Conference Presenters

Bonnie Archibald serves as the Associate Director at Mira Foundation USA, located in Southern Pines, North Carolina. In her role, Bonnie focuses on expanding awareness of Mira USA's mission to provide guide dogs to visually impaired children and identifying candidates who would benefit from the organization's programs. Her work is instrumental in raising awareness about Mira USA and connecting blind children ages 11-17 across the country with life-changing guide dog partnerships that promote independence, mobility, and confidence during critical developmental years.

Lauren Beall has a National Orientation and Mobility Certification (NOMC) and works at the Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind. With a master?s degree in counseling and guidance, specializing in orientation and mobility, Lauren is dedicated to empowering individuals who are blind or visually impaired to build confidence, develop independence, and navigate their environment with skill and assurance. With a year of hands-on experience in the field, Lauren brings both technical expertise and a compassionate approach to her work. She is passionate about supporting each individual?s journey and finds deep fulfillment in witnessing her students achieve their personal goals and regain a sense of independence.

Rick Bradley brings over 30 years of experience working in the field of vocational rehabilitation and is currently employed by the VA Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired. He is a graduate of Radford University and Concord University and a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC). Over his career he has held a variety of positions including Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Lead Counselor, Unit Supervisor, Human Service Manager and Vocational Expert Witness.

Traci Branch is the Statewide Program Coordinator for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services within the Division of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) at the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). With a career rooted in advocacy and empowerment, she has previously served as a statewide transition specialist and vocational rehabilitation counselor bringing soluble skills to her current leadership role.

Traci holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Gallaudet University and a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is a Board Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and has furthered her specialization with a post-graduate certificate in Special Education and Traumatic Brain Injury from George Washington University.

Gus Chalkias is an Assistive Technology Specialist with over twenty years of experience in the field. He is a graduate of Hunter College, earning master?s degrees in both rehabilitation and mental health counseling. He began his work in assistive technology at the Computer Center for Visually Impaired People at Baruch College in 2001 and ran the Demo Center Project there from its inception in 2009. He currently works for the Helen Keller Services for the Blind as Program Director of Assistive Technology Services. Over the course of his career, Gus has developed several training programs for both pre-vocational students as well as vocationally oriented clients. These programs include working with both Windows and Mac operating systems.

John Crews, O.D., graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry (UABSO) in 1985. He further honed his skills with an optometric residency in Geriatrics and Low Vision Rehabilitation. Dr. Crews dedicated many years to serving the Danville community at Dominion Eye Center (later Harman Eye Center) and, most recently, shared his expertise as a Clinical Associate Professor at UABSO, guiding future optometrists.

Stephanie Crosen is a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments and a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist. She currently provides contract services in both school and early intervention settings across Virginia and before that in Colorado. While living in Colorado, she developed a strong passion for working with babies and toddlers with visual impairments. After nine years in the west, Stephanie returned to Virginia. She holds a master?s degree in special education with an endorsement in teaching students with visual impairments as well as a graduate certificate in orientation and mobility.

Margaret (Margie) DeMars is your past, present and future student. Margie was diagnosed with Myopic Degeneration at the age of seven; it has been a lifelong struggle losing both central and peripheral vision. Because she feels the most important jobs that she has held were in the past 15 years, she focuses on her volunteer work with the blind, deaf-blind & vision impaired in Tennessee and Virginia. Some highlighted actions that have been her privilege include grant writing, news articles, facilitating InSight on Vision conferences, and starting Southside Otta Sight (SOS) Group in Danville. Margie has held multiple positions in the past: Board of Directors of Visually Impaired Support (VIS) Group, Tennessee 11 years; Tennessee Council of the Blind (TCB) 8 years; Secretary of the Tennessee Organization of the Deaf-Blind (TODB) 10 years. Currently, she serves as Director for ACBVA, SOS Group, ACB SASI, VIS & TODB?s Advisory Boards.

Joseph DiNero is a seasoned accessibility professional with over seven years of experience empowering blind and visually impaired students to live, study, and work more independently through the effective use of assistive technology. As the Director of Business Outreach and Assistant Program Director of Assistive Technology Services at Helen Keller Services for the Blind, Joe spearheads national training initiatives, oversees instructional programs for teens and adults, and champions remote accessibility training across the country.

