How Vocal Point Increases Media Access with Brittany McLemore
Dr. McLemore is here to share the inspiring story of Vocal Point's founding, its evolution from traditional radio to a global digital platform, and how they’re dedicated to fostering human connection and community.
The Courage to See: How Intentional Service Fosters Humanity and Healing
As a psychotherapist who is also legally blind, I spend a lot of time reflecting on the journey of adjustment to vision loss. It's a journey that touches on deep questions of identity, self-worth, and what it means to be truly seen. My conversation with Dr. Brittany McLemore, the Executive Director of Vocal Point (formerly the Georgia Radio Reading Service), wasn’t just about accessible media—it was a profound exploration of human connection, systemic empathy, and the courage it takes to grow.
Vocal Point’s story is incredible: a 45-year legacy born from one man’s determination to continue accessing the world after losing his sight . What started as a local radio service to read newspapers to the print-impaired community has transformed into a 24/7 digital platform, now accessible worldwide, completely free of charge. Dr. McLemore and her team are carrying forward that torch with a crucial modern update: they are moving past the old “broadcast model” and intentionally building a true, bi-directional community.
What resonated most deeply with me, the clinician, was Dr. McLemore's commitment to intentionality. With a strong background in social work, she approaches service from a systemic and grassroots perspective. She understands that simply providing a service is not enough; we must ask the audience what they need and ensure the content meets that need. I recall her powerful statement that giving someone a service they don’t need—giving them water when they’re hungry—is not just unhelpful, but dangerous. It’s a false sense of nutrition. In the mental health space, we see this danger when people are offered platitudes instead of validation, or superficial coping mechanisms instead of deep therapeutic work. Dr. McLemore’s ethos is a powerful call for authentic, curated care.
Another key insight was her focus on the full humanity of the audience. Vocal Point is working hard to break the stigma that blindness is exclusively an experience of old age or that it defines a person . Their listeners, as Dr. McLemore found in her outreach, want the same things as anyone else: connection, resources, and entertainment that recognizes their whole identity. It’s a vital message to our community: you are not just a blind person; you are a whole, complex human with diverse interests and a right to joy. Vocal Point provides everything from local and national news to magazines, books, and even a "Career Corner" and policy discussions—content that nourishes every part of a person's life.
The heart of their service is the choice to use human volunteers to read content, a powerful counterpoint to the rise of AI narration. This maintains a vital sense of warmth, familiarity, and two-way connection—a human voice delivering the news makes the listener feel connected, as if a family member is sitting right beside them. This is an essential ingredient in battling the isolation that often accompanies vision loss.
Perhaps the most impactful moment of our conversation was Dr. McLemore's incredible moment of vulnerability. She shared that in her first week, she realized she carried an unintentional, internal bias—a subconscious belief that she, as a sighted person, was in a position of "superiority" and was automatically needed to guide or help. This assumption was gently corrected by a listener who insisted, "If I need you, I can tell you that I need you". She described this as a profoundly humbling, painful, and ultimately beautiful experience that instantly changed her entire lens.
As a therapist, I recognized the profound growth in that moment. It takes tremendous self-awareness and security to question one's own lens, especially one rooted in a desire to serve. That experience not only served her but now serves every person Vocal Point touches, because she made the choice to grow from it and to ensure her whole team is trained with that empathy .
My ultimate takeaway from this conversation is one of hope and empowerment. The journey of living well with vision loss is defined not by what is lost, but by the conscious choice to grow, to connect, and to assert our fundamental human needs. Vocal Point is an organization that sees this clearly, not as a charity, but as a reciprocal community. As I often say, healed people heal people. Dr. McLemore’s story proves that an organization, led with courage and humility, can do the same, fostering connection and helping our community see their own value and potential.
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The Power of Connection: Human-Centered Media for the Print Impaired Community with Dr. Brittany McLemore
In this heartfelt and illuminating episode, host Matthew Reeves, a legally blind psychotherapist, welcomes Dr. Brittany McLemore, the Executive Director of Vocal Point (formerly the Georgia Radio Reading Service). This conversation explores the incredible 45-year history of this essential, free service, which has evolved from a local radio broadcast to a 24/7 global digital hub for news, books, magazines, and original content for the blind, low vision, and print-impaired community.
Dr. McLemore shares the inspiring origin story of Vocal Point, founded in 1980 by a World War II veteran and former newspaper executive who lost his sight in his early thirties and recognized the profound lack of accessible media . Discover how Vocal Point is breaking stigmas about vision loss, intentionally reaching younger demographics, and moving beyond the passive "broadcast model" to actively build a genuine, bi-directional community with its listeners.
You'll learn about Vocal Point's commitment to using human voice over AI—creating a crucial sense of familiarity and connection for listeners who often feel isolated. As a clinician, Matthew deeply connects with Dr. McLemore's social work background and her systemic approach to service, bridging top-down organizational strategy with grassroots community needs. They discuss the "dangerous" reality of providing services that don't meet an authentic need, and the importance of recognizing the full humanity of every listener.
Dr. McLemore shares a deeply personal, surprising moment from her first week in the role—an experience that profoundly changed her lens and worldview, moving her away from an unintentional "superiority" mindset and toward radical empathy and intentional training for her team. This story is a powerful reflection on personal growth, humility, and the choice we all have to challenge our own biases.
Listen to find out how to access Vocal Point's free, 24/7 service and its on-demand program library, and learn about their vision for upcoming community-building initiatives, including in-person book clubs and a mentorship program.
Topics covered: History of Vocal Point (formerly Georgia Radio Reading Service), free accessible media service, blind/low vision/print-impaired community, radio broadcast to digital platform, Amazon Echo Dot access, on-demand listening (cvp.org), human voice vs. AI narration, volunteer readers, community building, diverse programming, newspapers, magazines, books, career corner, service programs (Capital View, Research Watch), breaking vision loss stigma, systemic and grassroots service approach, personal growth and internal biases, full humanity of listeners.
Visit Vocal Point: www.seevp.org
ABOUT THE PODCAST
inSight Out is your podcast home for living well with vision loss. Host Matthew Reeves (LPC CRC NCC) is a legally-blind psychotherapist and rehabilitation counselor specializing in helping people thrive while living with disability. Matthew is licensed in Georgia and is a nationally certified rehabilitation counselor.
