A Harvard geneticist, George Church, is developing an app that would prevent couples who carry the same recessive gene from ever meeting. The goal: to eliminate hereditary genetic diseases. Critics of the app have raised concerns that this is 21st century eugenics, but Church claims that it isn’t, and that he values diversity. The app,…
Author: Connor Scott-Gardner
Working Blind Episode 7- Martin Ralfe, Technology Services and Skills Lead
Martin works for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association UK leading their technology service. Although initially a reluctant technology user himself he ended up working in the field and wants to ensure that blind people who receive Guide Dogs services can also receive support with technology that will enable them to become more independent….
Working Blind Episode 6 – Justin Yarbrough, Digital Accessibility Specialist
Justin works at a university ensuring that classes are accessible to disabled students. As a blind person he knows first hand why accessibility matters, and it is his goal to ensure that all students can access the class materials. You can subscribe to Working Blind on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and TuneIn. If you like the…
Finding a Family at the Colorado Center for the Blind
On Wednesday I will start cooking a meal for 60 people. My final project at CCB, a celebration of how far I’ve come over the last six months. I know this last week is going to rush by before I know what’s happened. On the one hand it’s hard to believe that I’ve been in…
Living as a Blind Person in the United Kingdom and the United States
At the state convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado I was given the opportunity to share my experiences growing up as a blind child in England and how moving to Colorado for training has had an impact on my life. Please watch my speech. I hope that for those of you…
A Blindfold, a Cane and the City
Yesterday I was dropped somewhere in Denver. Wearing a blindfold and with no access to my phone I had to find my way back. I had no idea where I was, if I’d travelled north or south, or if there would be busses or trains anywhere nearby. I hadn’t been kidnapped, though it might sound…
A Blind Person is Crossing the Street
A blind person is crossing the street. You see them waiting, white cane in hand. Should you tell them it’s safe to cross? They can’t see the light change, is it your moral duty as a fellow human to give them this information? They step out into the street and you watch from your car,…
Measuring the Impossible
I have been in training at the Colorado Center for the Blind for two months. Moving to another country no longer feels strange to me, I feel as though I never manage to settle in one place for very long before I pack up my things and head somewhere else. Change, whilst incredibly disruptive, provides…
Working Blind Episode 5 – Matthew Horspool, Braille Transcriber
Matthew works at a school for students with disabilities. A number of his students are blind and need access to braille. We chat about braille, changes to the code and how accessible the job is for a blind person. You can subscribe to Working Blind on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and TuneIn. If you like the…
Working Blind Episode 4 – Angela Fowler, Business Owner
Angela turned her hobby of producing beef jerky into a business when she set up Gliding Eagle Jerky. She hopes to not only sell quality products but offer competitive employment opportunities to blind and otherwise disabled people. I chat to her about how she got started making jerky, her current job and her hopes for…