Host Kim Wardlow welcomes Annaliese Knop, mental health professional, and Laura Millar, public health expert—co-founders of the Blind Sexuality Access Network (BSAN)—for a deep, empowering discussion about safe online dating, boundaries, consent, and healthy connections in the blind and low-vision community.
They unpack the “Be Nice and Educate” mindset often taught to blind individuals, showing how it can unintentionally suppress autonomy. Annaliese and Laura explain the FRIES model of consent (Freely given, Reversible, Informed, Enthusiastic, and Specific) and offer concrete tools to identify red flags, build confidence in saying “no,” and create emotionally and physically safe dating experiences.
The episode also explores reactive independence vs. interdependence, how internalized ableism can affect relationships, and how to reframe blindness as strength rather than limitation. Through humor, vulnerability, and practical wisdom, this conversation encourages listeners to embrace joy, agency, and dignity in dating—online and offline.
Contact Info
Guests & Organization
Blind Sexuality Access Network (BSAN)
Website & Facebook: Search “Blind Sexuality Access Network”
Aftersight Contact
📞 (720) 712-8856
✉️ feedback@aftersight.org
🌐 aftersight.org
Producer
Jonathan Price, Podcast & Program Producer — Aftersight
Show Credits
Host: Kim Wardlow
Guests: Annaliese Knop & Laura Millar
Production: Jonathan Price
An Aftersight Original Podcast
Chapter Markers
00:00 — Introduction
00:26 — Safe Online Dating Overview
01:00 — Origins of the Blind Sexuality Access Network
02:45 — Combining Sex Positivity and Blind Positivity
05:00 — Personal Journeys and Motivation
07:35 — The “Be Nice and Educate” Problem
10:00 — Trauma, Boundaries, and Consent Culture
12:15 — The 5C Framework for Responding to Harm
14:40 — The FRIES Model of Consent
17:05 — Empowerment in Online Dating
19:27 — Learning to Say “No” with Support
21:50 — Red and Green Flags in Online Profiles
26:14 — Trusting Gut Feelings (Interoception)
28:39 — Disclosure and Internalized Ableism
31:02 — First Date Safety Strategies
35:19 — Communicating Access Needs
37:39 — Independence vs. Interdependence
41:53 — Reactive Independence and Toxic Perfectionism
43:53 — Closing Advice and BSAN Invitation
All content for Navigating Life with Vision Loss is the property of Aftersight and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Host Kim Wardlow welcomes Annaliese Knop, mental health professional, and Laura Millar, public health expert—co-founders of the Blind Sexuality Access Network (BSAN)—for a deep, empowering discussion about safe online dating, boundaries, consent, and healthy connections in the blind and low-vision community.
They unpack the “Be Nice and Educate” mindset often taught to blind individuals, showing how it can unintentionally suppress autonomy. Annaliese and Laura explain the FRIES model of consent (Freely given, Reversible, Informed, Enthusiastic, and Specific) and offer concrete tools to identify red flags, build confidence in saying “no,” and create emotionally and physically safe dating experiences.
The episode also explores reactive independence vs. interdependence, how internalized ableism can affect relationships, and how to reframe blindness as strength rather than limitation. Through humor, vulnerability, and practical wisdom, this conversation encourages listeners to embrace joy, agency, and dignity in dating—online and offline.
Contact Info
Guests & Organization
Blind Sexuality Access Network (BSAN)
Website & Facebook: Search “Blind Sexuality Access Network”
Aftersight Contact
📞 (720) 712-8856
✉️ feedback@aftersight.org
🌐 aftersight.org
Producer
Jonathan Price, Podcast & Program Producer — Aftersight
Show Credits
Host: Kim Wardlow
Guests: Annaliese Knop & Laura Millar
Production: Jonathan Price
An Aftersight Original Podcast
Chapter Markers
00:00 — Introduction
00:26 — Safe Online Dating Overview
01:00 — Origins of the Blind Sexuality Access Network
02:45 — Combining Sex Positivity and Blind Positivity
05:00 — Personal Journeys and Motivation
07:35 — The “Be Nice and Educate” Problem
10:00 — Trauma, Boundaries, and Consent Culture
12:15 — The 5C Framework for Responding to Harm
14:40 — The FRIES Model of Consent
17:05 — Empowerment in Online Dating
19:27 — Learning to Say “No” with Support
21:50 — Red and Green Flags in Online Profiles
26:14 — Trusting Gut Feelings (Interoception)
28:39 — Disclosure and Internalized Ableism
31:02 — First Date Safety Strategies
35:19 — Communicating Access Needs
37:39 — Independence vs. Interdependence
41:53 — Reactive Independence and Toxic Perfectionism
43:53 — Closing Advice and BSAN Invitation
S107 “Are We There Yet?”: The Road to Transportation Advocacy
Navigating Life with Vision Loss
42 minutes
6 months ago
S107 “Are We There Yet?”: The Road to Transportation Advocacy
In this powerful and personal episode, Kim Wardlow sits down with longtime advocate Curtis Chong to discuss transportation equity and accessibility. Curtis shares his life story—growing up blind in Hawaii, learning programming in a pre-digital world, and his decades of advocacy work in technology and transportation. He breaks down the evolution of public transit and paratransit systems, and shines a light on how crucial accessible and affordable transportation is for employment, independence, and daily life.
