Navigating Life with Vision Loss

• S110: Social media and understanding your rights

  In this episode, Kim Wardlow is joined by Evan Starnes to explore how social media can serve as a powerful tool for advocacy, community building, and change—particularly in the blind and low vision community. Evan shares his journey from discovering digital advocacy on Twitter to becoming an influential voice in accessible tech. They dive into platform-by-platform comparisons, discuss the pros and cons of real-time posting, and offer best practices for accessible content creation. From hashtags and alt text to dealing with misinformation and going viral for the right reasons, this episode is packed with practical tips and thoughtful insights for anyone hoping to use social media as a force for good. ⏱️ Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Welcome to NLVL and Introduction to Advocacy & Social Media 01:00 – Evan’s Story: Finding Community on Twitter 03:00 – Discovering Support and Shared Experiences Online 05:00 – How Social Media Transformed Advocacy 08:00 – The Pros and Pitfalls of Real-Time Posting 12:00 – Platform Breakdown: Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram 16:00 – The Power of Facebook for Advocacy 19:00 – Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok’s Roles 23:00 – YouTube and Mastodon Explained 27:30 – Tips for Responsible and Effective Advocacy Online 31:00 – Collaboration, Group Engagement, and Reposts 33:45 – Service Animal Denials: A Case Study in Viral Advocacy 36:00 – Trends: Alt Text, AI, and Decentralized Platforms 38:00 – Best Practices for Accessible Content Creation 41:00 – Organizational Responsibility in Accessibility 43:30 – Social Media Accountability: What Works and What Doesn’t 45:00 – Advocacy Through Podcasting and Personal Stories 48:00 – Responding to Misinformation with Grace and Strategy 50:45 – Tracking Metrics: Views vs. Engagement Quality 53:00 – Final Tips for Using Social Media Effectively 55:00 – Where to Find Evan and Aftersight Online 56:00 – Tease for Next Week: Youth Advocacy with Dr. Charles Powell

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• S109: Persistence and Progress: Creating Accessible Spaces with Darcy McLean

  In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow sits down with Darcy McLean, a Beyond Vision Skills Trainer at the Center for People with Disabilities (CPWD). Darcy shares her personal journey with low vision, the beginnings of her advocacy work, and how grassroots efforts have led to significant accessibility improvements at recreation centers and arts venues across the metro Denver area. Together, Kim and Darcy discuss how to start local advocacy efforts, overcome common challenges, build partnerships, and create change that benefits the broader community. This inspiring conversation emphasizes the importance of persistence, collaboration, and starting with activities you're passionate about. Darcy also offers practical advice for listeners who want to advocate for more accessible recreational and community opportunities where they live—and how small actions can ripple outward to make a lasting difference. Chapter Markers 00:00 – Welcome to Navigating Life with Vision Loss 00:26 – Introducing Guest Darcy McLean 02:32 – Gardening with Low Vision: Spring Planting Tips 04:55 – Darcy’s Advocacy Journey: College and Early Experiences 07:20 – First Lessons in Self-Advocacy: Philosophy Class Story 09:26 – What is Grassroots Advocacy? 11:29 – Building Change Through Passion for Activities 12:30 – The Thornton Rec Center Story: How Change Started 14:49 – Expanding to Community Presentations and Trainings 16:53 – Collaboration: The Key to Lasting Accessibility 18:11 – Making Yoga Classes Inclusive for Low Vision 20:36 – How to Start Advocacy at Your Local Rec Center 23:03 – Planning and Expanding RecConnect 25:30 – Expanding to Arts Venues Like the Arvada Center 27:32 – How Advocacy Benefits Everyone 29:54 – Long-Term Impact and the Power of Persistence 32:20 – How to Get Involved with RecConnect 33:59 – Preparing to Advocate: Tips and Obstacles 36:13 – The Power of Persistence in Advocacy 38:27 – Advocating for Hearing and Vision Accommodations 40:38 – How Accessibility Benefits Entire Communities 42:46 – Darcy’s Contact Information and Final Thoughts Contact Information Email: [email protected] Phone: (720) 340-2088 General Aftersight Contact: Email: [email protected]

