Category: accessibility

The Value of Time & the Blind Merchants Big Fundraiser

  In this episode of iCantCU, I share my experience traveling to Harrisburg for the Blind Merchants Holiday Party and fundraiser, reflecting on the challenges of navigating public transportation as a person with very limited sight. Timing was a major hurdle, from the unpredictable delays with CCT to coordinating a group of 17 people on […]

Web Accessibility Matters at PA Governor’s Mansion

The highlight of this episode is my visit to the Pennsylvania Governor’s Mansion for “Lori Listens,” hosted by PA First Lady Lori Shapiro. I, along with other members of the NFB of PA, got to talk about web accessibility issues with folks from the state. We gave feedback on a Commonwealth website and were surprised […]

Train Challenges and BEP Setbacks

In episode 271 of iCantCU, I talk about two state-level meetings I attended and the adventure of navigating a new train station without any help from Amtrak. First up was an OVR meeting where, despite being focused on disabilities, they had nothing accessible for blind folks—no Braille, no large print, nothing. Frustrating, but not surprising. […]

The Pressure of Being Blind

In episode 270 of iCantCU, titled The Pressure of Being Blind, I discuss my recent experiences at Podcast Movement in Washington, D.C. Despite initial hesitations, a last-minute decision led me to attend the event. I share the challenges of navigating the conference as the only blind participant, emphasizing the pressure to avoid mistakes and the […]

Tech Troubles, Medical Updates & a Late-night Visitor

In episode 269 of the “iCantCU” podcast, I dive into some recent challenges and updates. First up, I talk about the ongoing saga of setting up my new Sony ZV-E10 camera in Studio B. It’s been frustrating trying to get everything right, especially since I can’t see the screen to make sure it’s all working […]

Tech Tests and Taxi Terror: My Latest NYC Adventure

In episode 268 of iCantCU, I take you along on my latest trip to New York City, where I tested the accessibility of a new version of a financial app. The trip had its moments, from battling some equipment issues to a chaotic cab ride that had me questioning my life choices.  I also finally […]

AI Makes it Accessible

 In Episode 264 of iCantCU, I share two stories about how AI has made my life easier. The first story revolves around recording our Keystone Chapter meeting. I used Descript to transcribe the recording and then ChatGPT to draft the minutes. This process saved me significant time despite needing a few corrections. The second story […]

To Blindly Go: Ice Cream, Leadership & the BEP

In this episode of iCantCU, I share some exciting updates and stories. First, I want to thank Renee, Dan, and Alex for supporting the NFB of Pennsylvania April raffle. It’s been a fun ride with tickets at $5 each, offering everyone a chance to win daily throughout April. Getting those tickets out, especially to our […]

Blind Justice? TV’s Vision of Blindness

In this episode of iCantCU, I share a mix of personal anecdotes and reflections on technology, media representation, and community engagement.  My weekend outing with Liz to Brio, a restaurant in the Christiana Mall, turned into an exploration of assistive technology. I intended to pick up my Mac mini. Still, I delved into the capabilities […]

Advancing Accessibility: Insights & Innovations

In this episode of iCantCU, I focus on web accessibility, the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania, and a unique raffle ticket sale to support the NFB of PA. I detail the raffle, explaining the process, the prizes, and the significance of the funds raised for the NFB of Pennsylvania. This initiative highlights the […]

To Blindly Go: DC Advocacy & Capitol Adventure

In this episode of iCantCU, I explain what Washington Seminar is and discuss various aspects of my trip to Washington, D.C., for the annual event. I was part of a team from the NFB of PA that I dubbed the PA-5 Guys since we (Simon, Chip, and me) are all from Pennsylvania’s 5th Congressional District. […]

Blind Insights: From App Struggles to AI Music Magic

In this episode of iCantCU, I discuss more issues with apps and their lack of accessibility. This time, it’s Uber and ASX. Both were better than Starbucks but required workarounds or the dreaded sighted help. I also recount a fantastic afternoon with our friends at the Greater Philly Chapter. Their President, Denice Brown, invited members […]

Advocacy Brews – Taking on Starbucks’ App Flaws

In this episode of iCantCU, I explain some problems with another app. Starbucks, I’m talking to you. How is a blind or visually impaired person supposed to place an order for a store that is now a mobile order pick-up-only location if the app isn’t accessible? On the bright side, I now have an app […]

