S111 Art as Advocacy: Making Visual Spaces Accessible with ted Tahquechi

In this powerful episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow sits down with acclaimed blind photographer and accessibility advocate Ted Tahquechi. Ted shares his compelling journey from a career in video game design to losing his sight after a traumatic car accident, and how he reinvented his artistic voice through photography and tactile art.
Listeners will discover how Ted’s innovative work—like his Bodyscapes project—uses 3D printing, audio descriptions, and Braille to make visual art fully accessible. He unpacks the challenges blind artists face in academic and gallery spaces, explains how storytelling enhances advocacy, and offers honest insights on whether formal art education is necessary for those with vision loss.
Ted also emphasizes the importance of allyship, from writing meaningful alt text to supporting organizations and local galleries that uplift blind and low-vision creators. His story is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the transformative power of inclusive art.

Chapters:
00:00 – Welcome to Navigating Life with Vision Loss
00:25 – Introducing Ted Tahquechi and the power of art in advocacy
02:53 – Ted’s journey from video games to blindness to art school
05:17 – Creating art that transcends stereotypes about blindness
07:36 – Making photography tactile: 3D printing, QR codes, and Braille
09:44 – Art should be judged as art—not “good for a blind person”
12:06 – Barriers blind artists face in education and galleries
14:31 – How galleries and museums can improve accessibility
16:51 – Shoutout to Meow Wolf and immersive accessibility done well
19:12 – Advocacy in artistic subject matter: subtle and bold
21:35 – The struggle and strategy of reaching multiple art audiences
24:00 – Is art school necessary for blind artists? Pros and cons
27:58 – A drawing class changed a teacher’s perception of blindness
32:22 – Storytelling’s power in making art meaningful and educational
34:37 – How perception and unique perspective create great art
37:01 – Local art shows and community engagement for new artists
39:23 – How allies can help: support, alt text, and inclusion
41:44 – Where to find Ted, his tactile art, and his wife’s jewelry
42:50 – Closing thoughts on supporting blind artists and art spaces

Resources & Links:
🔗 Ted’s work: bodyscapes.photography
🔗 Tactile Art Projects: disabledart.com
🔗 Tactile Jewelry by Carrie Tahquechi: carit.com
📧 Contact Aftersight: [e-mail]
🌐 Visit: aftersight.org for more episodes and resources