Name: Blindspots | Los Angeles
Uploaded: 2023-10-26
Duration: 26 min
Description: James returns to his former home city of Los Angeles, where he reconnects with old friends working in accessibility in the entertainment industry, enjoys Korean BBQ, some LA street food, and then hits the beach for a little surfing.

Legally blind filmmaker James Rath explores accessibility, technology, and what it’s like to truly travel without barriers.

James returns to his former home city of Los Angeles, where he reconnects with old friends working in accessibility in the entertainment industry, enjoys Korean BBQ, some LA street food, and then hits the beach for a little surfing.

Los Angeles

After a surprise invite to visit the head of accessibility at Microsoft's headquarters in Seattle, James heads to Vancouver, Canada's jewel of the Pacific Northwest, known for its breathtaking natural beauty and self-proclaimed title of “most accessible city in the world.”

Seattle / Vancouver

How does the bustling island of steel and stone fare for those with disabilities? James sets out to discover what it's like to travel blind in the Big Apple, to see if someone like him can make it there.

New York City

James heads across the pond to discover what life for a blind traveler is like in a world capital like London. Among other adventures, he dives into the nation's crown cuisine of Indian food and learns a new sport, created by and for the visually impaired.

London

Escaping the hustle and bustle of the big city, James takes the train to visit the rest of England, from ghost tours and hiking in Scotland, to football in Liverpool, to an epic thrill ride in Wales.

United Kingdom

James and his older brother Colton head to Austin, Texas to sample incredible BBQ from a blind pitmaster and live music from a blind musician. A short road trip to Houston connects them with blind celebrity chef Christine Ha, proving everything is possible in the Lone Star State.

Texas

James and his sister Cassie visit Frankfurt and Mainz, enjoying beer and brats—and exploring Germany's infrastructure of support for the visually impaired. This culminates in a tour of the Dialogue Museum, where the sighted show's crew must navigate the whole exhibit in the dark.

Germany

James and his sister Cassie travel to the sparkling city of Zurich and visit ETH Zurich, the MIT of Europe, where they try out prototypes of new technological solutions for accessibility. Finally, they venture to the top of a tall peak in Davos for an evening in an igloo.

Switzerland

In Tokyo, a city of over 24 million, James tries not to get lost in the crowd as he attempts to conquer his fear of seafood, meets a blind breakdancer, and learns how the sighted and blind alike prepare for the city’s next natural disaster.

Tokyo

The bullet train takes James to Osaka and toward his ultimate goal: to climb Mount Fuji. Outside the big cities, James searches for peace in Kyoto's myriad of temples. Sacred traditions and a mountain covered in monkeys offer a new perspective on life.