Please be sure to subscribe to catch every episode. And remember to share the show with others in the blind and low-vision community!
CONNECT WITH US
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Email: mailto:insightoutpod@integralmhs.com
Watch on YouTube (with transcripts): youtube.com/@insightoutpod
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Social Media Handle: @insightoutpod
©Integral Mental Health Services, LLC
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The following transcript is AI generated and likely contains errors.
[00:00:00]
COLD OPEN
Alex: This is placeholder for generic voiceover.
INTRO
Matthew Reeves: You're listening to Insight Out a podcast about living well with low vision. Maybe you're feeling confused, scared, isolated, or disheartened about a recent vision loss diagnosis, or maybe you've been managing your vision loss for a while and now you want to hear from others about how to continue growing and thriving. Insight Out is your supportive space to find healthy and impactful tools to build and maintain a truly rich and gratifying life with low or no vision.
I'm Matthew Reeves. I'm a legally blind psychotherapist and rehabilitation counselor. I specialize in helping people adjust to disability through my practice, integral Mental Health Services in Atlanta, Georgia. I'm really glad you're listening.
[00:01:00] Please subscribe so you don't miss an episode, and let others in the low vision community know about the podcast so the word can spread to those who might find it helpful. And now on with today's discussion.
TOPIC INTRO
Alex: this is placeholder for generic voiceover.
INTERVIEW
Matthew Reeves: brittany, thank you for joining me today. Uh, I met you a few months ago when I was honored to be a guest on your podcast, and so we thought we'd, uh, exchange the, kind of flip that around and have you here. So, uh, I think I love that symmetry. Um, I'm gonna ask you just to start by introducing yourself and then we can get into your connection to the blind and low vision community.
Dr. Brittany McLemore: Absolutely, and thank you for having me. Super excited to be here. My name is Brittany Macklemore. I am the Executive Director of Now Vocal Point, formerly the Georgia Radio Reading Service.
Matthew Reeves: Great. Uh, and what is Vocal point? How and how does it, and tell me that story. And you said [00:02:00] there was a, a name change there. I imagine there's a, there's some narrative there we can learn from.
Dr. Brittany McLemore: Absolutely. So, and I love to tell this story because, um, it really is just the heart of who we are. So, um, the Georgia Radio Reading Service was started in 1980 by Jim Cashin. He was a World War ii, Marine VE. And, um, once he left the service, he became a newspaper executive. He started losing his sight, um, in his early thirties.
And at that time he realized the things that he was able to do, he could no longer do himself. And, um, so he started doing research and went around the country just trying to find services that would support him and people like him to be able to still navigate everyday life, you know. Be involved in the community, know what's going on around the world.
And so he saw that there was a lack in that area [00:03:00] and he then created what was called the Greater Atlanta Reading Service. Um, and it was on air for just a few hours throughout the day, um, recording newspapers, um, food ads, um, and just information on there. And then, um, shortly after. We began to expand and realize that this need was a whole lot greater than, um, what he had even imagined, right?
And created the Georgia Radio Reading Service and we ended up, ended up being on the air for 24 7 and recording news, newspapers, magazines, books, food ads. Um, we had service programs where we discussed, um, new policies that might affect those who are blind or have low vision. Um. PSA is to keep, um, the community involved and, um, around one another and just really, um, understanding that life [00:04:00] after diagnosis doesn't have to mean, um, that your life stops, right?
And so we were on air for 24 7 and we made 45 years, um, this year. So super excited.
Matthew Reeves: I don't mean to interrupt you, but it was, uh, Georgia Radio. Was it launched as a radio station? How, like talk, talk. How is, how did it get distributed to the blind, to the population throughout Georgia? I.
Dr. Brittany McLemore: Absolutely. So we use, um, subcarrier channels through Georgia Public Broadcasting, and so we have radio receivers. We started off with the radio receivers where it was programmed to that particular area. So, um, as opposed to the radios that we are used to where you can dial into a certain station, the, the receivers were programmed to the specific re um, reading service.
Matthew Reeves: Okay, so it was radio, but it kind of a specialized kind of radio that, and then you used existing networks as sort of [00:05:00] a, a, you piggybacked on those existing networks, but that people had to have special receiver or something like a special radio to receive this.
Dr. Brittany McLemore: Yeah, so we send those out. Um, we received, um, donations, thousands of radios that we were able to program to that particular area. We were, we, we send it out and then we actually started to, um, you know, transform getting the technology right and started sending out Amazon Echo dots. So the same way that you can tell Alexa to turn the lights on and off, or tell you the weather, you can say, Alexa, play the Georgia Radio Reading Service and we'll come on live.
Matthew Reeves: So initially because of the technology, this was limited to just the geographic region where the broadcast could be received, like
Dr. Brittany McLemore: Mm-hmm.
Matthew Reeves: terrestrial radio. But now your
Dr. Brittany McLemore: Yes.
Matthew Reeves: which I assume means anybody around the world could hear
Dr. Brittany McLemore: Anybody around the world. Yes. Which [00:06:00] is really great. Fantastic. And that, that brings me to our rebrand. So, um, this year realizing the need for. Change in elevation. Um, while keeping the, the core of who we are with this radio reading service, we realized that one, reaching a, a newer and younger demographic was important, um, because I think that there was, or there is rather a stigma.
Stigma, excuse me, around blindness, right? That it happens when you're in your old age. And that's simply not true. And so we want to, to change that stigma and understand that, you know, again, one blindness doesn't mean that your life stops. Blindness knows no age. And just because you're blind doesn't mean that you don't like movies that you don't like, you know, entertainment.
You don't like being around other people. And I think that's really just, it's an unfortunate stigma, um, that many people put on [00:07:00] blind and low vision. And so understanding that, and understanding that this. Generation really never heard of the word radio. They could not pick out a radio in a lineup, you know, and so understanding that we're saying, we told, we said to ourselves, and we've done focus groups and wanted to reach out to the people that we serve and asked them what it is that you want.
You know, how can we better serve you? And a lot of that, um, surrounded just a rebrand and a refresh and, um, you know, just. Making things, um, new and exciting while also keeping the heart of who we are. So we rebranded to Focal Point, which is a play on focal point to be the, the central, um, place for information, a hub where we can gather resources for the blind and low vision and, you know, be able to, um, they will be able to access it in a, in a way that's not traditional to printed work.
