Hadley Presents

In this encore episode we're joined by James Ashworth, vice president of customer care at Southwest Airlines, who is also living with macular degeneration. From navigating airports to making the most of airline assistance services, we talk about ways to make air travel with vision loss a little easier.

Need a computer but worried about cost? Not sure what technology will work best with your vision loss? Marci Duty from Computers for the Blind joins Ricky to discuss affordable computers and iPads, instruction, tech support, and how to find the right setup for your needs.Resources mentioned in this podcast:Computers for the Blind

From awkward encounters to everyday mishaps, humor can help reframe some of the challenges that come with vision loss. Ricky talks with guest John Hewitt about finding the funny moments, laughing at yourself, and using humor as one more tool for navigating life.

There are many tech tools designed for use in your home, but what are they, and are they even worth it? Listen in as Ricky and Steven Scott of Double Tap share which gadgets they use in their homes and why. Learn how some home-based tech tools can make everyday life a little easier.Resources mentioned in this podcast:Double Tap Podcast

From doctors' offices to taxes, forms and paperwork are just part of everyday life. Filling them out can take more time and patience when you're living with vision loss. In this episode, we're joined by Sam Seavey of The Blind Life as we share tips, tricks, and words of wisdom to make this common headache a little less frustrating.The Blind LifeHadley's Magnifier Series

One of the first things that can become more difficult after you've lost some vision is reading. There are many options and tools that can help, but what's right for you? In this episode, members of the Hadley community share what's worked for them, from magnifiers and large print to audiobooks, braille and various apps.Resources mentioned in this podcast:National Library ServiceHadley Presents Episode on NFB-NEWSLINEHadley's Reading with Vision Loss Workshops

Vision loss looks different for everyone, and each person adjusts in their own unique way. But you don't have to face this journey alone. In this episode, we talk about our new Adjusting and Coping Together video series. Blending real stories from members of the Hadley community with coping strategies many have found helpful, these videos address the emotional toll vision loss can have and offer ways to work through these common challenges.Here's a link to the videos: Adjusting and Coping TogetherAdjusting and Coping Together

Golf is a pretty visual game, but that hasn't stopped some members of the Hadley community from getting out on the course. In this episode, Jan Ober and Judy Messina explain how they've adapted their game as their vision changed. They share practical tips, from marking clubs and choosing the right golf balls, to finding supportive playing partners.Resources mentioned in this podcast:United States Blind Golf Association

Monitoring your health is important, but it can be challenging when you can't clearly see the numbers on a scale, thermometer, blood pressure monitor, or glucose meter. In this episode, Hadley's Ricky Enger and practical help specialist Steve Kelley share low- and high-tech tools, from talking devices and apps to simple tracking strategies, to help you confidently manage your health with vision loss.Resources mentioned in this podcast:Talking Oral Digital ThermometerTalking Body ScaleA&D Talking Blood Pressure MonitorHadley's Managing Diabetes Series

In this episode, we chat with two members of the Hadley community who use a guide dog. How did they decide? And what do they want others to know when considering this furry mobility option?Resources mentioned in this podcast:Hadley's Guide Dog SeriesGuide Dog Users, Inc. (GDUI)

Shopping can be a challenge after vision loss. Even online options can be difficult to navigate. That's why the team at Innosearch AI created their platform. This free service, designed specifically for people facing vision loss, makes it much easier to shop for a wide range of items, whether online or even over the phone.How to Access Innosearch AIInnosearch.ai855-746-7478

Which episodes really made a difference for the Hadley community? Which ones did folks keep coming back to? Here's what truly popped in 2025.Featured Episodes in the podcast:Cooking after Vision LossAir Travel and Vision LossVision Loss and DepressionTech Tools for Vision Loss, From Low to High TechArtificial Intelligence (AI) and Vision Loss

Vision loss can make getting and staying organized tricky. Tune in to hear tips from the Hadley team. Learn the routines and habits they've developed to stay organized, less stressed, and safe in their homes.

In this encore episode, Pastor Scott Himel, who himself has low vision, shares practical tips for participating in religious services, no matter your level of vision.

Listen in as we hear from members of the Hadley community share their experiences with our Peer-to-Peer program. Connecting with someone on a similar path can make a world of difference.

This episode is all about taking the stress out of holiday cards and gift giving when vision loss makes things a little trickier. The Hadley team has some tips and tools on picking cards, writing messages, finding the right gifts, and keeping everything organized without losing your holiday cheer.

