Category: NFB

Long Walks, NYC Slices, and Haunted Thrills

In episode 274 of iCantCU, I dive into my experiences walking with a white cane while out and about and the pain it causes in my hands. While I enjoy getting steps in anywhere—whether recording a podcast or walking around my house or backyard —walking in a familiar place where I don’t use my cane […]

From Exhibit Hall Hiccups to VIP Screenings: My Busy Orlando Trip

In episode 267 of the iCantCU podcast, I talk about my recent trip to the NFB National Convention in Orlando. I start by mentioning my improved lighting setup in Studio B, hoping it looks better than last time.  The convention was a whirlwind of activity, and I had the pleasure of meeting many incredible people, […]

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 […]

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 […]

Karaoke Survival for Non-Singers

In this episode of iCantCU, I explore everything from unique fundraising efforts to the power of community meetings and the challenges blind parents face. I begin with an exciting opportunity to support the NFB of Pennsylvania through a raffle with fantastic rewards. It’s a simple way to contribute and stand a chance to win, with […]

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 […]

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 […]

Keystone Meeting Mixed Bag: Trains Running, WiFi Not

In this episode of iCantCU, I discuss some ups and downs with our monthly Keystone Chapter meeting at the Penn Museum. At least the trains were running to and from the Penn Medicine Station. I explain some differences in Believe You Can! 2023 over previous year’s shows. I give a mini book review of The Country […]

I’m a Blind Old Man

In this episode of iCantCU, I share my recent experiences with the Keystone Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania. I dive into my thoughts on fundraising activities, like the drawing for our Dinner for a Week fundraiser. I also talk about Cira Green, a fantastic park I visited in Philly. Picture […]

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 […]

Inside #NFB23: Highlights from the Convention

In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about the NFB National Convention in Houston. I talk about some of the sessions I attended and what I learned. I discuss General Sessions and some of the presenters who took the stage. A couple of the presenters were in unfriendly territory. Still, they had the guts to […]

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 […]

iCantCU at #NFB23: Houston Travel Prep

In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about getting the NFB of PA website done enough to show people at the #NFB23 National Convention. There is still work to be done, but I’ve gotten to the point where I am writing content for the site, not just doing technical or design things. I also discuss […]

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 […]

Empowering the Blind: A Look Inside Bestwork Industries

In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about touring Bestwork Industries for the Blind in Cherry Hill, NJ. I learned how the company hires and trains blind people to work in manufacturing, customer service, and other positions in the company. In Just Listen, you’ll hear about training from the training room and know what is […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

I Can’t See You But I Can Hear You So Why Don’t You Ask Me Directly

In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about voting in the mid-term elections and what a poll worker said to Eliz while I was standing right next to her and in front of him. I also talk about getting ready to travel to Pittsburgh for the NFB of PA State Convention. Ziggy is talked about […]

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 […]

An Embarrassing Typo

In this episode of the iCantCU Podcast, I talk about my lack of confidence to do a reading at a Memorial Day service at the cemetery where my parents are buried that will honor my Dad, a World War Two veteran. I will speak briefly, but Jane will do the reading. I also talk about […]

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 […]

Learning VoiceOver On My iMac

In this episode of the iCantCU Podcast, I talk about learning VoiceOver on my iMac from ABFL Commissioner Brian Fischler. I have tried learning it before, but I never really got it. Working with Brian has given me more confidence than I’ve ever had with it. I also talk about my use of medical marijuana […]

Traveling By Train To Harrisburg

In this episode of the iCantCU Podcast, I talk about traveling to Harrisburg, PA for the NFB of PA State Convention. It was nice to be with friends from around the state after not going last year. I also talk about celebrating Ziggy’s first birthday. Traveling To The State Capital It is pretty easy to […]

Email Scam Targets Blind Organization

In this episode of the iCantCU Podcast, I talk about how I was scammed out of nearly $5000. It was an email scam that I thought originated from the President of the NFB of PA. It didn’t. Show notes at https://www.iCantCU.com/138 An Email Scam Can Happen To You Even with my limited sight, I thought […]

#NFB21 And A New White Cane

In this episode of the iCantCU Podcast, I talk about #NFB21, the National Federation of the Blind’s National Convention. Like last year, it is virtual again this year. I also talk about the new white cane I received from the NFB and how Ziggy loved the shipping tube it came in. Show notes at https://www.iCantCU.com/133 […]

A Change For The Worse

In this episode of the iCantCU Podcast, I talk about how a change by our web hosting provider has added more work to my day. It may be what forces me to find another reseller account with another hosting company after 17 years. I also talk about a new podcast I’ll be doing. Looking For […]

Learning To Lobby Virtually

In this episode of the iCantCU Podcast, I talk about prep work for Washington Seminar, the NFB’s annual lobbying event and how it differs from most years. Like most other events over the last 11 months, Washington Seminar is going to be virtual this year, so we are learning a different way to lobby congress. […]

Blind Is A Four Letter Word?

Are there words that you try not to use around certain people. If it is the word blind around a blind person, it’s okay, go ahead and say it. They already know they are blind. In this episode of the iCantCU Podcast, I talk about how some people and agencies treat the word blind like […]