Matthew Reeves: Gotcha. You know, I [00:08:00] remember, I mean, I, I think listeners of the podcast know that I'm headquartered here in Atlanta, so, and I've lived in Georgia my whole life. And I remember as a child hearing about the Georgia radio. Reading service. I never got a radio. I probably should have, but I never did. And I was thinking that. This is the Georgia Radio Reading Service, and there's a Louisiana Radio reading service and a Kansas Radio reading service. I thought it was something that was everywhere, but talking to you, I'm starting to learn that it was very special and. Not every location had had a similar sort of service. I thought it was something that was universal, or at least nationwide. I'm starting to appre appreciate just how special it is, uh, that this was launched the efforts of one person who saw a need and worked. I imagine very tirelessly to make this happen. To say media that, uh, he had lost access to was important. [00:09:00] And, and, and having access to that for other people who had lost their vision or had any other, disability or, or challenge to, to print material, uh, that, that, that was a problem that he could solve and he reached out and solved it.
That's amazing.
Dr. Brittany McLemore: And, you know, there, there are other, um, radio reading services, but it's not, it's not even in every state, you know? Um, and that's the unfortunate part. Alabama doesn't have one. Um, and there are parts of Florida, you know, that don't have access to that. And we're a part of the I-A-A-I-S, which is the International Association for Audio um Services.
Uh, audio information services, excuse me. And, um, there are different radio reading services and I, I, I want to also. Share that. Um, many of these radio reading services died out throughout the years because of [00:10:00] technology, right? You have audible, you have, um, different ways to listen to your books and newspapers and things like that.
And so, um, you know, what keeps us unique is that we, um. We pride ourselves on using human voice, right? It's the idea that my sister or my granddaughter can read my newspaper. To me, it's like sitting, you know, beside me and being able to hear it from a familiar voice as opposed to all of the everything.
Is ai. You know, these days we can use AI for just about everything. So we try to keep that, um, part of it and understanding that, um, you know, sometimes you wanna hear, um, someone familiar. You wanna feel like you're home,
Matthew Reeves: Right. I think about, uh, back when radio was such a bigger part of, of sort of the, the public consciousness and, and our culture, the DJ [00:11:00] played a really important role. It wasn't just about. It's telling you what song you just listened to and who, who the artist was. It was a connection to a personality. and, and the more that connection, the stronger that connection was. The, the more popular the show was. The DJ kind of made the show. So I'm, I think that connection still applies, uh, to what you're doing. So if I hear. My local newspaper or any local newspaper read every single day by the same person. I start to share an affinity with that person, and it becomes a rule of one way, but it feels like a two-way connection.
I imagine for a lot of your listeners.
Dr. Brittany McLemore: It does. And that's where our volunteers come in. So we have nearly 300 volunteers. And initially it was, um, state, statewide, and prior to COVID, all of our volunteers were coming into the studio to record, um, everything. But after COVID, we were able to, fortunately enough, and I think this was around the time where a lot of those radio reading services kind of fell, [00:12:00] um, but we were able to set.
Our volunteers up at home to record, um, you know, they do soft editing. Our producers go in behind them and do additional editing just to make sure that quality is there with that work. But you know, you mentioned that two-way connection. These volunteers feel like they are able to genuinely connect with the listeners.
By providing their voice and their time, um, to reading. And I'm happy to say too, we actually have readers in other countries as well and other states throughout the US so people see, see this need and, and, and I'll be honest with you, there are many volunteers that are looking for this connection. You know, they want to provide this connection, obviously, for our listeners, but they're seeking that as well, so.
Matthew Reeves: I love how it's, uh, it's serving everybody involved in a very human way. That's beautiful. I, I love it. I'm also noticing that, you know, you mentioned the other outlets [00:13:00] that people are getting media from, and with ai, those outlets, I mean, and that's a good thing that they are, they're propagating and they're spreading and there's more opportunities, but almost all of them, you mentioned the newspapers they have. Most of them have paywalls. Uh, audible is not an inexpensive service. I'm a customer. I know, I know. It's not an inexpensive service. Uh, I wish it were less expensive, but it's not.
Dr. Brittany McLemore: right.
Matthew Reeves: and but it sounds like, like what is the cost to your listeners for your service?
Dr. Brittany McLemore: I'm glad you asked. It's absolutely free. It is a free service Yes. That we provide because we believe that, you know, access to information should be available to everyone, regardless of if you can go and pick up that newspaper at the. I'm not gonna say newspaper stand, I don't think we do that anymore.
But if you wanted to, you know, you get the news stories, you see your phone and, and, and the reality is too, um, you know, outside of the newspapers I did, we also want to make sure that entertainment is there. [00:14:00] And, um, I think about the news and how tragic it is. Often to listen to news and how depressing it can be.
Right? Um, you know, breaking news is not like, oh, you know, 3000 puppies were saved. Um, you know, it's like those, those stories get pushed to the side a little bit. But the idea that I can hear, you know, this news from, you know, with a warm tone and someone delivering it to me, and in that way, um, definitely helps.
Um, it's like. You know, someone delivering bad news. Imagine a 5-year-old, you know, coming to you with flowers and a lollipop delivering bad news. You're just focused on, um, you know, just the fact that you, you felt that warmth. Mm-hmm.
Matthew Reeves: Right. That connection is the context for everything that gets delivered, including the bad news. Uh,
Dr. Brittany McLemore: Yeah.
Matthew Reeves: fantastic. Um, that kind of brings me to the next que the next obvious question. The news is part of what you deliver, but what other, what other [00:15:00] content? I mean, you're filling 24 7, that's a lot of time to fill with media. Um, what, what fills those hours?
Dr. Brittany McLemore: Yes. Um, so we do books as well. Um, we have our volunteers read nonfiction books, um, you know, fiction crime, um, different genres. We do magazines. As well. So maybe, um, home and gardens. Um, anyone might want to learn how to cook. You know, we have, um, KitchenAid, uh, different magazines to be able to meet the needs.
Um, learn what, what's new. Um. And then we do, um, PSAs. So we partner with other organizations. So anything that they have going on in our community wanna, we want to make sure our listeners are aware of that as well. Um, we share other podcasts on our show, um, excuse me, on our air, uh, as well, again, [00:16:00] shedding light on other resources and information, um, from other companies and organizations like yourself.
