Blog
Giving The Visually Impaired a Voice
L.A.B. on KTAL – Living Local
Louisiana Association for the Blind's new CEO Brian Patchett and Alison Young visit KTAL Channel 6's Living Local segment and talk about L.A.B.'s Mission, Vision Services, and our online Office Supply website. View their segment here.
Taylor Benjamin Jamison Bio
Taylor B. Jamison is the Principal Regulatory and Political Affairs Analyst at Trinity Operating. He is tasked with leading and developing government relation initiatives in Louisiana and Texas. As a seasoned marketer, Taylor leverages his vast marketing background to...
Louisiana Association for the Blind Appoints Brian Patchett as President & CEO
Shreveport, LA (July 21, 2022) – Brian Patchett, a leading advocate for providing greater access to services, employment and independence for people with disabilities, has been named President & CEO of Louisiana Association for the Blind (L.A.B.), an organization...
The Shreveport Pedestrian Experience
Taking a walk in Shreveport can be a challenge for anyone, but especially for those of us who are visually impaired. As a medium-sized city, there are obviously going to be good and bad areas when it comes to pedestrian travel, but the bad areas can be unpleasant for...
The Dotted Debate
With audiobooks, smart phones, and the ease of access of information via the internet, do we still need to know braille? Some argue the need to learn braille is not as important since audio surrounds us, but I disagree. One of the perks of the ADA (Americans with...
No Guide Dogs Allowed?
In 2002, I was told about a program that provided computer training to the visually-impaired. The training center, located in a private home, was operated by a husband and wife who (themselves) were visually-impaired. It was a noble idea; two people providing their...
Holiday Gift Guide – For Those Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
Time to take a break from the serious issues and have some holiday fun! This has always been my favorite time of year so I’m going to share some ideas on gift giving in this issue. Personally, I don’t believe in the motto “it’s the thought that counts.” This...
Taking the Slow Lane Towards Self Driving
If given enough time and experience most blind people learn how to overcome their disability. They accept the challenges and inconveniences that come with the situation. There is one issue, however, that no matter how independent or confident a visually-impaired...
Sensation! Do The Blind Really Have Spidey Senses?
Many misconceptions exist about blindness. One of these is the enhancement of senses and abilities because of the lack of sight. While this myth would be a wonderful advantage if it were true, unfortunately (as far as I know) there is no scientific evidence proving...
Barksdale: a Mission With a Vision
Barksdale Airforce Base (BAFB) is truly a beacon of strength in the Shreveport/Bossier area. The base was opened in 1933, and actually predates the Air Force by 15 years. BAFB is a city within a city, and houses roughly 1000 families. It has its own fire station,...
Helping You Help Us: Tips For a Mutually Respectful Blind And Sighted Experience
I want to give some tips from a personal perspective on how to assist a person who is visually impaired. First, I am not one of those blind individuals who will reject the offer of assistance, even when it would be best or most convenient to do so. Independence is...
The Cost of Accessibility
Access isn’t cheap. Accessible technology allows the disabled contact to a whole new world of learning, employment and entertainment that otherwise wouldn’t be possible; however, accessibility comes with a price tag. Access to a computer using a screen reader can cost...