A podcast created by Marissa Nissley, a legally blind recent college graduate with albinism, that will change the way you think about blindness. Episodes discuss interdependence, accessibility, and disability justice.
37. Don't Mess with Section 504 (feat. Kaleigh Brendle)
Don’t mess with Texas? More like don’t mess with Section 504—and Kaleigh Brendle. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protects the rights of people with disabilities in universities, hospitals, and other institutions that receive federal financial assistance. But in September, 17 states filed a lawsuit claiming Section 504 is unconstitutional as it stands. Their argument? That recent guidance from the Biden administration, particularly those including gender dysphoria as a disability and emphasizing accommodations be provided in integrated settings, goes too far. Kaleigh Brendle joins Marissa (again!) on Blonde & Blind to unpack what this lawsuit could mean for Section 504 and the civil rights of the disability community. They tackle the misconception that the lawsuit only targets trans people, and stress the importance of cross-community allyship in the fight for justice.
Kaleigh Brendle is a senior at Villanova University studying English, Justice & Peace, and Argumentation & Advocacy. She’s heavily involved with the National Federation of the Blind and is on the executive board of Villanova’s disability alliance LEVEL. Kaleigh is extremely passionate about disability rights and is an aspiring lawyer. She previously appeared on Blonde & Blind in December 2020 to share her experience suing the College Board in "Not Blind to Injustice."
Connect with Blonde & Blind!
Website - https://www.blondeblind.com/ (https://www.blondeblind.com/)
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/blondeblindgirl/ (https://www.instagram.com/blondeblindgirl/)
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/blondeblind (https://www.facebook.com/blondeblind)
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blonde-blind (https://www.linkedin.com/company/blonde-blind)
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJz_ng0bHVm0s33plEl5Kpg (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJz_ng0bHVm0s33plEl5Kpg)
X - https://twitter.com/marissa_nissley (https://twitter.com/marissa_nissley)
Connect with Kaleigh!
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kaleighbrendle/ (https://www.instagram.com/kaleighbrendle/)
Facebook - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaleigh-brendle-8a8a0124b (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaleigh-brendle-8a8a0124b)
LinkedIn - https://www.facebook.com/friday.live.31/ (https://www.facebook.com/friday.live.31/)
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kaleigh.brendle/video/7472500905045282091 (https://www.tiktok.com/@kaleigh.brendle/video/7472500905045282091)
Key Points:
5:09 - What is section 504?
9:50 - What is section 504 important?
12:00 - What is Texas v. Becerra?
18:05 - Some argue that this lawsuit is only about gender dysphoria, not about eliminating 504. What is your response to that?
26:14 - What can people do to get involved?
Get Involved - https://dredf.org/protect-504/ (https://dredf.org/protect-504/)
Resources & Transcript - https://www.blondeblind.com/post/37-don-t-mess-with-section-504-feat-kaleigh-brendle (https://www.blondeblind.com/post/37-don-t-mess-with-section-504-feat-kaleigh-brendle)
16 Mar 2025
36. Let's Talk About (Blind) Sex (feat. Laura Millar) - 18+
Blind people face unique challenges when it comes to sex. After all, we can’t drive by a CVS to pick up birth control or catch someone making eye contact from across the bar. In “Let’s Talk About (Blind) Sex,” Laura Millar, a blind certified sex educator, joins Marissa to offer insights on sexuality and sexual health for people with low vision. They share valuable tips and advice—covering everything from accessing contraceptives online to navigating consent and healthy communication—essential for any young adult thinking about sex. They also discuss the intersection of blind positivity and sex positivity, empowering listeners with disabilities to feel comfortable, confident, and sexy in their own skin.
Laura Millar is a leading Sexual Health Educator, Researcher, and Consultant with a focus on the blind community. She graduated from San Francisco Stare University with a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) and is a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES). Through Laura Millar Consulting, she provides personalized coaching and sexual health workshops. Laura is especially passionate about accessible sex education and sits on the board of The Blind Sexuality Access Network (BSAN). She is dedicated to creating a world where consent is key and sexuality is celebrated!
Connect with Blonde & Blind!