Um. And we do, um. A career corner. So anyone who might be looking for employment, we'd like to share any open opportunities, um, for them as well. And, um, we have service programs, so we weren't calling them podcasts originally. Uh, we were calling it service programs, but it's, we have like capital view that again discusses policies and, um.
Different bills and laws that might be affecting those who are blind to have low vision research Watch, um, is another service program that we have on there that discusses new, um, technology, um, you know, different, different ideas and things that are coming about, um, that, that and tools, excuse me, that, um, our listeners can, can use.
So we have a wide variety of programming that we use to fill 24 7.
Matthew Reeves: [00:17:00] Right that.
Dr. Brittany McLemore: yeah.
Matthew Reeves: Must, that must take a lot of, uh, effort and energy, uh, to create, to, to either record and capture and edit all this, all the media that other people are creating. But also it sounds like you're creating a lot of original content, uh, with, with things that are kind of formatted like podcasts. I know you're not calling them
Dr. Brittany McLemore: Mm-hmm.
Matthew Reeves: I'm, I'm curious about that decision to call them, to not refer to them as podcasts because they're, I mean, I mean, this is a podcast and podcasts are like everywhere. It's the, it's the, it's the trend. But you've chosen to kind of, uh, buck that trend a little bit by calling it a service program. And I, it sounds like, and it sounds like everything you do is very intentional.
What, talk to me about that decision.
Dr. Brittany McLemore: So, um, initially service programs were, um, we were doing that before podcasts. Were a thing, right? And, but it was really surrounded by the idea that, you know, we, this, this is a service, this is information. Um, and we want to make sure [00:18:00] that, um, you are getting this, but you're still getting, again, that natural conversation and natural connection while getting that information.
So it's, it, it's similar. It's a podcast essentially. But, um, again, as you mentioned. Intentionality, making sure that it's not just another podcast, but it's something centered And, um, specific to, um, this population.
Matthew Reeves: Yeah, it sounds very curated. That's, really cool. And I, I, I, I hear again that that message of the human connection and the ho how the host, is, is playing an important role and getting something out of it themselves too. That, that's really neat. Um, and I guess. Since you come from a legacy of the broadcast model, and now you're doing this digitally, yet you're still broadcasting, as I understand it, you're still on the sub carriers and people can still use those specialized radios if they want to. [00:19:00] but is it possible for people to say, Hey, I'm not available Fridays at three for this. One thing that I'm really interested in are, are these, is this content available on demand in the, in the new digital platform as well?
Dr. Brittany McLemore: It is, it is. And that was, that's part of the, the transformation. Understanding that, you know, people aren't home all day. Just kind of waiting around, like how we used to wait for the stories to come on, you know, that kind of thing. Um, and so we do have the option when you on the Amazon alexa.as well. You can listen, um, on demand now, but you can visit our site.
We do have a new site. It's um, called cvp.org, SEE vp.org. Um, but you can listen on demand. You go to the program library. We do ask, um, that individuals sign up. For an account so they can go in at any time and just choose if they wanted to listen. You can search by the, the good thing about it's that you can search by reader, right?
So let's just say you knew, [00:20:00] uh, you know Charlie, who read the morning news, who read the A JCI want to search. Him and see what else he's read. You can search by author, um, you can search genre and book. Um, so anything that you are looking to go back to that you missed on air. And there are some things that we don't actually, um, air, but we have on demand as well.
So you can go on the site to, to listen.
Matthew Reeves: Okay. And that's available. I know a lot of, like you said, you mentioned the A GC, the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Uh, that's local. but this is again, available for anybody, anywhere completely for free.
Dr. Brittany McLemore: It is available for anybody, anywhere. And we like to tell people that too because we have people who call in from California, um, people who used to live here. They no longer live here, but they still wanna know what's going on. Um, aside from the news, everything else is. It's for, for anyone aside from the local news, right.
But we do have national newspapers as [00:21:00] well. So they will have access to that information, not specific to their location, but um, they'll have access to what's going on nationally or internationally.
Matthew Reeves: Uh, you know, we were talking about that, um, sort of two-way connection, um, and how this, how you're striving for this to not just be. People out there in the universe consuming your media, but you have no other, but it's not, you're hoping for that to be bi-directional instead of one way. How do you connect with your audience?
Dr. Brittany McLemore: That is a great question. Um. I'll start by saying this. This is, it's, it is, it's a mindset. I think that sometimes we all might have, um, you know, you sign up for Netflix subscription, they'll send you, um, feedback or send you a feedback survey in the, in the mail. You're like, leave me alone. I kind of just wanna watch my shows.
Right. And so understanding that that's. That's kind of the world we live in. [00:22:00] Um, people just, they want the service. Um, and not necessarily, I don't want you haggling me, um, in, in, in those ways. So we have decided that community events, um, are super important to attend because people go out, right? They might not want to answer her phone and, and.
And, and ask all of these questions. Want us to ask all of these questions, but hey, I'm able to see you here at this convention. You know, for example, the NFP convention, the GCB conventions. You know, we go there because we know our listeners are there as well. But we do reach out and not even just to ask questions.
We reach out just to thank our listeners. Hey, thank you so much for being a part of our service and what is it that we can do to improve our service so that we can ensure that you're getting everything that you need. Um, you know, our newsletters, um, are really huge as well. We send those out, we send those out with audio.
Um. Links to our program guides and giving them also [00:23:00] access to other community events that are going on. So we, um, are striving to be a lot more present in the community and partnering with other organizations that serve the same demographic, um, as well, because we think that's, that's really important. A lot of people, again, or a lot of organizations, um.
Companies, they'll provide a service or they'll sell a product. And as long as it's selling or as long as it's working, that's it. No other communication. Right. Um, but we really strive to be face-to-face, one-on-one and just make sure they know we are here, we are real people in the office. Um, social media is a big part as well.
We, um, this past year we developed Instagram. We are, we were already on Facebook. We did a Instagram and a TikTok.
TikTok. Now.
Matthew Reeves: wants to be on TikTok.
