In this episode of White Canes Connect, David Goldstein welcomes Rich Crawford for a wide-ranging conversation about blindness, independence, work, leadership, and the power of high expectations.

Rich became legally blind at age 10 due to retinitis pigmentosa. Rather than lowering expectations, his parents encouraged him to try things, work hard, and figure out alternative ways to get the job done. That mindset carried him from public school to college, from community action work to a 41-year career in financial services.

Rich also discusses his longtime involvement with the National Federation of the Blind, including his years in Iowa and South Dakota affiliate leadership. He shares stories about Dr. Kenneth Jernigan, national conventions, state conventions, and the importance of blind people being active in their communities beyond blindness organizations.

Listeners will hear powerful reflections on confidence, asking for what you need, using a white cane without shame, mentoring younger blind people, and why losing sight is not nearly as dangerous as losing hope.

• Rich Crawford explains how he became legally blind at age 10 from retinitis pigmentosa.
• He shares how his parents raised him with independence instead of fear.
• Rich talks about attending the school for the blind, returning to public school, and learning to advocate for himself.
• He describes becoming a Community Action Agency executive director at just 23 years old.
• Rich explains how a chance encounter while hitchhiking led to a 41-year career as a financial advisor.
• He discusses taking licensing exams with readers before today's accessible technology existed.
• Rich reflects on the influence of Dr. Kenneth Jernigan and the National Federation of the Blind.
• He explains why confidence grows by trying new things and succeeding one step at a time.
• Rich encourages blind people to be involved in service clubs, churches, and community organizations.
• He closes by offering himself as a resource for young blind people seeking advice and encouragement.

The blind and visually impaired community faces numerous considerations when undertaking a fitness program. From developing proper form to using equipment safely and more in between, Cane and Able Fitness has a solution for all your fitness goals.

Join Simon Bonenfant in the studio as he sits down with Cane and Able Fitness Founder Evan Schwerbrock. Schwerbrock discusses his vision-loss journey, fitness background, coaching model, client testimonials, strongman competitions, and more.

Cane and Able Fitness offers a wide variety of options depending on your needs. With personalized remote coaching, in-person public appearances, and virtual presentations, there's an option for everyone!

To learn more and start your fitness journey today, visit their https://www.caneandablefitness.com .

You can also follow them on
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cane-and-Able-Fitness-108864070909694
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caneandablefitness/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@caneandablefitness6999
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cane.and.able.fit

We hope you have enjoyed this interview. Do you have any fitness tips to share? We want to hear from you! Send us an email at whitecanesconnect@gmail.com, or call us at 267.338.4495.

Like what you hear on White Canes Connect? Please support us and donate to the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania, visit http://www.supportpablind.org.

Freek van Welsenis, founder of Hable, joins the show to share how a simple idea—helping a blind grandfather use a smartphone—grew into a global company creating affordable assistive technology used in over 60 countries. With a background in engineering and a lifelong connection to disability through his family, Freek brings both technical insight and real-world empathy to everything Hable builds.

In this episode, we dive into Hable's newest innovation: Speechlabel, a labeling system that combines a free app with physical tags to let you identify anything using audio or text. From leftovers in your fridge to clothes in your closet, this tool solves everyday challenges that AI alone can't. We also talk about the Hable One braille keyboard, the company's mission to keep accessibility affordable, and how a small team is making a global impact.

You'll walk away with a clear understanding of how Speechlabel works, why affordability in assistive tech matters, and how small, practical tools can dramatically improve independence. Freek also shares insights into product design, real-world use cases, and what's next for Hable—including tactile solutions that could make everyday environments more accessible.

What You'll Learn

• How Speechlabel lets you identify everyday items using audio notes
• The difference between NFC and QR-style labels—and when to use each
• Why affordability is one of the biggest barriers in assistive tech
• How the Hable One transforms smartphone use with a braille interface
• Real-world use cases for labeling food, clothing, and household items

Guest Links

• Website: https://iamhable.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hableone
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hable
• Facebook: facebook.com/HableOne
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hableone

Read more at https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/152/.

NFB National Convention July 3-8 in Austin

This year's National Convention is in Austin, Texas, from July 3-8. Learn more about the 2026 NFB National Convention at https://nfb.org/convention. Call 800-627-7468 to book your room. The main hotel is the JW Marriott. The spillover hotel is the Austin Marriott Downtown. Use the room block code, BL1, to ensure you receive the convention room rate.

Donate to the NFB of PA

Like what you hear on White Canes Connect? Please support us and donate to the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania, visit http://www.supportpablind.org.

Keep Up-to-date with the Affiliate

Learn about chapter and division meetings and fundraisers on Federation Focus. It's available on the affiliate's YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@nfbofpa. New episodes drop every Monday.

Contact White Canes Connect

Email us at WhiteCanesConnect@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail at (267) 338-4495.