Episode Summary
This episode explores the essentials of safe and confident solo travel for individuals who are blind or living with low vision. Host Kim Wardlow welcomes back seasoned traveler and travel advisor Sue Slater, who brings more than 40 years of firsthand experience traveling independently around the world.
Kim and Sue break down domestic and international travel safety, including airport navigation, researching safe neighborhoods, using rideshare responsibly, preparing for currency differences, avoiding scams and pickpockets, and keeping your passport, cards, and devices secure. Sue also highlights essential apps—including Aira, Be My Eyes, Google Translate, CityMapper, Ally, and XE Currency—and walks through realistic scenarios, from navigating New Orleans solo to handling unexpected passport emergencies abroad.
Listeners will learn how to plan ahead, assess risks, stay connected with loved ones during travel, travel with a guide dog, and build confidence through preparation. Sue closes with actionable guidance: research everything, book ahead, use vetted companies, and travel on your own terms—because “the world is your oyster” when you’re prepared.
Contact Info
Guest – Sue Slater
• Email: cruzaway2001@yahoo.com
• Phone: 314-541-8400
• Additional resource: Rising Star Kulach (inclusive travel organization; contact Sue for details)
Aftersight (Feedback & Questions)
• Email: feedback@aftersight.org
• Phone: 720-712-8856
Produced by Jonathan Price, Podcast & Program Producer, Aftersight
Show Credits
Host: Kim Wardlow
Guest: Sue Slater
Producer: Jonathan Price
An Aftersight Original Podcast
Chapter Markers
00:00 — Intro & episode overview
01:20 — Meet Sue Slater
03:10 — Domestic solo travel basics
06:45 — Airport navigation & accessible tools
09:05 — Researching hotels and neighborhood safety
11:30 — Using Lyft/Uber safely when traveling alone
13:30 — International travel: currency & language prep
16:00 — Phone access, SIM cards & connectivity challenges
18:45 — Booking tours and transportation in advance
21:10 — Travel insurance essentials
23:00 — Protecting passports, cards & preventing theft
27:00 — Sue’s solo travel stories: New Orleans
29:30 — Sue’s solo travel stories: Dubai
31:20 — Emergencies abroad & contacting the embassy
33:00 — Staying connected with loved ones
35:00 — Traveling with a guide dog internationally
37:00 — Best apps for blind and low-vision travelers
40:15 — Final advice for new solo travelers
42:20 — How to contact Sue & inclusive travel groups
43:20 — Outro & listener questions
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Episode Summary
This episode explores the essentials of safe and confident solo travel for individuals who are blind or living with low vision. Host Kim Wardlow welcomes back seasoned traveler and travel advisor Sue Slater, who brings more than 40 years of firsthand experience traveling independently around the world.
Kim and Sue break down domestic and international travel safety, including airport navigation, researching safe neighborhoods, using rideshare responsibly, preparing for currency differences, avoiding scams and pickpockets, and keeping your passport, cards, and devices secure. Sue also highlights essential apps—including Aira, Be My Eyes, Google Translate, CityMapper, Ally, and XE Currency—and walks through realistic scenarios, from navigating New Orleans solo to handling unexpected passport emergencies abroad.
Listeners will learn how to plan ahead, assess risks, stay connected with loved ones during travel, travel with a guide dog, and build confidence through preparation. Sue closes with actionable guidance: research everything, book ahead, use vetted companies, and travel on your own terms—because “the world is your oyster” when you’re prepared.
Contact Info
Guest – Sue Slater
• Email: cruzaway2001@yahoo.com
• Phone: 314-541-8400
• Additional resource: Rising Star Kulach (inclusive travel organization; contact Sue for details)
Aftersight (Feedback & Questions)
• Email: feedback@aftersight.org
• Phone: 720-712-8856
Produced by Jonathan Price, Podcast & Program Producer, Aftersight
Show Credits
Host: Kim Wardlow
Guest: Sue Slater
Producer: Jonathan Price
An Aftersight Original Podcast
Chapter Markers
00:00 — Intro & episode overview
01:20 — Meet Sue Slater
03:10 — Domestic solo travel basics
06:45 — Airport navigation & accessible tools
09:05 — Researching hotels and neighborhood safety
11:30 — Using Lyft/Uber safely when traveling alone
13:30 — International travel: currency & language prep
16:00 — Phone access, SIM cards & connectivity challenges
18:45 — Booking tours and transportation in advance
21:10 — Travel insurance essentials
23:00 — Protecting passports, cards & preventing theft
27:00 — Sue’s solo travel stories: New Orleans
29:30 — Sue’s solo travel stories: Dubai
31:20 — Emergencies abroad & contacting the embassy
33:00 — Staying connected with loved ones
35:00 — Traveling with a guide dog internationally
37:00 — Best apps for blind and low-vision travelers
40:15 — Final advice for new solo travelers
42:20 — How to contact Sue & inclusive travel groups
43:20 — Outro & listener questions
S201: Personal Safety At Home and in Public with Marty Sobo
Navigating Life with Vision Loss
32 minutes
2 months ago
S201: Personal Safety At Home and in Public with Marty Sobo
In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow launches the show’s new 16-week safety series with a conversation on personal safety at home and in public. Guest Marty Sobo, longtime accessibility advocate and host of Aftersight’s new podcast Code Orange, shares practical, real-world strategies for staying safe—whether you’re navigating daily life, traveling, or facing emergencies. Marty draws on his unique background as a former firefighter, technologist, and blind professional to offer actionable tips for home safety, traveling with confidence, and building a personal preparedness plan. The discussion also introduces Code Orange, which focuses on disability-inclusive emergency preparedness, and explores why preparation can reduce fear in unexpected situations.
