July 8, 2025
in a recent episode of the envision podcast, we had the pleasure of speaking with tim shaw, manager of evaluation and support services at the texas workforce commission. tim is blind, and his lived experience deeply informs his work. he leads three major teams dedicated to assistive technology, vocational diagnostics, and tech support for people who are blind or have low vision.
tim’s mission is simple but powerful: make sure everyone gets the right tools—and the support they need to use them well. as he put it, “you don’t just want to be handed this tool and say, here you go. we make sure it’s usable and meaningful.”
artificial intelligence is playing a bigger role than ever in helping people gain independence and thrive in their work and personal lives. tim highlighted how ai is being used for everything from resume support and scene description to object recognition and personalized navigation.
but the impact goes even further. tim shared how he uses ai creatively—to compose music, produce videos, and explore new forms of expression. it’s a reminder that accessibility doesn’t stop at utility. it opens doors to joy, creativity, and full participation in life.
of course, technology isn’t perfect—and tim was honest about the barriers that still exist. inaccessible websites, biased algorithms in hiring tools, and missed opportunities for inclusion are still too common.
that’s why community feedback is so important. “we as a community need to get out there, interact with these companies, give our feedback, and make sure we get what we need,” tim said. accessibility isn’t a one-time fix—it’s an ongoing conversation that requires input, advocacy, and care.
at envision, we’re proud to be part of that conversation. tools like the envision glasses are built in partnership with people who are blind or have low vision—from early feedback to everyday use. whether it’s reading a record store price tag or navigating a busy street, we aim to deliver reliable, helpful, and truly contextual information.
because independence doesn’t come from features alone—it comes from designing with empathy, with real people in mind.
as tim said, “it’s only going to get better.” and we believe that too.
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