Resources for the LCP Client With Visual Impairments
Description:
In her webinar titled “Resources for the LCP Client With Visual Impairments,” Sheri Albers will share her inspiring journey from a successful career in finance to becoming a Community Outreach Specialist at LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired in San Francisco. She’ll discuss her personal experience of living with Retinitis Pigmentosa and how she navigated the challenges of vision loss. The talk will focus on LightHouse’s mission to promote independence, community, and equity for blind and low-vision individuals, as well as the programs, services, and products they offer to support those experiencing changes in vision. Participants will gain insights into the importance of accessible technology, Braille literacy, and community involvement, empowering them to better understand and assist LCP (Life Care Planner) clients with visual impairments.
In her webinar titled “Resources for the LCP Client With Visual Impairments,” Sheri Albers will share her inspiring journey from a successful career in finance to becoming a Community Outreach Specialist at LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired in San Francisco. She’ll discuss her personal experience of living with Retinitis Pigmentosa and how she navigated the challenges of vision loss. The talk will focus on LightHouse’s mission to promote independence, community, and equity for blind and low-vision individuals, as well as the programs, services, and products they offer to support those experiencing changes in vision. Participants will gain insights into the importance of accessible technology, Braille literacy, and community involvement, empowering them to better understand and assist LCP (Life Care Planner) clients with visual impairments.
CEU: 1.0
Date Presented: November 8th 2023
Presenter(s): Sheri Albers
Bio: I was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa at a very early age, and there was very little known about the disease at the time. My parents were told by experts in the field that I would gradually go blind and there was no cure.
I graduated from college with a Finance degree and got a great job as a Treasury Analyst in New York City and after nine years of secretly struggling with spreadsheets and computer screens that were becoming more and more difficult to read, I felt that I had no other choice but to leave that job. I know now that the accessible technology existed for a blind person to succeed in my profession, but I did not know then how to ask for that help. Leaving that job was like giving up my identity.
As my vision continued to change, I finally came to the realization that I could not hide my blindness anymore! I then registered with the state rehabilitation services for white cane and access technology training. Being aware that I was illiterate I knew that I needed to learn Braille. I have subsequently immersed myself into the blindness community and served in various leadership roles and participated actively in legislative work to help change the lives of blind people.
My new blindness skills also gave me the confidence to go back to college and get a degree in Substance Abuse Counseling, which had become a passion of mine throughout the years. Since then, I have worked as a Counseling Assistant for an addiction treatment center and a Caseload Assistant for the state of Ohio Department of Rehabilitation.
Through a series of very fortunate events, I now have landed my dream job as Community Outreach Specialist for LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired in San Francisco. I have the privilege of making connections throughout the Bay Area to promote the programs and services that LightHouse has to offer. My new mantra is “Where has LightHouse been all my life?”
Single Solutions to Changing Vision for a World Where Blind and Low Vision People Flourish
The mission of LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired is to promote independence, community, and equity created by and with blind and low vision people. Pull up a comfy chair and join me in the LightHouse virtual living room to talk about all things LightHouse! Have you or someone you know been experiencing changes in vision that have been effecting daily life, but did not know who to talk to? LightHouse in San Francisco may have the solutions you have been looking for in our programs and services. We even have an online Adaptations Store where you can check out what is new in the world of low vision and blindness products.