Dr. Brittany McLemore: Everybody was see on TikTok, but we realized that people are [00:24:00] utilizing social media to find resources that are available to them in that area. You can use hashtags, you can use location. All of those things are available. So we want to make sure we are connecting wherever our audience, um, our audience is.
So, um. That those are the ways that we are using to connect directly to them, and it's been, it's been fruitful, so we're excited about that.
Matthew Reeves: That's amazing. I am. I'm gonna put you on the spot. I'm gonna ask you a question about what you've. Learned by connecting to your audience. What have you found? This is my, this is the therapist side of me wondering like what the needs are and what the thirsts are that you're picking up when you connect with your community.
What, what's, what's, what are the themes that you're noticing?
Dr. Brittany McLemore: For sure. Um, connection right is a big part of it. And I, I always go back to this, but I do believe that it, it's one thing to, um. Navigate life after diagnosis. But I do think [00:25:00] that, um, COVID really took a piece of that, you know, from everyone. Um, and because we live in this digital age where it is just everything is at the palm of your hand, a lot of people are missing that connection.
So I'm noticed that a lot of people are like, you know, what's going on? How can we get, how can we get involved? Um, I will say that another thing that I noticed is, um. Our listeners are seeking, um, I would say entertainment, right? Um, yes. You know the news, they want the news and everything, but what's new?
You know the pod podcast, right? Podcasts are new. What. Can I do or listen to that will bring me joy, that'll put a smile on my face. Um, those things. But I think that it's also breaking down these walls where understanding that I want the same thing. This, and I've heard these words. I want the same thing that you want, [00:26:00] you know, I, I'm, I'm interested in the same things that you're interested in.
There's, there's no difference in that. And then, um, the third thing I would say is resources. Um, what exactly do you provide or, um, how can you put me in contact with, um, other things that I need? So I think that bridging the gap, especially between organizations and, um, advocacy groups. So, you know, just any individual that, um, that provides a service for.
This population need to really come together and understand that, you know, there's no, there's no competition, right? There's no, um, there's no reason that we shouldn't all band together and have a, a central place for resources that we can, that they can all connect to no matter who they are, where they are.
Um, so I would say connection and community, um, resources and, um, [00:27:00] yeah, entertainment.
Matthew Reeves: And yeah, just media that. It just recognizes the, the full humanity of your listeners. They're not just a blind person. They're, they're a
Dr. Brittany McLemore: Yeah,
Matthew Reeves: Yeah,
Dr. Brittany McLemore: it's just,
Matthew Reeves: yeah.
Dr. Brittany McLemore: it doesn't define them. And I've heard that too, even with guests on our podcast and people that come in there like, I, I deal with blindness, but blindness is not me. It's not who I am. And stop identifying me as. That
Matthew Reeves: And I think that's something, uh, I've noticed in the work that I do is that on in the process, it's, it's very natural and very common for people to feel like their identity has been taken away from them if they've been recently diagnosed. And it's a process to, to learn for yourself that you are not just blindness.
Dr. Brittany McLemore: right.
Matthew Reeves: Like, and so that's an important thing for, for [00:28:00] people to receive from sources, like a vocal point to say, we don't see you as just a blind person.
Dr. Brittany McLemore: Right.
Matthew Reeves: and that can, that can become a really seed to say, oh, maybe I don't need to see me as just a blind person either.
Dr. Brittany McLemore: That's good. Yes, absolutely.
Matthew Reeves: That's amazing.
Dr. Brittany McLemore: Mm-hmm.
Matthew Reeves: I'm so grateful for that part of what you're doing. What, how did you come to this personally? What, what is your story and how did you become connected to, to vocal point?
Dr. Brittany McLemore: That is a good question. Um, so I've worked in mental health and worked in, um, worked with individuals with, um, disabilities, varying intellectual, physical, um, disabilities for maybe the last 15 years. And so. I've come across, um, so many different people and I haven't worked prior to this role. I haven't worked directly [00:29:00] with individuals who are blind and have low vision, but I have worked with these individuals.
Um, the organizations that I worked for weren't specific, um, to that, but I've always had a, you know, a heart for, um, advocacy. Of accessibility. Um, you know, I have family members who suffer from, or, um, deal with, um, physical disabilities as well as intellectual disabilities. And the limitations that were placed on them, um, regardless of what it is that they could do, the limitations that were placed on them, um, really hindered.
Hindered their growth and, um, where they are or could have been. Right. Um, and that always resonated with me. And so prior to coming here, I did consulting work. I went into consulting, and I'll say this because I also did social work, right? [00:30:00] And, um, it was a lot because I. I'm one of those, I need to save the world.
How can I pack, bag, let, let me pack a bag and figure out how I can go across, uh, you know, the country and try to feed everyone or whatever that looks like. Um, and you know, a lot of people say, you know, I just wanna help people and. It, it was more about those without, um, a voice for themselves or those that didn't feel like yet they had a voice for themselves.
I've worked with, I had a caseload of about 65 families who needed so many different resources, whether it was education, um, it was employment, it was housing. It was so, so many. Things. And, um, I realized that I internalized everything and I definitely wanted to be that space and that person for everyone.
Um, I took a step back and I started doing, um, organizational [00:31:00] development, um, consulting and leadership, but in those spaces because I started to realize that it wasn't about, um, it wasn't about those in the, the individuals. It was about the system. The system was broken and the resources that were available, it was very, um, cookie cutter type of resources.
You know, it wasn't specific to the individual. And I, I saw that problem and I went into that mode and started to figure out, okay, so how can we from top down, um, develop intentional? Resources, programs and services for individuals who are in need who probably can't even tell you what they need, you know?
Um, and so I started doing, doing that, and then, um, I came across. The Georgia Radio reading service at the time and saw what it [00:32:00] is that they had already done. And I'll be honest with you, my wheels always turn and I'll, I don't think I said this to anyone, but my wheels always turn and I'm always thinking, how can I make things better?
And I do that with myself as well. There's always ways to be better. And so I saw the amazing work. I had never seen anything like this. Before, I never heard of a radio reading service. I'm being honest. And so I started to see what it is that, um, we were already doing, and I thought, how great would it be to do.
These other things, how great would it be to add community to this? How great would it be to bring and bridge the gap between organizational development and learning, you know, those models and bringing it down to uh, uh, um, grassroots kind of approach as well, just kind of bridging that gap. Um. And Yeah.
