Driving Independence through Technology E26
In the episode hosted by David Steinmetz, Changing the Perception of Blindness becomes a compelling journey through the evolution and impact of assistive technology. Anat Nulman and Seth Leblond join the conversation, illuminating how innovations in OCR and smartphones not only empower visually impaired individuals but also drive broader technological progress. Their emphasis on inclusive design underscores a critical shift in tech development towards accessibility from the outset, advocating for solutions that seamlessly integrate into everyday life without the need for costly retrofits. The episode’s focus on community collaboration and advocacy highlights the transformative potential of technologies like AI and wearables, dispelling myths about what’s possible for those with visual impairments and paving the way for a future where everyone benefits from inclusive design principles.
David Steinmetz and his guests envision a future where assistive technologies seamlessly merge with mainstream applications, lowering barriers and expanding opportunities for everyone. Their call for ongoing dialogue and education resonates deeply, emphasizing the need for continuous community engagement to ensure that technological advancements genuinely empower and enrich the lives of all individuals, regardless of their abilities.
For nearly 75 years, Arizona Industries for the Blind has been solving complex business outsourcing services while providing a viable pathway to independence for people who are blind.
“Deploying the right technology and providing the right training AIB demonstrates that people who are blind are able to compete and be successful at work and in life,” said Steinmetz.
The Foundation for Blind Children is a nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating and nurturing the independence of blind and visually impaired persons of all ages. One of their most important core values is that blindness is a diagnosis, not a disability.
Through proper training and opportunity, they believe in helping blind and visually impaired individuals to reach their fullest potential. They serve individuals of all ages — from infants to Senior Citizens — through over a dozen programs ranging from academic, to independence, to vocational prep programs. They also boast an advanced media center capable of producing high-quality braille and tactile graphics, as well as one of the most extensive braille libraries in the United States.
Seth Leblond has been working in the field of assistive technology since 1999. During that time, he has worked as an Assistive Technology Evaluator at the International Braille and Technology Center, as a sales and support specialist at a retail store specializing in assistive technology, as a support specialist and dealer trainer for HIMS, Inc, a manufacturer of assistive technology products, and as a tech instructor at multiple training centers for the blind.
Seth also managed the Comprehensive Day Program at SAAVI Services for the Blind from 2015 through 2020. He currently serves as the Assistive Technology Coordinator for the Foundation for Blind Children, where he works to train adults in assistive technology, provides training to parents, teachers, and visually impaired students on behalf of the Center for Assistive Technology Training Program, supports students and staff at the agency with assistive technology issues, and helps to manage a grant program which is funded by Major League Baseball which aims to provide low-cost assistive technology to every visually impaired student in need in the state of Arizona.
Seth is, himself, totally blind and has been using all manner of assistive technology for decades. IN his free time, he enjoys cooking, playing the piano and various other musical instruments, swimming, reading, writing, and spending quality time with his family — especially his wife and nine-year-old son.
assistive.consulting is on a mission to help companies bring assistive technology to market, so it can support the lives of people who need it.
assistive.consulting was founded in 2023 by Anat Nulman, an assistive technology expert with 10 years of experience in the field, dedicated to helping companies in this space thrive. Anat is the principal consultant who in addition to her expertise in assistive technology, brings years of product management, product marketing, lead generation, business development leadership, sales strategies, and go-to-market expertise.
Anat has spent close to 7 years at OrCam and was one of its first employees in the US. She was instrumental in bringing a wearable OrCam MyEye to market and seeing it growing from a revolutionary device to a common household name for people who are visually impaired. At RealThing Ai, Anat created a go-to-market strategy, implemented it, developed a distribution & partner network and hired a team to manage ongoing sales.
After seeing how difficult it was for many assistive tech companies to successfully commercialize and sell their innovations, Anat made it her mission to provide specialized consulting services to these companies. We build trusted partnerships, guided by empathy, transparency and tenacity. Together, we can bring more life-changing assistive tech to those who need it most.
For the past 10+ years, Anat Nulman has worked with assistive technology (AT) for people with disabilities, with a major focus on products for people who are visually impaired. After what was meant to be temporary help with a new AT company entering the US, she discovered her passion that had changed the course of her life and her career.
In 2003, Anat founded assistive.consulting, bringing her experience in assistive technology to the table. As a principal consultant, she combines expertise in business development, go to market strategies, sales, product management, relationship management, recruiting from the community, marketing and lead generation. Anat was instrumental in the success of OrCam and RealThing Ai, driving market strategies and sales growth for groundbreaking assistive tech products. Her current clients include Envision Glasses, WeWALK Smart Cane, Ara by StrapTeach and Lighthouse Technologies Glasses to name a few.
Anat believes that the right type of technology can be an equalizer for people with different abilities in all aspects of life. Over the years, Anat has developed both professional relationships and friendships with people she serves and considers herself and ally and advocate for people with disabilities.
Connect with Anat on LinkedIn and follow assistive.consulting on Facebook.
About Your Host
As the manager of Community and Public Relations, David Steinmetz uses his expertise, education, and personal experiences to “change the perception of blindness.”
Diagnosed with RP, a blinding retinal disease, at the age of 19, David uses his personal story to drive change that leads to improved employment outcomes and community integration for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Mr. Steinmetz graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Economics. Additionally, Steinmetz has continued his education by graduating from the Business Management Training (BMT) program provided by Darden Graduate School of Business, University of Virginia.
In 2008, David was the national recipient of the National Industries for the Blind Milton J. Samuelson Career Achievement award. This prestigious award recognized Mr. Steinmetz for his career achievements and community service work.
David Steinmetz is a member of the Governors’ Council on Blindness & Visual Impairments, is a Board Member at the Arizona Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired (ACBVI) and serves his community through the Chandler Lions Club.
Connect with David on LinkedIn and Instagram.
About the Show
Changing the Perception of Blindness; One Conversation at a Time is dedicated to breaking down barriers, de-mystifying blindness and promoting real world solutions that empower people who are blind to live a full and inclusive life.
Host, David Steinmetz connects with organizations, industry professionals and thought leaders who are working to bridge the gap that creates a world accessible for all.
About Arizona Industries for the Blind
Arizona Industries for the Blind is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating employment opportunities for people who are blind. It’s employees, more than half of whom are blind, deliver a variety of products and services, including a full-service Warehousing and Distribution Center, confidential Digital Data Scan (DDS) services for private businesses and government and the operation of Base Supply Centers located at each of Arizona’s three military bases under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Labor’s AbilityOne program.
