White Canes Connect

In this episode of White Canes Connect, we talk with Kim Stanley (Greater Philadelphia Chapter) and Tim McCarthy (Capital Chapter) about Washington Seminar and the importance of self-advocacy. We also introduce a new segment on apps with Denice Brown.

Show notes at https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/023

There’s Still Time To Get Involved

It is so important for us to have large showings at these meetings, please consider attending some of the remaining meetings with members of Congress. Contact Emily at [email protected].

Three Apps That Offer Live Help

The three apps that Denice mentioned are Aira, Be My Eyes, and FaceTime. All three apps offer a live person to help you accomplish your task at hand.

Aira

Aira (https://aira.io/) is a visual interpreting service. Plans start at $29, but there are many free zones where you can use the service. Aira staff are trained and bonded.

Be My Eyes

Be My Eyes (https://www.bemyeyes.com/) is a free app that connects blind and low-vision people with sighted volunteers and company representatives for visual assistance through a live video call.

FaceTime

If you have an iPhone, iPad, Mac computer, or an Apple Watch, you already have this app. The difference with FaceTime and the two other apps is that you will know the person on the other end of the call.

Give Us A Call

We’d love to hear from you! We’ve got a phone number for you to call and ask us questions, give us feedback, or just say, “hi!” Call us at (267) 338-4495. You have up to three minutes for your message and we might use it on an upcoming episode. Please leave your name and town as part of your message.

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Connect With Us

If you’ve got questions, comments, or show ideas, reach out on Twitter. We are @PABlindPodcast. You can also email us at [email protected]

In this episode of White Canes Connect, we are joined by NFB of PA President Lynn Heitz and Shawn Callaway, board member of the National Federation of the Blind and the 2021 national delegate to the NFB of PA state convention.

Shawn shares a bit about how a national delegate is selected and gives a taste of his talk to attendees which is sure to be inspiring.

Lynn discusses convention planning and gives a rundown of can’t miss convention highlights.

Show notes at https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/011

Hear why they both agree there’s nothing like coming together in person.

In addition to his other positions, Shawn is also co-chair of the Diversity & Inclusion division and co-chairs the Black Leaders of the NFB committee.

Contact Shawn at: [email protected]

Contact Lynn at: [email protected]

In this episode of White Canes Connect, we talk to college freshmen Adison Lemmon and Simon Bonenfant. They tell us about college life and the accommodations they’re both receiving at their respective schools. Simon, who is President of the Pennsylvania Association of Blind Students, also talks about the jam-packed agenda at the NFB of PA State Convention students meeting.

Show notes at https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/012

Adison, a NFB national scholarship winner, is attending Robert Morris University in Moon Township, PA. Simon, who is also a member of the NFB of PA state board and the Secretary of the Keystone Chapter, is attending Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia.

Simon is a regular contributor at Blind Abilities. Listen to the latest interview he conducted with the hosts of Believe You Can!, the talent show for blind and visually impaired performers. Blind Abilities #790.

Contact White Canes Connect

Do you have an idea for a show or know someone who we should feature on an upcoming podcast? Email us with any suggestions, questions or comments at [email protected].

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In this episode of White Canes Connect, we talk to Karthik Kannan, a co-founder of Envision, and Hope Hein, an Envision Ambassador. They tell us what led to the creation of the app that allows the blind and visually impaired to hear what they want to see. They also tell us about Envision Glasses and all of their great features.

Show notes at https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/013

Learn More About Envision

You can check out more about the app and the Envision Glasses at LetsEnvision.com. There is also a 14 day free trial you can download from the App Store or Google Play. Envision is hiring. Go to LetsEnvision.com/careers to see all of the jobs that are currently available.

Contact White Canes Connect

Do you have an idea for a show or know someone who we should feature on an upcoming podcast? Email us with any suggestions, questions or comments at [email protected].

Follow White Canes Connect

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Welcome to our June 2023 monthly Digest: a monthly newsletter of the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania!

During the first few days of the month, we will start sending out our calendar of events. These events will be within the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania as well as any pertinent information from the National Federation of the Blind and the Pennsylvania blind community.

If you or anyone you know have any upcoming events or information that can pertain to the blind community in Pennsylvania, please send them to Stacie Leap at [email protected] by the 29th of the month so it can be added to our calendar for the following month.

Special Note: There will be no July 2023 monthly digest as a lot of us will be in Houston, Texas for the 2023 National Convention!

1. A Message from our State Affiliate President

Hello everyone!

We are now in the month of June and things are really happening! We are continuing our conversation with BBVS, so if there are any concerns, please let me know! On June 8th, the next OVR Board meeting will be held via Zoom. Contact information will be available shortly.

Registration for the National Convention is closed and we are waiting impatiently for the 2023 Agenda!

I hope to see many of you in Houston!

Lynn Heitz

President, National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania

[email protected]

Google Calendar Links

The National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania also has a Google Calendar that can be viewed either through the web or subscribed to your calendar apps.

You can view the calendar without subscribing to it and view it on your web browser by clicking the link in the show notes.

However, if you wish to subscribe to the calendar and get the events on your calendar apps, please click Subscribe in the show notes and go through the steps to subscribe:

Member Spotlight” Harriet Go

Each month, we will highlight someone within our affiliate. The goal is to allow other members to learn about other members within the affiliate. We hope you enjoy this little spotlight!

Harriet Go serves our state affiliate as our secretary. She is also the President of the Keystone Chapter. Considered quite hilarious, she shows off her comedic styles at our meetings and social functions. She is proclaimed to be the number 1 best seller of M&M’s. Make sure you do not leave any lying around because she will start selling them! Full of energy, she is taking on the role of Kids Camp Director at our 2023 National Convention in Houston, Texas. This definitely requires bouts of energy and patience that she learned at her current job as an elementary school teacher for the School District of Philadelphia. She is always willing to have a conversation so if you get a chance to meet her in-person, introduce yourself and say “Hello!”

Calendar of Events

The following events are also on our Google calendar with the Zoom information. If anyone within a chapter, division, or group see any errors or misinformation, please contact Stacie Leap at [email protected]

The below information is correct as of the first week of the month. The information is most up-to-date on the Google Calendar so please check back periodically to ensure the right information.

Jigsaw Chapter monthly Meeting

a monthly meeting for those who do not have a local chapter in their geographical area. This is our at-large chapter. Meetings

Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 10:00 AM

Keystone Chapter Monthly Meeting

a monthly meeting for those who live in the Philadelphia area. This is one of two local chapters in the Philadelphia area. The other chapter is the Greater Philadelphia Chapter.

Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 10:15 AM

Coffee with the State President and Board

This monthly discussion meeting brings everybody together to get to know the state affiliate board members and the happenings within the state’s divisions, chapters, and advocacy efforts.

Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 7 PM

Greater Berks Chapter Monthly Meeting

A monthly meeting for those who live in the Greater Berks County of Pennsylvania

Friday, June 9, 2023 at 10 AM

Greater Lehigh Valley Chapter Monthly Meeting

A monthly meeting for those who live in the Greater Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. This includes Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, and the surrounding areas.

Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 10 AM

Deaf Blind Division Monthly Meeting

a monthly meeting for those who consider themselves to be Deaf Blind and their supporters.