And so I, I came in contact [00:33:00] with, and I was like, I, I needed to, I need to be in this service. I need to be in the service. And, um, it was interesting because prior to this, it, it was almost like it was, I'm, I'm gonna say it was meant to be because I was working as a, um, uh, admissions counselor in mental health.
And it, it seemed like every client that I, I started to get was blind or losing their sight. Right before, right before I got into this role, and so it, I started, you know, researching more and figuring out, um, you know, obviously different, um, diagnosis and things that I obviously didn't know and I still don't know.
But again, I was able to bridge that gap and I found out about Georgia Radio Reading service, and I, I just started asking questions before I even applied. I'm like, I just started asking questions and, and it, it just, it fits perfectly for I think. Who I am and what I want to do,
Matthew Reeves: That's, uh, that's a
Dr. Brittany McLemore: longwinded question, [00:34:00] longwinded answer to.
Matthew Reeves: fascinating. But, um, what, what I notice about it is, your passion for. Approaching things systemically, top down, like you said, but you also mentioned grassroots, like bottom up. It really,
Dr. Brittany McLemore: Yes.
Matthew Reeves: use the word bridge, which is the perfect word.
Like you're, you're trying to kind of tunnel through the mountain from both sides and meet in the middle. Uh, and that, that's because broadcast is. a very, very, very, very top is exclusively a top down kind of mindset. It's like, we've got this content and we're gonna disseminate it, and whatever people do with it, we have really no
Dr. Brittany McLemore: Right,
Matthew Reeves: It's right. It's very,
Dr. Brittany McLemore: exactly.
Matthew Reeves: it's extremely top down and you're trying to bring an a bottom up grassroots approach to a traditionally broadcast model, which I imagine is challenging. I imagine that's
Dr. Brittany McLemore: Absolutely challenging. Absolutely challenging. Especially because, like you said, this broadcast is kind of [00:35:00] hands off, right? Like it's a hands off approach where I, I'm just gonna give it to you and you. You listen to it or you don't, but I did my job, you know, kind of thing.
Matthew Reeves: you have no idea.
Dr. Brittany McLemore: Exactly. And, um, you know, just really important to bridge that gap.
It's important to say, I'm, if I'm providing this service to you, or if I'm this product to you, not only do I need to make sure just this quality to, to put it out, but I need to make sure it's resonating with you. I need to make sure it's actually. Filling you in the way that you need to be filled.
Because if I tell you that I'm hungry and you gimme water, that's not helpful at all. I need food. Right? So I think it's very important that when you're serving a, a population, no matter who it is or um, what it is that you're trying to do. To give someone something without knowing what it is they need or if it's going to actually even fulfill that need, um, is, is dangerous, right?
And [00:36:00] so the, the approach, or what it is that I'm really looking for is how, again, can I better serve you and your needs? Tell me what you need so I can give it so I give it to you. And if that means, you know, 24 7 on air, hey, I don't. I, I'm not listening to you 24 7. You know, or when I am listening to you, this is what I like to hear, or this is what I would like to hear more of.
Those are the things that we want to take into consideration, so we're not just hands off. We're very much, tell me what you need.
Matthew Reeves: You really, that really resonated when you said that to provide the, the thing people aren't needing is not just neutral or not helpful. It's dangerous. Like to provide people with sort of a, a false nutrition,
Dr. Brittany McLemore: Yeah,
Matthew Reeves: that's harmful. It's junk food. Uh.
Dr. Brittany McLemore: exactly.
Matthew Reeves: It, it made me really [00:37:00] wish that the CEOs of the other, the massive media outlets, I wish they all had a social work background.
Dr. Brittany McLemore: Right, right.
Matthew Reeves: they
Dr. Brittany McLemore: But those things are helpful. It's very helpful, and I say that all the time. I'm so grateful of. All of the experience that I had in that and dealing directly with people. I mean, even to the point I've worked as a direct support professional, I've done just about everything, but I worked as a direct support professional where I had to be one-on-one with individuals.
You learn about their families, you learn about their stories, horror stories, you know, that really makes you want to, or, or makes you, um. Dot every I, you know, cross every t and just make sure you are providing that the basic functions. And a lot of time that's, that's quality. That's again, that understanding that they need just the same everybody.
Everybody [00:38:00] deserves quality, everybody deserves access regardless of ability. Um. And it's not even disability, regardless of your ability, because we all have limitations, but my limitation is not greater than yours and my limitation doesn't warrant better access, um, than yours. And so that, that, I think for me, I've seen families, um.
Give up on their children or spouses or all of that because they had a limitation or because they had a diagnosis because it was a little hard, and ultimately because they could not access the exact resource that they need.
Matthew Reeves: Yeah, I, I really appreciate hearing that word need. 'cause I think, know, these messages of you matter, uh, and that you're worth it. Uh, and that. Connection is important for you. [00:39:00] Like these are messages that, uh, if people don't receive them, they can start to doubt it for themselves. Uh, so hearing that from. Even in a small way from any outlet at all, like any connection at all that, that acknowledges that need and validates that need, uh, as a need, not just a want. It's not just an, it would be nice if
Dr. Brittany McLemore: Right.
Matthew Reeves: are, these are real needs to avoid harm. and so you're taking that model, that mindset that you learned in your story, in your narrative applying it. Again, like, it, it, it, I, I keep coming back to this, but it's, it's amazing to me how you're applying that to a model that's traditionally. Completely divorced from that idea. And like, that's, that's really challenging. And yet you're pulling it off. And I'm wondering like that, that the resources that requires must be, uh, pretty high.
It's, it's challenging to communicate that. It's challenging to, to fund [00:40:00] that this is a free service and you've got staff and you've got hundreds of volunteers you're managing and you've got technology you're trying to deal with. How do you find the resources to make this happen?
Dr. Brittany McLemore: Yeah, so, um, we rely heavily on our partnerships as well. Um. Um, I'm a firm believer in certain, is certain techniques that we don't need to reinvent the wheel for, right? So if it's there and it's in place, I think the difference is that there are tools that work and function well, but they need to function well in the right space.
Matthew Reeves: Hmm.
