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...
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Passing the Torch: Gary Wunder & Chris Danielsen Talk Legacy and Vision
White Canes Connect
In episode 128 of White Canes Connect, hosts Lisa Bryant and David Goldstein welcome longtime National Federation of the Blind (NFB) leaders Gary Wunder and Chris Danielsen for a rich conversation about legacy, transition, and storytelling. Gary, former editor of the Braille Monitor, shares his journey from joining the NFB at 16 to his new role as Blind Narrative Curator, leading the Oral History Project to preserve the voices and experiences of influential blind members. Chris, now the Monitor editor, discusses taking the reins from Gary, the magazine’s evolution, and the importance of...
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Blind Parents Take Center Stage with Stacie Leap and Marva Hall
White Canes Connect
In Episode 127 of White Canes Connect, hosts Lisa Bryant and David Goldstein welcome Stacie Leap and Marva Hall from the Pennsylvania Organization of Blind Parents. This newly chartered division of the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania (NFB of PA) is only the second of its kind in the entire NFB, marking a historic moment for blind parents nationwide. Stacie Leap, the division’s president, shares her personal journey of navigating blindness and parenthood, which led her to establish a support group that has now grown into an official division. Marva Hall, the treasurer,...
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Challenged for His Blindness, Not His Words: Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette
White Canes Connect
In Episode 126 of White Canes Connect, hosts Lisa Bryant and David Goldstein welcome Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette, Director of Government Affairs at the Project on Government Oversight (POGO) and a proud member of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland. Dylan shares his experiences as a policy advocate, including his recent congressional testimony on waste, fraud, and abuse in federal spending. While his testimony was substantive and well-researched, Dylan faced an unfortunate wave of online backlash—not for his arguments, but for his blindness. Instead of engaging with his policy...
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Advocacy in Action: Jesse Shirek on Washington Seminar
White Canes Connect
In Episode 125 of White Canes Connect, hosts Lisa Bryant and David Goldstein welcome Jesse Shirek, a government affairs specialist with the National Federation of the Blind (NFB). This episode focuses on the recently concluded Washington Seminar, an annual advocacy event where blind individuals from across the country meet with legislators to discuss key policy issues affecting their community. Jesse provides a historical overview of Washington Seminar, dating back to its origins in 1973, and emphasizes its continued importance today. He explains the rigorous preparation process, from training...
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Patti Cox & Glenda Such: Voices of Low Vision Advocacy
White Canes Connect
In Episode 124 of White Canes Connect, hosts Lisa Bryant and David Goldstein sit down with Patti Cox, President of the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI), and Glenda Such, head of Low Vision Now! The discussion, which takes place during Low Vision Awareness Month, highlights the challenges, advocacy, and support systems available for individuals with low vision. Patti shares her personal journey with aniridia and how she became deeply involved with CCLVI, a national organization affiliated with the American Council of the Blind. She outlines the importance of advocacy,...
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Audiom: Revolutionizing Navigation for the Blind
White Canes Connect
In Episode 123 of White Canes Connect, hosts Lisa Bryant and David Goldstein welcome Brandon Biggs, CEO and co-founder of XR Navigation. Biggs introduces Audiom, a groundbreaking digital map designed for non-visual users. As a blind individual, he shares his journey from opera singing to inclusive design, motivated by the inaccessibility of digital maps on mainstream platforms like Google Maps. Biggs demonstrates Audiom’s capabilities, showcasing its auditory and text-based navigation, enabling users to explore geographic spaces through sound cues and keyboard controls. The tool provides...
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Braille Rocks: Daniel Lubiner’s Vision for Literacy and Inclusion
White Canes Connect
In Episode 122 of White Canes Connect, listeners revisit the 2024 NFB of Pennsylvania State Convention in Erie, featuring Daniel Lubiner's insightful presentation, "Braille: The Language of the Blind." Daniel, an accomplished educator and advocate, shared her journey from special education teaching to becoming a Braille expert, emphasizing the vital role of early intervention and daily Braille instruction. Drawing on her experiences at Louisiana Tech University and the Louisiana Center for the Blind, Daniel highlighted the need for high expectations, collaboration among educators, and a...
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Tech, Accessibility, and the Future of Healthcare with Andy Burstein
White Canes Connect
In this engaging episode of White Canes Connect, listeners are treated to a dynamic presentation by Andy Burstein, CEO of Accessible Pharmacy Services for the Blind, during the 2024 NFB of Pennsylvania State Convention in Erie. Andy offers a captivating overview of his company’s innovative services, which cater specifically to individuals with disabilities. Andy shares exciting updates about Accessible Pharmacy’s nationwide expansion and groundbreaking initiatives. From low-tech solutions like talking blood pressure cuffs and medication labels to high-tech innovations such as continuous...
info_outlineIn this episode of White Canes Connect, hosts Lisa Bryant and David Goldstein speak with Laura Wolk Slavis, the first blind woman to clerk at the United States Supreme Court. Laura shares her remarkable journey, starting from her early involvement with the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) due to her childhood diagnosis of retinoblastoma. Her father's proactive engagement with the NFB's resources set Laura on a path of empowerment and opportunity.
Laura discusses her professional trajectory, including her time in Washington, D.C., her work with federal judges, and her impactful year with Justice Clarence Thomas at the Supreme Court. Now working at a nonprofit focused on First Amendment constitutional law, Laura reflects on her initial career aspirations in psychology and music and how her experiences led her to the legal field.
A key highlight of the episode is Laura's testimony during the confirmation hearings of Justice Amy Coney Barrett. She recounts how Barrett's support of assistive technology during law school exemplified true advocacy. Laura also emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and building communities, both within the disability sphere and beyond.
Throughout the conversation, Laura's resilience, adaptability, and dedication to her work shine through. She offers listeners inspiration and practical advice on navigating professional challenges with a disability.
Show notes at https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/105
More On Laura
Watch Laura’s testimony at Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s Senate Judiciary Committee’s Supreme Court confirmation hearing: https://youtu.be/erIxxlB8-II?si=QyUIhY4i6-uJVPTg. Laura’s article from the Braille Monitor: https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/fr/fr39/4/fr390413.htm. The book Laura mentioned: The Escape Artist: The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Warn the World https://amzn.to/4eDIigo.
An Easy Way to Help the NFB of PA
Support the NFB of PA with every purchase at White Cane Coffee Company by going to https://www.whitecanecoffee.com/ref/nfbp. When you use that link to purchase from White Cane Coffee, the NFB of PA earns a 10% commission! Share the link with your family and friends! Listen to Erin and Bob Willman from White Cane Coffee on episode 072 of White Canes Connect.
Donate to the NFB of PA
If you want to donate to the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania, visit https://www.NFBofPA.org/give/.
We Want to Hear Your Story
Reach out with questions and comments, or share ideas! We want to hear from you. Call us at (267) 338-4495 or at whitecanesconnect@gmail.com.
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