Shawn Callaway and NOBBL’s National Impact
White Canes Connect
In Episode 138 of White Canes Connect, hosts Lisa Bryant and David Goldstein welcome back Shawn Callaway, President of both the National Federation of the Blind of the District of Columbia and the National Organization of Blind Black Leaders (NOBBL). Shawn shares updates on NOBBL’s growth, programming, and plans for the upcoming National Convention in New Orleans. He reflects on the organization’s journey from its roots in the DEI Committee in 2018 to its official division status in 2022. Shawn highlights NOBBL’s active committees, including groups for Black women, men, seniors, elected...
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Inside NFB Convention Prep with John Berggren
White Canes Connect
In Episode 137 of White Canes Connect, hosts Lisa Bryant and David Goldstein welcome John Berggren, Executive Director for Operations at the National Federation of the Blind. With just weeks to go before the 2025 national convention in New Orleans, John offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to coordinate the Federation’s biggest annual event. From humble beginnings in 1999 building NFB-NEWSLINE® boxes to now orchestrating logistics for thousands of attendees, John shares how the convention has grown in scale, complexity, and impact. He talks about the thoughtful planning...
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Vision and Justice: The Story of Judge David Tatel
White Canes Connect
In Episode 136 of White Canes Connect, hosts Lisa Bryant and David Goldstein welcome retired Judge David Tatel, author of Vision: A Memoir of Blindness and Justice. Judge Tatel reflects on his remarkable legal career—most notably, three decades on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit—while offering an unflinching look at his personal struggle with blindness caused by retinitis pigmentosa. Tatel shares how he spent most of his life downplaying or hiding his vision loss, even removing mentions from public records and press materials. It wasn’t until his eighties, and through the...
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Blind Birders Birdathon Breaks Barriers Nationwide
White Canes Connect
In Episode 135 of White Canes Connect, hosts Lisa Bryant and David Goldstein welcome Martha Steele and Natanya Sortland to spotlight the inaugural Blind Birders Birdathon happening May 18, 2025. This nationwide event invites blind and visually impaired individuals to identify birds by sound during a flexible two-hour window within a 24-hour period. No birding experience required—just a love of listening. Martha, a lifelong birder from Massachusetts, was inspired by an article about a blind bird guide and helped launch the event to build community and highlight that birding is, above all, an...
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Inside the Blind Vendor Showcase with Pam Baquero
White Canes Connect
In Episode 134 of White Canes Connect, host David Goldstein is joined by Pam Baquero, President of the Pennsylvania Association of Blind Merchants, for a lively preview of the upcoming Spring Fling Blind Vendor Showcase, taking place May 17 at the Best Western Premier in Harrisburg. This high-energy event celebrates blind entrepreneurship with food, music, raffles, and a marketplace of blind and visually impaired vendors from across the region. Pam details the schedule—4 PM to 10 PM—and teases the delicious hors d’oeuvres (yes, including Guinness beef) and live DJ. Guests can expect...
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Federation Focus for the Week of April 28
White Canes Connect
In this episode of White Canes Connect, David Goldstein plays the latest episode of Federation Focus. This weekly video mentions what is happening within the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania. Make sure you visit our YouTube channel at and subscribe! Show notes at This is what the description on each episode looks like: This week's Federation Focus comes to you from Las Vegas! Don't worry, I'm not wearing one of those skimpy showgirl outfits. Liz wouldn't have been able to hold the camera steady from laughter if I were wearing one! Check...
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Shawn Welker’s Mission: Affordable Visual Interpreting
White Canes Connect
In Episode 132 of White Canes Connect, hosts Michelle McManus and David Goldstein welcome Shawn Welker, founder of Visual Eyes Access, a low-cost visual interpreting service with a unique approach. Shawn shares how his background in accessibility and mobility training gives him a deeper understanding of blind users’ needs, setting his service apart from other platforms like Aira and Be My Eyes. Shawn discusses the evolution of visual interpreting, the limitations of mainstream services, and why affordability and personalization are key to his mission. He explains how Visual Eyes Access...