In this episode, we chat with and learn from members of the Hadley community. Dia Kraft and Don Pojman share their own tips and tricks for continuing to cook despite having lost some vision.

Ever wonder if there's more you could be doing to support your eye health? Dr. Sophie Bakri, retinal surgeon and chair of ophthalmology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, joins us to discuss everyday choices that can influence the course of eye conditions like macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma.

We talk with the CEO of Notal Vision about a home-based monitoring tool that alerts your eyecare provider to potential disease progression. This device can help you stay on top of your eye health between doctor visits.Bonus: Stay tuned! One of the most popular episodes from our sister podcast, Insights & Sound Bites, will automatically play after this interview.Websites mentioned in the podcast:ForeseeHome AMD Monitoring ProgramNotal Vision 

Ophthalmologist Dr. John Shepherd joins us to talk about the connection between vision loss and depression, what signs to look for, and how to get the support you need.

Ever wonder which tools professionals with vision loss use in their daily lives? Wonder no more! Join Sam Seavey, creator of The Blind Life YouTube channel, as he shares the tools he loves.Website mentioned in the podcast:The Blind Life YouTube Channel

Dr. Mathew MacCumber from Illinois Retina Associates joins us to discuss common problems that can affect the retina (macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and retinitis pigmentosa, to name a few). What should you ask your doctor to make sure you get the most from your eye doctor visits? What is he excited about for the future of treatments in his field? Ricky asks those questions and more.Website mentioned in the podcast:Illinois Retina Associates

Losing vision is a loss. It often brings feelings of grief, anger, and sadness. It can help to know you're not alone and that there are things you can do to help you through the rough patches.In this episode, we talk about Hadley's Adjusting & Coping Together virtual support groups. These small groups offer a space to speak openly, connect with others who are also experiencing vision loss, and learn a few things you can do to cope and adjust.

On a previous episode, we shared ideas on how to get around town after vision loss has made it more difficult. We also introduced a feature to the show called Ask Your Neighbor. We invited the Hadley community, your virtual neighbors, to contribute ideas on the topic of transportation beyond the car keys. And the community responded with some great ideas.Tune in to hear what we've learned from you.

This week we sit down with Dr. Laura Miller, a low vision optometrist. Dr. Miller's specialty is to help low vision patients get the most functionality of the vision they have, whether that's high-power lenses, advice on which magnifier to use, or the best lighting for the task at hand.To find a low vision specialist near you, visit The Vision Council Foundation's Low Vision Prescriber Network.

Whether you're navigating a new environment, reading a menu, or shopping, an AI app or gadget may be just the ticket to help if you've lost some vision. But which one is the best one? In this episode, we share practical tips on which tools we turn to for different tasks. We'll share our experiences with Seeing AI, Be My Eyes, Aira, and Meta glasses in particular.Resources mentioned in this podcast:Be My EyesSeeing AIAiraMeta Glasses

For many, vision loss means giving up the car keys and with that can come complexity, inconvenience, and frustration, among other challenges. We chat with two members of the Hadley community, Dia Kraft and Tara Perry, as they share some of the creative solutions they've found. From rural areas to urban environments, they offer some valuable perspectives about growing more comfortable and confident while navigating life after vision loss.Do you have transportation advice to share? Please share it with your Hadley neighbors. Email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 847-784-2870. We will revisit the topic in a future episode and share more insights.

Listen in as Hadley team members share tips, tools, and their favorite apps to help make shopping a little easier for people with vision loss.Resources mentioned in this podcast:Hadley’s Grocery Shopping SeriesHadley’s Taking Notes WorkshopHadley’s Seeing AI Series

Braille is often only associated with how people with no vision are able to read books. But there are many other ways braille may be of use, even for those who still have some vision. In this episode, members of the Hadley community share how they have found braille to be helpful in their everyday lives.

Charles Bonnet Syndrome, visual hallucinations that can accompany vision loss, is often overlooked or worse, misdiagnosed. We chat with the founder of Mary Carmel’s Light, an organization dedicated to supporting those facing Charles Bonnet Syndrome (sometimes called CBS).Previous episode on this topic:Vision Loss and Charles Bonnet SyndromeWebsite:Mary Carmel’s Light

For many, losing vision can make everyday kitchen tasks more challenging and even scary. Debra Erickson, founder of The Blind Kitchen, was no different. Then she decidedly faced her fears and learned some tips. Listen in to hear how Debra grew to love cooking now more than when she was fully sighted.

