight to disease, finds the power to break through the darkness and fulfill his vision for a life of distinguished public service. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with author Sanford Greenberg about his journey and how enduring friendships made a difference in his life.

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2247 Training Low Vision Rehabilitation Optometrists (Nov. 23, 2022)


2247 Training Low Vision Rehabilitation Optometrists (Nov. 23, 2022)

Show Notes
People with newly diagnosed vision problems may not get directed to low vision optometrists who can help them adapt to their vision changes. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Richard Jamara and Sarah Hinkley, two editors of a training guide for low vision optometrists, who hope to train more of them and increase awareness of their specialty.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2246 Over Every Hurdle (Nov. 16, 2022)


2246 Over Every Hurdle (Nov. 16, 2022)

Show Notes
“Over Every Hurdle” is the third book in a series whose protagonist suddenly loses her sight and adapts to life as a blind person. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with best-selling author Barbara Hinske and with Julie Rock, Manager, Adult and Transition Services at Foundation for Blind Children about how they interacted to make the series possible.

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2245 Waymap Navigation System (Nov. 9, 2022)


2245 Waymap Navigation System (Nov. 9, 2022)

Show Notes
The Waymap app was designed to assist visually impaired people navigate transportation systems in cities around the world. Requiring no signals, the app is accurate down to 1 meter both indoors and outdoors. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with CEO Tom Pey about the motivation for developing the app, how it works, and their plans to expand its use.

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2244 Writing a Novel as Therapy (Nov. 2, 2022)


2244 Writing a Novel as Therapy (Nov. 2, 2022)

Show Notes
Some people write for fun or because it is a job. Others have a story they want to share. When Aaron Spelker suddenly lost his sight, he found writing to be both therapeutic as well as a good activity for learning important blindness skills. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Aaron about how writing “The Bubonic Reorder” helped him navigate in a new world.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2243 How to Find Accessible Games (Oct. 26, 2022)


2243 How to Find Accessible Games (Oct. 26, 2022)

Show Notes
If you enjoy gaming on your iOS or other device and are also visually impaired, it is likely that you have experienced the frustration of finding a game that is accessible. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey speak with Aaron Spelker, who runs the Mobile Accessible Games (for the Blind) FaceBook group, about his game reviews that can ease the frustration.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

Remote Jazz Piano Instruction


2242 Remote Jazz Piano Instruction (Oct. 19, 2022)

Show Notes
Have you always wanted to play the piano but just never got around to it or couldn’t arrange the logistics? If so, then Mark Miller, who does business as the piano web man, has the answer for you. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Mark about how his remote piano lessons work for both sighted and visually impaired students alike.

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2241 Getting Your Business to the Next Level (Ocr. 12, 2022)


2241 Getting Your Business to the Next Level (Ocr. 12, 2022)

Show Notes
The New Venture Competition awards winning participants cash prizes to help get their new or growing business to the next level. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with long-time organizer Colleen Wunderlich as well as with the 2021 winners of the competition, Bruno D’Avanzo and Jennifer Rhodes, about their experiences with the competition.

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2240 NSITE Employment Services (Oct. 5, 2022)


2240 NSITE Employment Services (Oct. 5, 2022)

Show Notes
NSITE provides a full range of training resources, connections with potential employers, as well as internship opportunities for people who are visually impaired. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Marianne Haegeli, Program Director, NSITE Learning and Leadership, about the organization and how their services might benefit you.

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2239 Images from the Webb Telescope (Sep. 28, 2022)


2239 Images from the Webb Telescope (Sep. 28, 2022)

Show Notes
If you can’t see the image, you can still experience it. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Timothy Rhue II, principal informal education specialist, and Claire Blome, Principal Science Writer and author of some of the descriptions, both of the Space Telescope Science Institute, about how images from the James Webb Telescope are being made accessible to everyone.

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2238 Encore of 1133 Living with a Blind Person (Sep. 21, 2022)


2238 Encore of 1133 Living with a Blind Person (Sep. 21, 2022)

Show Notes
Most episodes of Eyes On Success center on the experiences of a blind person, whether dealing with technology, employment, travelling or whatever. This week, hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey discuss raising and living with a blind person from everybody else’s perspective, including interviews with Pete’s mother, sister, wife, in-laws and children.

