Navigating Life with Vision Loss

By: Aftersight
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  • Summary

  • "Navigating Life with Vision Loss" is an AINC original podcast. In this weekly podcast, we answer your questions on a variety of topics surrounding vision loss. Need to know what to do in standing up for yourself? Wondering how to find a counselor or therapist? Do you need to know how to fill out patient forms in a crowded doctor's office? This show is for you. We're giving a voice to the challenges faced by people with blindness or vision loss. We're here as a resource for you, your family, and your friends. This service is made possible by generous donations. Consider supporting us at www.aftersight.org to help keep these resources free. Aftersight also provides free white canes, support groups, and more, all thanks to contributions from our community.
    2022
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Episodes
  • S108: Family Advocacy

    S108: Family Advocacy
    Apr 22 2025
    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: contact@aftersight.org
    🌐 Website: www.aftersight.org
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    39 mins
  • S107b "We Arrived in the Middle of Nowhere!!!"

    S107b "We Arrived in the Middle of Nowhere!!!"
    Apr 17 2025
    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: feedback@aftersight.org
    Website: aftersight.org
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    38 mins
  • S107 “Are We There Yet?”: The Road to Transportation Advocacy

    S107 “Are We There Yet?”: The Road to Transportation Advocacy
    Apr 15 2025
    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
    Show more Show less
    43 mins
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Profile Image for Matthew Kissane

Very informative-- a life changer

First of all, the host is so genuine. She really knows her subjects. The topics are life-saving for people who have lost their vision or are losing their vision. I strongly recommend this podcast for those who need to navigate to world after vision loss.

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