VisionServe Alliance

05/04/2026

Free Webinar: Healthy Lives, Healthy Eyes: Simple Actions to Protect Your Vision, May 12, 2026 | 12:00 PM ET

Healthy Vision Month is the perfect time to focus on protecting your sight. Join this free, one‑hour webinar to learn how everyday habits can help prevent vision problems and support lifelong eye health. This interactive panel brings together experts in vision research, clinical care, public health, and patient advocacy to translate science into practical, doable actions for daily life. The National Eye Institute, NEHEP, and partners will share added information and tools to spread the word.

Register today: https://forsmarshgroup.zoom.us/webinar/register/4717778977654/WN_FPa04duYS7yTS4bP-K6AyQ #/registration

Healthy Vision Month is the perfect time to focus on protecting your sight. Join this free, one‑hour webinar to learn how everyday habits can help prevent vision problems and support lifelong eye health. This interactive panel brings together experts in vision research, clinical care, public healt...

04/28/2026

Jason was thrilled to share opening remarks at the Disability Funders and Media Forum hosted by Braille Institute. Incredible speakers providing invaluable insights and enabling nonprofits to network with foundations and media to enhance fundraising efforts.

Pictured below (L to R) is Jason Eckert with Shellena Heber, Executive Director, Valley Center for the Blind, and Dimitri Kales, CEO, Braille Institute

VisionServe Alliance

04/27/2026

Thrilled to announce the VisionServe Alliance 2026 Annual Award Recipients—Leaders who distinguish themselves through their creativity, commitment, and dedication to improving the lives of people with blindness and low vision. Join us in congratulating these leaders:

Lifetime Achievement Award:
- Dr. Craig Meador, President & CEO, American Printing House for the Blind

Excellence in Leadership Award:
- Reinhard Mabry, President & CEO, Alphapointe - New York
- Diane Nelson, Executive Director, VIPS
- Dr. Janet Szlyk, President & CEO, The Chicago Lighthouse

Cathy Holden Excellence in Managerial Leadership Award:
- Carol Brady-Simmons, Chief Program Officer, Miami Lighthouse for the Blind
- Anisio Correia, Vision Rehabilitation Consultant

Roxann Mayros Organizational Champion Award:
- Dr. Kara Crumbliss, Chief Compliance Officer & SVP Clinical Services Enterprise, The Chicago Lighthouse
- Jenna Dhayer, President, The Lighthouse of Houston
- Ryan Williams, Chief Operating Officer, Alphapointe - New York

Read the Press Release for a full description of each award at bit.ly/2026vsaawards. These awards will be commemorated at the Envision and VisionServe Alliance 2026 Conference in Columbus, OH. The Cathy Holden Excellence in Managerial Leadership Awards and Roxann Mayros Organizational Champion Awards will be commemorated during lunch on Thursday, May 28, and the Excellence in Leadership Awards and Lifetime Achievement Award will be commemorated during lunch on Friday, May 29.

04/26/2026

VisionServe Alliance is thrilled to recognize visionary leaders helping to shape a stronger future for millions living with blindness and low vision. Learn more about these leaders and our Annual Awards. bit.ly/vsa2026awards.

Congratulations to Alphapointe President and CEO, Reinhard Mabry, and Alphapointe Chief Revenue Officer, Ryan Williams, both of whom just won awards from VisionServe Alliance for their contributions to the BVI community.

Reinhard was awarded the Excellence in Leadership Award while Ryan received the Roxann Mayros Organizational Champion Award.

VisionServe Alliance President and CEO, Lee Nasehi, said in the awards announcement: “Reinhard Mabry’s incredible work at Alphapointe is a testament to his vision, strong leadership, practical wisdom, and collaborative spirit. Solid partnerships and shared commitment to mission are the lifeblood of our field; Reinhard’s contributions continue to strengthen the growing community that serves and supports people living with vision loss.”

Of Ryan, Lee wrote: “Alphapointe is one of the largest employers of people living with blindness and low vision in the US, and Ryan’s leadership, innovation, and dedication have been instrumental in creating new jobs for people who are blind and visually impaired. The launch of Alphapointe’s new Tactical Medical Division alone has earned eight patents, generated almost $28 million in sales, and produced more than one million devices that serve both our military and first responders.”

Congratulations Reinhard and Ryan for your hard work and dedication to advancing the Alphapointe mission and supporting the blind and visually impaired community.

[Image description: Reinhard, left, and Ryan, are standing in front of a desk in an office and are smiling at the camera.]

04/26/2026

Nilima Tanna, a VisionServe friend and OT in Southern California who provides vision rehabilitation services, attended our "Training for Impact: Expanding OT Practice by Providing Services in Blindness and Low Vision" poster session presented by Elliot Feldman, Karlyn Goodman, and Jason Eckert at the American Occupational Therapy Association - AOTA Inspire Conference in Anaheim, CA. The session highlighted an important 2-track OT and agency administrator training program recently piloted and graciously supported by the Lavelle Foundation for the Blind.

Pictured below is Jason with Nilima and a second photo of Elliot Feldman, Karlyn Goodman, and Jason Eckert with our poster for the presentation.

VisionServe Alliance

04/25/2026

Elliot Feldman, Karlyn Goodman, and Jason Eckert presented a poster session at the American Occupational Therapy Association - AOTA Inspire Conference in Anaheim, CA. The session "Training for Impact: Expanding OT Practice by Providing Services in Blindness and Low Vision" highlighted the strong results of an important training program supported by the Lavelle Foundation for the Blind.

Amazing to see so many join us for our poster session!

VisionServe Alliance

04/24/2026

Excited to attend the American Occupational Therapy Association - AOTA Inspire Conference in Anaheim. CA.

Jason Eckert, Karlyn Goodman, and Elliot Feldman are presenting a poster session and Jason and Anne Riddering after her session highlighting the role of OTs in enhancing functional and community mobility for those living with vision loss.

Great to see old friends and meet new ones, too!

04/13/2026

Join us to celebrate Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Appreciation Week, which honors the life-changing work of the highly trained, credentialed professionals in our field. VRT Appreciation Week is scheduled during the week of Anne Sullivan’s birth date, April 14, 1866, in recognition of her transformative work with Helen Keller.

04/13/2026

Enjoy this National Council on Aging article highlighting the importance of vision rehabilitation and how it transforms lives.

VisionServe Alliance President and CEO Lee Nasehi shares the stories of just a few older adults with vision loss who "have a quality of life again" and found "strength and motivation to adjust, remain resilient, and regain independence" thanks to vision rehabilitation.

03/27/2026

Jason and Allison Fink presented at Leading Together: Financial Stewardship. Pictured are David Mermiroff, Allison Flink, Venessa Streeter, Michelle Quigley, Jason Eckert, and Bill Guerrero and a photo of Jason Eckert presenting.

03/26/2026

Don't miss the Envision and VisionServe Alliance national multidisciplinary conference, May 27-30, in Columbus, OH.

Hundreds of vision rehabilitation leaders and professionals are attending 60+ sessions offering 90+ hours of accredited education, with CE credits from ACVREP, AOTA, and COPE.

Two extended tracks: VisionServe speakers focused on innovation, strengthening organizations, cultivating leadership, sharing industry best practices, and optimizing administrative and direct services in vision rehabilitation, and Envision speakers also focused on vision rehabilitation, including evidence-based education, and advancements in vision research and technology to reduce practice gaps, improve care, and patient outcomes.

Learn more and check out the full agenda at bit.ly/vsaconference2026. Amazing topics and speakers, exciting exhibitors, and incredible networking. See you in Columbus!