The Silent Struggle: Discussing Accessibility in Music Apps

In this episode of iCantCU, I discuss my frustration with an app for doing a music survey from Alt Nation on SiriusXM. Generally speaking, the app was probably about 70% accessible. However, the most important part was not. You’ve got to hear the song to rate it. If you can’t find the play button, you can’t […]

Audio Description Disappointment at the Wilma Theater

In this episode of iCantCU, I discuss my experience at the Wilma Theater with audio description for the play Fat Ham. I was hoping the AD device worked. I left disappointed. I also explain what is going on with Ziggy. Additionally, I mention upcoming episodes of That Real Blind Tech Show and Double Tap that […]

From Harrisburg to Hashtags: A Blind Podcaster’s Unfiltered Experience

In this episode of iCantCU, join me as I dive into the frustrating world of social media accessibility, or the lack thereof. I’m unpacking the challenges I faced while trying to post on Instagram and the glaring accessibility gaps on TikTok. But that’s not all! I also share my experiences from the NFB of PA […]

No Sight, No Service? A Blind Customer’s Struggle with HostGator

In this episode of iCantCU, I share the story of being put on HostGator’s Blacklist. That’s not the same one as the one Raymond Reddington is on. I wasn’t notified, and it took support more than a day to tell me. I talk about chatting to support without using a screen reader, which is also […]

NYC Bound: Investigating VR Accessibility in a Cornell Research Study

In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about traveling to NYC to participate in a Cornell University Research Study using a VR headset and non-verbal cues. I WAS EXCITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS STUDY since I had never put on a VR headset. After finishing the study at Cornell Tech on Roosevelt Island, I headed […]

iCantCU x That Real Blind Tech Show: Adventures in Houston

This iCantCU episode is a cross-over with Brian Fischler and Ed Plumacher from That Real Blind Tech Show. We discuss our time together at #NFB23 in Houston. We talk about going to the Astros game on July 4th and the Listen device that gets the radio broadcast in real-time. Ed tells me the difference between […]

A Travel Adventure to #nfb23 in Houston

In this travelogue episode of iCantCU, I talk about my travel experience to and from #nfb23 in Houston, Texas. There are always accessibility issues; they started when I got to PHL. If I could, I would have only traveled with a carry-on bag. When I arrived at IAH, I had to rely on someone to […]

Playing Tactile Tour Guide in Historic Philadelphia and The Franklin Institute

In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about playing tour guide for some out-of-town NFB members. We enjoyed exploring the Franklin Institute with Eliz as our descriptive docent. It was planes, trains, and a 3D-printed motorcycle, along with the famous walkthrough heart! Then to the Liberty Bell for a tactile visit. I also discuss the […]

Disappointed with Alt Tags: The Missing Piece in Meta Creator Studio

In this episode of iCantCU, I discuss updating my resume using AI to apply for a job related to the BEP. I talk about how the AI helped rewrite the bullet points, making them more impressive. I also share my Instagram experience and the challenges of posting with voiceover. I explain the benefits of using […]

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens and Blind Meet-ups: iCantCU Adventures

In this episode of iCantCU, I discuss my preparations for the upcoming NFB convention. I kept forgetting to make my hotel reservation, which led me to miss the first spillover hotel. I also share anecdotes about accidentally setting off the panic button on our security system that freaked Ziggy out, receiving information about OVR’s new […]

JAWS Training: Overcoming Last-Day Distractions

In this episode of iCantCU, I share my experience completing JAWS training and the challenges I faced with distractions during the last day. I also discuss an interview with Ann Cunningham, an artist who taught art to blind individuals at the Colorado Center. Ann created the Sensational Blackboard device, allowing blind children to draw and […]

Unlocking Visual Information: My Encounter with Inaccessible Graphics

In this episode of iCantCU, I continue to share my JAWS training experience. I recount an incident during a practice civil service exam where I encountered difficulties due to inaccessible graphics that JAWS couldn’t read. This raised my concerns about the accessibility of such exams for blind or visually impaired folks. I took a picture […]

Web Design, Be My Eyes Beta & Museum Audio: Accessibility Updates

In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about doing more web design projects, especially once I am more proficient with JAWS. I’ve been told that WordPress and JAWS play nice together. I discuss the Be My Eyes app using Open AI, currently in beta, and how my friend was featured on NBC using the app […]

