Deputy Commissioner for Services
Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired

I have been working in the field of blind rehabilitation for 36 years and want to spread the word that blind individuals have a wealth of abilities that employers need to be aware of.  I enjoy helping people understand that their stereotypes of people that are blind are often influenced by what they see or hear in the media rather than through actual experiences with individuals that are blind.  It is important also to know exactly what it means to be legally blind and that not all “blind” people are totally without sight.  I want people to realize that their attitude towards individuals with disabilities is often related to the disability, not the person with the disability.