Flight for Sight

About Flight for Sight

Join Flight for Sight Inc., a 501(c)(3) education nonprofit, as they empower individuals who are blind or have low vision to explore, engage, and educate. We're offering $10,000 travel grants to curious adventurers who will share their experiences and knowledge. As ambassadors, they'll foster connections worldwide while igniting understanding through personal encounters. Experience the indomitable human spirit, redefine possibilities, and join us in uplifting voices of the visually impaired.

Publisher

Flight for Sight

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

17 Jun 2023

Latest episode

22 Sept 2023

Latest episodes

10 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   22 Sept 2023

   Episode 9 - Meet Flight for Sight Winner Eliana Mason

   It’s an all new Flight for Sight podcast as Brian sits down with Eliana Mason, a fellow Flight for Sight travel grant winner. Eliana was fresh off her trip to England and other parts of Europe. Eliana starts off telling us about her vision situation and how she went blind. Eliana then tells us about her and her teammate Marybai's initial pitch to Flight for Sight. We then discuss why mental health is so important. Eliana and Marybai’s trip was centered around a deep passion of theirs, goalball. Eliana gives us an explanation of what goalball is all about. You can check out Flight for Sight’s YouTube Channel here. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIY5n_cisk) We then discuss how it was traveling to England and around Europe as someone who is blind. There were a few adventures. Eliana tells us how Flight for Sight sponsor Aira was helpful on her and Marybai’s journey. Eliana then tells us about the IBSA World Games Goalball qualifier in England that she was competing in. She then tells us what she wanted to accomplish on her Flight for Sight journey. After England, it was off to Italy to teach goalball to kids. We then discuss the sightseeing Eliana got to do while in Europe. Eliana gives us a fantastic explanation of the differences she experiences traveling as a totally blind individual compared to how Marybai travels as someone with low vision. We then discuss how social media played a role in Eliana and Marybai’s Flight for Sight journey. You can visit Flight for Sight on the web. Make sure to check out our travel blog (https://www.flightforsight.net/blog/) and to sign up for our newsletter go to our home page, and fill out the quick form. Additionally, Flight for Sight is very active on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/p/CtO_VBxL7A5/), and Facebook. You can contact our Executive Director Mike Walsh at Mike@flightforsight.net.

2. 

   8 Sept 2023

   Episode 8 - Cincinnati, Meet the Meloys

   It’s another all new Flight for Sight podcast. Brian sat down with Allison and T.J. Meloy in Cincinnati, Ohio during his last stop on part one of his Flight for Sight journey Since Brian was staying with his friends, he first gets some feedback on how he is as a houseguest. We find out from both TJ and Allison what it is like to be a blind couple. We then discuss going to the Reds game. We then find out what both TJ and Allison enjoy about living in Oxford, Ohio. Allison and TJ then tell us what they enjoy about going to catch a Reds game in person. We then talk about the frustration of the radio delay at the ballpark and even worse, the streaming radio delay from real time action. We then get a sneak peak in to what Brian’s Journey of Flight for Sight Part Two might look like. You can visit Flight for Sight on the web. Make sure to check out our travel blog (https://www.flightforsight.net/blog/) and to sign up for our newsletter go to our home page, and fill out the quick form. Additionally, Flight for Sight is very active on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/p/CtO_VBxL7A5/), and Facebook. You can contact our Executive Director Mike Walsh at Mike@flightforsight.net. .

3. 

   31 Aug 2023

   Episode 7 - Denver Who Knew There Were So Many Blind People in the Mile High City

   It’s an all new Flight for Sight podcast. This episode was recorded live from the Old Town Tavern and Grill in Denver as a large group of blind and visually impaired people got together to break bread, and discuss living in Denver. Since we recorded live at the Old Town Tavern, you will get to hear all the fun background noise. The interview starts off with Debra Schultz discussing her vision situation, and her families history with RP. Debra then tells us about her Flight for Sight pitch and what she wanted to do on her journey, and her Blog, Adventures of A White Cane. Debra tells us about her recent trip to Alaska. Next up is Debra’s son, Alex Schultz who tells us what it is like to be one of the few sighted people around this big group of blind people. Amy Lee, a fellow Rper tells us why she loves living in Denver. She then tells us about Dragon Boating. Amy then tells us about the group she runs called You Don’t Look Blind. We then talk different styles of canes. Next up is Diane Verhayden  and she shares with us the frustration of not being properly diagnosed with a vision loss for most of her life. Jamie Lee is one of the other leaders of the group you Don’t Look Blind. Jaime tells us what working as a Beyond vision skills trainer does. Jamie’s husband, Robert E. Lee is up next and he tells us what it was like growing up with RP, and how he now helps people with a recent diagnosis. Andrea Brandies tells us about growing up blind, and spending some years as a Nun. Andrea tells us about lobbying for blind causes in Washington D.C. and how it led to a job. Andrea then tells us about her Flight for Sight application. We then sit down with Barbara Belinski who was nice enough to invite Brian to stay with her while visiting Denver. They discuss the interesting experiences that arise when taking ride shares with a service dog. You can visit Flight for Sight on the web. Make sure to check out our travel blog (https://www.flightforsight.net/blog/) and to sign up for our newsletter go to our home page, and fill out the quick form. Additionally, Flight for Sight is very active on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/p/CtO_VBxL7A5/), and Facebook. You can contact our Executive Director Mike Walsh at Mike@flightforsight.net.

