hi hello hey, being blind can have its perks!

If you’ve listened to our show for any amount of time, you know being blind isn’t always easy. But we do our best to make the most of the lives we have (and, honestly, we might even argue we’re living our best lives ????). Still, there aresome perks that make life a little easier (and more equitable) and we wanted to share them with you!

Now, we’re not here to oversell these benefits (though some are pretty cool). Of course, don’t go faking blindness just to snag some of these perks, but if you qualify, definitely take advantage! From prime seating and early access to financial benefits, shorter lines, free tools and tech (and, yes, guide dogs!), we’re covering all kinds of perks that come with being blind.

Got a perk we missed? Email us at hello@rarewithflair.com! We’d love to hear it and maybe feature it in a future episode!

We mention a few past episodes in this one. Check them out for more stories and laughs:

• Cass spills all the tea on training with her new guide, Mr. A, in this two-part series!
  • 127. guide dog training, part 1: meet cass’ new guide!
  • 128. guide dog training, part 2: come train with cass & mr. a!
• Theme Parks: For the drama (and discrimination) from our latest Disneyland trip, listen to 99. the unhappiest place on earth: discrimination at disneyland
• Concerts: For concert perks and access tips, check out 115. internet fan meetups, unicorn snot, & trying to see the jumbotron
• Airports: For our updated thoughts on airport assistance, listen to 124. we’ve changed our minds?: our 5 year podaversary
• Books: Curious about accessible reading? Hear us chat BARD and Bookshare in 61. is reading an audiobook really reading?
• Humor: For a good laugh (and a little existential crisis), go back to 55. things we’re sad and glad we can’t see (& having a mini crisis)

• Cass mentions the National Parks Access Pass, available to people with disabilities for their lifetime and covers you and your whole vehicle!
• Cass talks about college scholarships for blind students with academic merits, so check out these orgs among others if you need funding for college:
  • American Council of the Blind (ACB) Scholarships
  • American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) Scholars Program
  • National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Scholarships
  • Lighthouse Guild Scholarship
• Case mentions sending Free Matter for the Blind mail (USPS) when mailing blind-related mail to other blind folks
• Case & Cass talk about getting access to books, including:
  • To access the BARD Mobile app that has free audiobooks for the blind and visually impaired, first apply to receive service from the NLS (National Library Service), then submit an application for BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Downloads)
  • Students who qualify can access Bookshare for free e-books, and non-students can pay a discounted membership fee
• Case mentioned that NOAH (the National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation) has an iPad program for anyone with albinism who needs an iPad as assistive tech!
• Cass plugs Guide Dogs for the Blind, that provides “free dogs” for blind people: guide dogs as a mobility aid service dog, or K9 Buddies as companions!