Defeating Darkness

Host David, who lost his sight a few years ago, and co-host Paul, who lost his sight more than a decade ago, meet Sights for Hope Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Dianne Michels – who started with the organization more than 40 years ago and has lived with a visual impairment since birth. The stories and experiences they share demonstrate that, no matter how long someone has lived with vision loss, the process of learning and adapting never ends. This episode premiered on WDIY Lehigh Valley Public Radio.

Rita Lang, Sights for Hope’s Client Activities Manager, returns to the podcast and shares personal stories of overcoming assumptions about people with vision loss. Host David learns more about how Rita helps others pursue opportunities through her work and co-host Paul tells of how he overcame prejudice after losing his sight. This episode premiered on WDIY Lehigh Valley Public Radio.

Host David and co-host Paul are joined by Jennifer Pandolfo, Associate Director and Director of Services for Sights for Hope. Jennifer discusses the organization’s history, mission, programs, and services. She also explains the importance of helping people who are blind or have visual impairments develop the confidence they need to act, adapt, and succeed.

Host David and co-host Paul explore efforts to prevent vision loss before it occurs. Sights for Hope Prevention Specialist Colleen Rountree and the organization’s Executive Director and CEO, Dennis Zehner, explain how vision screenings for pre-kindergarten children can equip a child to read in kindergarten and prevent greater vision loss through early detection. They also discuss Sights for Hope’s original C. Well Bunny Goes to School program, including its recently released storybook and newly crafted C. Well Bunny puppet. This episode premiered on WDIY Lehigh Valley Public Radio.

Host David and co-host Paul welcome Rita Lang, Sights for Hope’s Client Activities Manager. Rita shares how smartphone apps and other assistive technologies help people who are blind or have visual impairments carry out everyday activities with greater capability, confidence, and independence. She draws on her own experiences with vision loss as she discusses tools for reading, shopping, identifying objects, and navigating unfamiliar surroundings. This episode premiered on WDIY Lehigh Valley Public Radio.

Host David and co-host Paul welcome Vinod Namboodiri, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Community-Driven Assistive Technologies at Lehigh University and a Sights for Hope board member. Vinod shares how his experiences with progressive vision loss inspired his research into assistive technologies. He also discusses his work developing MABLE Maps, an innovative app designed to help people with vision loss navigate indoor spaces, and his vision for expanding accessibility through technology. This episode premiered on WDIY Lehigh Valley Public Radio.

Sights for Hope Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Specialist Nadya Krause explains how O&M builds the foundational skills and confidence people need to navigate their surroundings after significant or complete vision loss. She also discusses the white cane as a tool of independence and introduces listeners to White Cane Awareness Day, observed around the world each October 15. This episode premiered on WDIY Lehigh Valley Public Radio.

Brian O'Neal from The Seeing Eye organization explains how guide dogs are trained and matched with people who are blind or have visual impairments. Co-host Paul also shares his life experiences as the human partner of his guide dog, Felton. This episode premiered on WDIY Lehigh Valley Public Radio.

In the first of a two-part introductory episode, host David Rimberg, Ph.D., and co-host Paul Miller share their experiences of losing their eyesight and beginning to move forward. This episode premiered on WDIY Lehigh Valley Public Radio.

In the second of a two-part introductory episode, host David Rimberg, Ph.D., and co-host Paul Miller share their experiences of losing their eyesight and beginning to move forward. This episode premiered on WDIY Lehigh Valley Public Radio.