4. 

   28 Aug 2023

   Episode 6 - San Diego, The Greatest Place On Earth, A Conversation with Blake Steinecke

   It’s an all new Flight for Sight Podcast. Brian is joined by Blake Steinecke, a friend who lives in San Diego. Unfortunately, Brian and Blake did not get to connect while Brian was in San Diego, but they got to sit down after and discuss being blind and living in San Diego. We start the interview off discussing what it was like being hit by a tropical storm in San Diego for the first time since 1939. We discuss surfing blind. We dive in to Blake’s current vision situation. We discuss the Gas Lamp District, Petco Park, and the old Qualcomm Stadium where the Chargers and Padres formerly played. Next up we discuss accessible travel in San Diego. And with 40 miles of coastline to walk in San Diego, Blake tells us how his cane use is in all of that sand. Blake then gives some advice to people who are blind and wanting to visit San Diego. You can visit Flight for Sight on the web. Make sure to check out our travel blog (https://www.flightforsight.net/blog/) and to sign up for our newsletter go to our home page, and fill out the quick form. Additionally, Flight for Sight is very active on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/p/CtO_VBxL7A5/), and Facebook. You can contact our Executive Director Mike Walsh at Mike@flightforsight.net.

5. 

   25 Aug 2023

   Episode 5 - L.A., As Long As You Are Not At the Mondrian, A Conversation with Brendan Gellman

   It’s an all new Flight For Sight podcast. Brian sits down with Brendan Gellman who he and Ed got together with while they were in Los Angeles on their Flight for Sight journey. We kick things off discussing a little background, as it ends up Brian and Brendan know each other from about 15 years ago. We then roll in to discussing the L.A. attitude we received from the Maitre’d at the Mondrian Hotel. I guess you could say we got the Hollywood experience. Brendan then tells us about his current vision situation, and all the places he lived growing up, through college, and how he ended up back in Los Angeles. Just this month, Brendan was featured in the London School of Economics Alumni Magazine. He will be mentoring students with disabilities. You can read the article here. Which leads to Brendan and Brian talking about some of their experiences being disabled in the work force. Brendan then tells us how he gets around Los Angeles these days. We talk about some of the differences getting around New York City compared to Los Angeles. Brendan then tells us about some of his favorite things about living in the city of angels, and offers some advice to other blind people who may visit Los Angeles. You can visit Flight for Sight on the web. Make sure to check out our travel blog (https://www.flightforsight.net/blog/) and to sign up for our newsletter go to our home page, and fill out the quick form. Additionally, Flight for Sight is very active on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/p/CtO_VBxL7A5/), and Facebook. You can contact our Executive Director Mike Walsh at Mike@flightforsight.net.

6. 

   19 Aug 2023

   Episode 4 - Phenix, But It's A Dry Heat

   It’s an all new Flight for Sight Podcast as Brian sits down with Tara  from Phoenix, Arizona. Tara has Usher’s Syndrome, and we start off with what else, but the weather in Phoenix, as it has been an absolutely brutal summer out there. They say it is a dry heat, but at 110 and above, hot is freaking hot! Tara walks us through being diagnosed with Ushers Syndrome, and how she handled her journey. Tara recently started learning how to use a white cane. We discuss Tara’s hearing and what the future could be like. Tara then tells us what support communities have been helpful to her. Tara then tells us what she enjoys about living in the Phoenix area. Brian then mentions the guide dog issue he ran in to in Phoenix. You can visit Flight for Sight on the web. Make sure to check out our travel blog (https://www.flightforsight.net/blog/) and to sign up for our newsletter go to our home page, and fill out the quick form. Additionally, Flight for Sight is very active on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/p/CtO_VBxL7A5/), and Facebook. You can contact our Executive Director Mike Walsh at Mike@flightforsight.net.

7. 