In his role at Helen Keller Services for the Blind, Joe leverages his expertise to enhance the accessibility landscape, ensuring that individuals with visual impairments have the tools and support necessary to thrive in an increasingly digital world. His leadership has been pivotal in developing innovative training programs that cater to diverse learning needs, fostering a culture of inclusion and independence.

Additionally, Joe serves as the Head Digital Accessibility Tester at UsableNet, where he has contributed to hundreds of client projects across various industries, including finance, e-commerce, healthcare, and education. With a Trusted Tester Certification from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Joe brings a user-first perspective to every evaluation, ensuring that digital platforms are not only compliant but also truly accessible to all users.

Driven by a deep commitment to accessibility, Joe is passionate about seeing companies implement accessibility recommendations, knowing firsthand the profound impact these changes can have on the lives of people with disabilities navigating the digital world. His work at both organizations underscores his dedication to creating a more inclusive and accessible future for all.

Jim Franklin was a special education teacher at Elm Street Elementary in Rome, GA, the 21st elementary school to be STEM certified by the Georgia Department of Education and has over 26 years of experience in all academic settings. He invented a series of math manipulatives in 2012 that address the standards of rounding numbers up to 10,000,000, fractions, elapsed time, decimals, weight, money, and capacity that are used by all students, including students with visual impairments. Jim travels the United States as a math and STEM consultant, sharing his ideas and strategies at education service centers, conferences, schools, and districts.

Susan Franklin is a retired high school English teacher from Rome, Georgia. She travels to conferences throughout the United States with her husband, Jim, as he delivers presentations and demonstrations of his math manipulatives and STEM projects. Susan also works at Berry College in Georgia as an adjunct supervisor.

Darren Gladstone works with RightHear, a leading accessibility technology company that empowers people who are blind or have low vision to navigate indoor spaces independently. At RightHear, Darren focuses on helping organizations understand the importance of inclusive design and how wayfinding technology can transform accessibility in parks, universities, hospitals, restaurants, offices and beyond. With a background in business, operations, and marketing, Darren brings a practical perspective on how accessibility initiatives can be implemented at scale and deliver impact for both users and organizations. Darren has an undergraduate degree from Gallaudet University and graduate degrees in marketing and an MBA in Sustainability.

Marianne Haegeli brings 20+ years of experience as a learning and leadership development professional to NSITE and oversees all employment readiness, career skills, certificate, and certification programs for blind and low vision job seekers and professionals. Prior to joining NSITE, Marianne initiated and managed start-up and ongoing immigration information operations for the U.S. Department of State worldwide, served as the Managing Director of an international school, and led operations and innovation efforts of professional learning services for the world?s largest higher education nonprofit.

Marianne holds a Master of Arts in Intercultural Communications from the University of Maryland.

Tish Harris is the Student Team and Career Pathways Coordinator for the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI) where she has delivered innovative programs and partnerships to assist students with career exploration and taking steps towards success in education and employment. She has piloted several successful and sustainable programs to increase student engagement with DBVI. Prior to joining DBVI, Tish ran a family business with 15 locations in multiple states employing over 500 people. Tish also serves as an Adjunct Instructor of Business at Blue Ridge Community College.

Mike Hess is the Founder and Executive Director of the Blind Institute of Technology (BIT), a nonprofit on a mission to close the employment gap for professionals with disabilities. After two decades managing multimillion-dollar tech projects for Fortune 500 companies, Mike grew frustrated by being seen as the ?token blind guy.? He knew the skills he had developed because of his blindness were an asset ? not a limitation ? and he set out to challenge stereotypes, break down employment barriers, and promote equity for disabled professionals in corporate America. Since launching BIT, Mike has built global partnerships and connected talented disabled professionals with career opportunities at leading companies.

Hilary Hodes is the Project Coordinator for the Virginia Deafblind Project, approaching 20 years of experience in the field. She provides statewide training to teams working with children with both vision and hearing loss. Hilary?s teaching experience includes leading a pilot classroom for children with combined vision and hearing loss in Brooklyn, NY as well as teaching and coaching in inclusive classrooms in Brooklyn and London. Hilary received a Master of Education from Teachers College, Columbia University in Curriculum and Teaching and a Master of Science in Education from Hunter College, City University of New York in Special Education with an annotation in Multiple Disabilities including Deaf-Blindness.

