Voice Notes - TALKING POINTS: Accessible Education with Ericka Tinsley
Ericka Tinsley is a dedicated education professional whose innovative techniques caught our ear. As a Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI), Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS), Instructional Designer, Apple Learning Coach, and Accessibility Instructor for Adults, she has honed her skills to provide inclusive and accessible education. Ericka's compelling journey into the field of education, her innovative approach to incorporating sound into learning, and her advocacy for technology as a tool for accessibility inspires us. We interviewed Ericka for our new series TALKING POINTS which explores how industry innovators use sound as an effective way to learn, connect, and inspire! Continue reading for our Q&A with this amazing educator…
What inspired you to begin a career in education?
“My passion for learning and helping others has always been at the heart of everything I do. Combining those two passions naturally led me to the field of education. I began my academic journey at Florida A&M University, where I studied education. While exploring options for graduate school at Florida State University—originally with an interest in speech therapy—I was introduced to the field of visual disabilities. That moment changed the course of my career. After working for about a decade as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired, I felt called to expand my expertise and enrolled in an Orientation and Mobility certification program through a cohort at North Carolina Central University. During the pandemic, I further broadened my skills by earning a certification in Instructional Design and completing the Apple Learning Coach program. These credentials have allowed me to support learners of all ages with tools that are engaging, inclusive, and accessible.”
Why is incorporating sound so important in your work?
“Because I serve students and adults who are blind or visually impaired, sound is absolutely essential. Many of my adult clients lost their vision later in life and haven’t learned braille or screen reader navigation. Using audio as a learning tool makes the information not only accessible, but also easier to retain. Whether it's navigating an app or listening to recorded instructions, sound plays a critical role in helping my clients maintain independence and build new skills.”
Do you believe there’s an age limit to learning?
“Not at all! I’ve had the honor of teaching everyone from infants to a client who was 100 years old. Each age group learns differently, but everyone is capable of growth. As an instructor of adults who are blind or visually impaired, I’ve seen firsthand how auditory strategies can unlock confidence and learning at any stage of life. There’s no expiration date on education.”
Can you share how you use VoiceGift to support your clients?
“I’ve used the VoiceGift LP with three adult clients so far and customized the device by adding tactile bump dots to help them locate the buttons independently.
Client One lost his vision just two years ago and has memory challenges. He needed a way to replay audio lessons while learning to use a screen reader. I recorded both live and pre-recorded trainings, which he now uses as a study guide.
Client Two was blind from birth and is fluent in braille, but benefitted from hearing screen reader sounds and audio instructions, which helped reinforce memory and build confidence in using technology.
Client Three lost her vision seven years ago and also experiences memory issues. She was excited to know she could access my YouTube trainings through the VoiceGift LP, using the audio to practice in real time by pausing and replaying the recordings."
"I also use the VoiceGift Play right out of the box during training sessions. It’s incredibly user-friendly, with buttons that are tactile and easy to press—very little modification is needed for accessibility.”
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
“I’m incredibly honored to be featured by VoiceGift. It’s been a privilege to highlight how their products are making a real difference in the lives of my clients. Their design and simplicity make them an excellent addition to any assistive toolkit. I'm grateful for the opportunity to share my experiences and help others see what's possible through sound and accessible technology.”
To discover more of Ericka’s work you can visit www.eLearningwithEricka.com and subscribe to her YouTube channel @eLearningwithEricka