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#MyBlindStory

  1. Blindness Isn’t Me

    January 3, 2018 - By Casandra Xavier

    Hello I’m Casandra, better known as CaspHer. I was born in Miami and grew up in Massachusetts. I’ve lived with blindness and deafness my entire life. Most people would assume that I couldn’t do much – but once they’ve spent twenty minutes with me, they realize that I am more than capable. I am an assistive technology trainer for the deafblind and seniors in Massachusetts. I enjoy teaching technology and seeing people succeed. My background was not in blindness at all. In fact, it was in fine arts. I realized…

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  2. BlindNewWorld’s 2017 Holiday Gift Guide

    December 18, 2017 - By The BlindNewWorld team

    The holiday season is here – and BlindNewWorld wants to help you figure out the coolest and most accessible gifts for your blind and visually impaired friends and family. From apparel to toys to tech, we’ve compiled eight of our favorite gifts for everyone on your list!         Two Blind Brothers Apparel This clothing company – created by Bradford and Bryan Manning, brothers who were both diagnosed with a retinal disease – pays special attention to the details in each of their garments. Their original collection is uniquely identified with a small metal…

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  3. BlindNewWorld’s Top 10 Assistive Tech Innovations in 2017

    December 13, 2017 - By The BlindNewWorld team

    2017 was a big year for assistive technology for the blind and visually impaired. While some products are still in development, it’s exciting to see so much in the works! We’ve compiled 10 of our favorite tech advancements from the last year. Which ones are you most excited about?     Wayband by Wear.Works This wearable device guides users to a specified location using vibration. The Wayband helps the visually impaired navigate the world unassisted, and it was used during the New York City Marathon for the first time in…

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  4. Marvelous Adventures with Marly and Aerie

    November 29, 2017 - By Juliet Cody

    My name is Juliet Cody. I am an immigrant from Colombia. When I was a child, to stay in touch with our strong ties to the tropical beaches of the Caribbean, my parents moved our family to the beautiful beaches of Southern California, where I still reside. I have a daughter, and taught pre-kindergarten until blindness struck. Despite this unexpected life event, I chose not to sit in the dark. Instead, I turned on the light of independence – I became involved in the blind community and returned to school…

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  5. Building the World’s First Multiple-line Braille E-Reader

    November 8, 2017 - By Liam Smyth

    There is a perception, especially amongst sighted people, that Braille is yesterday’s format. Printed Braille books are cumbersome and expensive, and after all, more and more books are being released in audio format. For many sighted people, the only contact with Braille is on elevator signs or the keys of an ATM. That perception, however, would be incorrect – and here’s what we’re doing about it. Research tells us that blind people who can read Braille are significantly more likely to be employed. Indeed, in the UK, many blind people…

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  6. The Life of a Blind Hip-hop Artist

    October 25, 2017 - By NovaCain

    My name is NovaCain and I’m a blind hip-hop artist. I haven’t always been a hip-hop artist – or even blind for that matter. I started losing my sight at 17 due to being over-medicated by a doctor shortly after being placed in a group home. I lost my vision completely by my 18th birthday. The same year I lost my sight, I lost my dad. Growing up a middle child of five brothers was exciting and adventurous. I grew up playing basketball and football before I lost my vision….

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  7. It’s Just a Cane

    October 11, 2017 - By Ashley Broussard

    My name is Ashley Broussard and I am an Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Specialist. I was first introduced to this field near the end of my undergraduate studies at California State University, Los Angeles when I was given an opportunity to observe an O&M lesson. That day at the Braille Institute changed my life forever. Most of the people I saw there were walking around using a long cane and I immediately felt like I was in a new world. It was so unfamiliar to me, and yet, so routine…

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  8. Raising My Blind Daughter in India

    September 27, 2017 - By Nikki Cochrane

    My daughter is blind. She is also funny, cuddly, silly, a lover of music, and has the cutest laugh. Her blindness isn’t the first thing I think about when I am asked about her. It is a part of her, but not something that defines her. We live in India and tend to stand out wherever we go; the white woman dressed in Indian clothing with the brown 4-year old holding a cane. It frustrates me when people wait until I look to the side, and then rush to snap…

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  9. Qualifying for Social Security Disability Benefits with Vision Loss

    September 13, 2017 - By Deanna Power

    According to a recent study by the American Foundation for the Blind, over 20 million adults in the United States live with significant vision loss. Between medical tests, hospital visits, and daily accommodations, it can be difficult for those with vision loss to work and support themselves financially. If you experience severe vision loss, Social Security may be able to help. The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides monthly financial assistance to those in need. Medically Qualifying for Disability Benefits To qualify for Social Security benefits, the SSA must confirm that…

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  10. Meeting a Coworker who is Blind

    August 29, 2017 - By Tim Vernon

    Starting a new job is riddled with emotions. Current employees are curious if the new employee will fit into the office culture, and wonder how the new employee will react in certain situations. The new employee is excited about starting a new chapter in life, but may feel uneasy while deciding if this is the best career move. Just prior to the new employee’s arrival, current employees learn that their new coworker is visually impaired. How does this realization change a coworker’s perspective? I have been blind since birth, and…

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