From calling out discrimination at a Minnesota amusement park to being on the advisory committee for RTD in Denver, Curtis offers insights and strategies for effective advocacy—whether it’s using education, documentation, or the occasional hammer when necessary. This episode dives deep into how technology, policy, and mindset shape access to mobility for the blind and low-vision community.
⚠️ Stay tuned for a special Thursday release where Curtis returns to explore rural transportation and more practical tips for getting around safely and effectively.
⏱️ Chapter Markers:
00:00 – Welcome & Episode Intro
00:57 – Meet Curtis Chong: From Hawaii to Advocacy
03:00 – Growing Up Blind in a Sighted Family
06:45 – Music, Perfect Pitch, and the Road to Tech
08:55 – First Jobs & Learning to Program Without Sight
11:45 – Entering Advocacy: Group Therapy, Bravery & Pushback
14:50 – From Rebellion to System Reform in Hawaii
17:30 – Work Ethic, Expectations & Education
20:40 – When to Use the Hammer in Advocacy
23:35 – The Amusement Park Protest & a 5-Year Win
25:50 – The Evolution of Transportation for the Blind
28:00 – Paratransit Limitations & Community Debates
30:00 – Access-A-Ride vs. Access On Demand
33:20 – Budget, Uber/Lyft & Smartphone Barriers
37:40 – Tech Dependence & the Cost of Access
40:00 – Silent Majority: Who Gets Left Behind
42:00 – Preview of Part 2: Rural Access & Tips
Navigating Life with Vision Loss
Host Kim Wardlow welcomes Annaliese Knop, mental health professional, and Laura Millar, public health expert—co-founders of the Blind Sexuality Access Network (BSAN)—for a deep, empowering discussion about safe online dating, boundaries, consent, and healthy connections in the blind and low-vision community.
They unpack the “Be Nice and Educate” mindset often taught to blind individuals, showing how it can unintentionally suppress autonomy. Annaliese and Laura explain the FRIES model of consent (Freely given, Reversible, Informed, Enthusiastic, and Specific) and offer concrete tools to identify red flags, build confidence in saying “no,” and create emotionally and physically safe dating experiences.
The episode also explores reactive independence vs. interdependence, how internalized ableism can affect relationships, and how to reframe blindness as strength rather than limitation. Through humor, vulnerability, and practical wisdom, this conversation encourages listeners to embrace joy, agency, and dignity in dating—online and offline.
Contact Info
Guests & Organization
Blind Sexuality Access Network (BSAN)
Website & Facebook: Search “Blind Sexuality Access Network”
Aftersight Contact
📞 (720) 712-8856
✉️ feedback@aftersight.org
🌐 aftersight.org
Producer
Jonathan Price, Podcast & Program Producer — Aftersight
Show Credits
Host: Kim Wardlow
Guests: Annaliese Knop & Laura Millar
Production: Jonathan Price
An Aftersight Original Podcast
Chapter Markers
00:00 — Introduction
00:26 — Safe Online Dating Overview
01:00 — Origins of the Blind Sexuality Access Network
02:45 — Combining Sex Positivity and Blind Positivity
05:00 — Personal Journeys and Motivation
07:35 — The “Be Nice and Educate” Problem
10:00 — Trauma, Boundaries, and Consent Culture
12:15 — The 5C Framework for Responding to Harm
14:40 — The FRIES Model of Consent
17:05 — Empowerment in Online Dating
19:27 — Learning to Say “No” with Support
21:50 — Red and Green Flags in Online Profiles
26:14 — Trusting Gut Feelings (Interoception)
28:39 — Disclosure and Internalized Ableism
31:02 — First Date Safety Strategies
35:19 — Communicating Access Needs
37:39 — Independence vs. Interdependence
41:53 — Reactive Independence and Toxic Perfectionism
43:53 — Closing Advice and BSAN Invitation
