LOS ANGELES — The development of the iPhone has changed Earth Kidkul’s life.

While she became fully blind in 2009, smart phone tech advances have given her more mobility. It’s why she was thrilled to support the “Best in Tech Conference” at the Braille Institute. The conference provides an opportunity for vendors to showcase new products for the blind and visually impaired community.

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Even though Kidkul manages the daily challenges of living with blindness, it hasn’t stopped her from continuing to grow in her passion as a tech enthusiast. She is a lead technology instructor at the Braille Institute.

“Smart phones have come so far to make it accessible for us to use. Like before we cannot use a smart phone, it’s just empty screen for us. And now with the voice over or talk back, we as the visually impaired or the blind, can use the smart phone as well,” she said.

Kidkul started as an intern at the Braille Institute. Now she’s an instructor, teaching new students how to use assistive technologies. As she explores new products for her and her students, she says the audio talk back options, some of the simple and well-known apps, like Grub Hub and Uber Eats, have given her a new level of freedom.

“Postmates, Door Dash, Uber Eats to deliver food from different restaurants to our doorstep. So, it is very convenient for us as a whole. We don’t have to feel stuck," said Kidkul. "And even though we may not have anybody to deliver food to us, but we can get help from the app."

The “Best in Tech” conference didn’t only provide people like Kidkul with smart phone options. Other products, such as a water overflow detection sensor, give her hope not just for herself, but also for the young students she teaches at the Braille Institute.

She says her ability to teach has allowed her to feel a sense of purpose and fulfillment, having received her degree in computer science from CSUN before she became fully blind.

“I feel like I have helped a lot of people. And I feel they help me become, feel like I can be someone, I can do something for myself. I can be independent again, I don’t have to feel hopeless,” said Kidkul.

What gives her the most hope each day, is her decision to continue learning and growing. Like she’s doing with an artificial intelligence photo detection application, which describes the person in front of her after she takes a picture.

She says, ultimately, it comes down to one’s attitude.

“You smile, and you become happy, everything will be OK,” said Kidkul.