Help Us Change Lives with AI for the Blind!

Hi there, I’m Shawn. I’m just an everyday person with a passion for making a difference. My story is simple but true—I’ve lived it firsthand as a guy who can’t see. That’s right, I’m completely blind. People often ask me, “Shawn, have you been blind all your life?” and I like to reply, “Not yet.” It always gets a laugh.

Despite blindness, my journey with AI has shown me a world of new possibilities. Since the 2020s, AI has become life-changing for people like me. With the help of AI, I can now create, read, and describe things that once felt out of reach. Today, I’m even able to “see” my family’s faces or virtually anything—all on my own terms. We’re not at perfection yet, but technology has made a big leap, and it’s improving every day.

Two years ago, after a stroke, I dove into the world of AI, much like many of you have. Now, I work with an AI company, Envision Technologies, covering 16 states—a huge achievement for me and for others in the blind community. I also collaborate with Vanderbilt University and Coursera, and I’m excited to help others use AI as a tool for independence in all areas of life.

I started a project on Facebook called AI for the Blind to share this transformative technology with as many people as possible, and it has grown to over 5,000 dedicated members in less than a year. My mission is to create free resources and training so others can experience the benefits of AI, as I have, with a focus on reducing the 70% unemployment rate in the blind community. AI for the Blind is about creating opportunity, independence, and equality for everyone, whether they’re blind or sighted. This technology has the potential to change all our lives, and I hope you’ll help me invest in our future.

That’s where I need your help. Starting a nonprofit and building accessible programs takes resources. Donations to this GoFundMe will go toward developing free tools, training, and support that are designed to empower people in a lasting way. Whether you’re here because you’re passionate about technology, accessibility, or community, I’m grateful you’re reading this. Together, we can create a future that’s accessible to all.

Thanks for taking the time to read my story. There’s a lot more to come, and I’d love for you to be part of it.

With gratitude,

Shawn Follow this link to see my Coursera Vanderbilt story. https://www.vanderbilt.edu/generative-ai/coursera/