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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>That makes sense. While I have nothing against Facebook groups, I do think it might be time to think about offering podcasts. One thing I’ve noticed is that the other major blindness organization seems to have a leg up in this space. I’ve also noticed that many blindness podcasts seem to be done by agencies. The one exception is Blind Abilities which is one of the better ones.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>But I do wonder if it’s time for our organization to make a dent in this space. One thing I noticed in my research is that the Sound Solutions series from the Braille Institute had a few dated remarks, especially when referring to tape. It also seems to assume that some of the audience would maintain their eyesight.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Another idea I’ve been floating around is whether or not there should be a podcast targeted at a younger audience, maybe, high school and below.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>I’m wondering: Could we have people from our training centers offer something? I like the idea of, maybe, staff at our centers partnering up with each other to produce something where concepts are described and nonvisually demonstrated.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>The Braille Institute series was highly scripted, but what if there was a way to have something more realistic, maybe with the students and a center instructor in dialog, sharing tips, ideas, and words of wisdom.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Since that series, technology has changed. Cassette tapes are no longer commpnplace, and there are more options for labeling things around your house.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>While I have nothing against You Tube, I feel a podcast would be easier to work with, since we could share it with someone who is not comfortable with technology. With You Tube, you’d need to be on the computer. But what if we could inspire seniors to learn how to use the computer or smart phone as a blind person?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>These are some of the ideas floating around in my mind.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Unfortunately, I don’t have all the technology I’d need to start a podcast. So I thought I’d get the ball rolling with some dialog. I know we have a lot of people in this organization who could do it, and I’d hate to have this project depend on me to keep it going. I’m interested in the initial dialog, but once we have something concrete and going, I can back off and let it fly. But what I want to do is encourage the dialog, ask questions, and maybe encourage people to think about how they can contribute.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Just my thoughts. How do we start, and how do we work with National? Thanks.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></body></html>