Dear Friends, Thank you so much for the gift of the new long white cane. I have MMD (Myopic Macular Degeneration), which is a pretty rare form of macular degeneration. In fact, it is so rare that the doctors are unable to predict its trajectory. It shares similarities with the more common Age-Related Macular Degeneration … Read more
Meet Dora, a bright-eyed 5-year-old with an infectious giggle and a love for storytelling. She was born with an extremely rare, almost unpronounceable eye condition that left her with no eyesight. Despite this challenge, her spirit remains unbreakable. Recently, her kindergarten teacher introduced her class to writing. While her classmates picked up pencils, she felt … Read more
We are excited to announce that Aftersight has received global recognition at the International Association of Audio Information Services (IAAIS) Annual Conference held from June 12-14. This event celebrates outstanding programs that transform text into speech, making information accessible for those who cannot read printed material due to blindness or low vision. The IAAIS program … Read more
From Wilma in memory of her husband, Paul. “I read the Loveland Reporter Herald to him every morning over coffee. It was our time and I loved doing it. My vision started failing too and it got harder to see the paper. I knew about Aftersight because of a presentation at our Lions Club meeting. … Read more
Kim Singleton is one of Aftersight’s newest listeners, but she’s been involved in the blind and low-vision community for a long time. In the 1970s, when Kim was 21, she experienced two simultaneous retinal detachments. She’s had retinal surgeries, scleral buckles, and one of the earliest vitrectomies performed in the western US. In 2024, Kim … Read more
Did you know that in 2023 Colorado crossed a milestone? There are more Colorado residents 60 years and older than there are youth 18 years and younger. What does this mean? It means that age-related vision loss will become more and more common in our state. Funding for seniors is being cut back in our … Read more
Happy (belated) holidays from the Aftersight team! That’s right, Audio Information Network of Colorado is now officially Aftersight! Here are some updates from the programming department. Stats 125 Hours of audio content delivered weekly. Top 25%: National ranking of The Blind Chick and BLT. 387K Downloads in one year. LIVE Personalized Valentines Shoutouts Spread love and joy with … Read more
By Penn Street Colorado has a number of Adaptive Ski Programs for people who are blind and or have low vision just like me. Most of the programs are fueled by volunteers. The first time I clicked into a pair of skis in college during an Adaptive Ski Clinic in Winter Park I was hooked. … Read more
By Matt Kissane Denver natives Amy Lee, her brother, Robert, and his wife, Jamie, moderate the Facebook support group You Don’t Look Blind (YDLB), which hosts two monthly meetings, one online and one in person in Denver. The group name is characteristic of the Lees’ playful approach to low-vision training. The Lees, and several members … Read more
Exciting news! We’ve boosted our accessibility game by adding transcriptions to our AINC original podcasts. A big shoutout to our Programming Advisory Committee (PAC) for shining a light on the need for transcriptions, especially for our DeafBlind community members. Find transcriptions on: Blindsight Blindsight is an AINC original podcast. Each week, we will discuss the … Read more
The White Cane is a tool and a symbol recognized around the world to identify people who are blind/low vision. Thanks to Lion George Bonham from the Peoria, IL Lions Club for identifying the need and leading Lions Clubs International into the solution. Lion George wanted the cane to be white and reflective so it … Read more
Penn has been with AINC for nearly two years. Penn is blind, and, she has spent most of her adult career working with that community. Growing up with vision loss, she had many amazing organizations which came to her aid, so she understands firsthand the impact nonprofits can have. Now, working with these types of … Read more
Matt began volunteering for AINC in 2010, but his inspiration for volunteering began much earlier. During his second semester of college he had an internship for Chicago Land Radio Information Service, which was also an audio information service for the blind. He wrote their newsletter for three or four months. Thirty years later- after working … Read more
Evan is an avid hiker, enjoys having new experiences, and loves music- all sorts of music, “even new country music.” This is fitting, seeing as he is AINC’s audio production technician. At 21 years old, he is trying to live his life differently from other people his age. Initially, he was going to college to … Read more
All of the following activities were recommended by AINC’s programing Advisory Committee for others who are blind and low vision. They are recommended because they are particularly tactile and allow you to engage in unique sensory experiences. Alligator Farm For 25 dollars (or 12.50 if you are a child or senior) you can go to … Read more
A native Coloradan, Scott has been active all his life. He was a gym coach for 35 years, teaching gymnastics, karate, dance, and cheerleading at the two gyms he owned. But that was just the summer; he spent his winters “going out on the road” to do acrobatics. He was a high diver and a … Read more
The Audio Information Network of Colorado (AINC) takes great pride in its commitment to empowering individuals who are blind or Low Vision. As part of this mission, AINC has partnered with the Colorado Lions Clubs to provide FREE white canes to those in need. We express our deepest gratitude to the Colorado Lions Clubs for … Read more
Bringing Print to Life Hike Saturday Aug. 12th, 7 AM | Royal Arch Trail (Chautauqua), Boulder, CO 2023 marks AINC’s third annual Bringing Print to Life Fundraising Hike with the Audio Trekkers! This supportive event pairs sighted guides with hikers who have some form of blindness or Low Vision. Each team works together to summit … Read more
Carol Custer is one of AINC’s newest listeners, and she’s a fan of some AINC Originals like Aftersight and Blind Level Tech. Carol has a soul full of adventure and doesn’t let vision loss keep her from being active. In fact, when AINC’s Listener Services Coordinator, Matt Kissane, called her, she was using the flashlight on her phone to organize … Read more
