Have your say ahead of this weekend's Mosen At Large. The ADA turns 30, podcast hosting, creating a smart home and more

Kia ora everyone. I’m so looking forward to us all getting together again for the next Mosen At Large. Once again, the live version of the show will be packed with three hours of discussion on blindness issues including advocacy and technology.

Here are some of the things you might like to send in comments on ahead of the show.

As someone who has had the privilege of successfully advocating for significant legislative change, it saddens me that many people believe that nothing will change no matter what they do, that their efforts can’t possibly make a difference. So let’s celebrate the fact that this weekend, many disabled Americans, and indeed many disabled people worldwide, will be marking the 30th anniversary of the Americans wit Disabilities Act (ADA). It was signed into law by George H. W. Bush on 26 July 1990. If you have any memories of the debates and advocacy that led up to that day, feel free to share them with us. Do you think the ADA has made a positive difference? Where does it fall short? Is it too prone to abuse? In response to a listener comment, I’ll be reflecting on the ingredients of successful advocacy.

We’ll also discuss people-first language. In my view it does more harm than good, creates linguistic contortions and causes people to be so fearful of saying the wrong thing that it stifles good communication and understanding. I’ll make the case that plain speaking, such as “blind people” and “disabled people” is a source of blind pride and disability pride. What do you think? The concept of blind pride will come up several times this week, we have much to be proud of in my view and its vital that we celebrate our history.

On the tech side of things, do you operate a podcast of your own at present? Or have you often thought, I’d like to have a go at this podcasting malarkey? The number of people listening to podcasts continues to grow, and it’s far easier to start one than when I created my first podcast back in 2004. As promised, I’ll talk you through my findings following my recent review into the podcast hosting market. I’ll discuss several options, some of which offer a free tier, and explain why I chose to move Mosen At Large to our new home which I am delighted with. Do you have any questions about starting or producing a podcast, be it related to technology or content? Send them in and I’ll be glad to answer them. Hopefully, I’ve learned one or two things the hard way after being one of the very early adopters 16 years ago.

A listener is interested in making his home a smart home. I’ll argue for a wide definition of that term and tell you about our own smart home project. If you’re using a voice assistant to control lights and appliances, the temperature, sound, TV and other stuff, what are you using and how is it all working out for you, particularly from an accessibility perspective?

We have a few themes running from previous shows which are still receiving thoughtful contributions, including text-to-speech engines you love and loathe and comments on Braille displays and working with them efficiently. You’re very welcome to keep those themes going by sending me your thoughts, just check out the previous episode and then have your say.

There is so much more. Remember, the podcast version of Mosen At Large is abridged. To hear the full version, tune into when I record it live, on Mushroom FM at 2 PM US Eastern time, 7 PM UK on Saturday, that’s Sunday at 6 AM in New Zealand.

You are very welcome, and in fact encouraged, to get contributions in ahead of time. To contribute, send an email with an audio attachment or just written down to Jonathan at MushroomFM.com, or call the listener line, +18646066736, that’s 1-864-60Mosen.

See you soon for Mosen At Large.