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2237 Raising a sighted child (Sep. 14, 2022)


2237 Raising a Sighted Child (Sep. 14, 2022)

Show Notes
What is it like to raise a sighted child when one of the parents is blind? That is the question Ron and Denise Miller asked of hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey back in 2015. We talked with the Miller’s about our experiences raising sighted children and aired a show based on the discussion. Now, seven years later, we follow up with Ron to see how it’s been going.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2236 NBP Center for Braille Innovation (Sep. 7, 2022)


2236 NBP Center for Braille Innovation (Sep. 7, 2022)

Show Notes
The National Braille Press (NBP) is well known for its mission of promoting braille literacy and producing a variety of braille books for all ages and interests. Perhaps less well known is their program to advance technologies to produce braille. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Brian MacDonald, President and CEO of NBP, about these efforts.

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2235 Pole Dancing for Fitness (Aug. 31, 2022)



2235 Pole Dancing for Fitness (Aug. 31, 2022)


Show Notes

Have you ever considered becoming a pole dancer? Surprisingly, the experience might not be what you would have expected. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Lauren Back, a blind pole dancer, who has enjoyed participating in several pole dancing groups and extols the virtues of pole dancing as a means of exercise and socializing with others.

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2234 Clusiv e-Learning Platform (Aug. 24, 2022)


2234 Clusiv e-Learning Platform (Aug. 24, 2022)

Show Notes
Clusiv is the world’s first e-learning platform built for and by blind people. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Luke Simianer, CEO and co-founder of Clusiv, about the motivation for starting Clusiv, how it works, and how they are partnering with regional vocational services around the country to train blind people for future employment.

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2233 Tribute to Eric Damery (Aug. 17, 2022)


2233 Tribute to Eric Damery (Aug. 17, 2022)

Show Notes
Eric Damery recently announced his retirement as VP of Software Product Management at Vispero / Freedom Scientific. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with him about his long career in the field of assistive technology and how the marketing and distribution of products for the visually impaired has changed over the years.

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2232 Blind Stand-Up Comedian (Aug. 10, 2022)


2232 Blind Stand-Up Comedian (Aug. 10, 2022)

Show Notes
During the day, Todd Blenkhorn is an I.T. specialist who works at the Canadian National Institute of the Blind. After work, however, Todd performs in local comedy clubs in Toronto. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Todd about getting into comedy and how he integrates some of his experiences as a blind person into his acts.

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2231 Marine Biology (Aug. 3, 2022)


2231 Marine Biology (Aug. 3, 2022)

Show Notes
Maureen Hayden is completing her PhD in marine biology. With limited vision, she uses a variety of tools to assist her when working in the field, in the lab, as well as to teach. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with her about how she got interested in the subject, how she does her research and how her results will impact the health of the planet.

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2230 Encore of 1907 Prosthetic Eyes and Anaplastology (Jul. 27, 2022)


2230 Encore of 1907 Prosthetic Eyes and Anaplastology (Jul. 27, 2022)

Show Notes
Barbara Spohn-Lillo is the owner and founder of Prosthetic Illusions which develops custom prostheses for various body parts including eyes. Both she and her daughter Chelsea Lillo, with whom she works, are anaplastologists and ocularists. Join hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey as they discuss how these prostheses are made and cared for.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2229 Pet Peeves from Listeners (Jul. 20, 2022)



2229 Pet Peeves from Listeners (Jul. 20, 2022)


Show Notes

Episode #2223 of Eyes On Success featured a variety of pet peeves of a blind person navigating in a world primarily designed for and consisting of sighted people. The show elicited lots of responses from listeners who resonated with what they heard. This week hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey share some of the feedback they received.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2228 Graphical Braille Display and eBRF (Jul. 13, 2022)


2228 Graphical Braille Display and eBRF (Jul. 13, 2022)

Show Notes
Wouldn’t it be nice to have an affordable, 2-D, refreshable Braille display? Soon that may not be just a dream. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Greg Stilson and William Freeman from the American Printing House about the new technology behind the combined text and graphics tactile display they are working on as well as formatting standards for such displays.

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2227 Using MathML with JAWS (Jul. 6, 2022)


2227 Using MathML with JAWS (Jul. 6, 2022)

Show Notes
Mathematics has been called the language of science. But how can a visually impaired person read and write complex mathematical expressions that are often written in a 2-D format? Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Ron Miller, Blindness Technology Products Specialist at Vispero, about how the JAWS screen reader makes this possible with MathML.

