VIDEOS OF INTEREST
DESIGN WITH THE BLIND IN MIND
Abstract: What would a city designed for the blind be like? Chris Downey is an architect who went suddenly blind in 2008; he contrasts life in his beloved San Francisco before and after — and shows how the thoughtful designs that enhance his life now might actually make everyone’s life better, sighted or not.
Website URL: https://www.ted.com/talks/chris_downey_design_with_the_blind_in_mind
HOW I USE SONAR TO NAVIGATE THE WORLD
Abstract: Daniel Kish has been blind since he was 13 months old, but has learned to “see” using a form of echolocation. He clicks his tongue and sends out flashes of sound that bounce off surfaces in the environment and return to him, helping him to construct an understanding of the space around him. In a rousing talk, Kish shows how this works — and asks us all to let go of our fear of the dark unknown.
Website URL: https://www.ted.com/talks/daniel_kish_how_i_use_sonar_to_navigate_the_world
HOW TECHNOLOGY ALLOWED ME TO READ
Abstract: Months after he was born, in 1948, Ron McCallum became blind. In this charming, moving talk, he shows how he reads — and celebrates the progression of clever tools and adaptive computer technologies that make it possible. With their help, and the help of volunteers, he’s become a lawyer, an academic, and, most of all, a voracious reader. Welcome to the blind reading revolution.
Website URL: https://www.ted.com/talks/ron_mccallum_how_technology_allowed_me_to_read
CHRISTINE HA
Christine Ha talks about her personal experiences being blind and how it shaped her perspective on how people treat the disabled. She sheds light on how many of the things we take for granted everyday are not always so accommodating to others who deal with disabilities.
HOW NEW TECHNOLOGY HELPS BLIND PEOPLE EXPLORE THE WORLD
Abstract: How can technology help improve our quality of life? How can we navigate the world without using the sense of vision? Inventor and IBM Fellow Chieko Asakawa, who’s been blind since the age of fourteen, is working on answering these questions. In a charming demo, she shows off some new technology that’s helping blind people explore the world ever more independently … because, she suggests, when we design for greater accessibility, everyone benefits.
Website URL: https://www.ted.com/talks/chieko_asakawa_how_new_technology_helps_blind_people_explore_the_world
WHAT LOSING MY VISION TAUGHT ME ABOUT ACCESS
After a series of car accidents, Luis Perez was left with visual impairment caused by retinitis pigmentosa. In his journey to adjust to his new circumstances, Luis discovered valuable tools that he incorporated into his work as an educator. From discovering assistive technology to taking up photography, Luis sought out means to both see without relying on his vision, and be mor
BLINDNESS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH LIVING IN THE DARK
Behind eyes that don’t see is a brain that does see. In fact, blind people use the same visual centers of the brain that sighted people do, and can teach us more about the brain than we think, says Lotfi Merabet. Lotfi Merabet is a neuroscientist investigating how the brain adapts to blindness.
HOW THE BLIND USE TECHNOLOGY TO SEE THE WORLD.
Computer programmer Austin Seraphin – blind since birth – wanted to know. In this surprisingly funny and personal talk, Austin shares how technology changed his universe and what it means to make apps, gadgets and even street art accessible to all, sighted or not.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EQOZRIA-nATalk number nine:
SHEILA NIRENBERG
·TEDMED 2011
A prosthetic eye to treat blindness.
VISUALLY IMPAIRED THERAPIST JERRY SMITH
This is an interview with a visually impaired therapist named Jeremy Smith. He talks about his life and why he chose to go into counselling. He also discusses the importance of therapy and talking to a counselor about vision loss. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmkCOl6P2V8