About Us
Welcome to VI Diaries—a community built on real stories, honest conversations, and the belief that everyone deserves to be heard.
Our Mission
At VI Diaries, our mission is simple: to create a space where people with visual impairments and disabilities can connect, share, and thrive. We’re dedicated to fostering understanding, breaking down barriers, and amplifying voices that too often go unheard. Through storytelling, resource sharing, and open dialogue, we aim to make accessibility a reality, not just a buzzword.
Who We Are
VI Diaries is the work of Portia, a lifelong advocate for accessibility and inclusion. Drawing from personal experience with right-sided hemiparesis, partial blindness, and epilepsy, Portia has built this site as both a diary and a resource—documenting not just her own journey, but also the tools, technologies, and communities that make independence possible.
What started as a one-person blog and podcast (One Hand Access, formerly Sunlightbirdie Show) has grown into a vibrant, evolving project. From learning Braille and using early assistive tech to exploring the latest accessible gadgets and screen readers, Portia’s story is proof that determination and curiosity can open almost any door.
A Home for Community
VI Diaries is more than memoir. It’s a space for connection—a meeting ground for anyone who wants to learn, share, or just feel less alone. Here, you’ll find:
- Personal stories from Portia.
- Honest reviews and demos of skincare products, lotion applicators and beyond)
- Podcast episodes exploring games I like, how I use technology, and general chitchat
- Blog posts on how I navigate my life with disabilities
We Want to Hear From You
Feedback is at the heart of VI Diaries. This is a living, breathing community, and your voice matters. Whether you have constructive criticism, questions, or ideas for new topics, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment on any post or reach out directly. Your insights help make this space better for everyone.
We welcome all kinds of feedback—whether it’s encouragement, suggestions, or a different perspective. Constructive criticism is not just accepted; it’s appreciated—though no rudeness or hate tollerated. Together, we can build a more accessible, understanding world—one story and one conversation at a time.
Thank you for being here.
Let’s keep the conversation going.