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2226 National Coding Symposium and STEM Camp (Jun. 29, 2022)


2226 National Coding Symposium and STEM Camp (Jun. 29, 2022)

Show Notes
The fields of computers and STEM offer excellent career opportunities for visually impaired people. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Leanne Grillot, outreach director at the American Printing House, about some of APH’s ongoing programs to inspire interest in these fields, make people aware of the opportunities, and help them connect with mentors.

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2225 The Candy in My Pocket (Jun. 22, 2022)


2225 The Candy in My Pocket (Jun. 22, 2022)

Show Notes
Over the years John Robert Wiltgen developed many complications from childhood diabetes including blindness, amputation of a limb, and kidney failure. Despite these setbacks, he soldiered on to become a world-renowned interior designer. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with John about his experiences and his newly released memoir “The Candy In My Pocket”.

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2224 Offerings from Independence Science (Jun. 15, 2022)


2224 Offerings from Independence Science (Jun. 15, 2022)

Show Notes
Accessible measurement tools are essential if visually impaired students and professionals are to be full participants in STEM related activities either independently or with their sighted peers. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey speak with Michael Hingson and Ashley Neybert, from Independence Science, about the tools and services they offer to meet these needs.

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2223 Pet Peeves of a Blind Person (Jun. 8, 2022)


2223 Pet Peeves of a Blind Person (Jun. 8, 2022)

Show Notes
People who are blind have many ways of adapting in a world that consists of primarily sighted people. Sometimes though, being blind can be frustrating, especially when simple changes that could be made to make our lives easier are not made. This week hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk about some of Peter’s pet peeves as a blind person.

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2222 Voice Dream Reader for macOS (Jun. 1, 2022)


2222 Voice Dream Reader for macOS (Jun. 1, 2022)

Show Notes
The award-winning Voice Dream Reader app is used by many Voiceover users and others around the world to read and listen to documents in many formats. Originally developed for iOS, this powerful productivity tool now comes to macOS. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with the developer, Winston Chen, about the app, its features, and its development.

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2221 Offerings from the National Braille Press (May 25, 2022)


2221 Products and Programs from National Braille Press (May 25, 2022)

Show Notes
No matter what your age, interests, or career, chances are that the National Braille Press offers something for you. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Kesel Wilson, editorial director at the NBP, about books the NBP produces in braille and other formats for children, general interest, professionals, and those looking for technical manuals.

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2220 Encore of 2102 Access Technology Reminiscences (May 18, 2022)


2220 Encore of 2102 Access Technology Reminiscences (May 18, 2022)

Show Notes
David Bradburn, Vice-President Global Sales at Humanware, has been involved in the access technology field for over 35 years. A lot has changed over that time. Listen in on a conversation between David as a salesman and host Peter Torpey as a user as they reminisce about the evolution of access technology equipment since the early days.

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2219 The Hosts as Guests (May 11, 2022)


2219 The Hosts as Guests (May 11, 2022)

Show Notes
Every week Peter and Nancy Torpey interview interesting guests from around the world for their Eyes On Success weekly podcast. This week, however, the tables are turned as Sonia Usatch-Kuhn, host of the North Carolina Radio Reading Services Community Connections podcast, interviews Peter and Nancy about their own lives and careers and show.

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2218 Conditions for the Blind in Iran (May 4, 2022)


2218 Conditions for the Blind in Iran (May 4, 2022)

Show Notes
Aliasghar Assadi is a blind teacher of blind and visually impaired students in Iran. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Ali about conditions for the blind in Iran including the challenges of acquiring assistive technologies, how legal protections for the disabled are evolving, employment opportunities for the blind, and much more.

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2217 Encore of 1715 Audio Book Narrator (Apr. 27, 2022)


2217 Encore of 1715 Audio Book Narrator (Apr. 27, 2022)

Show Notes
You’ve probably heard her voice on a Talking Book from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Martha Harmon Pardee has narrated over 3,000 books for the NLS. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with her about the process of recording audio books, notable moments in her career, and what else she does as a professional voice artist.

