• S105: The Law Is on Your Side: Advocating with Confidence

  • Apr 1 2025
  • Length: 51 mins
  • Podcast

S105: The Law Is on Your Side: Advocating with Confidence

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  • Summary

  • In this powerful episode, Navigating Life with Vision Loss dives into the vital world of legal advocacy for people who are blind or have low vision. Host Kim Wardlow welcomes Dr. Charles W. Powell II, a triple master’s graduate and founder of Divine Visions Consulting and Paralegal Services. Diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa in 2012, Dr. Powell transformed personal adversity into professional purpose, providing legal resources and ADA advocacy to underserved communities.
    Together, they explore:
    The importance of knowing your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
    Practical examples of accessibility challenges in workplaces, restaurants, schools, and digital content
    The power of self-advocacy and how to recognize when you’re entitled—not asking for favors, but demanding equality
    Technology’s double-edged sword: advancements in access, but high costs
    How to influence policy change and where to begin if you're new to advocacy
    The difference between a guide dog and emotional support animal under ADA
    And why blindness is a “diffability,” not a disability
    Dr. Powell shares personal stories that will inspire you to advocate more confidently for yourself and others, and reminds us that advocacy doesn’t always mean protests or courtrooms—sometimes, it starts with a conversation or a post on social media.

    📌 Chapter Markers:
    00:00 – Welcome to Navigating Life with Vision Loss
    00:27 – Introduction to Advocacy Series and Dr. Powell
    02:52 – Why Legal Advocacy Matters
    05:09 – Dr. Powell’s Unexpected Journey to Law and Justice
    07:27 – Founding Divine Visions and Serving Underserved Communities
    09:55 – Educating Professors and Institutions through Advocacy
    12:18 – Understanding Legal Advocacy and Knowing Your Rights
    14:43 – Workplace Discrimination and Real Stories
    17:13 – Employers Who Get It Right
    19:34 – Equal Access to Technology: Opportunities and Limitations
    22:01 – Meta Glasses and Unexpected Accessibility
    24:24 – How Companies Can Listen and Respond to Advocacy
    26:51 – Social Advocacy: From Lawn Mowers to Menus
    29:12 – Guide Dogs, ADA, and Public Confusion
    31:33 – Misuse of Service Animal Rules
    33:55 – Pride in Presentation and Daily Advocacy
    36:26 – Influencing Policy: From Local Change to National Reform
    38:48 – Stories from the Past: Generational Resilience
    41:10 – Real-World Impact of Persistent Advocacy
    43:38 – Where to Start: Resources and Practical Steps
    46:01 – Final Thoughts: “Blind, Not Broken”

    📬 Contact Information:
    Dr. Charles W. Powell II
    Founder, Divine Visions Consulting and Paralegal Services
    📧 Email: drcharleswpowell@gmail.com
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