Amy Lynn Smith, Author at ConnectCenter

Using Her Voice in a Rewarding Career

Posted on February 5, 2024 - 9:01 am by Amy Lynn Smith

It’s impressive enough to be the first person who is blind to provide live audio description for the Oscars. But knowing that Nefertiti Matos Olivares has only been doing voice acting for a little more than two years is almost hard to believe. But it’s true. Nefertiti had other work in her career trajectory (more […]

APH FamilyConnect Parent Advisory Board: When Personal and Professional Roles Merge

Posted on January 9, 2024 - 10:59 am by Amy Lynn Smith

For Amy Shepherd, M.Ed., transitioning her career from teaching in elementary school to being a resource for students who are blind or low vision. Most recently joined the APH FamilyConnect Parent Advisory Board – was the direct result of her son Austin’s vision. Now 23 years old, Austin was shaken as a baby by a […]

Fulfilling a Lifelong Dream of Being a Doctor

Posted on November 8, 2023 - 8:56 am by Amy Lynn Smith

Brian Ghezelaiagh, M.D., always knew he wanted to be a doctor. His mother is a dentist with patients she’s seen for 25 years. Brian spent many hours in his youth visiting her solo practice; he had a chance to experience how gratifying being a healthcare provider can be. Brian’s been legally blind since birth due […]

Raising a Child Who is Blind to Know She Can Do Anything

Posted on October 9, 2023 - 4:33 pm by Amy Lynn Smith

Child holds pink cane; adult smiles and wraps arm around child.

Brielle Buzzard is a smart, charming, and enthusiastic eight-year-old who loves reading, math, and music. She’s learning to play piano, ukulele, and drums and especially enjoys the drums. Brielle loves swinging on swings, playing with her four-year-old brother, Thomas, and caring for her black Labrador, Lambo. When people learn that Brielle is blind, they often […]

Audio Description Makes Theatre, TV, and Movies Accessible

Posted on July 10, 2023 - 1:08 pm by Amy Lynn Smith

Large movie theater with many rows of seats.

Editor’s note: We are celebrating the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26th. Under Title II of the ADA, audio description (AD) is required for public entities; Title III includes AD for places of public accommodation. As noted in the post, the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 […]