White Canes, Retina Research, and Building Community in Colorado

Jennifer and Michael celebrate the tenth episode of Colorado Views with a look at the people, resources, and ideas connecting Colorado’s blind and low-vision community.

They preview Aftersight’s upcoming White Cane Day celebration in Loveland, talk about the White Cane Project and the importance of making mobility tools accessible, and explore some newer technology and adaptive tools that may give people more options for navigating everyday life.

Then the conversation heads inside the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank and Eye Institute, where Jennifer and Michael recently toured research facilities and met scientists working on retinal research. They share what stood out to them, from seeing retinal tissue under a microscope to learning how years of research, specialized surgical tools, and the FDA approval process come together.

The episode closes with a look at the growing need for resources as more people experience vision loss later in life, along with some of the Colorado publications Aftersight is making accessible through audio. At the center of it all is one theme: community. No one should have to figure out vision loss alone.

Credits

Hosts: Jennifer, Volunteer and Publications Manager, and Michael, Community Outreach Manager
Producer: Jonathan Price
Organization: Aftersight

Connect with Aftersight

Website: aftersight.org
Feedback: feedback@aftersight.org

Learn more about Aftersight’s free services, audio publications, support groups, community programs, and other resources at aftersight.org.

00:00 — Welcome to Colorado Views #10
05:45 — White Cane Day Comes to Loveland
07:10 — Aftersight’s White Cane Project
10:00 — Cane Tips, Mobility Tools, and New Technology
18:10 — Touring the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank and Eye Institute
22:45 — Inside the Retina Research Lab
27:00 — From Research to FDA Approval
33:30 — Vision Loss, Aging, and Finding Resources
34:45 — Bringing Colorado Publications Into Audio
40:45 — Community Means You’re Not Alone

• (00:00) - Welcome to Colorado Views #10
• (05:45) - White Cane Day Comes to Loveland
• (07:10) - Aftersight’s White Cane Project
• (10:00) - Cane Tips, Mobility Tools, and New Technology
• (18:10) - Touring the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank and Eye Institute
• (22:45) - Inside the Retina Research Lab
• (27:00) - From Research to FDA Approval
• (33:30) - Vision Loss, Aging, and Finding Resources
• (34:45) - Bringing Colorado Publications Into Audio
• (40:45) - Community Means You’re Not Alone

Episode Summary

Jennifer and Michael recap Aftersight’s September hike, including new connections, more than 20 participant interviews, and one unfortunate crock pot. They also look ahead to a visit with the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Institute, explain how Lions Clubs help recycle eyeglasses and support Aftersight’s White Cane Program, and invite the community to the White Cane Day celebration in Loveland on October 17. Plus, Jennifer shares a first look at a new audio description project taking shape at Aftersight.

Credits

Hosts: Jennifer and Michael
Produced by: Aftersight
Podcast: Colorado Views

Contact

Jennifer: jennifer@aftersight.org
Michael: michael@aftersight.org
Feedback: feedback@aftersight.org
Website: aftersight.org

Episode Summary

Jennifer and Michael open this episode of Colorado Views with a very Colorado conversation about weather, humidity, air quality, allergies, thunderstorms, and how changing conditions can affect everyday life. From there, the conversation turns toward Aftersight’s September 12 Audio Trekkers hike and several upcoming community events.

They highlight emergency-preparedness opportunities with the Center for People with Disabilities, Ensight Skills Center’s 25th anniversary celebration, and the ongoing need for Aftersight volunteers. Jennifer explains how seemingly simple volunteer work, such as reading weekly grocery ads, gives people who are blind or have low vision access to information many sighted people take for granted.

The conversation ultimately becomes a broader discussion about advocacy and accessibility. Jennifer and Michael talk about sudden vision loss, caregivers trying to navigate unfamiliar resources, accessibility barriers in public spaces, and the danger of assuming that disability means helplessness. They also discuss Blind Pilots and efforts in Guatemala to help people who are blind or have low vision experience greater independence, mobility, community, and opportunity.

Credits

Show: Colorado Views
Hosts: Jennifer Neptune and Michael Sisneros
Producer: Jonathan Price
Presented by: Aftersight

Contact Info

Aftersight: aftersight.org
Audio Trekkers Hike: September 12, 2026 — Winter Park, Colorado
Ensight Skills Center: ensightskills.org
Ensight Anniversary RSVP: Eventbrite
Ensight contact referenced in episode: ria@ensightskills.org
Aftersight programs: Low Vision Support Group, Book Club, Tech Talk, volunteer opportunities, and white cane resources.

Chapter Markers

00:05 — Colorado Weather, Air Quality, and Getting Older
08:25 — The September 12 Audio Trekkers Hike
11:35 — Emergency Preparedness and CPWD
14:08 — Celebrating 25 Years of Ensight Skills Center
16:09 — Volunteer Match and Connecting With the Community
19:10 — Why Aftersight Needs Volunteers
22:16 — Advocacy and How Quickly Life Can Change
26:51 — Finding Resources After Vision Loss
27:55 — Blind Pilots, Guatemala, and Independence
32:19 — Recognizing Accessibility Barriers
35:04 — Designing Communication for Accessibility
38:11 — Taking Off the Blinders
38:36 — The Impact of Blind Pilots
42:20 — Aftersight Support Groups and Resources
42:49 — Questions, Comments, and Closing