Hello, and welcome.
Who am I?
My name is Portia. I was born on September 18, 1989, to Kara and Troy in Palo Alto, California. From birth, I’ve lived with right-sided hemiparesis, partial blindness, and, at the time, epilepsy. These challenges have shaped my journey, but they’ve never defined my limits.
I started school at Forest Hill Elementary, then moved on to Campbell Middle School. When it was time for high school, I hit my first big roadblock. My school district told me I wouldn’t have an aide to help me navigate campus. Still, I enrolled at John F. Kennedy High School in Fremont, California. The teacher there tried to help by having a fellow student assist me. I spent my freshman year splitting time between Kennedy and the California School for the Blind, which was just a short distance away. Eventually, my dad decided it was best for me to attend the California School for the Blind full time, as a dorm student.
That experience was tough. I realized pretty quickly that I wasn’t being treated well, so I left in late 2007 or early 2008. It was a low point, but it also pushed me to start pursuing my dreams. Around that time, a friend introduced me to WordPress. I dove in, learning how to run my own website, manage a VPS, and even host a MUD (multi-user dungeon)—all projects that stretched my creativity and tech skills.
By 2010, I knew I wanted to become a podcaster. I started practicing recording, even though I didn’t have much equipment. When my friend Michelle moved in with me in 2013, she noticed my passion and lent me her BookSense XT to practice on. It wasn’t a fancy setup, but it let me keep learning until it finally wore out.
That’s when the Blindcentral Podcast was born, and my real recording journey began. Michelle started having health problems, and we often talked about life, nature, and new beginnings. She loved birds and sunlight, which inspired me to rebrand. The podcast and website had been called Access Dragons (don’t ask me why!), but we both felt it was time for a change. I asked her what she thought of the name Sunlightbirdie, and she loved it. That’s how the Sunlightbirdie Podcast—later the Sunlightbirdie Show—came to life.
Even as Michelle’s health declined, she encouraged me to keep recording. I visited her in the hospital, and she made me promise to keep the show alive. I started uploading episodes to YouTube and eventually turned the project into a real podcast when the platform started supporting them. I learned so much through those years, and Michelle remained my biggest supporter—right up until she passed away on June 7, 2024.
Without Michelle, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. She wasn’t just my friend and inspiration—she became my beloved wife. Michelle, thank you for everything. I love you, and I’ll miss you forever.
Today, you’re reading this on VI Diaries, my latest project, and you might know my podcast, One Hand Access, which grew out of the Sunlightbirdie Show. As long as I can, I’ll keep recording, telling stories, and sharing my journey—keeping Michelle’s spirit and memory alive in everything I do.
My Experience with Products for the Blind
My journey with assistive technology began early. I learned Braille at a young age—though I can’t recall exactly when, it was likely sometime during elementary or middle school. In those same years, I was introduced to computers and alternative input devices to accommodate my right-sided hemiparesis. One tool that stands out was the IntelliKeys keyboard—a customizable keyboard designed for people with physical challenges. IntelliKeys was discontinued, but it gave me invaluable independence at a time when typing with two hands was nearly impossible.
Typing itself required improvisation. I taught myself to type using only the five fingers on my left hand, adapting standard ten-finger techniques to fit my abilities. As technology advanced, I discovered the BrailleNote by HumanWare—a specialized note taker designed for blind and visually impaired users. My school provided me with the BrailleNote Classic, and it quickly became an essential tool for my studies and daily life.
Screen readers were another game-changer. During my early schooling, JAWS for Windows was pretty much the only screen reader available in the US. With help from my vision teacher, Amy Nangle, I got JAWS installed on my home computer. That setup opened a new world of independence, even though the hardware didn’t last forever.
At the California School for the Blind, I deepened my skills with JAWS, thanks to a strict but knowledgeable computer teacher. The school also introduced me to assistive navigation tools, like the Sendero GPS program, which ran on the BrailleNote. Learning to use GPS for orientation was empowering, even if my time with the class was cut short—accidentally dropping the receivers didn’t go over well with my instructor! But the exposure to accessible navigation tech was unforgettable.
Another memorable device was the Victor Reader Stream, also by HumanWare. I only ever had the first-generation model, since later upgrades were out of reach financially. Still, it became an important part of my daily life. And when Michelle came to live with me in 2013, she introduced me to the BookSense XT, an audiobook player that—while a bit worn out—helped me practice my podcasting skills in the early days.
My journey hasn’t just been about physical devices. I’ve explored a variety of screen readers and accessible software over the years. After leaving the California School for the Blind, I initially relied on Microsoft Narrator, which at the time was very basic. Then I discovered System Access (mainly Internet Explorer-compatible), and later, Window-Eyes by GW Micro. Payment plans made it possible for me to own my own copy, and it made a huge difference in my independence.
In 2009, I began using the free and open-source NVDA screen reader, which became more stable and feature-rich over time. As the industry shifted—System Access was discontinued, and AI Squared (makers of ZoomText magnifier software) acquired several companies, including Freedom Scientific and GW Micro—I adapted once again, eventually using NVDA as my main screen reader.
When JAWS for Windows introduced payment plans, I finally purchased my own licensed copy, which I still use and maintain to this day.
On the mobile side, I’ve experimented with Android and its accessibility features, including TalkBack and Screen Reader apps. But I always find myself coming back to the iPhone, thanks to Apple’s VoiceOver screen reader, which feels the most intuitive and reliable for my needs.
Over the years, each of these products has helped me break down barriers and live more independently. I’m grateful for the evolution of assistive technology—and I’m always on the lookout for the next great tool to make life more accessible.
If you’re curious about any of the products I’ve mentioned or want advice on what might work for you, feel free to reach out. I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned—and to keep learning right alongside you.