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Designing for Accessibility
White Canes Connect
In Episode 131 of White Canes Connect, host David Goldstein shares highlights from a powerful panel on digital accessibility and the expanded scope of ADA Title II, which now includes websites, mobile apps, and digital documents of publicly funded institutions. Moderated by Thomas DiAgostino and facilitated by JEME Agency and Accessible Pharmacy Services for the Blind, the panel features four experts from diverse backgrounds: Jamie Ray-Leonetti (Institute on Disabilities at Temple University), Adrienne Moore (Office for People with Disabilities, Philadelphia), architect Ricardo J. Rodríguez...
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Five Years at the Bar: Music, Community, and Connection
White Canes Connect
In Episode 130 of White Canes Connect, hosts Stacie Leap and David Goldstein spotlight the fifth annual Piano Bar virtual fundraiser—Five Years at the Bar. This musical event brings together blind performers from across the U.S. to raise funds for the Pennsylvania Parents of Blind Children and Blind Parents divisions. Guests Eddie Salcido (California) and John Dowling (Minnesota) share their excitement about returning to the virtual stage, where they'll perform original songs and their favorites. The lineup includes four performers—Angelina (PA), Carl Smith (UT), John, and Eddie—each...
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Accessible Outdoors. Bartram’s Garden Debuts Recorded Audio Descriptions
White Canes Connect
To make the beauty and grandeur of nature accessible to everyone, Bartram’s Garden teamed up with a local audio describer and visually impaired accessibility consultant to produce audio descriptions of three gardens on their grounds. Join White Canes Connect contributor Simon Bonenfant, as he speaks with audio describer Beth Feldman Brant, along with Accessibility Coach Charmaine Parrish, about everything you need to know as part of this exciting initiative! Recorded audio descriptions include a Know Before you Go, detailing an introduction and orientation to the Welcome Center, Ann Bartram...
info_outlineIn Episode 138 of White Canes Connect, hosts Lisa Bryant and David Goldstein welcome back Shawn Callaway, President of both the National Federation of the Blind of the District of Columbia and the National Organization of Blind Black Leaders (NOBBL). Shawn shares updates on NOBBL’s growth, programming, and plans for the upcoming National Convention in New Orleans. He reflects on the organization’s journey from its roots in the DEI Committee in 2018 to its official division status in 2022.
Shawn highlights NOBBL’s active committees, including groups for Black women, men, seniors, elected leaders, and HBCU outreach. He emphasizes NOBBL’s mission to create space for Black blind voices within both the Federation and the broader community, building partnerships with groups like the National Council of Negro Women and launching their first national convention community service project.
The conversation also touches on NOBBL’s role in supporting Black blind students through scholarships, mentoring first-time convention attendees, and building leadership pipelines for the future. With over 150 active members and packed convention meetings, NOBBL continues to grow and push for greater visibility and inclusion. Shawn closes with a tease of something big coming in 2026—and a friendly rivalry with Eagles fans.
The NOBBLmeeting at National Convention is Thursday at 6:00 PM CDT in Gallery 5. Use the #NFB25 app for any last minute changes and to create your own schedule at convention.
Show notes at https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/138
Links Mentioned
- Interested in joining NOBBL? Email [email protected] for more information
- Have you checked out Federation Focus yet? https://www.youtube.com/@nfbofpa/
Women Healed For A Purpose Author Cirde
Join WHFAP "She Writes" panel discussion & bits and pieces from the panelist's work.
July 5, 2025 / 11:00am-1:00pm
Park Towers Community Room
4001 Conshohocken Ave., Phila., PA 19131 (you know the place). Invite others and share the information please.
Panelists are:
RuNett Nia Ebo - Poet
Michele A. Vann
Rebecca Rush
Delvia Berrian
Mary Washam
Click here to register:
https://forms.gle/bZntyTf9mMZk9Wnu7
Registration is free
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