It's quite common to feel like you're all alone when facing vision loss. And feeling lonely can make the vision loss journey all the rougher. That's why Hadley created a community forum to share stories, insights and bits of inspiration to remind us that we aren't alone on this journey.Ricky Enger and Marc Arneson spend time reintroducing us to Insights & Sound Bites, a community-generated show where others facing vision loss share what has helped them cope and adjust. Find out why fans tell us they listen to this show over and over again when feeling down.

With the Aira app, people with vision loss connect to vetted, live, expertly trained assistants. Using the camera on your smartphone, they walk you through whatever task you're struggling to see your way through.

Join us as Judy Davis shares her personal experience of facing a hurricane and its aftermath with vision loss. She shares how she managed to stay safe, informed, and connected throughout the ordeal.Listen to our previous podcast: Disaster Preparedness with Vision Loss

The Foundation Fighting Blindness funds research to find treatments and cures for eye diseases. They also host local chapter events where you can meet others going through similar challenges. Join us for a conversation with Ben Shaberman, Vice President of Science Communications.

From navigating airports to making the most of airline assistance services, we talk about ways to make air travel with vision loss a little easier. We're joined by James Ashworth, vice president of customer care at Southwest Airlines, who is also living with macular degeneration.

Medical appointments can be stressful for anyone. When you add in vision loss, these appointments can feel overwhelming. From navigating buildings and rooms to filling out forms and signing your name, there can be lots of stumbling blocks. Listen in as we share tips and advice to help make managing medical appointments a bit easier.

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, and we are revisiting our informative 2021 conversation with Dr. Jullia Rosdahl, a glaucoma specialist from the Duke Eye Center. Listen in as we ask Dr. Rosdahl common questions we hear about glaucoma, its risk factors, and treatment options. PLUS: at the end of the interview with Dr. Rosdahl, we've added on an episode from our sister podcast, Insights & Sound Bites, featuring Angela Delgado sharing her story about living with glaucoma. 

Reading the newspaper is a daily ritual for many, but vision loss can make it challenging or even impossible. Did you know there's a free service that converts newspaper and magazine content into audio you can listen to on your phone or computer? It's called NFB-NEWSLINE. Join Ricky Enger and Steve Kelley to learn how you can access this yourself.

Vision loss can add additional stress to any relationship, especially close ones like marriage. We chat with psychologist Ann Wagner and her husband, Eric Ringham, on how they navigate some of the specific challenges vision loss has presented to them.

Eyeglasses aren't just for improving vision anymore. Smart glasses use built-in cameras to scan what's in front of you and speakers to describe what's there. Join as we explore the most popular options on the market today, Meta and Envision. Listen in as the Hadley team shares their personal experience with using these glasses in daily life.

The holiday season can bring added stress when adjusting to vision loss. Navigating get-togethers and interacting with family and friends may be a bit trickier this year. We have some tips for you to consider as you plan.

Join us as we chat with Ron Peterson, a retired scientist and engineer who is also a member of the Hadley community.  Ron found a way back to doing what he loves, nature walks and volunteering after losing his sight to glaucoma.

Vision loss can be emotionally overwhelming. In this episode, we chat with a clinical psychologist who is legally blind herself, Dr. Ann Wagner. She shares how learning from and connecting with our emotions can bring about healing and transformation.

Preparing for a disaster is important for everyone. But for people with vision loss, it requires some extra thought and planning. In this episode, we share some ideas on how you can prepare.

Did you know that veterans are eligible for vision services and equipment through the Veterans Administration even if their vision loss developed many years later and was not as a result of service? Learn more as we chat with a representative of the Hines VA.

Voting can be tricky if you've lost some vision. In this episode, we discuss a variety of ways to cast your ballot, no matter your level of vision.

The Bright Focus Foundation funds research to find cures for macular degeneration and glaucoma, among other conditions. In this episode, we learn about their glaucoma and macular degeneration monthly chats. These sessions with scientists are open to the public and offer insights into the latest breakthroughs, treatments, and promising research on the horizon.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has a lot to offer people with vision loss. Whether it's reading menus, describing pictures, or even narrating scenery, AI can make a big difference. This week we chat with Steven Scott, host of the Double Tap podcast, about some of the best AI-powered tools out there… so far. Link to Double Tap on Apple Podcasts.

When the doctor says, "there's nothing more I can do for you," what next? Who can help you make the most of your remaining vision and learn how to live more comfortably with vision loss? We break it down for you.