Careers for the Blind

Harrison Hoyes
  • 5.0 (6)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

Careers for the blind and visually impaired. This is an interview series with Blind and visually impaired people who hold various types of jobs and careers.

  1. 1D AGO

    Episode 77 - Digital Accessibility Program Manager at Schneider Electric- Rick Blair

    Rick Blair’s journey at Schneider Electric is a powerful story of resilience, adaptation, and self-advocacy. Over the course of several decades with the company, Rick experienced gradual vision loss, eventually becoming fully blind later in his career. While he benefited from supportive supervisors along the way, Rick also had to consistently advocate for the accommodations he needed to succeed in his role. In this episode, Rick shares what it takes to navigate a long-term career while adjusting to significant vision changes, offering insight into both the challenges and opportunities that come with it. His story highlights the importance of workplace inclusion, persistence, and speaking up for what you need. We also discuss an exciting new job opportunity at Schneider Electric in the field of digital accessibility, with an open invitation for individuals with disabilities to apply. https://careers.se.com/jobs/112490?lang=en-us&previousLocale=en-US Be sure to check out the link below for a YouTube demonstration of the RightHear app, a tool helping improve accessibility and independence for people who are blind or visually impaired. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFw3t3F2sss

    26 min

  2. FEB 7

    Episode 76 - Social Worker and Therapist - Jenna Tiberi

    Jenna Tiberi’s journey to becoming a social worker is a powerful story of perseverance and self-advocacy. Along the way, she heard many “no’s” before finally receiving a “yes,” especially after choosing to be upfront about her vision loss early in the interview process. Refusing to let barriers define her path, Jenna continues to take on the world alongside her guide dog, demonstrating resilience, confidence, and determination. Her story is an inspiring reminder of what’s possible when you stay true to yourself and keep moving forward.

    38 min

  3. JAN 24

    Episode 75 - Founder and President of Blind Savvy USA - Eileen Rivera Ley

    Today’s episode features Eileen Rivera Ley, a powerhouse at the intersection of business, innovation, and blindness advocacy. Eileen brings an impressive academic background, having earned a degree in economics from Harvard and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Her career includes work at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins, but her entrepreneurial spirit ultimately led her to found Blind Savvy USA. Today, she serves as president of this innovative training and consulting company focused on low vision and blindness, helping organizations and individuals rethink what’s possible through education, strategy, and lived experience.

    49 min

  4. JAN 3

    Episode 74 - Instructor at the Colorado Center for the Blind - Brett Boyer

    Brett Boyer has been blind his entire life, and his career journey is a testament to persistence and self-discovery. Along the way, he’s worked in a wide variety of roles, always pushing to find work that truly aligned with his interests and values. After exploring many different paths, Brett ultimately found a place where his passion and purpose came together at the Colorado Center for the Blind. In this episode, we hear Brett’s story and the lessons he’s learned about perseverance, meaningful work, and finding the right fit.

    44 min

  5. 12/14/2025

    Episode 73 - Professor and former Radio Journalist - Dr. Jean Parker

    In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jean Parker—a professor, former radio journalist, and nonprofit leader whose career journey has been shaped by curiosity, service, and a global perspective. She attended the Perkins School for the Blind in her youth, Dr. Parker was inspired early on by the people who traveled there from around the world, sparking a lifelong interest in international travel and cross-cultural connection. She shares how these experiences influenced her to pursue multiple career paths and offers insight into embracing opportunity, adaptability, and purpose throughout one’s professional life.

    1h 1m

  6. 11/28/2025

    Episode 72 - Program Specialist at the Perkins School for the Blind - Marisol Carmona

    Marisol Carmona, a Program Specialist at Perkins School for the Blind whose lived experience and professional journey make her an incredibly insightful voice in the blindness community. Marisol became visually impaired as a result of Leber’s congenital amaurosis, and her personal path has shaped how she supports others today. Throughout her career, Marisol has held several roles serving people with disabilities, and she now works closely with families at Perkins—coaching parents on how to empower their blind or low-vision children to succeed in college, thrive in the workforce, and build independent, fulfilling lives. Even though she faced her own challenges navigating college, Marisol brings a wealth of wisdom, honesty, and hard-earned life experience. Her perspective is both practical and deeply human, making this a powerful conversation for anyone interested in disability, transition planning, independence, or the realities of growing up with vision loss.

    38 min

  7. 10/31/2025

    Episode 71 - CEO and founder of ReBokeh - Rebecca Rosenberg

    Rebecca Rosenberg was born with albinism, which causes low vision. During her college years, she grew frustrated by the lack of effective assistive technology for people with visual impairments. Instead of waiting for someone else to solve the problem, she decided to take action. That drive led her to create ReBokeh, an assistive technology company dedicated to enabling true visual experience inclusion. www.ReBokeh.com

    24 min

  8. 10/26/2025

    Episode 70 - Director of the Apex program at Novacoast - David Mayne

    David Mayne lost his sight as the result of an automobile accident in his 40s. The years that followed were filled with recovery—physically, emotionally, and financially—as he navigated life on disability while raising four children as a single father. But David’s drive to provide for his family and rebuild his independence pushed him forward. He enrolled in a cybersecurity program at a junior college, and within just a year and a half of starting his first job, he rose to a management position overseeing two different locations. But what’s most inspiring is what came next—David wanted to open the same doors that had been opened for him. He helped create and now directs the APEX Program at Novacoast, an initiative designed to train and empower people who are blind or have low vision to pursue careers in cybersecurity. In our conversation, David shares his incredible journey from tragedy to triumph, how he found purpose through technology, and how APEX is transforming accessibility in the cybersecurity industry.

    33 min
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About

Careers for the blind and visually impaired. This is an interview series with Blind and visually impaired people who hold various types of jobs and careers.

Information

  • Creator
    Harrison Hoyes
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    81
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Harrison Hoyes
  • Show Website
    Careers for the Blind