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• S108: Family Advocacy

  In this heartfelt and informative episode, Kim Wardlow welcomes therapist and advocate Darran Zenger to explore the dynamics of family advocacy in the blind and low-vision community. Drawing from both professional expertise and personal experience living with Usher Syndrome, Darran dives into what it means to advocate for and within your family. From setting expectations and communicating evolving needs to building support systems and navigating shifting family roles, Darran offers practical strategies and emotional wisdom. The conversation also explores the emotional side of disability, the importance of peer connection, and the value of mental health support for both individuals and families. 🕰️ Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Welcome & Intro to the Advocacy Series 01:20 – Meet Darran Zenger: Therapist and Advocate 03:45 – Defining Family Advocacy in Context 06:00 – Communication & Self-Advocacy Within the Family 08:05 – Common Family Challenges and Emotional Struggles 10:15 – Advocating for Inclusion in Everyday Life 12:30 – Teaching Children Advocacy Through Lived Example 14:35 – Balancing Support and Independence 17:00 – Advocacy Through Layout, Routine & Environment 19:00 – Empathy, Listening, and Perspective Shifts 22:50 – Adapting to Progressive Vision Loss Over Time 25:00 – Humor and Honesty in Self-Advocacy 27:30 – Tools, Training, and Support for Families 29:45 – Guide Dogs, Children, and Trust 31:45 – Educating Without Exhaustion 33:50 – Mental Health and the Need for Connection 36:55 – Final Thoughts and Resources 📬 Contact Information: 📧 Email: [email protected] 🌐 Website: www.aftersight.org

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• S107b "We Arrived in the Middle of Nowhere!!!"

  In this powerful follow-up to our transportation mini-series, Curtis Chong joins host Kim Wardlow to unpack the complexities of transportation access for individuals who are blind or have low vision—especially in rural communities. From building meaningful relationships to hiring “biological interfaces” (aka friends and human assistants), Curtis breaks down practical solutions with insight, wit, and experience. He also addresses persistent issues in rideshare discrimination—particularly for guide dog users—and the limits of current advocacy within companies like Uber and Lyft. Curtis doesn’t just talk policy—he brings it down to the local level, offering actionable advice for anyone who wants to advocate in their town, build relationships with local officials, and contribute as a valued member of their community. This is an unmissable episode for anyone navigating transportation with vision loss, as well as allies, policymakers, and public transit advocates who want to create a more inclusive world. ⏱️ Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Introduction by Jonathan Price 01:32 – Curtis discusses rural transportation challenges 04:00 – Hiring “biological interfaces” and creative problem-solving 07:10 – Society’s dependence on visual information 09:35 – Aging, low vision, and driving: the emotional transition 11:55 – Issues with on-demand rides and guide dog discrimination 14:23 – Uber’s optional guide dog registration and its limitations 16:52 – Language barriers and the need for better communication with drivers 19:15 – Strategies for being seen, assertiveness in locating your ride 21:30 – Honking horns: the low-tech solution that works 23:59 – Defining independence and managing assistance 26:24 – Real advocacy at the local level: signals, sidewalks, and city hall 28:49 – Building connections: post office relationships and civic engagement 31:11 – Finding and offering value as a blind community member 32:56 – Rethinking transit: big ideas for a better future 35:23 – Wrapping up + Teaser for next week’s episode on family advocacy 📞 Contact Info: Aftersight Phone: (720) 712-8856 Email: [email protected] Website: aftersight.org

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• S107 “Are We There Yet?”: The Road to Transportation Advocacy

  In this powerful and personal episode, Kim Wardlow sits down with longtime advocate Curtis Chong to discuss transportation equity and accessibility. Curtis shares his life story—growing up blind in Hawaii, learning programming in a pre-digital world, and his decades of advocacy work in technology and transportation. He breaks down the evolution of public transit and paratransit systems, and shines a light on how crucial accessible and affordable transportation is for employment, independence, and daily life. From calling out discrimination at a Minnesota amusement park to being on the advisory committee for RTD in Denver, Curtis offers insights and strategies for effective advocacy—whether it’s using education, documentation, or the occasional hammer when necessary. This episode dives deep into how technology, policy, and mindset shape access to mobility for the blind and low-vision community. ⚠️ Stay tuned for a special Thursday release where Curtis returns to explore rural transportation and more practical tips for getting around safely and effectively. ⏱️ Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Welcome & Episode Intro 00:57 – Meet Curtis Chong: From Hawaii to Advocacy 03:00 – Growing Up Blind in a Sighted Family 06:45 – Music, Perfect Pitch, and the Road to Tech 08:55 – First Jobs & Learning to Program Without Sight 11:45 – Entering Advocacy: Group Therapy, Bravery & Pushback 14:50 – From Rebellion to System Reform in Hawaii 17:30 – Work Ethic, Expectations & Education 20:40 – When to Use the Hammer in Advocacy 23:35 – The Amusement Park Protest & a 5-Year Win 25:50 – The Evolution of Transportation for the Blind 28:00 – Paratransit Limitations & Community Debates 30:00 – Access-A-Ride vs. Access On Demand 33:20 – Budget, Uber/Lyft & Smartphone Barriers 37:40 – Tech Dependence & the Cost of Access 40:00 – Silent Majority: Who Gets Left Behind 42:00 – Preview of Part 2: Rural Access & Tips

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