Dr. Brittany McLemore: so I, um, do my due diligence in anything that I use, any model that I follow. Um, any best practices. I need to ensure that it works for what it is that we do. And if I need to shift it in any kind of way, then I'm going to do that. I don't take one thing and just, it is not one size fits all. Um, and, and even in the sense of who we, who we serve.
[00:41:00] So we serve the blind, low vision, right? And print impaired. And I think that. Even just understanding, and to answer your question, how to navigate all of that and how to make sure we have the resources we need to first understand who we are and who we serve and what those needs are for those individuals.
So even with print impaired, many people don't understand what that is or what that looks like, right? So how do we define that? What is, what is it defined as, and, and who does that that cover? And that's someone who has dyslexia. That's someone who's a quadriplegic and can't hold a book for themselves.
You know, traumatic brain injury. So understanding who we serve, understand those needs. Of who we serve and, and reaching out. And as far as the resources, our partnerships are truly important. With that, we rely heavily on our board as well because they have valuable expertise and we want to make sure that they [00:42:00] are, um, you know, contributing in that meaningful way and ensuring that our team here on the ground, any, any development, any training that we need, we will do.
Um. And that's often even continuing education on what is blindness. Right. What does that look like? Um, you know, we talk about occupational therapy. We talk about, you know, all all of the things again, that, that are needed because when we understand it, we are able to to, to bring forth that information in a way that's not only just checking a box off.
But it's ensuring that I am, um, being empathetic. I am, um, you know, showing that love and that care and support that you need in providing that. So, um, we, we just, we, any resources that we currently have, we rely on anything that we don't have, we're gonna make sure we get. [00:43:00] So if that means the worst, my motto is, the worst thing you can say is, no, that's no right now.
Because tomorrow might be different because I'm gonna come back and ask you again. So whatever it is that we need, we will ask for. We'll, um, you know, fundraise for whatever it is that, whether it's monetary or it's something that's in kind we've received, we get in kind donations, whereas it's just even someone says, Hey, I'll come in and offer this training, um, for you or for your listeners.
Um, at no cost because I believe in your mission. And the biggest thing, um, and it's the last thing I'll say, but the biggest thing is our mission is truly important. And people have to understand, not only understand, but have buy-in, in your mission and what it is that you are trying to do. And people believe in, not.
People will give, you know, their left foot for something that they truly believe in.
Matthew Reeves: That's powerful. [00:44:00] I'm, I'm wondering, you know, your, your background is certainly in a very, in human services and in helping, but this is, you said this is the first time you've worked specifically for the blind and low vision and the print impaired community. And I'm wondering, uh, now that you've been in this role, let's see how long has have, how long have you been in this role?
I didn't ask that question.
Dr. Brittany McLemore: A little over a year now.
Matthew Reeves: A little over a year. So this isn't, this is a good time to ask this question. What, and I hope, I hope this doesn't put you on the spot, but what has surprised you? What have you learned that you didn't expect?
Dr. Brittany McLemore: I'll be honest with you,
my own unintentional and internal biases, and not in a, a way that's, um. It's, it's mostly in a way of my exposure, right? When we're not exposed to something we [00:45:00] are unable to navigate or we don't really know what that looks like, and I'll give you an example of, of that bias. Um, I'll have, or when I first, this is when I first came in, because whew, it was a lot to learn, but when I first came in, I was under the impression that someone who was blind.
Needed me to guide them. This was the biggest thing for me. Needed me, needed, that I was what? You, you need me? And it was literally instant in that moment. And from this moment on, I had, I hadn't, I, I couldn't even think a different way because I was told, you know, if I need you. I can say that. I can tell you that I need you.
I'm, I'm, I'm okay. [00:46:00] You know, and you can ask me if you can help me, and I can tell you yes or no. And for me, and not to get emotional here, but for me, it, it hurt. I hurt my own feelings, right? In a way where I did not, I did not know. That subconsciously I had this idea that I was so, and for lack of better words, I'm, I'm so important enough for, because I can see right, that I, in, in that situation, I put myself in a, a, a position of superiority, right?
And just assuming that someone. Needed me for what I had. Right. And that was so unfair to that person. And I [00:47:00] think what surprised me is one that my, that, that I idea, that mindset that I had. But I was so appreciative that it happened. When I tell you it was week one of my time here, and from that point on, it changed my, my view, and I now have to, I reflect on everything, every conversation, you know, and that's what led me to really understand there's no difference here.
I cannot have that mentality or that mindset that. There's this huge difference or there's this void that I have to fill in your, like, who am I? Like, are you kidding me? I was, I wanted to really kick myself, um, if I could, if I would've, but, um, it really just surprised me. And I think from that point on, because my lens had changed, I was now able to see that same bias or other biases [00:48:00] in other people.
And, and the, and these are service providers. That I'm, I'm seeing these service providers and it's really, um, it's really unfortunate, but I'm so grateful for that experience. And, um, it just really shaped my, my, my view, my worldview honestly, but especially in this role. And, um, it, it, it pushes me and it drives me to the point where I'm, I'm ensuring that.
That never happens again in anything that we do in this office. And that's making sure that everyone on my team receives the proper training. Everyone on my team understands this and what this means, you know, so, uh, before I start choking up. But that was, that was very surprising for me.
Matthew Reeves: that's, that's an amazing answer to the question. I'm so grateful for you sharing that vulnerability and it, I wish [00:49:00] I, I hear that and I think, gosh, what would it be like if everybody. Who started a new chapter in their life could have a moment like that, uh, of learning and being open enough and humble enough and frankly secure enough to question. You know, oneself and one's lens and say maybe, maybe there's an opportunity for growth, uh, for me. And the benefits you got from that, like that didn't just serve the people you serve that served you. It, I can tell how meaningful it is to you and how, how gratifying it is to have that new lens that you found for yourself. Uh, but that takes. open to it. It takes being willing to say, maybe I have room to grow. that's, that's, that's an incredible story. Thank you so much for sharing that.
Dr. Brittany McLemore: I'm still growing. I am still growing, but I, I promise you that that right there, it was almost like a, like, I was like in the, I was living in the [00:50:00] dark, you know, just with. Having that idea. And it wasn't, it wasn't a, a, a, a bias on, you know, oh, hey, you don't look blind. Like I, I, that's something I really can't stand.
Um, when people do that, it wasn't to that extent. And it wasn't anything that was ill willed or malicious or anything. It was out of the servant heart that I have
Matthew Reeves: Right.
