In this episode of the Envision Podcast, Vanessa speaks with Tim Shaw, Manager of Evaluation and Support Services at the Texas Workforce Commission—and a passionate advocate for accessibility and independence.

Tim shares his personal journey of vision loss and how it has shaped his professional mission to support others who are blind and low vision. He provides an in-depth look at the Commission's two key programs: vocational rehabilitation for job seekers and the older individuals who are blind program for those aiming to maintain independence.

The conversation dives deep into how artificial intelligence is transforming accessibility, from scene descriptions and resume optimization to personalized navigation and travel planning. Tim candidly discusses both the promise and pitfalls of AI, emphasizing the importance of inclusive design and user testing. He also gives a behind-the-scenes look at his creative use of AI in songwriting and music video production—revealing he’s written nearly 150 songs!

Tune in for an inspiring discussion on how technology, when built inclusively, can empower people who are blind or low-vision to live, work, and explore more independently than ever before.