In Episode 112 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we discuss audio description for live sporting events and other live events provided by MindsEye, a nonprofit in the St. Louis, MO area. Two members of the organization, Magan Harms (MindsEye arts and culture director) and Liam McCoy (MindsEye quality control specialist), join the discussion. They spoke about: How Magan got involved in the blind community and audio description How she prepares to describe a live event for blind and visually impaired patrons Examples of verbiage she uses to describe sporting events and other live events How her r ..read more

In Episode 111 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we visit with Mike Royal. The accomplished adaptive athlete in running, water skiing, and other sports who resides in the Houston, TX area. Royal talked about: Where he was born and grew up in the heartland of America His visual impairment His education, career, and family How he was introduced to sports for the blind His achievements as a runner and several major marathons he has run in His career in adaptive water skiing and records he has attained Other sports he has tried His guide dog journey and how this inspired him to launch the Blind Ca ..read more

In Episode 110 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we visit with Francesco Magisano, an accomplished endurance athlete and para-triathlete who also serves as the Director of the New York City Metro Region for Achilles International. During the interview, Magisano discussed: Where he was born and grew up His eye condition and vision loss journey How he got connected to Achilles International through a random conversation An overview of the Achilles International organization and its chapters around the world, along with his current role His career as a runner and para-triathlete Competing in the ..read more

In Episode 109 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, Calahan Young joins the conversation. The native of Irwin, PA in the Pittsburgh area is the captain of the U.S. men’s national goalball team and a highly successful goalball player. Young spoke about: His childhood and sports he played with sighted peers as a youngster His visual impairment and how his vision has changed over time How he was introduced to sports for the blind How he felt playing goalball for the first time and who encouraged him to keep at it His journey up the goalball ranks to eventually join Team USA and the U.S. men’s nation ..read more

In Episode 108 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we meet Roger Oberholzer, a blind runner and adaptive athlete originally from Switzerland who now resides in Folsom, CA. During the conversation, Oberholzer spoke about: His early years and childhood His visual impairment His education and professional career How he got involved in adaptive sports for the blind His experience running in several of the major marathons in the United States The keys to an effective relationship with a running guide His preference when it comes to a running tether His experience with surfing and tandem cycling His a ..read more

In Episode 80 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we speak with Koni Sims, a longtime advocate for the blind and visually impaired who now serves as a member of the American Council of the Blind’s board of directors. She is also a member of a new committee developed to oversee ACB’s Get Up and Get Moving campaign. During the conversation, Sims spoke about: Her personal and professional backgrounds Her visual impairment and why it has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride for her Her involvement in advocacy work with the American Council of the Blind, as well as its local chapters and affiliates The ..read more

In Episode 78 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we are joined by David Brown, a three-time Paralympian in track and field and known to many as the world’s fastest blind man. During the conversation, Brown spoke about: - Where he was born and grew up - His visual impairment - His education - How he got into adaptive sports, specifically track and field - How he became a Paralympian and his Paralympic career - The medals and records he is most proud of - The keys to having a successful guide in track and field - Getting into blind soccer and being named to the U.S. national blind soccer team - Ho ..read more

In Episode 76 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we welcome Jen Armbruster, a seven-time Paralympian in goalball. During the interview, Armbruster spoke about: Her early years and K-12 education Her visual impairment, coping with her diagnosis, and why she feels so lucky Getting into goalball and what drew her to the sport Her decorated Paralympic career representing Team USA on the U.S. women’s goalball squad Her training routine and what it takes to be successful at goalball Other adaptive sports she has played, including her work on blind soccer The benefits of competing in adaptive sports f ..read more

In Episode 74 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we are joined by Matt Wallace, a blind sports commentator and adaptive athlete from Pennsylvania. During the interview, Wallace spoke about: His early years and visual impairment His education and how he attended both mainstream and schools for the blind His college years and getting into sports media His experience as a commentator for fully sighted and blind sports His take on the most accessible websites, apps, and audio streaming services for blind sports fans The sports he has played as an adaptive athlete and among sighted peers ..read more

In Episode 71 of the Eyes Free Sports podcast, we hit the pool to visit with McClain Hermes. A two-time Paralympian in swimming, she is now pursuing a new athletic goal. During the conversation, Hermes discussed: Where she was born and her childhood Discovering her visual impairment at a very young age Her education from elementary through high school and her college career in academics and athletics Competing in college athletics as a Division I student-athlete with a disability at a major university How she originally got into swimming and some adaptations she has used as a visually impaire ..read more