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2216 An Advocate For All (Apr. 20, 2022)


2216 An Advocate For All (Apr. 20, 2022)

Show Notes
As President and CEO of the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind, Virginia Jacko is committed to ensuring that the blind and visually impaired have equitable access to education, blindness prevention programs, and vision rehabilitation training. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Virginia about her advocacy work and highlights of her career.

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2215 Managing Care for Mental Health Disorders (Apr. 13, 2022)


2215 Managing Care for Mental Health Disorders (Apr. 13, 2022)

Show Notes
Finding the right therapist to help deal with a mental health issue is crucial to having a successful outcome. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Robert DeYoung, a practicing psychoanalyst who himself is blind, about special concerns faced by making this choice when one is blind and how blindness may affect the interaction between patient and therapist.

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2214 Bookshare Reader for Smart Speakers (Apr. 6, 2022)


2214 Bookshare Reader for Smart Speakers (Apr. 6, 2022)

Show Notes
Bookshare makes books available to people with reading disabilities in a number of digital formats. Now you can listen to any of the over 1,000,000 titles in their collection on your smart speaker. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Hema Natarajan who heads Bookshare’s product and reading projects about new initiatives at Bookshare.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2213 Seeing the World More Clearly (Mar. 30, 2022)


2213 Seeing the World More Clearly (Mar. 30, 2022)

Show Notes
The Envision Glasses is a digital eyewear solution that helps visually impaired people read text, recognize objects, make video calls and much more. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Envision co-founder Karthik Kannan about the glasses and how they are designed to empower low vision people to be more independent and help with everyday tasks.

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2212 Never Too Late To Learn (Mar. 23, 2022)


2212 Never Too Late To Learn (Mar. 23, 2022)

Show Notes
The mission of Hadley is to create personalized learning opportunities that empower adults with vision loss to thrive – at home, at work, and in their communities. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Ed Haines, Chief Program Officer at Hadley, about some of the resources available at Hadley including workshops, podcasts, and discussion groups.

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2211 Your Personal Path to Fitness (Mar. 16, 2022)


2211 Your Personal Path to Fitness (Mar. 16, 2022)

Show Notes
Is your visual impairment keeping you from exercising and being as active as you would like? If so, this is the book for you. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Judy Dixon and Bonnie O’Day about their new book, “Your Personal Path To Fitness”, and some of the fitness opportunities that are available to people who are blind or low vision.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2210 Benefits of Hiring the Blind and Visually Impaired (Mar. 9, 2022)


2210 Benefits of Hiring the Blind and Visually Impaired (Mar. 9, 2022)

Show Notes
Welby Broaddus is an active advocate for employment of the blind and visually impaired. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Welby, who is visually impaired himself, about his new book that serves as a handbook for educating business owners, executives, and HR professionals on the benefits of hiring individuals who are blind and visually impaired.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2209 Succeeding Despite the Odds (Mar. 2, 2022)


2209 Succeeding Despite the Odds (Mar. 2, 2022)

Show Notes
How does a visually impaired person find rewarding employment? Sometimes it isn’t easy. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Ulysses Harmony Garcia about how she overcame obstacles as a blind individual by acquiring experience as a volunteer, participating in a job training program, working as an intern, and finally landing a job.

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2208 Extreme Sports – Rock Climbing (Feb. 23, 2022)


2208 Extreme Sports – Rock Climbing (Feb. 23, 2022)

Show Notes
John Churcher’s experience is proof that it is never too late to begin something new. Inspired by a friend later in life, he soon became an avid rock climber. Hosts Nancy and Peter talk with John about what rock climbing means to him, how he does it as a blind person, and about some of his adventures including scaling the Eiger, a several day endeavor.

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2207 Encore of 1502 Product Development at Humanware (Feb. 16, 2022)


2207 Encore of 1502 Product Development at Humanware (Feb. 16, 2022)

Show Notes
Bringing new products to market involves time, planning, and feedback from customers. This week, hosts Peter and Nancy Torpey talk with Dominic Labbé, Product Development Director for blindness related products at Humanware. He describes how the process works at Humanware and how products such as the Victor Reader are shepherded from concept to the marketplace.

