Gena Harper, Adi Latif and Linda Scheller

On the 9/13/23 edition of Dr. Andy’s Poetry and Technology Hour:

Poet and actress Linda Scheller phones in to talk about adopting a different voice through acting, specifically for her role in the upcoming play Taco Jesus at Prospect Theater Project in Modesto. Dr. Andy is joined by two in-studio guests, entrepreneur Adi Latif and Blind Woman of Action Gena Harper, both of whom discuss interacting as blind people, technologies they use to access the world, and recent developments in accessibility. Adi also talks about his work uncovering perceptual differences with and without sight, and differently-abled navigation in the United States compared to London. Gena shares more about her impressive accomplishments and her unconventional path through school and life.

Gena Harper was born with congenital Glaucoma, but she has never let that stop her from accomplishing her goals or motivating others to reach for their dreams.

Gena has been a financial advisor since 1985, and rose to become a Senior Vice President with Morgan Stanley as well as an Investing with Impact Director. She left the industry in 2022, but still holds the financial designation of Certified Investment Management Analyst ® (CIMA) and provide ad hoc counsel to various organizations.

In 1995 Gena became the first recipient of The Glaucoma Foundation Award of Merit, and in 2015 Morgan Stanley Wealth Management recognized Gena as one of 15 outstanding women professionals. She has received the Women of Vision Award, the American Foundation for the Blind Kay Gallagher Award, and The Glaucoma Foundation Award.

Gena sits on the board and development committee of the Blind and Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh and is Vice President of Foundation of the Davis-Reno chapter of the Delta Gamma organization.

She made the US National Para cycling Team in 2012 and won a bronze medal in the National Disabled Ski Championships. She cycles, bikes, whitewater rafts, rock climbs, skateboards, practices yoga and has even tried cliff diving. She believes everyone should have a vision, whether they can see or not.

Adi Latif is a public speaker, an award-winning entrepreneur, and an evangelist for good accessible design. Adi was named in the 2020’s prestigious Shaw Trust Disability Power 100, a list of the UK’s 100 most influential disabled people. Adi empowers large and small organisations to improve the usability and accessibility of their digital products and services to ensure equal access to people who are disabled. When he is not working, he loves hurtling himself down mountains on his snowboard and playing his guitar (but thankfully not both at the same time).

Linda Scheller is a California Central Valley poet, playwright, book reviewer, and writing teacher whose work has appeared in numerous publications. She has authored two books of poetry, Fierce Light (FutureCycle Press, 2017) and Wind and Children (Main Street Rag, 2022). A founding board member of Modesto-Stanislaus Poetry Center, she facilitates writing workshops, book discussions, literary events, and community projects. As a programmer for KCBP radio, she co-hosts and produces "Arts of the San Joaquin Valley" and "Women of the Valley."

Linda will appear as a chorus member in Taco Jesus from September 22nd to October 1st at Prospect Theater Project, 1214 K St in Modesto. Find out more and get tickets at prospecttheaterproject.org.

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