By Matt Kissane Jere Rood says, “I was born high, and I remain high.” Born in Leadville, Jere migrated to Aspen in 1973 after his divorce, and he hasn’t left. After his 20-year career as a teacher and counselor in Chicago and San Francisco, he quickly learned how to sustain an Aspen lifestyle by making … Read more
Have you recently had an accident that caused blindness, or been diagnosed with macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetes, or another eye condition that has caused or might cause vision loss? You’re not alone. Over 100,000 Coloradans have some form of vision loss. That being said, everyone’s journey into vision loss is unique, and it’s not an … Read more
Blindsight is dedicated to the healing of the mind, body, and soul. The host, Bill Lundgrin addresses behavioral health topics ranging from addiction, grief, and denial, to overcoming trauma, dealing with relationships, and “next steps” in your specific journey. He answers questions through conversations with industry professionals and experts.. Who is Bill Lundgren? Well, he … Read more
Elizabeth Michelin sold real estate in California’s Bay Area and wine region for 30 years. After being diagnosed with macular degeneration in 2014, she moved to Castle Rock, Colorado to be with family. “That did not work out,” she says, and she moved into her current apartment by herself. She quickly discovered the local resources … Read more
Living with vision loss is a different experience for everyone, but one thing is always true: The ability to speak up for yourself and take charge of your life is critical to your independence and well being. Continue reading to learn about these common scenarios in everyday life, your legal rights to accessibility, and what … Read more
We are committed to meet the needs of our listeners. The landscape of news media has changed dramatically in recent years, and so has the way that people get their news. At AINC, we are working to change with it. As part of this goal, we have formed the Programming Advisory Committee (PAC) to assist … Read more
The Audio Information Network of Colorado (AINC) has been broadcasting news and information for over 30 years for blind and visually impaired Coloradans. Over that time, technology and the landscape of news media has changed dramatically. At AINC, we are working to change with it to better meet the needs of Coloradans with a print … Read more
Foresight Ski Event Volunteer Appreciation 2021 Highlights Foresight Ski Event Penn Street and Evan Starnes – a couple of vital AINC staff members – hit the slopes with Foresight Ski Guides early in 2022! They even used the opportunity conduct a few interviews, which were released as a special edition of Aftersight. Evan has a knack … Read more
AINC NEWS IN 2022: AINC’S New Board President AINC Staff and Board Gathering 30th Anniversary Volunteer Highlight Marshall Fire AINC’S NEW BOARD PRESIDENT Scott Chaplick recently took over as AINC’s acting board president. Scott, the owner of Beyond Sight, Inc., is full of ideas and energy for the future of AINC – we welcome him … Read more
“I don’t want to sound like a cliché or anything, but I’m proud of what I accomplished.” -Evan Starnes Evan, who is almost totally blind, was talking about hiking at Arapahoe Basin, where he summited a climb of 12,456 feet. He and nine other visually impaired climbers were assisted by specially trained sighted guides (including AINC … Read more
AINC’S FIRST HIKE • CO GIVES DAY • LISTENER SPOTLIGHT • VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHT • NEW PODCAST • EVENT CALENDAR AINC’s First Hike AINC’s first ever fundraising hike took place on August 28th at Keystone in Arapahoe Basin. At the event, a team of ten blind or visually impaired hikers aged 20-70 were supported by … Read more
AINC listener Bob Weinberg was a professional photojournalist and accomplished portrait photographer with his own business when his eyesight began to rapidly deteriorate in 1996. He was diagnosed with retinal pigment epithelial dystrophy, blurring his central vision. By 2003, after more than 30 years of shooting and producing photos, he was legally blind with a … Read more
More than 100,000 people in Colorado have uncorrectable vision loss that interferes with daily activities, according to the American Foundation for the Blind. The prevalence of vision loss and blindness increases with age and age-related visual conditions. Simple activities like cooking, shopping, using email and computer tasks can be overwhelming for them. The Center for … Read more
Feelings of social isolation and disconnection are a risk of aging. Isolation can lead to serious physical and mental health problems that can decrease one’s quality of life. If you or a loved one suffers from social isolation… Amazon’s Alexa can find a solution. The Amazon Echo, AKA, Alexa, is a voice-activated smart speaker. She … Read more
I became familiar with Gerry Leary when I would occasionally see him on the bus with his guide dog, Devyon, lying obediently at his feet. I always greeted him and reminded him that I work at a place very familiar to him. I would get off at the stop near my home and he would … Read more
You may know that AINC is the only reading service for youth, adults and seniors who are blind, losing vision, or who can’t read due to some other learning, physical or neurological disability (“print-disabled”). But did you know what’s new in 2020? 1. New website Check out our new online services at www.aincolorado.org 2. … Read more
“Alexa, can flamingos fly?” “Falmingos fly very well,” answers a polite female voice, in the deadpan delivery of computer synthesis. “Many flamingos migrate or regularly fly between the best food sources and nesting grounds. When flying in a flock, the top speed of a flamingo can be as high as 35 miles per hour.” “Thank … Read more
Shortly after becoming legally blind due to macular degeneration about eight years ago, Birdie Knapp attended a presentation at a low-vision group where a fellow attendee mentioned a radio that exclusively broadcast news and information for the blind. Birdie sought out the presenter, AINC’s Kim Ann Wardlow, registered as a listener, and soon began listening … Read more