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2206 Optic Low Vision Swimming Aid (Feb. 9, 2022)


2206 Optic Low Vision Swimming Aid (Feb. 9, 2022)

Show Notes
Competitive blind swimmers currently rely on sighted assistants to signal them before making their turn for the next lap. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Mirthe Hofstede who, for a student project, developed a system that obviates the need for an assistant while at the same time provides better feedback to the blind swimmer.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast, Uncategorized

2205 Taking Charge of Your Health (Feb. 2, 2022)


2205 Taking Charge of Your Health (Feb. 2, 2022)

Show Notes
As a result of being born prematurely, Jeff Bishop had to deal with a number of medical issues including becoming a diabetic. Hosts Nancy and Peter talk with Jeff about his journey to control his diabetes by making a series of lifestyle changes that included sticking to a healthy diet, regular exercise, and developing the drive to succeed.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2204 Accessibility of Medical Devices (Jan. 26, 2022)


2204 Accessibility of Medical Devices (Jan. 26, 2022)

Show Notes
In order for people to take charge of their health and manage certain medical conditions it is often important that medical monitoring devices be accessible to those who need them. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Tom Tobin and Jeff Bishop, who are both blind, about the importance of having accessible devices and where we stand today.

Uncategorized

2203 Inspire Low Vision Aid (Jan. 19, 2022)


2203 Inspire Low Vision Aid (Jan. 19, 2022)

Show Notes
Inspire is a lightweight headset that enables people with low vision to make the most use of the vision that they have. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Brian Murphey, sales manager from IrisVision, about this digital eyewear system and how it can be used in daily life. They also demonstrate various functions of the device.

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2202 Not Just For Fun (Jan. 12, 2022)


2202 Not Just For Fun (Jan. 12, 2022)

Show Notes
Camp Abilities is a week long sports camp for children with visual impairments. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Lauren Lieberman, the camp’s founder and director, about the program and the benefits it provides to blind youth who otherwise might have missed out on such opportunities to participate in activities with their peers.

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2201 The Dream Of A Lifetime (Jan. 5, 2022)


2201 The Dream Of A Lifetime (Jan. 5, 2022)

Show Notes
The MacArthur Fellowship is a $625,000, no-strings-attached award to extraordinarily talented and creative individuals as an investment in their potential. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Josh Miele, blind since childhood and one of the 2021 fellows, about how his work in the field of accessibility led to him receiving this special award.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2153 Behind the Scenes at Eyes On Success (Dec. 29, 2021)


2153 Behind the Scenes at Eyes On Success (Dec. 29, 2021)

Show Notes
There are many steps that go into hosting and producing a successful podcast. This week hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey walk listeners through the process that they follow in putting each episode of Eyes On Success together. From deciding on topics and people to interview through the distribution of episodes to listeners around the world, you’ll hear it all.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2152 Apple HomeKit and the Smart Home (Dec. 22, 2021)


2152 Apple HomeKit and the Smart Home (Dec. 22, 2021)

Show Notes
There are a myriad of devices based on the Apple Home Kit, but how are they used and which have the functionality you might be looking for? Hosts Peter and Nancy Torpey talk with Dustin Boggus, who is visually impaired himself, about his “MyHomeKitHome” videos, blog, and website that aim to show users what can be expected from such devices and how they work.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2151 The Intracortical Visual Prosthesis Project (Dec. 15, 2021)


2151 The Intracortical Visual Prosthesis Project (Dec. 15, 2021)

Show Notes
The goal of the Intracortical Visual Prosthesis (ICVP) project is to develop a device and system that will compensate for blindness by directly stimulating the visual centers within the brain. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with principal investigators Philip Troyk and Frank Lane about how the system works and their search for research volunteers.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2150 Voxmate App (Dec. 8, 2021)


2150 Voxmate App (Dec. 8, 2021)

Show Notes
The number and complexity of gestures required to operate today’s smart phones and tablets can make operating such devices a daunting task for those who are less technically savvy. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Gleb Zevkov and Katja Danilova, founders and developers of the Voxmate app for Android that offers an innovative solution to using these devices.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2149 Encore of 1637 Waitressing in the Dark (Dec. 1, 2021)


2149 Encore of 1637 Waitressing in the Dark (Dec. 1, 2021)

Show Notes
“Dining in the dark” restaurants have opened in many countries. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey speak with Christine Malec, author and massage therapist, about the 2 years she spent as a blind waitress in a totally dark restaurant. She describes the dining and serving experience when the tables are turned and what she learned both about herself and about her customers.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2148 Talk Description to Me (Nov. 24, 2021)


