Hadley Presents

Vision loss can be emotionally overwhelming. In this episode, we chat with a clinical psychologist who is legally blind herself, Dr. Ann Wagner. She shares how learning from and connecting with our emotions can bring about healing and transformation.

Preparing for a disaster is important for everyone. But for people with vision loss, it requires some extra thought and planning. In this episode, we share some ideas on how you can prepare.

Did you know that veterans are eligible for vision services and equipment through the Veterans Administration even if their vision loss developed many years later and was not as a result of service? Learn more as we chat with a representative of the Hines VA.

Voting can be tricky if you've lost some vision. In this episode, we discuss a variety of ways to cast your ballot, no matter your level of vision.

The Bright Focus Foundation funds research to find cures for macular degeneration and glaucoma, among other conditions. In this episode, we learn about their glaucoma and macular degeneration monthly chats. These sessions with scientists are open to the public and offer insights into the latest breakthroughs, treatments, and promising research on the horizon.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has a lot to offer people with vision loss. Whether it's reading menus, describing pictures, or even narrating scenery, AI can make a big difference. This week we chat with Steven Scott, host of the Double Tap podcast, about some of the best AI-powered tools out there… so far. Link to Double Tap on Apple Podcasts.

When the doctor says, "there's nothing more I can do for you," what next? Who can help you make the most of your remaining vision and learn how to live more comfortably with vision loss? We break it down for you.

This week we talk to Dave Epstein, the visually impaired creator of the All Terrain Cane. He shares about his life with a progressive eye disease and his love of hiking. These two pieces of Dave lead him to develop his unconventional cane.

When you have vision loss, scams can be even more challenging to avoid. Listen in as we get some tips and tricks from Veronica Lewis who runs a low vision assistive technology website.

Be My Eyes CEO, Mike Buckley, joins us to talk about how this free, smart phone app merges technology and human kindness and how it's now using AI to describe the world in front of you.

Recently retired, David Tatel served for decades on the US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. He also happens to be visually impaired. In this episode, he and Ricky talk about his recently written memoir, a book about his life as a judge, a husband, a father, a grandfather, and how all of these roles intersect with his experience with vision loss.

This week we talk smartphone tools and when you might want to use the different options. Jennifer Shimon from the Wisconsin Office for the Blind and Visually Impaired joins Ricky.

Sometimes, navigating life with vision loss goes a bit sideways. Things don't always turn out exactly as we've planned, and it can help to just laugh at these strange situations. We've shared several episodes of listeners' stories, what we're calling vision loss bloopers. Today, Ricky Enger and Doug Walker share some more of these bloopers along with a few of their own.

Prevent Blindness' patient advocacy program empowers people facing vision impairment. Patients learn how to promote change with their physicians, their families, drug companies, and even policy makers.

Ever thought about getting a guide dog? Listen in as we chat with members Jeff Flodin and Ed McDaniel about their experiences with guide dogs and some common misperceptions.

The National Library Service has a free talking book program for anyone in the US with vision loss. Tonia Bickford, an advisor from Michigan's talking books program, joins us to discuss how to get the most out of this free service.

This week we learn more about visual hallucinations that sometimes accompany vision loss, a condition called Charles Bonnet syndrome.

Sometimes vision loss can make us feel less secure. This week we talk about personal safety with Hadley's Chief Program Officer, Ed Haines.

For many living with vision loss, watching TV is less enjoyable as they can't see what's happening on the screen very well anymore. Audio description fills the void by narrating key visual elements. Listen in as Ricky chats with Hadley member and avid audio description user, Judy Davis.

Listen in to our conversation with Dr. Mondal, a low vision optometrist and professor at the University of Wisconsin. We chat about what to expect from a visit to a low vision specialist and the kind of help they can offer.