Dr. Brittany McLemore: I thought that. It was my role and my responsibility to do something in the situation where I thought someone was, you know, a damsel in distress and I had to be the hero, right?
But. Yeah. It, it, it really was eye-opening because that's, that's me. If I need, if I need help, I'll ask you. Right. You know, don't go ahead and, and, and, and, and assume So, um, I'm still growing each and every day and I, I believe that if I stop growing, especially, well, there's, in this role or [00:51:00] in in life, I'm doing something wrong.
Matthew Reeves: Yeah. And whether we grow or not is a choice.
Dr. Brittany McLemore: Exactly.
Matthew Reeves: It is a
Dr. Brittany McLemore: Mm-hmm.
Matthew Reeves: that we each get to make, uh, and. And I'm, I'm, anytime, anytime I encounter anyone that has made the choice to grow, I know I benefit from it. And we all been a, we all help each other in our own growth. Uh, so, you know, the, the expression has hurt people hurt people, and that's absolutely true.
But the opposite is also true, and it doesn't get talked about enough. And that's healed People heal people,
Dr. Brittany McLemore: That is so good.
Matthew Reeves: It's, I wish I had written it. I can't take credit. I don't know where I heard it, but,
Dr. Brittany McLemore: For now. For now it's, it's yours.
Matthew Reeves: it is absolutely true. I see it every day. Uh, so, uh, and, and you offering that moment of vulnerability here. To me and these listeners is an opportunity for us all to grow. So thank you for that. Um, before we wrap [00:52:00] up, I just wanna give you an opportunity to, um, share anything that we haven't touched on that you think might be important. But, uh, specifically I'd love for you to let our listeners know how they can connect with Vocal Point and become a listener. Um, what's, what's the process? How do they, how do they make it happen?
Dr. Brittany McLemore: Absolutely. Well, I'll share first that, um, you know, with this growth and um, with understanding. Everything that I've already said, um, this service is, is meaningful. Um, this service is important and we only want to do better and be better and grow. And anyway, that we can do that. Um, please just let, let us know.
Um, we're at a point now and I, I think that I saw that we were providing a service. Connection. But now we want to build [00:53:00] community with that connection. And so we have different services and programs that are coming up, um, community events as well as programs like, um, in person book clubs. And um, we also want to.
Have a mentorship program that we will be starting in 2026 as well. Those who are newly blind, being connected with those who, uh, have been blind for a certain amount of time and are able to impart wisdom and, you know. Just be a peer, be a listening ear. Um, that's just, I think that's really important.
Again, that community that we have. Um, just being able to, you know, sometimes I need a sounding board, you know, and sometimes I, I actually need sound advice. And so, um, just programs like that and, and just services that we want to just be better, um, in serving. Uh, this population. Um, so if you would like to sign up again, this is a free service.
You can visit us [00:54:00] online@cvp.org, that's SEE vp.org, and you go to the listen tab and become a listener. There is an application process. We do ask that the application is filled out in its entirety. Um, this is important for us, especially as a 5 0 1 C3 that we have certain, um, demographic information, but we ask, um, for full name, um, address so that we can send out your device email address, especially if you're looking to listen on the Amazon Echo dot.
You need to have an Amazon account, obviously, to do that. So you would just use that email address that you use for that. Um, if you're looking for a radio receiver. Based on your zip code or based on your region, we will send a radio receiver for that region. Um, so you, you, your email address is to send out, we do a monthly program guide that, um, gives you everything that we air, what time, what day of the week, and all that as well.
So if you wanted to [00:55:00] tune in, we have that in audio. We have that in large print and we have it in braille. So we have those options, um, as well. If you want to listen, um, on a telephone where you can just call in, we do have an option for that as well. So we'll give you that number and the code and you can call in at any time to listen.
Um, and then the last way to listen is on demand on the website. Again, you sign up for a, a username and a password and you can use that and access our program library and be able to search however way you want to search. And if you have any questions, we do have our contact information on there, but you will receive a follow up phone call, um, and email just so that we can check in, make sure all of the information is correct, and then we will send out the device.
We do send it free matter for the blind, so it does take about two to three weeks, um, to come in, but if you need additional assistance in setting up your device, we also, um, provide that service as well.
Matthew Reeves: That's, that's amazing that, that you've got [00:56:00] such a streamlined process. is also efficient for, for,
Dr. Brittany McLemore: works.
Matthew Reeves: yeah, it works. That's great. thank you so much for spending your time with me to this morning. I, I have found it very enriching and I hope the audience has this. Well, I'm sure they have. so thank you and I look forward to further connection with you.
Dr. Brittany McLemore: Absolutely. And thank you Matthew. Thank you for everything that you do and I just appreciate you taking the time, um, to have me on your podcast. This is really great, but you do amazing work and you inspire, you continue to inspire me. Every time we meet, every time we talk. And, um, I just love the work that you do and I love that you are, um, you know, exposing certain things and you are showing, um, you know, showing people different sides of, you know, blindness and different sides of mental health.
And, um, it is, is truly needed. So continue with the work that you're doing, and again, thank you again for your time.[00:57:00]
Matthew Reeves: Thank you for the kind words and I will, uh, wish you a, a great day. Be well.
Dr. Brittany McLemore: Thank you. You too. Bye.
Matthew Reeves: Bye-bye.
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OUTRO
Matthew Reeves: Thanks for joining us for this episode of Insight Out. You are the reason this podcast exists and we'd love to hear from you. You can leave us a voice message at speakpipe.com/insightoutpod. That's speakpipe.com/insightoutpod. There, you can share your thoughts about today's conversation, suggest a topic for a future episode, or tell us about your experience living with vision loss. Again, that's speakpipe.com/insightoutpod.
Insight Out is produced by Integral Mental Health Services, my private practice that offers psychotherapy for adults in Georgia and disability adjustment [00:58:00] and chronic illness counseling nationwide. Visit us at integralmhs.com and you can visit insightoutpod.com to catch up on all the episodes and to find links for subscribing in all the major podcast apps. A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube. Search for the channel, using the handle @inSightOutPod. You can also find us on social media using that same handle. I hope you'll join us for the next episode of inSight Out. Subscribe now in your favorite podcast app to stay connected. Thanks again for listening.