JAWS and Windows: A New Learning Curve

In this episode of iCantCU, I talk more about relearning JAWS and remembering how different Windows is from MacOS. Remembering is the keyword here. I also discuss episode 069 of White Canes Connect with Mike Walsh from Flight for Sight. They are giving away three $10,000 travel grants to blind and visually impaired people. You’ll […]

How to Manage Vision Changes Caused by Psoriatic Arthritis Medication Side Effects

In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about the side effects of a new medicine that has worsened my vision. I also talk about accessibility issues with Instagram. Yes, blind people take pictures and want to show the world, too. In Just Listen, you’ll hear a clip from the movie Revolution (from the Museum of […]

Can AI Help The Blind Create A Podcast?

  In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about how AI can help blind people. I’ll tell you exactly how it assisted me in getting an episode of White Canes Connect out very quickly. And in Just Listen, I’ll show you the finished product. I also talk about some outstanding customer service I received from […]

Blind Boss Aaron Spelker From Mobile Accessible Games

https://pdcn.co/e/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/icantcu/icantcu-podcast-220-post.mp3   In this premiere episode of Blind Bosses, I learn about Mobile Accessible Games from Aaron Spelker. Aaron tells us about the freak accident that left him blind about three years ago. He talks about how a conversation with a blind man on a commuter train years before he went blind helped him get […]

Jumping The Turnstile To Help My Blind Friends

n this episode of iCantCU, I talk about jumping the turnstile at Penn Medicine station to help my blind friends get to our Keystone Chapter meeting. I also talk about taking part in a Zoom meeting about Audio Description for live theater in the Philadelphia area. I discuss my work with Vision Council, which is […]

Lost in the Music: The Challenge of Entering a Concert During a Live Performance

  In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about having trouble entering Winter Jawn since the music had started and I needed earbuds. I also had trouble getting the tickets when they became available to download. I tell you about my conversation with Brandi from American Express. She was following up on some problem I […]

Blind Ambition: Navigating Washington for Accessibility Rights

  In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about traveling to Washington to lobby congress as part of the NFB’s annual Washington Seminar. In a first for me, I finally had a meeting with a congressman, not just their staff. It was a very productive couple of days in DC. While I didn’t get a […]

Audio Description Success On Verizon FiOS

  In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about more time on the phone with Verizon to get audio description to work on FiOS. It only took hours of hold time on two separate calls to get to the tech support person who knew what audio description was and how to help a blind customer. […]

Apple Genius Hates VoiceOver, I Don’t Have That Luxury

  It was a horrendous week on the accessibility front for me. In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about my time at the Genius Bar at the Apple Store in Ardmore to get some help with my iPhone XR. Those folks may know a lot about the iPhone, but their lack of knowledge in […]

Are Food Ordering Kiosks Accessible?

  In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about shopping at Ikea with Eliz and Jane and how ordering a soft serve at the kiosk before leaving the store would’ve been difficult for me. I also discuss going to NYC for a third time to help Jane get situated in her new apartment. Finally, I […]

Christmas Party For Saint Lucy School Students

  Christmas party season continues, and in this episode of iCantCU, I talk about the Christmas party that the Keystone Chapter sponsored for the students at Saint Lucy School for Children with Visual Impairments. We brought pizza, cakes, and tactile astronomy books for the kids. We got to tell the kids that blind people can […]

Issues With IOS 16.1.1, Are There Solutions?

In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about a ton of issues with my iPhone after updating my IOS to 16.1.1. Is that why I had trouble using the Amtrak app to book travel to NYC? I’m due for a new phone, so maybe that’s the answer. In Just Listen, I play a short clip […]

Tech Difficulties And Being Blind Doesn’t Help

In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about various technical issues that have cropped up. The biggest one being with HostGator, our web host. Multiple down time over the past month has caused fewer visitors to iCantCU.com and fewer downloads of the podcast. Migrating to a new host will bring new issues and questions about […]

Playing The Blind Trick In NYC

In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about my trip to New York City for Laugh for Sight. I toured Madison Square Garden with All Blind League legend Nick and his girlfriend Edith, visited the American Museum of Natural History, and heard a lot of funny people at Gotham Comedy Club. You’ll hear a clip […]