Contact Info
Guest: Marty Sobo — Host of Code Orange and accessibility advocate
Aftersight Contact: feedback@aftersight.org | (720) 712-8856
Producer: Jonathan Price
Show Credits
Host: Kim Wardlow
Guest: Marty Sobo
Producer: Jonathan Price
An Aftersight Original Podcast
Chapter Markers
00:00 — Introduction to the safety series
01:15 — Marty’s background in firefighting & technology
05:55 — Journey into accessibility and advocacy
07:25 — Lessons from California wildfires
09:54 — Preparing your home for emergencies
12:21 — Low-tech and tech-based home safety tools
14:47 — Traveling safely with vision loss
17:08 — Requesting help when out in public
19:30 — Using Aira, FaceTime, and building a safety network
21:51 — A real-life drop-off gone wrong
24:10 — How Code Orange began
26:31 — The value of preparedness in emergencies
28:58 — Practical safety actions to take today
31:18 — Closing and listener contact info
Navigating Life with Vision Loss
Episode Summary
This episode explores the essentials of safe and confident solo travel for individuals who are blind or living with low vision. Host Kim Wardlow welcomes back seasoned traveler and travel advisor Sue Slater, who brings more than 40 years of firsthand experience traveling independently around the world.
Kim and Sue break down domestic and international travel safety, including airport navigation, researching safe neighborhoods, using rideshare responsibly, preparing for currency differences, avoiding scams and pickpockets, and keeping your passport, cards, and devices secure. Sue also highlights essential apps—including Aira, Be My Eyes, Google Translate, CityMapper, Ally, and XE Currency—and walks through realistic scenarios, from navigating New Orleans solo to handling unexpected passport emergencies abroad.
Listeners will learn how to plan ahead, assess risks, stay connected with loved ones during travel, travel with a guide dog, and build confidence through preparation. Sue closes with actionable guidance: research everything, book ahead, use vetted companies, and travel on your own terms—because “the world is your oyster” when you’re prepared.
Contact Info
Guest – Sue Slater
• Email: cruzaway2001@yahoo.com
• Phone: 314-541-8400
• Additional resource: Rising Star Kulach (inclusive travel organization; contact Sue for details)
Aftersight (Feedback & Questions)
• Email: feedback@aftersight.org
• Phone: 720-712-8856
Produced by Jonathan Price, Podcast & Program Producer, Aftersight
Show Credits
Host: Kim Wardlow
Guest: Sue Slater
Producer: Jonathan Price
An Aftersight Original Podcast
Chapter Markers
00:00 — Intro & episode overview
01:20 — Meet Sue Slater
03:10 — Domestic solo travel basics
06:45 — Airport navigation & accessible tools
09:05 — Researching hotels and neighborhood safety
11:30 — Using Lyft/Uber safely when traveling alone
13:30 — International travel: currency & language prep
16:00 — Phone access, SIM cards & connectivity challenges
18:45 — Booking tours and transportation in advance
21:10 — Travel insurance essentials
23:00 — Protecting passports, cards & preventing theft
27:00 — Sue’s solo travel stories: New Orleans
29:30 — Sue’s solo travel stories: Dubai
31:20 — Emergencies abroad & contacting the embassy
33:00 — Staying connected with loved ones
35:00 — Traveling with a guide dog internationally
37:00 — Best apps for blind and low-vision travelers
40:15 — Final advice for new solo travelers
42:20 — How to contact Sue & inclusive travel groups
43:20 — Outro & listener questions