Nick Mendler and Eyespy.org: A Founder’s Guide to Blindness Support

Nick Mendler on building Eyespy.org for the blind and low-vision community

Nick Mendler, founder and president of the Eyespy Foundation, joins the show to share how a retinitis pigmentosa diagnosis at 16 shaped his life and inspired him to build a resource hub for the blind and low-vision community. This conversation covers diagnosis, mental health, accessibility, AI, and the long-term vision for Eyespy as a navigator for people who need support.

In this episode

• Nick shares how his retinitis pigmentosa diagnosis at 16 left him with a pamphlet and a follow up appointment, but little real guidance.
• He explains the family history behind his vision loss, including a great grandfather who described his sight as “shotgun vision.”
• Brittany and Nick discuss the emotional impact of vision loss, especially the uncertainty, anxiety, and identity shifts that can come with it.
• Nick talks about the role of therapy and why mental health support matters not only for newly diagnosed people, but also for advocates, family members, and professionals.
• He describes the three groups iSpy serves: the affected community, advocates like family and coworkers, and academics such as doctors, therapists, and mobility specialists.
• Nick explains why iSpy is built around curation and navigation, helping people find the right resource instead of forcing them to sift through fragmented information.
• The conversation covers accessibility as both a technology issue and a people issue, with Nick stressing universal design and building from the beginning.
• Nick shares his view on AI as a helpful tool with real promise, but one that still needs human oversight and caution around privacy and hallucinations.
• He outlines iSpy’s growth plans, including city by city navigation models, local support, and eventually dedicated navigators in major metro areas.
• Nick explains that his long term goal is for iSpy to outlive him and serve future generations as a trusted guide for life after diagnosis.

Eyespy / Nick Mendler

• Eyepy.org:https://eyespy.org
• Eyepy Foundation:https://eyespyfoundation.org

Event mentioned

• Fashion Pawty:https://thefashionpawty.com

Vocal Point (Home of the Georgia Radio Reading Service) is a 501c3 organization that exists to improve the quality of life for people who are blind, visually impaired, or have difficulty with the printed word.

• Learn more at Vocal Point at Seevp.org To support our podcast and programs, donate here: https://connect.clickandpledge.com/Organization/seevp/
  • Credits
    • Host: Brittany McLemore
    • Recording and Engineering: Patrick Roy