Chris Holloway has been the South Region Sales Manager for SynapseITS, the parent company of Polara Enterprises ? the leader in Accessible Pedestrian Signals for more than 20 years. Chris brings over three decades of experience in traffic safety, working with governments, contractors, and consultants to improve pedestrian infrastructure. He is passionate about helping communities embrace Accessible Pedestrian Signals, making streets safer for the visually impaired and for all pedestrians. Before joining Polara, Chris spent five years serving as a missionary in Ghana and previously worked for more than two decades with a leading traffic signal distributor in the Southeast.

Leslie Hoskins is a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) and serves as the Outreach Services and Community Engagement Manager at Leader Dogs for the Blind. Since joining the organization in March 2014, Leslie has brought energy and dedication to a variety of roles, including six years as Camp Director and COMS before transitioning to her current outreach-focused position.

In her role, Leslie is responsible for client recruitment, graduate and community engagement, and fostering partnerships with organizations in the blindness and low vision fields. She leads bi-monthly Collaboration Events and co-hosts the Taking the Lead podcast, both of which aim to educate and connect professionals, clients, and the broader community. Leslie earned her Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and a Master of Arts in Orientation and Mobility from Western Michigan University.

LaSonya Jackson has 26 years of dedicated public service in vocational rehabilitation and is currently employed by the VA Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired. A graduate of Louisiana State University and University of North Texas, she has held a variety of impactful roles. Among her most notable achievements is successfully placing deaf-blind clients with exemplary employers?an effort that not only empowered the individuals but also resulted in both employers being recognized as ?Employer of the Year.?

Kelsey Jones holds a Bachelor?s (Old Dominion University) and Master?s Degree (Liberty University) in Public Health, specializing in health equity and access to healthcare. With over a decade of experience in public health and health education, she is dedicated to improving community well-being and ensuring equitable access to care. Kelsey currently serves on the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth Advisory Board, where she contributes to initiatives promoting youth health and wellness across the state. For six years, she has also served as a CommonHealth Wellness Consultant, leading programs that foster healthy lifestyles and engagement within diverse populations. Passionate about developing meaningful relationships within her community, Kelsey strives to create lasting, positive change. Outside of her professional endeavors, she enjoys spending time with family and friends and has a love for shopping and connecting with others.

Love Kingsbury has over 15 years of experience in disability advocacy, fueled by a deep, personal connection as a parent and grandparent of children with disabilities. Throughout her career, she has dedicated herself to supporting families through training, delivering, and developing critical resources that empower parents and caregivers. Before joining PEATC, she served as an educational advocate, helping families navigate complex systems to secure the support their children needed. Known for strong communication skills and a talent for research, she brings a wealth of knowledge and empathy to her work, consistently bridging gaps between families and educational systems.

Valery Kircher works as a COMS for the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired. In the past she also worked as an Education Coordinator with DBVI, collaborating and working together with children, families and educators to ensure children with visual impairments received appropriate services. Valery has worked as both a TVI and COMS in Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the United Kingdom. She has presented regionally, nationally and internationally on the topic of Cerebral Visual Impairment and its impact on children and adults including in the realm of Orientation and Mobility. Presentations included virtual platforms at SOMA, AER, and internationally. She has a BS from Kutztown University of PA in Special Education.

Karla Lesher has spent 29 years with the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) where she has worked as a Regional Counselor for the Deaf. Throughout her long tenure, Karla has been recognized for her commitment to enhancing access, equity, independence, and quality of services for individuals who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Deafblind.

Karla earned her master?s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University and completed her undergraduate studies at the State University of New York at Geneseo. Her strong academic foundation, combined with decades of hands-on experience, has positioned her as a respected leader in the field of rehabilitation and deaf services.

During her career at DARS, Karla has developed and implemented numerous special projects aimed at improving service delivery and addressing emerging needs within the community. She has also provided highly specialized training?both within DARS and to community partners?on a wide range of topics related to deafness, utilizing interpreter services, accessibility, successful job matching and inclusive practices.

Liang Liao is a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with the Richmond Regional Office of Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI). She has been with DBVI and in the vocational rehabilitation field since 2014. In her prior career, she worked with IT and End Customer as a business systems analyst and solution design lead. She also has experience in business process improvement and materials/inventory management. She is an audiobook bookworm and loves walking in the forest with her dog.

Lia Mason is an Alternate Assessment Specialist. She will present the session titled "Updates from the Virginia Department of Education: Supporting Students with Visual Impairments."