Software Update Breaks Accessibility

In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about a software update to Zoom that almost derailed the Believe You Can! 2022 talent show. When screen sharing was needed, the screen reading software JAWS went quiet. We expected problems during the live event, but not of this magnitude. The show did go on, and you can […]

A Look Back And What’s Next

In this episode of iCantCU, I take a look back at the first 200 episodes and give some stats on the most popular episodes. I also tell you how many countries the podcast has been downloaded in. I also talk about the run-up to Believe You Can! 2022 presented by Dancing Dots, which takes place […]

I Have An IMDB Page

In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about discovering that I have an IMDB page. I also talk about a great tip I learned while interviewing a guest on White Canes Connect, and it has to do with dining out. I will also tell you about having another walk-through of the new Amtrak ICT mock-up. […]

Fall Ball And Food Trucks

It was nice to get out to two different events on the weekend. We took in a youth baseball game on a lovely evening, weather-wise. The night before, Eliz and I went to downtown Swarthmore for a food truck event with just about every food you could want. Is There A Hands-free White Cane? Both […]

Can A Blind Person Serve On Jury Duty

In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about a notice I received for jury duty. I’m hoping I can participate this time. I also talk about a Keystone Chapter meeting and cookout. Believe You Can! 2022 was discussed at the meeting. In this week’s segment of Just Listen, I’ll take you to 30th Street Station […]

Learning At A BEP Vending Business

  In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about working at a Business Enterprise Program vending business at a huge US Post Office distribution facility in Northeast Philadelphia. I also talk about my fantasy football drafts and how they differed from last years’ when our league was featured in a short documentary. I also finally […]

My Commute On The Reefer Madness Express

In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about my commute on a different rail line that was very interesting. I also talk about accessibility testing of a bank’s website that didn’t go as planned. It had more to do with the app used to do the testing than the website itself. I also talk about […]

iPad Focus Issue On Point-of-Sale System

In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about some focus issues causing me trouble at the blind bodega. It’s not me; it’s the iPad POS system. I will also tell you about another workshop I’m participating in at the NYPL. There’s also another Hot Dog/Cool Dog story. That Real Blind Tech Show Episode 93 Listen […]

Providing Feedback On Accessibility Of New ICT Trains

In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about our time viewing the Amtrak ICT mock-up and giving accessibility feedback. I also discuss beginning the process of getting my GSA badge, which was painful. I also mention my trip to the DMV, which was a different kind of painful. Congratulations To My Friend & White Canes […]

Blind People CAN Fly

In this episode of the iCantCU Podcast, I talk about the Memorial Day service honoring my Dad. I spoke for a couple of minutes, thanking the Rabbi for honoring him. Jane did an excellent job in the reading I was afraid to do. I also talk about Bill Cosby not being able to fly because […]

Accessibility Issues On Global Accessibility Awareness Day

In this episode of the iCantCU Podcast, I talk about Global Accessibility Awareness Day #GAAD2022. It started off with, you guessed it, an accessibility issue with a website for me just after midnight. And that wasn’t the only one that day. I also share a story about our monthly Keystone Chapter meeting that included a […]

Great Accessibility Benefit Of iOS 15

In this episode of the iCantCU Podcast, I talk about some good things and some bad things in iOS 15. At this point, the good out weigh the bad, but I’ve only been using the update for a few days. I also talk about the Keystone Chapter Christmas Party at the Penn Museum immediately following […]

Shopping For An Accessible Home Security System

In this episode of the iCantCU Podcast, I talk about shopping for a new home security system that will be accessible to me, since most now use touchpads that are not tactile. I also talk about the new White Canes Connect show that I produce and co-host with Lisa Bryant.  Home Security System When You […]

Left Out During New Car Overview

In this episode of the iCantCU Podcast, I talk about picking up our new Nissan Murano and being left out of the process on how to operate the various controls. While I don’t need to know the functions involved with driving the vehicle, it would’ve been nice to know the particulars about the radio and […]

Why Website Accessibility Is Important

In this episode of the iCantCU Podcast, I talk about website accessibility and how my friend won an award for his latest book, but didn’t know it because the website wasn’t accessible. Questions, comments, show ideas? Call (646) 926-6350. It is frustrating when a website isn’t fully accessible, but can you imagine if you won […]