Born with retinopathy of prematurity, a disease of the eye affecting premature babies, Brandon started his journey early receiving in-home early intervention services from Beyond Blindness. He progressed and transitioned into the classrooms where he received Orientation and Mobility services and eventually started public school at age five.
Brandon is currently an Adolescent Studies Major at California State University, Fullerton. On Wednesdays Brandon interns at Beyond Blindness assisting in the facilitation of activities for Social Society, a youth group for teens ages 10-18 with visual impairments where they receive mentorship in transitioning to adulthood, increase social connectedness, and develop independent living skills.
“ The Beyond Blindness campus has a lot of textures everywhere. This is crucial for those who are blind or visually impaired because, in addition to using hearing, we rely on touch to navigate. Beyond Blindness is designed with this in mind. Occupational therapy and mobility training are some of my most memorable experiences at Beyond Blindness.”
– Brandon
Brandon is currently on the Board of the American Association of Blind Teachers as a student representative. He strongly believes in speaking up against texture discrimination.