The Eko Lens Podcast

In this episode of The Eko Lens, host Dr. Kenisha Coon welcomes Dana Barber, State Coordinator of Blind Services at the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services. Dana shares her powerful personal journey with retinitis pigmentosa, beginning with her diagnosis at just five years old and evolving into a lifelong commitment to supporting individuals with vision loss. Through honesty, humor, and insight, she reflects on how assistive technology opened doors to education, independence, and a meaningful career centered on advocacy and empowerment.Throughout the conversation, Dana explores the life changing role of technology, from her early experiences learning computers to embracing newer innovations like Meta Glasses and other accessible tools. She also highlights the impact of programs like College Quest, designed to help students with vision loss confidently transition into college life and adulthood. Together, Dana and Kenisha discuss the importance of community, mental health, self acceptance, and the ongoing process of navigating disability with resilience and hope. This episode offers an inspiring and authentic look at the intersection of accessibility, leadership, and innovation.

In this powerful and inspiring episode, Kenisha sits down with Brandy Mims—also known as Unique, the DeafBlind Dancer—whose work is redefining what movement, expression, and communication can look like.Brandy shares her journey navigating life with Usher syndrome, and how she has transformed challenges into creativity, connection, and purpose. Through dance, she has developed innovative ways of engaging with the world—using body awareness, counting, rhythm, and vibration to express herself and connect with others.This conversation goes beyond movement. It’s about resilience, identity, and reimagining accessibility in ways that center lived experience. Brandy also speaks to the importance of representation and how she empowers others in the deafblind community to find their voice, their movement, and their space.This is an episode about possibility about what happens when we stop defining people by limitations and start recognizing the brilliance in how they navigate the world.

In this episode of The Eko Lens Podcast, Kenisha sits down with Dr. Ana Mendez Zamora a blind MPH candidate at Johns Hopkins University and intern at Eko Vision Foundation, who shares her powerful journey from sudden vision loss due to cancer to becoming an advocate and innovator in accessibility.Ana opens up about navigating life after blindness, the gaps in support for those newly adjusting, and how she turned her experience into purpose. We also explore the role of AI in assistive technology and what the future of accessibility should look like.This conversation is a reminder that accessibility is about more than tools—it’s about dignity, independence, and real systems change.

In this episode of The Eko Lens Podcast, host Kenisha sits down with Julie Gritzmacher, Director of Patient Advocacy and Population Health Initiatives at Prevent Blindness, for a powerful conversation on advancing equity in eye care. Together, they explore the intersection of assistive technology, advocacy, and access for the blind and low vision community.Julie shares her journey into advocacy work, highlighting how storytelling can drive meaningful systems change and influence policy. The episode dives into the innovative programs and resources offered by Prevent Blindness, ongoing national advocacy efforts, and the critical role of technology in supporting independence and quality of life.This conversation also centers the importance of community, representation, and collective action in creating a more accessible and equitable future for individuals with vision impairments.

In this episode of Eko Lens, guest host Yorgos, Board Chair of Ekovison, interviews Kenisha, the Director of Community Engagement for the Ekovision Foundation. Kenisha shares her personal journey with vision loss, detailing her experiences with assistive technology, advocacy, and the importance of community support. The conversation highlights the challenges and triumphs faced by individuals in the blind and low vision community, emphasizing the need for accessible resources and the power of shared experiences.

In this episode of Eko Lens, host Kenisha speaks with Julie Oliver, vice president of programs at the Foundation for Blind Children. They discuss the intersection of assistive technology and community empowerment, focusing on the importance of accessibility, innovative educational tools, and the need for greater awareness and support for individuals with visual impairments. Julie shares her personal connection to the blind community and highlights various programs aimed at building confidence and independence among youth. The conversation emphasizes the critical role of education and resources in fostering a more inclusive society for those with disabilities.https://seeitourway.org/

In this episode of The Eko Lens, host Kenisha speaks with Ather Jammoa, an assistive technology trainer and advocate for the blind and low vision community. They discuss Ather's journey with vision loss, the importance of adaptive technology, and the role of Braille in achieving independence. Ather shares insights on the challenges of accessibility in apps and websites, innovative tools like PiccyBot, and the need for better transportation options for the blind. The conversation emphasizes empowerment, advocacy, and the importance of lived experience in shaping assistive technology.