2148 Talk Description to Me (Nov. 24, 2021)

Show Notes
J.J. Hunt is an audio describer and storyteller. Christine Malec is an inquisitive member of the blind and partially sighted community who’s always wondering about something. Together they host and produce the “Talk Description to Me” podcast. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with the pair about this innovative podcast geared to the visually impaired.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2147 The Unexpected Path (Nov. 17, 2021)


2147 The Unexpected Path (Nov. 17, 2021)

Show Notes
“Guiding Emily” was written by Barbara Hinske and describes the journey of a newly blinded woman with her first guide dog. Emily’s story is continued in the newly released sequel “The Unexpected Path”. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Barbara about her new book, its inspiration, and what she learned when researching and writing both books.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2146 Running with Google Project Guideline (Nov. 10, 2021)


2146 Running with Google Project Guideline (Nov. 10, 2021)

Show Notes
Google’s “Project Guideline” is an early stage research project aimed at enabling those with vision loss to run independently. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Bill Ma, director of IT and operations and Jessy DiNapoli, manager of admissions at Guiding Eyes for the Blind about how their blind CEO, Thomas Panek, has used the app to run on his own.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2145 Accessibility of Android Devices Past and Present (Nov. 3, 2021)


2145 Accessibility of Android Devices Past and Present (Nov. 3, 2021)

Show Notes
The accessibility of Android devices has continued to improve over the years and is now a viable option for those who are visually impaired. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Austin Pinto, Warren Carr and Mariam Mohsen from the Blind Android Users team about how Android has evolved over time as well as about recently introduced accessibility features.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2144 Accessibility Features Introduced in iOS 15 (Oct. 27, 2021)


2144 Accessibility Features Introduced in iOS 15 (Oct. 27, 2021)

Show Notes
Every year Apple releases a new and improved operating system for iOS devices. Each release also often comes with new accessibility features, and this year is no exception. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Dean Hudson, Apple’s Accessibility Evangelist, about some of the new features that are expected to benefit visually impaired users in iOS 15.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2143 UN Resolution Commits Countries to Eye Care (Oct. 20, 2021)


2143 UN Resolution Commits Countries to Eye Care (Oct. 20, 2021)

Show Notes
Many people around the world suffer from vision problems that are readily treatable. A new United Nations resolution aims to address this problem. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Jessica Thompson, Head of Policy and Advocacy at the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) about the resolution and what it hopes to accomplish.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2142 Birdability (Oct. 13, 2021)


2142 Birdability (Oct. 13, 2021)

Show Notes
Birdability is an organization whose mission is to make birding accessible to all. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Freya McGregor, Birdability Coordinator and Occupational Therapist, and Michael Hurben, avid birder with vision loss, about the organization and how anyone can enjoy birding and the wonderful outdoors even if they can’t leave their own home!

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2141 Not Just A Leap Of Faith (Oct. 6, 2021)


2141 Not Just A Leap Of Faith (Oct. 6, 2021)

Show Notes
People who are visually impaired are no strangers to participating in sports. On the other hand, it is difficult to imagine jumping over a 10 or 12 foot high bar without seeing the bar. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Bradly Rainwater, a competitive blind pole vaulter, and his coach and grandfather Brad Rainwater about how it can be done.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2140 Encore of 1916 The Voice Behind Siri (Sep. 29, 2021)


2140 Encore of 1916 The Voice Behind Siri (Sep. 29, 2021)

Show Notes
Meet Susan Bennett whose voice was used to create the original female English language Siri voice. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Susan about her experiences as a voice artist, actress, and musician, what it was like to create the voice for Siri, how she found out that she was the voice behind Siri, and how it changed her career.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2139 Using Reaper with OSARA (Sep. 22, 2021)


2139 Using Reaper with OSARA (Sep. 22, 2021)

Show Notes
Reaper is a powerful multi-track audio production program used by many people with visual impairments. The program is made accessible using a screen reader on both PC’s and Mac’s by the open source OSARA extension for Reaper. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Scott Chesworth who manages the Reaper forums and Jamie Teh, the author of OSARA.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2138 Maxima Computer Algebra System (Sep. 15, 2021)


2138 Maxima Computer Algebra System (Sep. 15, 2021)

Show Notes
Maxima is a computer algebra system (CAS) that enables the user to work with complex mathematical expressions. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Robert Dodier, one of the developers of Maxima, about the capabilities of this free, open source program and also demonstrate how it can be used with a screen reader by those who are blind.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2137 Sharing Experiences with Cochlear Implants (Sep. 8, 2021)


