Race Across America is a 3000 mile trek. Dave Wilkinson is working to become the first solo blind tandem cyclist to complete it. We’ll meet Dave and hear about how he incorporates accessibility into his life and passion for staying active and healthy as The Speedy turtle. You can follow Dave and the Speedy Turtle team at https://speedyturtle.net. Aira is proud to sponsor Dave’s ride. Be sure to watch our social media posts for his progress.

Resources for accessible fitness:

Cane and Able Fitness https://www.caneandablefitness.com/

Blind Fitness https://www.blindfitness.org/ Contact us at accessmatters@aira.io.

Find out more at https://access-matters.pinecast.co

On April 8, 2024 the country stopped to observe a unique celestial event. Aira was excited to take part in one of the community celebrations, “Total Eclipse of the Park” in Rochester, New York. Event organizer Kiki Smith talks about offering choices about how to take in this eclipse, accessibly and inclusively. Listen to full coverage of the event at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpKbRLW8CKk&t=14s

You can email Kiki Smith at Kirstyn@seacrochester.org. Or contact her by phone at 585-721-2624.

Find out more at https://access-matters.pinecast.co

Access Matters Season 2 Episode 1 What matters when accessing sports?

Welcome to Season 2! In our first episode, Jenine talks with Marci Carpenter and Ron Brown, two sports fans who share their game day experiences. How does “access” play a role in their enjoyment of the game? Plus, learn about Aira’s newest partnership in the world of sports.

Read more about Aira and the Portland Sea Dogs: https://aira.io/more-accessible-sports-games-with-visual-interpretation/

Questions or comments about the podcast? Email us at accessmatters@aira.io.

Find out more at https://access-matters.pinecast.co

In our previous episode we heard about county-wide access. Imagine if an entire state had a dedicated department devoted to access for people with disabilities. Theresa Montano, Senior Solutions Architect of Accessibility, and Karen Pellegrin, Senior Manager, Technology Accessibility Program, join Jenine to talk about how the state of Colorado provides services, programs and activities to both residents and visitors. Whether you’re adventuring in a state park, doing business in a state building or navigating a state web site, access isn’t just a state of mind. 

You can learn more about Colorado’s Technology Accessibility Program at: https://oit.colorado.gov/about-us/programs 

You can contact them via email at: oit_accessibility@state.co.us

Comments or questions about the show? Email us at accessmatters@aira.io.

Find out more at https://access-matters.pinecast.co

Access Matters  Episode 9: Access at the County Level with Heidi Johnson 

The global pandemic proved that access to local government information is crucial. In this episode Jenine takes a look at access at the county level with Heidi Johnson, ADA Coordinator for Miami-Dade County, Florida. Did you know there are 3207 counties or county equivilants in the United States, including the parishes of Louisiana. You might be surprised at how many services are provided at the county level in your area. Heidi tells us about everything from public health to parks, libraries, voting and even the water that comes from your tap in Miami-Dade County, and how her office helps all of the agencies involved provide inclusive environments.  

Access, and more specifically the ADA, involve social equity in all programs, services, activities and facilities at the state and county levels. Heidi’s own life experience in the regulatory field as well as being someone with a disability has served her well in her current role. Join us for a virtual trip around Miami-Dade County and all it has to offer.  

Learn more about Miami-Dade County services at: https://www.miamidade.gov

Phone: 305-375-2013  For a list of ADA coordinators by county department, visit: https://www.miamidade.gov/global/ada-coordinators.page 

Contact the podcast at accessmatters@aira.io. Thanks for listening. 

Find out more at https://access-matters.pinecast.co

Access Matters Episode 8 Access at work for all Featuring Dan Frye and Joy Mistovich 

In our second podcast spotlighting National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we talk with Dan Frye, Director of Employment and Professional Development with the National Federation of the Blind. Dan has held various roles in state agencies and private industry. We’ll hear his crucial points that lead to success in  job seeking and workplace accessibility. An example of such accessibility is Joy Mistovich, Education Department Assistant and Digital U X Accessibility Specialist at the Butler Institute of American Art. In fact, it’s her job. Joy tells us about her journey. 

Learn more about Dan and his work at the National Federation of the Blind at https://nfb.org. You can email him at dfrye@nfb.org. You can call him at NFB’s national office, 1.401. 659.9314 Ext. 2393.  

Learn more about the Butler Institute of American Art and Joy’s work in accessibility at https://butlerart.com  You can email her at joymisto@gmail.com. 

The Butler is one of our Aira Access Network locations. You can get visual interpreting assistance to browse their collections and web site. 

Find out more at https://access-matters.pinecast.co

Access Matters  Episode 7: Access in a room full of elephants with Jonathan Mosen 

October marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month in the United States. That means Jenine and her guests will be talking about access in the workplace. The subject isn’t limited to the US though.   A familiar name within the blind and low vision community, Jonathan Mosen MNZM currently serves as CEO of Workbridge, the largest New Zealand-owned agency dedicated to the employment of disabled people. He also hosts the popular Living Blindfully podcast, heard by members of the blind community in more than 113 countries. The “elephants” they’ll discuss include disclosure in the hiring process, career advancement and how technology will affect disabled people in the future. 

You can learn more about Jonathan and find helpful links to his podcast at https://livingblindfully.com. 

Learn more about Workbridge at https://workbridge.co.nz.

Comments about the show? Email us at accessmatters@aira.io.

Find out more at https://access-matters.pinecast.co

Access Matters  Episode 6: Practical Access with Anthony Corona 

What causes someone to strive for greater access to the community? For Florida Council of the Blind’s Governmental Affairs Chair, Anthony Corona it comes down to listening from the human heart. This native New Yorker and former AP East Coast Entertainment Editor shares his story and how he works toward more extensive access in the Miami area. Continuing the theme of practical access, Everette Bacon demonstrates how one feature of an app can provide security through access to visual information. 

Listen to Anthony on ACB Radio Sunday Edition, https://www.acbmedia.org/category/se/, email sundayeditionac@gmail.com. You can also catch him on the Pride Connection and Take 2 Radio Soaps podcasts. , 

Learn more about visual interpreting at https://aira.io. 

Have questions or comments about the show? Email us at accessmatters@aira.io. 

Find out more at https://access-matters.pinecast.co