In this episode of the eko lens podcast, host Kenisha speaks with Lara, an advocate and resource parent in the child welfare system, about her personal journey with vision challenges and the importance of advocacy for blind and low vision communities. They discuss the need for early intervention, the challenges faced by individuals with visual impairments, and the importance of dignity and access to resources. Lara shares her experiences navigating life with visual impairment and her hopes for future generations.https://www.fosteringforwardmi.org/

In this episode of Eko Lens, host Kenisha speaks with Martijn Van Der Spek, an innovator in assistive technology, about his journey in creating tools for the blind and low vision community. They discuss the features of Piccybot, an app that provides real-time video analysis and integrates multiple AI models for accurate descriptions. Martijn also introduces Voistant, a new app designed to enhance digital interaction for users. The conversation emphasizes the importance of privacy in technology and the need for continuous feedback from the community to improve these tools.https://www.piccybot.com/

In this inspiring episode of the Eko Lens Podcast, host Kenisha Coon sits down with Cory, the visionary creator behind Legally Blind No Limits. They dive deep into Cory’s personal journey with vision loss — from early challenges to how he’s redefined possibility through purpose.Cory opens up about the realities of living with low vision and the pivotal role assistive technology has played in his daily life. Together, they explore how tools like screen readers, navigation apps, and adaptive devices can expand independence, break barriers, and spark innovation.A central theme of the conversation is storytelling as advocacy. Cory shares how Legally Blind No Limits amplifies voices in the blind and low vision community, promotes representation, and reshapes how society sees and supports people with visual impairments.Throughout the episode, Kenisha and Cory highlight:🧠 The challenges and triumphs of navigating vision loss💡 The power of community and mutual support📱 How technology enhances accessibility and independence🗣️ Why representation and authentic narratives matter in advocacyWhether you’re part of the blind and low vision community, a caregiver, ally, or accessibility advocate, this episode offers insight, encouragement, and a fresh perspective on resilience and innovation.✨ Connect with Cory:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LegallyBlindNoLimitsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/legallyblindnolimits/

In this episode of Echo Lens, host Kenisha speaks with Sean Keen, a blind entrepreneur and advocate, about the intersection of assistive technology and the blind community. They discuss Shawn's personal journey, the spectrum of blindness, the role of AI in enhancing independence, and the importance of community support. Sean shares insights on evaluating assistive technology, the future of innovations, and his hopes for the next generation of assistive tech. The conversation emphasizes the need for accessible design and the potential of AI to empower individuals with disabilities.Follow Shawn; https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BjEWrtT9X/takeawaysKenisha introduces the podcast and its mission.Sean Keen is a blind entrepreneur and advocate.AI for the Blind is a community dedicated to empowerment.Blindness is a spectrum with varying degrees of vision loss.Assistive technology plays a crucial role in daily living.AI can enhance independence and creativity for blind individuals.Evaluating assistive technology involves accessibility and usability.The future of assistive technology is promising and innovative.AI for the Blind is launching a dedicated website for resources.Community support is vital for navigating technology and independence.

In this episode of the Eko Lens Podcast, host Kenisha speaks with Christine Lin, the founder of the Eko Vision Foundation. They discuss Christine's personal connection to the blind community, the mission of the foundation, and the innovative Beautiful Project aimed at providing a review platform for assistive technology. The conversation also explores the future of assistive technology, particularly AI smart glasses, and the importance of community engagement in building a supportive environment for those with vision loss. Christine emphasizes the need for technology that empowers the blind and encourages sighted individuals to understand the challenges faced by those with vision impairment.TakeawaysEko Vision Foundation aims to bridge the gap between the blind community and technology.Privacy is a significant concern for blind individuals using assistive technology.The Beautiful Project will allow blind users to review assistive technology products.AI smart glasses are seen as a promising future for enhancing the lives of the blind.Community engagement is crucial for the success of the Eko Vision Foundation.The foundation seeks to employ individuals with lived experience of vision loss.Raising awareness about the needs of the blind community is essential for technology development.Assistive technology should be designed with input from blind users.The foundation is in a building stage, seeking partnerships and funding.Everyone can contribute to making the world more accessible for the blind.Sound bites"I want to create something, help with something.""AI smart glasses are the future for the blind.""It takes a village to be able to do this work."Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Echo Lens Podcast02:07 Christine Lin's Connection to the Blind Community05:44 Mission and Vision of the Echo Vision Foundation07:31 The Beautiful Project: A Review Platform for Assistive Technology10:28 Current Assistive Technologies and Their Impact16:02 Building the Echo Vision Foundation: Structure and Community20:30 Future Aspirations for Assistive Technology26:31 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

🎧 Preview: Welcome to The EKO LensDescription:Welcome to The EKO Lens, the podcast where we view assistive technology through the eyes of lived experience. Each episode explores how dignity, design, and innovation intersect to empower blind and low-vision communities.Created by the Eko Vision Foundation, this podcast is more than tech reviews—it’s a space for truth-telling, inclusion,