As we gear up for National Industries for the Blind Public Policy Forum 2024, Dr. Hoby Wedler is joined by Shannon Satterfield, Director of Professional Services at IFB Solutions, to share his extraordinary journey of struggle and advocacy. Shannon was born with achromatopsia and before joining IFB Solutions, he encountered numerous challenges despite his academic achievements. Rejections were frequent, with many people casting doubts over his intelligence and capabilities just because he was blind. However, his unyielding determination, coupled with the support of IFB Solutions, propelled him ..read more

You’re in for an inspiring episode this week as Lee Nasehi, the President and CEO of VisionServe Alliance, joins Dr. Hoby Wedler! The impact of Lee’s long-standing dedication to the blind and visually impaired community cannot be overstated, and it has brought significant changes. Today, Lee shares her journey of becoming a seasoned advocate and expert in assisting people who are blind to find employment, and some of the groundbreaking work in which she has participated.   Tune in to discover the impressive and inspiring work Lee undertook at Lighthouse Central Florida, overcoming challen ..read more

If you're looking for inspiration on your job search, this week's conversation is sure to deliver. Dr. Hoby Wedler is joined by Yasmin Campbell, a graduate of the NSITE program and a champion for self-belief, self-advocacy, and furthering opportunities for the BVI community. Yasmin's plans took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, prompting a reevaluation of her career aspirations and igniting a transformative journey of skill development and personal growth.   In this conversation, Yasmin discusses her diverse work experience, how she navigated new working ..read more

Are you encountering challenge after challenge in your job search? If so, you need to listen in. Dr. Hoby Wedler is joined this week by LaKenia Garnes, the Purchasing Assistant for the Base Supply Center at Lighthouse for the Blind Seattle. She shares how she overcame obstacles and job rejections to finally find a position that she loves and where she’s thriving.   Despite holding a Bachelor’s degree and earning a Master’s degree in marriage and family therapy, LaKenia’s path to finding a long-term, meaningful career wasn’t easy. Eventually, her journey led her to a job where she utilizes ..read more

Get ready for an inspiring story of tenacity and hard work as Dr. Hoby Wedler is joined by Thomas Stivers, Systems Administrator for the Travis Association for the Blind at Austin Lighthouse. Ever since high school, Thomas had big dreams of working with computers, but it wasn’t until later in his career that these dreams would become reality. Thomas enrolled in a computer science program in college, but due to the lack of accessibility, he wasn’t able to complete his degree. He applied for a summer job at Austin Lighthouse and went on to hold various positions, from receptionist to basic techn ..read more

Reynaldo Villarreal is the director of workforce development at Valley Center for the Blind (VCB) in Central California, one of NIB’s associated nonprofit agencies. He joins Dr. Hoby Wedler to share his story about blindness and the impactful work he does at VCB. Rey explains the impact a nonprofit like Valley Center for the Blind have on employment within the BVI community, and how he doesn’t consider his work as just a job, but rather his mission and goal. Tune in to learn more about Valley Center for the Blind’s mission of supporting BVI people and providing outstanding work opportunities ..read more

Scarlet Nishimoto endured over 60 job application rejections due to the bias and social stigma that exist around blindness in the hiring world. But her unstoppable and relentless nature, along with her heart-centered mission of helping the BVI community, led her to continue searching. Discover how she has built a meaningful, purposeful, and successful career at VisionCorps under the Contract Management Support program. Her job now allows her to live a life she never thought possible. At National Industries for the Blind, we believe in creating opportunities for those who are blind or visually ..read more

Explore Nina Bektic's remarkable journey from facing the adversity of war and vision loss to becoming a shining example of success in the business world. Nina's story is not just about overcoming obstacles, it's about transforming them into stepping stones towards greatness. Find out how she navigated from a humble beginning as a switchboard operator at the Veterans Administration under the Contract Management Support (CMS) program to launching her thriving project management firm, all while championing the cause of the visually impaired. Discover the resilient mindset and strategies that powe ..read more

A story of perseverance and overcoming obstacles, Scott Collins shares why it's never too late to give yourself the opportunity to succeed. From losing his vision to retinitis pigmentosa to becoming the head of NIB's Contract Management Support (CMS) program, discover his unconventional journey and how he got to be in a position today where he helps others with visual impairments find fulfilling and well-paying careers in the military.   For full transcript and show notes, please visit: https://heardandempowered.org/15 ..read more

Discover the innovative ways in which nonprofits can generate income to fund their mission of empowering the blind and visually impaired community. Special guest, Teri Shirk, President & CEO of CABVI joins us again on this episode to share her insights on incorporating for-profit arms to serve nonprofit organizations in this fascinating show.   For full transcript and show notes, please visit: https://heardandempowered.org/14 ..read more