{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Navigating Life with Vision Loss","title":"S202 Head Up, Cane Out: Staying Safe in Your World","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/c1f94220\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1971,"description":"In this week’s episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow continues the Fall safety series with a conversation on personal and community safety. Guest Jim Pilkington, longtime accessibility advocate and One Touch Self-Defense instructor, shares his journey with retinitis pigmentosa and how he turned his lived experience into action by teaching self-defense for individuals with blindness and low vision. \n\nJim explores the power of situational awareness, practical self-defense training, and how body language can deter threats in public spaces. He also highlights the importance of advocacy within local communities—from contacting traffic engineers about crosswalk signals to serving on volunteer boards—to influence safer design. Practical tech tools like compass apps and bone-conduction headphones are discussed as everyday safety aids.\n\nThe episode closes with encouragement for listeners to take one small step this week—whether that’s reaching out to a local group, joining a class, or introducing themselves to neighbors—as each step contributes to personal confidence and a safer community.\n\nContact Info\nGuest: Jim Pilkington — Assistive Technology Specialist & One Touch Self-Defense Instructor (Thornton, CO)\nFor self-defense classes in Thornton: Contact Becky Post, City of Thornton Parks & Recreation\nAftersight Contact: (720) 712-8856 | feedback@aftersight.org\nProduced by Jonathan Price, Aftersight\n\nShow Credits\nHost: Kim Wardlow\nGuest: Jim Pilkington\nProducer: Jonathan Price\nAn Aftersight Original Podcast\n\nChapter Markers\n00:00 — Welcome & Series Intro\n02:25 — One Touch Self-Defense in Thornton\n05:07 — Jim’s Journey with RP & Self-Defense\n09:30 — Building Community Safety Connections\n13:58 — Advocating with City Officials & Engineers\n16:21 — Situational Awareness & Body Language\n19:58 — Apps, Compass, and Bone-Conduction Tech\n23:35 — Using Compass for Complex Travel\n25:56 — RTD Stop Announcements & Advocacy Wins\n28:22 — Actions to Take This Week...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/XYLyTXVtUcOR4tEwwa-wr8ah2x7o_kegz433jY2Ll9g/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9jMTg0/YTdkN2ExZTc4YzI2/MDA2YzUxZjAxODhk/ODY2Mi5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}