Episode Summary

Jennifer and Michael open this episode of Colorado Views with a very Colorado conversation about weather, humidity, air quality, allergies, thunderstorms, and how changing conditions can affect everyday life. From there, the conversation turns toward Aftersight’s September 12 Audio Trekkers hike and several upcoming community events.

They highlight emergency-preparedness opportunities with the Center for People with Disabilities, Ensight Skills Center’s 25th anniversary celebration, and the ongoing need for Aftersight volunteers. Jennifer explains how seemingly simple volunteer work, such as reading weekly grocery ads, gives people who are blind or have low vision access to information many sighted people take for granted.

The conversation ultimately becomes a broader discussion about advocacy and accessibility. Jennifer and Michael talk about sudden vision loss, caregivers trying to navigate unfamiliar resources, accessibility barriers in public spaces, and the danger of assuming that disability means helplessness. They also discuss Blind Pilots and efforts in Guatemala to help people who are blind or have low vision experience greater independence, mobility, community, and opportunity.

Credits

Show: Colorado Views
Hosts: Jennifer Neptune and Michael Sisneros
Producer: Jonathan Price
Presented by: Aftersight

Contact Info

Aftersight: aftersight.org
Audio Trekkers Hike: September 12, 2026 — Winter Park, Colorado
Ensight Skills Center: ensightskills.org
Ensight Anniversary RSVP: Eventbrite
Ensight contact referenced in episode: ria@ensightskills.org
Aftersight programs: Low Vision Support Group, Book Club, Tech Talk, volunteer opportunities, and white cane resources.

Chapter Markers

00:05 — Colorado Weather, Air Quality, and Getting Older
08:25 — The September 12 Audio Trekkers Hike
11:35 — Emergency Preparedness and CPWD
14:08 — Celebrating 25 Years of Ensight Skills Center
16:09 — Volunteer Match and Connecting With the Community
19:10 — Why Aftersight Needs Volunteers
22:16 — Advocacy and How Quickly Life Can Change
26:51 — Finding Resources After Vision Loss
27:55 — Blind Pilots, Guatemala, and Independence
32:19 — Recognizing Accessibility Barriers
35:04 — Designing Communication for Accessibility
38:11 — Taking Off the Blinders
38:36 — The Impact of Blind Pilots
42:20 — Aftersight Support Groups and Resources
42:49 — Questions, Comments, and Closing