   14 Aug 2023

   Episode 3 - A Dallas/Ft. Worth Adventure. Get To Know Steve Mendez and Shawn Keen

   It’s an all new Flight for Sight podcast. Brian and Ed visited with Shawn Keen and Steve Mendez while in Dallas, er, make that Ft. Worth. While having some beers and a late night, the batteries on the M2 recording device decided to call it an early night, so Brian, Ed, Steve, and Shawn got back together over Zoom to discuss meeting up in Ft. Worth. We start off discussing the difference between Ft. Worth and Dallas. Shawn then tells us about going blind at a young age due to Glaucoma, and his first experiences with technology. Steve then tells us about his vision loss experience and how he and Shawn became friends. We discuss Shawn and Steven’s first experiences using an iPhone. Steven then tells us that it wasn’t anxiety or depression that affected him most while losing his vision, but rather the fear of getting around. Shawn then tells us about the DART transportation system in Dallas, and how accessible travel is in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. We discuss navigating with the Oko app. Shawn then tells us about his assistive technology training company Total Tech Solutions. You can visit Flight for Sight on the web. Make sure to check out our travel blog (https://www.flightforsight.net/blog/) and to sign up for our newsletter go to our home page, and fill out the quick form. Additionally, Flight for Sight is very active on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/p/CtO_VBxL7A5/), and Facebook. You can contact our Executive Director Mike Walsh at Mike@flightforsight.net.

8. 

   18 Jul 2023

   Episode 2 - A Conversation with Mike May From NFB 2023

   It’s an all new Flight For Sight podcast. Brian and Ed sit down with Mike May at the National Federation of the Blind 2023 Conference in Houston, Texas. Mike discusses using the Good Maps app to get around the Conference and find places of interest in Houston. Mike tells us a little about his career involvement with accessible navigation. Mike then tells us about some of the exciting changes coming to Good Maps Outdoors. Mike then lets us know what he likes about coming to conferences like the NFB and Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. We discuss what products at this year’s NFB have excited Mike. We discuss the current 15 to 30 second delay from real time that is occurring on AM/FM radios at Major League Baseball games. At the 2023 NFB Conference a resolution was passed targeting this delay. You can read about the resolution and all the NFB resolutions passed at this year’s conference here. We then find out why Mike is now consulting with Flight for Sight. Mike then explains the concept of the power of getting un-lost. Mike fills us in on his upcoming travels  which are fairly extensive. If you would like to read Brian’s recap about Ed and Brian’s entire time in Houston, a recap of the NFB Conference, the Astros game, and more, you can read it here. You can visit Flight for Sight on the web. Make sure to check out our travel blog (https://www.flightforsight.net/blog/) and to sign up for our newsletter go to our home page, and fill out the quick form. Additionally, Flight for Sight is very active on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/p/CtO_VBxL7A5/), and Facebook. You can contact our Executive Director Mike Walsh at Mike@flightforsight.net.

9. 

   29 Jun 2023

   Episode 1 - A Conversation with Aira's Everett Bacon and Their Sponsorship of Flight for Sight

   Welcome to the Flight For Sight podcast. Join Brian Fischler one of our Inaugural Flight For Sight Grants winners as he travels all over the country this summer and meets with blind and visually impaired people in each city he travels to. On our first episode of The flight For Sight podcast, Brian sits down with Everett Bacon, Vice-President of Blind Initiatives for Aira. We are so thrilled and thankful for Aira sponsoring our Flight For Sight Grant Winners on their journeys around the world. You can learn more about Aira on their website. Everett gives us a little background about his life and career, and how he ended up at Aira. He then tells us what his role as the Vice-President of Blind Initiatives will entail. Along with his new role at Aira, Everett is also the Secretary of the NFB. We find out how he plans to manage both roles at the upcoming NFB Conference in Houston. By the way, Brian and Ed will be in Houston from July 2nd to the 5th. Brian then discusses the goals of his Flight For Sight travel, and gets Everett’s thoughts about transistor radio MLB games being delayed in a lot of stadiums, so that blind people cannot listen in real time. Having grown up in Dallas, Everett suggests what to check out in Dallas, and gives some advice to Brian about attending his first ever NFB Conference. Everett then tells us what he hopes to accomplish in his new role at Aira. Flight For Sight would like to extend a very special thanks to being a sponsor of our Inaugural Grant winners. You can visit Flight for Sight on the web. Make sure to check out our travel blog (https://www.flightforsight.net/blog/) and to sign up for our newsletter go to our home page, and fill out the quick form. Additionally, Flight for Sight is very active on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/p/CtO_VBxL7A5/), and Facebook. You can contact our Executive Director Mike Walsh at Mike@flightforsight.net.

10. 

    17 Jun 2023

    Interview with Mike Walsh on That Real Blind Tech Show

    Brian Fischler and Ed Plumacher sit down with Mike Walsh, C.E.O. of Flight for Sight.

Contact Flight for Sight

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.