In this episode, I’m looking back at what life was actually like for people with disabilities before the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. From public buses without lifts to missing elevator Braille, accessibility wasn't legally guaranteed—and nearly 70% of working-age disabled Americans were left out of the workforce. I’m sharing the incredible history of how activists took a stand in March 1990 by leaving their mobility devices behind to physically crawl up the 78 marble steps of the U.S. Capitol. We’ll discuss how the famous "Capitol Crawl" forced lawmakers to take action, leading to the signing of the ADA and reshaping modern life.

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If you have questions, comments, or thoughts, send me an email: theworldasiseeitpodcast@gmail.com #TheWorldAsISeeIt #BlindPerspective #BlindnessAwareness #PodcastLife 

In this episode, I’m sitting down for a special interview with Kevin, the director of S.O.A.R.! S.O.A.R. is an incredible three-week program designed for teens and young adults who are blind or visually impaired to build real independence, confidence, and essential life skills. Kevin shares what inspired him to create the program 20 years ago, how it has evolved over two decades, and how they balance fun activities with hands-on independent living training. We also discuss how S.O.A.R. recruits top-tier instructors from across the country and what it’s like watching participants transform from week one to week three. Whether you're considering attending, a parent, or just curious and want to learn more about S.O.A.R., you won't want to miss this conversation! If you have questions or feedback, leave a comment below or reach out via email: theworldasiseeitpodcast@gmail.com #TheWorldAsISeeIt #BlindPerspective #BlindnessAwareness #PodcastLife #IndependentLiving

In this episode, I’m sitting down for a special interview with Sam, who is dual-certified as both a Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) and an Orientation and Mobility (O&M) specialist! If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to guide, teach, and empower blind and visually impaired students toward true independence, this conversation is for you. Sam shares what inspired her dual career, breaks down the steps to entering this specialized field, and clears up the most common and amusing misconceptions people have about her work. Plus, we dive back into the S.O.A.R. program—where Sam was actually my money management instructor! We discuss why S.O.A.R. is such a powerful experience and why blind and visually impaired listeners should consider joining in the future. Whether you're curious about a career in blindness education or want a deeper look into the tools that build independence, you won't want to miss this episode. If you have questions, ideas, or feedback, please reach out! Email: theworldasiseeitpodcast@gmail.com #TheWorldAsISeeIt #BlindPerspective #BlindnessAwareness #PodcastLife #TVI #OrientationAndMobility #SOARProgram

In this episode, we are officially celebrating ONE YEAR of the podcast! I honestly cannot believe we are at episode 52, and looking back at where this all started on June 23rd, 2025, so much has changed. I'm taking a deeply reflective look at my journey—from recording my very first episode in my closet using a voice memos app, to building a consistent weekly schedule, finding my editing confidence, and growing into the advocate I am today. Plus, I'm sharing a huge personal update on how this past year has completely shifted my future passion away from broadcast journalism and toward becoming a narrator. I want to thank everyone who has supported me, and I want to challenge you to help me shape the future of this show. What do you want to hear next? If you have questions, ideas, or feedback, please reach out! I want you to be part of this conversation, and no question is too big or too small. Email: theworldasiseeitpodcast@gmail.com #TheWorldAsISeeIt #BlindPerspective #BlindnessAwareness #PodcastLife

In this episode, I’m diving into a topic that I feel like I see a lot of on the internet: self-driving cars. For the blind and visually impaired community, this emerging technology represents something truly massive—a game-changing chance at total independence and the promise of ultimate freedom to go wherever you want without having to rely on anyone else's schedule. However, I'm being completely honest about my own perspective because it is a massive leap of faith to let AI control your car instead of a human driver. I’m breaking down exactly how these vehicles operate like a standard rideshare app, what it looks like inside an empty vehicle with a self-moving steering wheel, and the specific design tweaks and screen-reader accessibility features that still need to be absolutely flawless for true blind independence. I want to challenge you to think about how you would feel in this situation and whether you would hesitate to hop inside a self-driving car too. If you have questions, ideas, or feedback, please reach out! I want you to be part of this conversation, and no question is too big or too small. Email: theworldasiseeitpodcast@gmail.com #TheWorldAsISeeIt #BlindPerspective #BlindnessAwareness #PodcastLife

Wow, we made it to Episode 50! I can’t believe we are hitting this number, and I am so incredibly grateful to everyone who has listened from day one, as well as everyone who is new to the show.

In this episode, I’m finally back after a few pre-recorded weeks to share a huge personal update. I recently spent three weeks living on campus at S.O.A.R. which stands for the Summer Orientation & Mobility and Adapted Living Resource program. It is a highly intensive residential training program run by the Lighthouse for the Blind for youth ages 16 to 21 who are legally blind. I talk about exactly why I decided to attend, the daily skills we focused on, and some of the fun community trips we took. This whole experience was so life-changing and it really boosted my confidence and gave me a brand new sense of independence.

Thank you all so much for supporting the podcast! If you have any questions, ideas, or feedback, you can comment down below if you’re on YouTube, or you can send me an email. My email is theworldasiseeitpodcast@gmail.com.

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In this episode, I’m diving into what I call the "blindness tax" and breaking down the eye-opening, often shocking costs of the specialized technology and equipment I use every single day. While a sighted student can head to Walmart or Amazon and grab a standard graphing calculator for high school math for under $100, my highly modified talking math calculator costs hundreds of dollars. From advanced software and specialized hardware to the technology that allows me to simply have a level playing field with everyone else, the price tags on independence might completely surprise you. I'm sharing a real look at these expenses and the reality of what it takes financially to navigate a visual world. If you have questions, ideas, or feedback, please reach out! I want you to be part of this conversation, and no question is too big or too small. Email: theworldasiseeitpodcast@gmail.com #TheWorldAsISeeIt #BlindPerspective #BlindnessAwareness #PodcastLife

In this episode, I’m diving into a topic that I think will be incredibly eye-opening for my sighted listeners: the everyday visual shortcuts you take completely for granted. When you have sight, your world is full of instant, effortless glances that save time and data, whether you are checking your hair in a mirror, reading a label in the kitchen, or scanning a piece of paper on a desk. For me, there is no such thing as a "quick glance"—everything requires a mindful, intentional, multi-step routine involving specialized technology or active problem-solving. I’m breaking down the reality of navigating crowded hallways, reading a room without nonverbal cues, dealing with unlabeled digital buttons, and why these challenges don't limit my capability. I love the adventure of adapting, but I want to challenge you to notice how many times a day you rely on a split-second glance, and remind you why allowing me to build my own independent confidence matters so much. If you have questions, ideas, or feedback, please reach out! I want you to be part of this conversation, and no question is too big or too small. Email: theworldasiseeitpodcast@gmail.com #TheWorldAsISeeIt #BlindPerspective #BlindnessAwareness #PodcastLife