Accessible Outdoors. Bartram’s Garden Debuts Recorded Audio Descriptions
Release Date: 03/31/2025
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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_outline
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...
info_outline
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,...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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,...
info_outline
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...
info_outlineTo 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 Carr Garden, the Historic Bartram House, and the Common Flower Garden. You can access the recordings here. https://www.bartramsgarden.org/audio-descriptions/
The audio descriptions will be debuted at the upcoming Bartram’s Garden Spring Fest on Saturday, April 19. The fest runs from 10:00 to 2:00 PM, with the audio description portion from 12:30 to 1:30. Here is a description of what to expect.
“As part of Bartram’s Garden’s SpringFest event, join Beth Feldman Brandt and Charmaine Parrish for a guided walking tour featuring their new audio descriptions of select areas of the Garden, including the Ann Bartram Carr Garden, the Historic Bartram House, and the Common Flower Garden. After we tour together using the recorded descriptions, you are invited to share refreshments and community, and to give feedback on the experience. Friends and family are also welcome! Note that while this tour is designed for safe navigation by people with visual impairments, exploring other areas of the Gardens is best done with a sighted companion.
Registration is encouraged but not required. Register at https://www.bartramsgarden.org/event/audio-description-tour/.
Light refreshments will be served. In the event of inclement weather, this tour will be rescheduled for Saturday, May 10 at 10 AM. These audio descriptions were provided by Beth Feldman Brandt and Charmaine Parrish as part of the Sowing Excellence Awards, a collaboration of the IDEA Center for Public Gardens and the U.S. Botanic Garden.
We are also grateful for the expertise of Sarah Pharaon as well as staff members Mandy Katz and Emily Constantino in supporting the creation of these audio descriptions.”
Those wishing to utilize the service should prepare to bring their mobile device and, if preferred, headphones for the best listening experience. After the 19th, anyone is welcome to come to the specified gardens and listen to the audio descriptions whenever the gardens are open!
You can learn more about the project by reading the following article.
To contact Bartram’s Garden, give them a call at: (215) 729-5281 or send them an email at: [email protected]
To contact Beth, go to https://www.brandtwords.com/aboutcontact.html.
To contact Charmaine, send her an email at [email protected].
Interested in receiving the most up-to-date information about monthly audio described offerings? Send an email to [email protected] to be added to their monthly newsletter!
Have you attended an audio-described event before or have comments about this upcoming event? We want to hear from you! Give us a call at: 267-338-4495 or send us an email at: [email protected]
Like what you hear from White Canes Connect? Please support the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania at https://www.nfbofpa.org/give/.