Shanell Matos is an inspiring advocate and technology enthusiast in the accessibility and vision-loss community. She is the RightHear Community Manager and was previously a Lighthouse Guild volunteer where she actively participated in testing and promoting assistive technologies and exploring emerging innovations like the Meta smart glasses.

Harini Mohan is a vision rehab teacher, instructor and specialist over 10 years of experience. Inclined to independent living skills and communication skills training for people with blindness and low vision.

Jimmy Morris is a National Orientation and Mobility Certified Specialist (NOMC) with extensive experience since 2017 at the Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired where he enhances mobility skills for individuals with visual impairments. Beyond direct instruction, he has shown strong leadership in the O&M community, serving four years as Vice-President of the Orientation and Mobility Specialist Association and currently chairing the National Orientation Mobility Certification Trainers Division, helping to shape training standards and advance the profession nationally.

James Nester is part of the Southside Outta Sight (SOS) group which is a support group of individuals who are visually impaired in the Danville, VA and surrounding areas. It was established December 13, 2023. We are proud members of both the American Council for the Blind (ACB) and our state affiliate ACB of Virginia. The ACBVA played a large role supporting SOS financially during the start of our 2nd year. SOS exists to promote independence, educate, share and inspire each other. We want to ?Live Life to the Fullest? and help others to do the same!

Madeline Nunnally is a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. She will present the session titled ?Navigating Possibilities with GREAT Rewards.?

Dan Oates is retired from the West VA Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (WVSDB) in Romney, WV. He holds a M.Ed. with past AER certifications as a TVI, COMS & CLVT. He worked as a COMS for 14 years and as an Outreach Specialist for 16 years. As an Outreach Specialist, he coordinated a statewide program for blind & low vision infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and families. In 2007, he was honored with an induction into the Space Camp Hall of Fame in the inaugural class. He promoted the SCIVIS program at many residential schools for the blind and at state and national conferences. He also traveled to Australia, Russia, Ireland, and St. Lucia and to promote SCIVIS so students from those countries could attend.

Joe Orozco is an intelligence analyst with the FBI by day. In the evenings and weekends, he coordinates Project RISE, a statewide mentoring program that helps high school and college students with employment transition services. He received a bachelor?s in public administration from Texas State University and a master?s in congressional and presidential studies from the Catholic University of America.

Alyssa Otis has been with Leader Dogs for the Blind for over 13 years as a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor (GDMI) and now as the Outreach Specialist. She started at Leader Dog right after graduating from Central Michigan University with a bachelor?s degree in psychology and American Sign Language. Over the past 13 years, Alyssa has trained with hundreds of dogs and has placed client/guide dog teams all over the U.S., Canada and Spain. She has been a GDMI apprentice mentor, participated in professional seminars for COMS seeking to learn more about guide dogs, and presented to various groups on guide dog training and expectations.

Ira Padhye is the Director of the Educational Hub for Sensory Disabilities and the Project Director at the Virginia Deafblind Project at the Partnership for People with Disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, VA. In 2023, she received her doctorate in Special Education from VCU. Prior to her position at the Deafblind Project, she was a Teacher of the Deafblind in the Deafblind Program at the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, MA. She has a master?s in education in Severe Special Needs, with a concentration in Deafblindness from Boston College. Ira's research interests include professional development for special education teachers and classroom paraprofessionals working with students with low-incidence disabilities.

Rebecca Peek has worked as a teacher of students with learning disabilities, an early interventionist, a teacher of students with severe disabilities, and a TVI. Rebecca currently works as a TVI for Falls Church City Schools and serves as a colleague assistance program mentor for Fairfax County Schools, working with new and struggling special education teachers. Rebecca holds master?s degrees in special education, curriculum and instruction (reading), and early childhood special education. She earned master?s degree certifications in teaching children with vision impairment, autism, and orientation and mobility.

Gillian Pilcher is a retired TVI with a background in multiple disabilities who is now working as a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist with DBVI in Roanoke.

Caroline Rammacher is a Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) Specialist with the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI). She works with the DBVI Student Team to support students in growing their independence and professional goals. Caroline worked for 3 years at DBVI as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor before becoming a Pre-ETS Specialist. Prior to that, Caroline graduated with a Master?s in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Nitesh Rathod is a rehab engineer. She will present the session titled ?Voice Accessibility: A New Friend on Your iPhone.?

Dona Sauerburger has provided orientation and mobility services to more than 100 deaf-blind individuals, written a book, and co-authored articles and a textbook chapter. She has presented dozens of workshops on orientation and mobility for individuals who are deafblind.

