About this blog:

Now more than ever, people with visual and learning disabilities are flourishing in the classroom, launching productive careers and becoming assets in their communities.

This blog spotlights individuals who demonstrate that having a visual disability or learning difference is no barrier to educational success and lifetime achievement.

Visit often to listen and participate in conversations with students, educators, assistive technology providers, public policy makers and caring volunteers – all expressing the impact of access and possibilities of achievement.

Contact Managing Editor Doug Sprei if you'd like to submit stories or ideas.

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Access and Achievement

Having a reading disability is no obstacle to success

Learning Ally Blog, "Access and Achievement"

Blinded Marine Goes the Distance 5/14/2012 posted in Blind/Visually Impaired, Veterans Great news from a great friend: Since he was blinded by a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2004, retired U.S. Marine Corps serviceman Michael Jernigan has gone the distance - returning to college, advocating for wounded warriors, getting married, and building a vibrant, active life of service to others. We couldn't be more excited to post some good news that Mike and his wife, Leslie, have just sent along. Permalink Read More (0 Comments)

Moving Beyond Survival 11/10/2010 posted in Blind/Visually Impaired, Veterans Since a rocket attack in Iraq blinded and nearly killed him in 2008, Sgt. Joel Tavera has endured an endless regimen of surgeries and rehabilitation measures. Yet even in the few months since he joined the RFB&D community, it's been inspiring to see how far Joel has come toward living on his own terms – and how naturally he accentuates the positive. Permalink Read More (6 Comments)

Hope and Healing 8/27/2010 posted in Blind/Visually Impaired, Veterans U.S. Army Sgt. Joel Tavera was injured and blinded by a rocket attack in Iraq on March 12, 2008 -- two days before he was scheduled to come home. He suffered burns on 60 percent of his body, lost his right leg, and has endured many surgeries and incredible challenges on his road to recovery. At the 65th annual Blinded Veterans Association Convention in Washington, DC, we were honored to meet Joel and his wonderful parents, Jose and Maritza. Permalink Read More (9 Comments)

Serving Those Who Served 8/17/2010 posted in Blind/Visually Impaired, Veterans Blinded by the rarest of calamities while he was in the Marine Corps, Daniel Standage discovered that schooling and service to others who served were his tickets back to health and wholeness. He was recently honored with a National Achievement Award scholarship by RFB&D. Permalink Read More (8 Comments)

Working at My Own Pace 5/28/2010 posted in Audiobook Library, Blind/Visually Impaired, Veterans Blinded by a roadside bomb in Mahmudiyah, Iraq on August 22, 2004, retired Marine Michael Jernigan is now thriving in college and speaking out for veteran wounded warriors hoping to rekindle their education. At RFB&D's Access and Achievement Roundtable in Washington, D.C. earlier this year, he shared some personal thoughts on independence vis a vis his educational path. Permalink Read More (3 Comments)

Blinded Marine Goes the Distance

5/14/2012

posted in Blind/Visually Impaired, Veterans

Great news from a great friend: Since he was blinded by a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2004, retired U.S. Marine Corps serviceman Michael Jernigan has gone the distance - returning to college, advocating for wounded warriors, getting married, and building a vibrant, active life of service to others. We couldn't be more excited to post some good news that Mike and his wife, Leslie, have just sent along.

Permalink Read More (0 Comments)

Moving Beyond Survival

11/10/2010

posted in Blind/Visually Impaired, Veterans

Since a rocket attack in Iraq blinded and nearly killed him in 2008, Sgt. Joel Tavera has endured an endless regimen of surgeries and rehabilitation measures. Yet even in the few months since he joined the RFB&D community, it's been inspiring to see how far Joel has come toward living on his own terms – and how naturally he accentuates the positive.

Permalink Read More (6 Comments)

Hope and Healing

8/27/2010

posted in Blind/Visually Impaired, Veterans

U.S. Army Sgt. Joel Tavera was injured and blinded by a rocket attack in Iraq on March 12, 2008 -- two days before he was scheduled to come home. He suffered burns on 60 percent of his body, lost his right leg, and has endured many surgeries and incredible challenges on his road to recovery. At the 65th annual Blinded Veterans Association Convention in Washington, DC, we were honored to meet Joel and his wonderful parents, Jose and Maritza.

Permalink Read More (9 Comments)

Serving Those Who Served

8/17/2010

posted in Blind/Visually Impaired, Veterans

Blinded by the rarest of calamities while he was in the Marine Corps, Daniel Standage discovered that schooling and service to others who served were his tickets back to health and wholeness. He was recently honored with a National Achievement Award scholarship by RFB&D.

Permalink Read More (8 Comments)

Working at My Own Pace

5/28/2010

posted in Audiobook Library, Blind/Visually Impaired, Veterans

Blinded by a roadside bomb in Mahmudiyah, Iraq on August 22, 2004, retired Marine Michael Jernigan is now thriving in college and speaking out for veteran wounded warriors hoping to rekindle their education. At RFB&D's Access and Achievement Roundtable in Washington, D.C. earlier this year, he shared some personal thoughts on independence vis a vis his educational path.