2137 Sharing Experiences with Cochlear Implants (Sep. 8, 2021)

Show Notes
Blind individuals rely heavily on their ability to hear in order to compensate for their lack of sight. But what happens when a blind person loses their hearing? Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey join a conversation between Jim Snowbarger and Greg Green, both of whom are blind and both of whom have cochlear implants, about their experiences with the implants.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2136 Combining Computer Science with Social Sciences (Sep. 1, 2021)


2136 Combining Computer Science with Social Sciences (Sep. 1, 2021)

Show Notes
Bhavya Shah grew up in India where blind students were often dissuaded from certain studies and careers and where many textbooks could not be obtained in an accessible format. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Bhavya about how he overcame these challenges and now combines his skills in computer science with his interest in social science to contribute to research projects.

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2135 Getting Around as an Entrepreneur (Aug. 25, 2021)


2135 Getting Around as an Entrepreneur (Aug. 25, 2021)

Show Notes
Fernando Albertorio is a blind chemist turned entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is also a co-founder of the Sunu Band, a device worn on the wrist to provide tactile navigation cues to the blind. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Fernando about his journey, philosophy, and how his drive and motivation have opened up opportunities for him.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2134 Navigating Indoors with the Clew App (Aug. 18, 2021)


2134 Navigating Indoors with the Clew App (Aug. 18, 2021)

Show Notes
Most navigation apps rely on GPS and work well outdoors. Unfortunately, such apps are not suitable for indoor use. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Paul Ruvolo about the Clew app he developed which overcomes this limitation by making use of Apple’s AR Kit and the phone’s camera in order to guide users from point to point indoors.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2133 Encore of 1844 Sounds of the Stars (Aug. 11, 2021)


2133 Encore of 1844 Sounds of the Stars (Aug. 11, 2021)

Show Notes
Last week we talked about creating tactile representations of the universe. This week hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Greg Salvesen, a post-doctoral fellow at UCSB, and Matt Russo, a professor of astronomy at Seneca College about using sonification to transform astronomical data into audio for use by both sighted and vision impaired people.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2132 Making Astronomy Accessible (Aug. 4, 2021)


2132 Making Astronomy Accessible (Aug. 4, 2021)

Show Notes
Astronomy is generally thought to be a very visually oriented field, but with some thought, it can be made accessible to those who are blind. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Noreen Grice, founder and president of You Can Do Astronomy, about how she makes astronomical concepts and features engaging for those who can’t see.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2131 MuseScore Music Scoring Software (Jul. 28, 2021)


2131 MuseScore Music Scoring Software (Jul. 28, 2021)

Show Notes
MuseScore is a program for creating and sharing musical scores. Despite being open source and free, MuseScore includes many of the features found in commercial programs. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Marc Sabatella, one of the developers, about his work to make MuseScore accessible with a variety of screen readers.

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2130 Creating Solutions to Solve Problems (Jul. 21, 2021)


2130 Creating Solutions to Solve Problems (Jul. 21, 2021)

Show Notes
Doug Lee has been blind his entire life. In addition to writing JAWS scripts for Level Access, a firm that develops access solutions for other companies, Doug also freely shares many scripts and tools he has developed to improve access to commonly used programs. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Doug about his life and the tools he shares.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2129 On the Road Again After Covid (Jul. 14 2021)


2129 On the Road Again After Covid (Jul. 14 2021)

Show Notes
Video calls with a 3 and 5 year old just don’t cut it. So hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey decided to take their first big road trip after Covid to see the grandkids in person. Hear about their journey from Colorado to Michigan through the cornfields of Nebraska and Iowa, some of the unusual sights they saw along the way, and more.

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2128 Tools for Blind Scientists (Jul. 7, 2021)


2128 Tools for Blind Scientists (Jul. 7, 2021)

Show Notes
The more tools one has in one’s toolbox the better one will be prepared to take on new tasks and address new problems. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Mona Minkara, Assistant Professor of Bioengineering at Northeastern University about the extensive set of tools she has collected and used over the years to compensate for her blindness.

A weekly, haf hour radio show / podcast covering a wide variety of topics of interest to the visually impaired