Amy Scott is the Coordinator of Sensory Disabilities and Supports at the Virginia Department of Education. She has a bachelor?s and a master?s degree in special education from James Madison University and an endorsement in administration and supervision from Longwood University. Amy?s career spans roles as a special education teacher, lead teacher, coordinator, and director of special education.

Sam Seavey, the visionary behind The Blind Life YouTube channel, has emerged as a trailblazer in the field of assistive technology. Recognized as a top resource by the Foundation Fighting Blindness, The Blind Life has amassed over 80,000 subscribers and offers a treasure trove of informative videos. Sam provides invaluable insights on daily tasks, reviews cutting-edge assistive devices, and conducts interviews with influential figures in the visually impaired community.

Sam's journey began at age 11 when he was diagnosed with Stargardt's, a form of early-onset macular degeneration. Over three decades, he has immersed himself in research and become proficient in all things assistive technology. His expertise has garnered recognition in esteemed publications like USA TODAY and WIRED Magazine. Sam collaborates with tech giants such as Google, Sony, and Apple, is a national and international speaker, and also creates content for websites.

Currently, Sam leads the assistive technology program at a nonprofit organization, providing comprehensive training on life-changing technologies. His dedication shines through in his work with clients and his commitment to disseminating knowledge through YouTube. With a mission to empower individuals to live their best blind life, Sam constantly strives to enhance the lives of others.

Lindsey Sharpe, PT, DPT, ATP is a licensed physical therapist and RESNA-certified Assistive Technology Professional, currently serving as the Regional Director of Clinical Education at LUCI. In this role, she supports clinicians, assistive technology providers, and assistive technology consumers across the eastern United States. Lindsey leads the development and delivery of LUCI?s clinical education program, which includes in-services, continuing education courses, and a range of clinical resources designed to help clinicians and ATPs ensure power wheelchair users have access to the technology they need to improve quality of life and maximize safety and independence. With a clinical background in neurorehabilitation and a specialized focus on seating and wheeled mobility, Lindsey brings deep expertise to the assistive technology field. She is a frequent presenter at both national and international conferences.

Kristin Smedley is a TEDx speaker, award-winning author, and has founded two non-profits. She advocates for blind and visually impaired people to design the lives they want to live. She?s the co-creator of the THRIVER Formula for Success, and her two blind sons are thriving beyond expectations. As Executive Producer of the upcoming feature film Curveball and the author of Thriving Blind and What I Can Be Is Up to Me, Kristin inspires audiences to thrive through life's curveballs and set extraordinary expectations.

T. Scott Smith, PhD, CRC, CLCP, is a vocational rehabilitation counselor, life care planner, and expert witness based in Louisiana. With more than three decades of experience, he has completed over 3,500 educational evaluations and 600 psychological assessments for annulment proceedings. Dr. Smith holds a PhD in Educational Psychology and is nationally certified as both a Rehabilitation Counselor and a Life Care Planner. His consulting practice, T. Scott Smith Consulting, provides vocational evaluations, life care planning, and forensic reporting for attorneys, courts, and state agencies, including Louisiana Rehabilitation Services and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.

Meg H. Walker is an ACVREP, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Certified General Education Teacher, Early Interventionist, and a private contractor in Virginia. As an early 21st century graduate of the Western Michigan University master?s degree program in O&M for children, she is committed to providing comprehensive O&M to people of all ages. To this end, she is developing dynamic relationships across professions to ensure that individuals are getting the best opportunity to flourish in O&M.? Through this collaboration, she is also promoting the field of O&M. After all, it is such an important component of rehabilitation for people with vision impairments, blindness or deaf blindness. She is an active member of Virginia AER and a supporter of the Barbara McCarthy Scholarship.

John Winstead graduated from Gallaudet University in 2008 with a major in Deaf Studies. Since then, he expanded his work to include Deafblind Studies. John has presented around the world, including Mexico City, Mexico, where he provided Deafblind community education, with a focus on his experience with the school system and Usher Syndrome.? He serves on the Virginia Association of the Deafblind board and the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH) Advisory Board. He is an active member of the Usher Syndrome Coalition, Virginia Deaf Community, and Sportable.?John has advocated in front of state legislatures for the VDDHH Support Service Providers/Co-Navigator program to support the Deafblind community, as well as for Deafblind accessibility considerations in front of the United States Congress and Virginia Senate.