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
S109: Persistence and Progress: Creating Accessible Spaces with Darcy McLean
Navigating Life with Vision Loss
44 minutes
6 months ago
S109: Persistence and Progress: Creating Accessible Spaces with Darcy McLean
In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow sits down with Darcy McLean, a Beyond Vision Skills Trainer at the Center for People with Disabilities (CPWD). Darcy shares her personal journey with low vision, the beginnings of her advocacy work, and how grassroots efforts have led to significant accessibility improvements at recreation centers and arts venues across the metro Denver area. Together, Kim and Darcy discuss how to start local advocacy efforts, overcome common challenges, build partnerships, and create change that benefits the broader community. This inspiring conversation emphasizes the importance of persistence, collaboration, and starting with activities you're passionate about.
Darcy also offers practical advice for listeners who want to advocate for more accessible recreational and community opportunities where they live—and how small actions can ripple outward to make a lasting difference.
Chapter Markers
00:00 – Welcome to Navigating Life with Vision Loss
00:26 – Introducing Guest Darcy McLean
02:32 – Gardening with Low Vision: Spring Planting Tips
04:55 – Darcy’s Advocacy Journey: College and Early Experiences
07:20 – First Lessons in Self-Advocacy: Philosophy Class Story
09:26 – What is Grassroots Advocacy?
11:29 – Building Change Through Passion for Activities
12:30 – The Thornton Rec Center Story: How Change Started
14:49 – Expanding to Community Presentations and Trainings
16:53 – Collaboration: The Key to Lasting Accessibility
18:11 – Making Yoga Classes Inclusive for Low Vision
20:36 – How to Start Advocacy at Your Local Rec Center
23:03 – Planning and Expanding RecConnect
25:30 – Expanding to Arts Venues Like the Arvada Center
27:32 – How Advocacy Benefits Everyone
29:54 – Long-Term Impact and the Power of Persistence
32:20 – How to Get Involved with RecConnect
33:59 – Preparing to Advocate: Tips and Obstacles
36:13 – The Power of Persistence in Advocacy
38:27 – Advocating for Hearing and Vision Accommodations
40:38 – How Accessibility Benefits Entire Communities
42:46 – Darcy’s Contact Information and Final Thoughts
Contact Information
Email: darcy@cpwd.org
Phone: (720) 340-2088
General Aftersight Contact:
Email: contact@aftersight.org
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