Website - https://www.blondeblind.com/ (https://www.blondeblind.com/)
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/blondeblindgirl/ (https://www.instagram.com/blondeblindgirl/)
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/blondeblind (https://www.facebook.com/blondeblind)
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blonde-blind (https://www.linkedin.com/company/blonde-blind)
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJz_ng0bHVm0s33plEl5Kpg (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJz_ng0bHVm0s33plEl5Kpg)
X - https://twitter.com/marissa_nissley (https://twitter.com/marissa_nissley)
Connect with Laura Millar!
Laura Millar Consulting - https://lauramillar.com/about-me/ (https://lauramillar.com/about-me/)
Blind Sexuality Access Network (BSAN) - https://blindsexualityaccessnetwork.org/ (https://blindsexualityaccessnetwork.org/)
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauramillar?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauramillar?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app)
Key Points:
2:18 - Accessible Sex Education and Laura Millar Consulting
5:54 - How are blind positivity and sex positivity related?
13:59 - Is attraction and desire entirely visual? How can I flirt with low vision?
17:05 - What advice do you have for listeners in the 18-24 range who are beginning to explore sex?
- Identifying Values
- Student Health Centers + Other Campus Resources
- Telehealth and Virtual Resources
- Disability Community
9 Nov 2024
35. "Out of Sight, Not Out of Mind" (feat. Rose West)
Picture yourself watching TV in your living room when, without warning, you suddenly lose vision in your right eye. People born blind often say “you can’t miss what you never had,” but what happens when someone with normal eyesight suddenly or gradually loses their vision? In “Out of Sight, Not Out of Mind,” Marissa interviews Rose West, a junior at Swarthmore College who lost most of her vision at age 12 due to a brain tumor. They discuss the grief, trauma, and frustration surrounding vision loss, and Rose shares how discovering the blind community helped her cope and build confidence.
Rose West is a junior at Swarthmore College studying Political Science. She is an AmeriCorps member who serves at the Overbrook School for the Blind and helps facilitate a work-readiness program for Blind/low vision students in Pennsylvania ages 14-24. She also serves on the board of the Arc Alliance, a non-profit supporting people with disabilities across the Philadelphia suburbs. Nara—a goofy, playful, and lovably dramatic Chocolate Labrador—is Rose’s guide dog and best friend.
Connect with Blonde & Blind!
Website - https://www.blondeblind.com/ (https://www.blondeblind.com/)
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/blondeblindgirl/ (https://www.instagram.com/blondeblindgirl/)
Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/legallybb/?locale=sq_AL (https://m.facebook.com/legallybb/?locale=sq_AL)
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blonde-blind (https://www.linkedin.com/company/blonde-blind)
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJz_ng0bHVm0s33plEl5Kpg (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJz_ng0bHVm0s33plEl5Kpg)
X - https://twitter.com/marissa_nissley (https://twitter.com/marissa_nissley)
Connect with Rose West!
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rose-west-701009279 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rose-west-701009279)
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rose.briars/ (https://www.instagram.com/rose.briars/?locale=%E7%BA%BD%E4%BC%A6%E5%A0%A1%E9%82%A3%E9%87%8C%E6%9C%89%E6%9C%8D%E5%8A%A1%E5%81%9A(%E8%96%87%E4%BF%A18363919).bnqk&hl=en)
Connect with OSB AmeriCorps Next Step Skills Program!
Website - https://www.obs.org/what-we-do/osb-americorps.cfm (https://www.obs.org/what-we-do/osb-americorps.cfm)
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/osbamericorps/ (https://www.instagram.com/osbamericorps/)
Key Points:
00:00 - Introduction
04:09 - What was it like losing your vision?
08:26 - What are some of the common stereotypes surrounding vision loss? How did they impact your experience becoming blind?
11:33 - Many people think becoming blind is one of the worst things that could ever happen. What was it like going through something people consider tragic?
13:20 - How did you cope with your vision loss?
16:21 - What was it like interacting with people who knew you before your sight loss versus those who only knew you as blind?
18:46 - Many people will say that everything happens for a reason. How do you respond to that?
20:02 - How did you relax and de-stress while coping with vision loss?
23:54 - What do you think about the notion of fighting blindness?
32:03 - What advice do you have for people experiencing vision loss?
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
1,085
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.9 / 5
15 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
10 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 51 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
46
Social presence
0
YouTube
68
Engagement
71
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