An Amazing story of survival and success! with Michael Hingson

Quick recap

In this episode of the Amazing Cities and Towns podcast, host Jim interviewed Michael Hingson, a blind speaker and author who shared his experiences on 9/11 and his broader life story. Michael discussed his work as a computer company executive in the World Trade Center on 9/11, where he and his guide dog Roselle survived the terrorist attacks by following emergency procedures and evacuation protocols. They also explored Michael's perspective on disability rights, technology's role in accessibility, and his work as a public speaker. The conversation highlighted Michael's philosophy on overcoming challenges and his views on artificial intelligence and its potential benefits for people with disabilities. Jim expressed admiration for Michael's leadership and resilience, and they discussed the importance of adapting to new technologies and maintaining a positive outlook despite obstacles.

Summary

Surviving 9/11 as a Blind Leader

Jim interviews Michael Hingson, who shares his experience as a blind person who survived the 9/11 attacks in the World Trade Center. Michael describes how he and his guide dog Roselle evacuated Tower 1 after the plane hit, emphasizing that his blindness did not prevent him from understanding the situation. They discuss Michael's subsequent leadership and speaking career, with Jim mentioning potential future speaking opportunities through the National League of Cities.

Surviving 9/11: A Blind Man's Story

Michael shared his experience of surviving the September 11 attacks as a blind person, highlighting how his preparation and training helped him remain calm and focused during the evacuation. He described how his guide dog, Roselle, played a crucial role in keeping him and others calm, and how he used his knowledge of the World Trade Center to navigate the building during the emergency. Michael has since become a public speaker, sharing lessons learned from his experiences about teamwork, trust, leadership, and emergency preparedness.

Michael's Journey with Thunderdog

Michael discussed his experiences with writing and publishing two books, "Thunderdog" and "Live Like a Guy Dog." He shared how "Thunderdog" came about after meeting George Berger at the American Kennel Club Canine Yukanuba Dog Show in 2002, and how Susie Flory encouraged him to write the book. Michael explained that the book was published by Thomas Nelson in 2011 and became a New York Times bestseller. He emphasized the importance of the book in teaching people about blindness and challenging attitudes towards blind people, highlighting the high unemployment rate among employable blind individuals.

Overcoming Challenges with Technology and Choice

Michael shared his personal story of being born blind and overcoming obstacles, emphasizing the importance of choices and technology in his life. He discussed the concept of disability as a characteristic that everyone has, and highlighted how the Americans with Disabilities Act has provided accommodations that benefit everyone, not just those with disabilities. Jim agreed with Michael's perspective, noting how the ADA has opened doors for people with disabilities and should be seen as a natural part of society.

Challenges in Accessibility Today

Michael discussed the ongoing challenges of accessibility, highlighting how the Americans with Disabilities Act has made significant progress but still faces numerous battles. He shared personal anecdotes about his wife's experiences with accessibility issues and his own encounters with discrimination, emphasizing the need for societal recognition of these challenges. Michael also explained the importance of making internet websites accessible, noting that only about 3% of websites are currently accessible. He praised Apple's innovative approach to accessibility, particularly with their VoiceOver technology, while suggesting that more could be done to ensure all apps are accessible.

AI's Role and Future Potential

Jim and Michael discussed the role and potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in various aspects of life. Michael emphasized that AI is a valuable tool that can enhance accessibility, improve vaccine development, and assist in education by helping students learn rather than just using AI to write papers. They also talked about the progress and future of autonomous vehicles, with Jim highlighting the potential benefits for elderly people and Michael sharing his experience driving a Tesla with AI assistance. Both agreed that while AI has made significant strides, it is still in its early stages and will continue to improve over time.

Guide Dogs and AI Technologies

Michael discussed his experiences with guide dogs, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and trust between the handler and the dog. He explained that guide dogs are trained to ensure safe navigation, not to lead the handler, and described how he communicates with his dogs using a harness. Michael also highlighted the role of AI in assisting people with disabilities, mentioning technologies like Echo Vision glasses and the IRA (Artificial Intelligent Remote Assistant) service. He concluded by sharing his approach to interacting with the public, including allowing petting of his guide dogs when time permits.

Michael's Speaking Career Promotion

Jim and Michael discussed Michael's speaking career, emphasizing that his story transcends 9/11 and covers themes of life, persistence, and inspiration. Jim expressed his admiration for Michael's speaking skills and offered to promote his services to various organizations.

Michael’s contact info and website are: 

Michael’s phone number: 415-827-4084

www.michaelhingson.com

Email:  [e-mail]

Speaking opportunities for Michael:  

[e-mail]  

www.voicestoconnect.com