Blind Level Tech

In this episode of Blind Level Tech, Evan Starnes and Jonathan Price welcome Sriram Ganesh, founder of Luminade, to talk about Lumin, a voice-driven email client designed especially with blind, low vision, aging, neurodivergent, and voice-first users in mind.
Sriram shares his journey from growing up in India, falling in love with video games, building AI products in gaming and education, and eventually founding Luminade after being diagnosed with cone-rod dystrophy. That personal experience shaped the design of Lumin: instead of forcing users to memorize commands, navigate complex screens, or fight inaccessible interfaces, Lumin works more like a patient assistant you can simply talk to.
The conversation covers privacy, AI accuracy, email overwhelm, multi-language support, future integrations with Outlook, Calendar, Google Drive, and how Luminade hopes to partner with organizations, employers, and vocational rehabilitation programs to make the tool more widely available. The episode also features a live Lumin demo and, naturally, a very serious sandwich discussion.
Lumin is not publicly available in the Appstore yet, but you can join the early access beta by visiting https://luminade.ai/.
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  • (00:20) - Welcome to Blind Level Tech and introduction to Lumen
  • (01:20) - Coffee cups, Amazon luxury, and Aftersight on YouTube
  • (02:57) - Sriram’s journey from gaming to AI
  • (05:21) - Living with cone-rod dystrophy and founding Luminade
  • (06:28) - Designing Lumen from lived experience with low vision
  • (08:45) - Jonathan joins in and asks about aging, access, and simplicity
  • (09:51) - Email overwhelm, anxiety, and the idea behind voice-first AI
  • (12:47) - Lumen as an AI agent instead of a command-based tool
  • (13:40) - How Lumen works with Gmail and voice interaction
  • (15:04) - Current limitations and why Lumen stays focused
  • (17:34) - Privacy, voice recordings, and email security
  • (19:07) - Email overwhelm and support for ADHD, dyslexia, and other users
  • (21:23) - Smart home voice control and setting up the demo
  • (22:37) - Live Lumen demo: inbox, replies, archiving, and sending email
  • (26:07) - New multilingual features
  • (28:14) - Feedback from blind and low vision users
  • (30:47) - What’s next: Outlook, Calendar, Google Drive, and more
  • (31:45) - Partnerships, funding, vocational rehab, and access
  • (33:22) - Sandwich of the Week
  • (37:23) - Pricing, sponsorships, and organizational support
  • (37:55) - How to join the waitlist and find Luminade
  • (39:54) - Closing thoughts and feedback info

Creators and Guests

ES
Host
Evan Starnes
Host of Blind Level Tech

What is Blind Level Tech?

Where accessibility meets innovation. Hosted by Evan Starnes, Blind Level Tech explores the latest in assistive technology, accessible design, and everyday tools that empower the blind and low-vision community. Each episode dives into real stories, expert insights, and practical solutions—from screen readers and AI tools to mobility tech and inclusive apps. Whether you’re blind, low vision, a professional in the accessibility space, or simply curious about how technology is reshaping lives, this show offers fresh perspectives and actionable takeaways.

Produced by Aftersight, Blind Level Tech is more than a tech podcast—it’s a platform for inclusion, discovery, and possibility.