Summary

An invitation doesn’t mean much if you can’t get there or take part once you arrive. Jennifer and Michael talk about what access looks like in everyday Colorado life, from audio-described theater and film to the transportation people depend on to stay connected.

They recap White Cane Day celebrations in Grand Junction and Loveland, reflect on why smaller community events can create meaningful connections, and discuss informed voting, serving others, and teaching the next generation to care about their neighbors.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Colorado Views without a few detours: questionable Halloween costumes, Michael’s broken rib, a pumpkin cinnamon roll that lasted for days, and a roadside survival question that gets some wildly optimistic answers.

Credits

Hosts: Jennifer Neptune and Michael Sisneros
Producer: Jonathan Price
Presented by: Aftersight

Contact Information

Aftersight: aftersight.org
Feedback and guest inquiries: feedback@aftersight.org
Jennifer Neptune: jennifer@aftersight.org
Michael Sisneros: michael@aftersight.org
Producer Jonathan Price: jonathan@aftersight.org

Chapters

00:05 Welcome Back and Take Two
01:45 Halloween Costumes and Ghost Tours
10:00 Sweeney Todd, Film, and Audio Description
14:50 White Cane Day in Grand Junction
21:20 Loveland’s White Cane Day Celebration
32:15 Why Community Connections Matter
35:10 Leadership Through Service
37:50 Informed Voting and Accessible Transportation
44:30 Teaching the Next Generation to Serve
46:55 How Far Could You Walk if Your Car Broke Down?
54:00 Survival Kits, Pasta, and French Fries
59:25 Two Flat Tires in the Same Spot
62:55 Stay Connected with Colorado Views

White Canes, Retina Research, and Building Community in Colorado

Jennifer and Michael celebrate the tenth episode of Colorado Views with a look at the people, resources, and ideas connecting Colorado’s blind and low-vision community.

They preview Aftersight’s upcoming White Cane Day celebration in Loveland, talk about the White Cane Project and the importance of making mobility tools accessible, and explore some newer technology and adaptive tools that may give people more options for navigating everyday life.

Then the conversation heads inside the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank and Eye Institute, where Jennifer and Michael recently toured research facilities and met scientists working on retinal research. They share what stood out to them, from seeing retinal tissue under a microscope to learning how years of research, specialized surgical tools, and the FDA approval process come together.

The episode closes with a look at the growing need for resources as more people experience vision loss later in life, along with some of the Colorado publications Aftersight is making accessible through audio. At the center of it all is one theme: community. No one should have to figure out vision loss alone.

Credits

Hosts: Jennifer, Volunteer and Publications Manager, and Michael, Community Outreach Manager
Producer: Jonathan Price
Organization: Aftersight

Connect with Aftersight

Website: aftersight.org
Feedback: feedback@aftersight.org

Learn more about Aftersight’s free services, audio publications, support groups, community programs, and other resources at aftersight.org.

00:00 — Welcome to Colorado Views #10
05:45 — White Cane Day Comes to Loveland
07:10 — Aftersight’s White Cane Project
10:00 — Cane Tips, Mobility Tools, and New Technology
18:10 — Touring the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank and Eye Institute
22:45 — Inside the Retina Research Lab
27:00 — From Research to FDA Approval
33:30 — Vision Loss, Aging, and Finding Resources
34:45 — Bringing Colorado Publications Into Audio
40:45 — Community Means You’re Not Alone

• (00:00) - Welcome to Colorado Views #10
• (05:45) - White Cane Day Comes to Loveland
• (07:10) - Aftersight’s White Cane Project
• (10:00) - Cane Tips, Mobility Tools, and New Technology
• (18:10) - Touring the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank and Eye Institute
• (22:45) - Inside the Retina Research Lab
• (27:00) - From Research to FDA Approval
• (33:30) - Vision Loss, Aging, and Finding Resources
• (34:45) - Bringing Colorado Publications Into Audio
• (40:45) - Community Means You’re Not Alone

Episode Summary

Jennifer and Michael recap Aftersight’s September hike, including new connections, more than 20 participant interviews, and one unfortunate crock pot. They also look ahead to a visit with the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Institute, explain how Lions Clubs help recycle eyeglasses and support Aftersight’s White Cane Program, and invite the community to the White Cane Day celebration in Loveland on October 17. Plus, Jennifer shares a first look at a new audio description project taking shape at Aftersight.

Credits

Hosts: Jennifer and Michael
Produced by: Aftersight
Podcast: Colorado Views

Contact

Jennifer: jennifer@aftersight.org
Michael: michael@aftersight.org
Feedback: feedback@aftersight.org
Website: aftersight.org