Presenter Information

BIOGRAPHIES 2026

Susan Agrawal:  Susan is a parent, advocate, and writer who began serving as the Director of the Family-to-Family Health (F2F) Information Center in 2024, assisting families of children and young adults with disabilities and special healthcare needs to navigate the health care and disability systems in Illinois. She has lived experience through her daughter Karuna, who had multiple disabilities and complex health issues throughout her eleven years of life. Susan is the founder of MFTD Waiver Families and spent more than a decade advocating for children in the Medically Fragile Technology Dependent Waiver. In addition, she is an independent researcher on children’s Medicaid waivers and programs, including the website Kids’ Waivers. In the past, she has also contributed content to a wide range of disability organizations, including Complex Child Magazine and Feeding Tube Awareness Foundation. She holds a PhD from Northwestern University, where she used to serve as a Lecturer in Music Studies before switching her focus to advocacy.

Charyn Beaumont: Charyn has enjoyed working with children and adults with special needs for over 30 years. She has worked across a variety of settings including within the community, the home, and in schools. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Illinois, her degree as an occupational therapy assistant from the College of DuPage, and her master’s degree in orientation & mobility from Northern Illinois University.  Charyn has been providing O&M services in the school setting for the past 16 years. Currently working for both NSSEO and Wilmette District 39, Charyn is passionate about tailoring her lessons to the unique needs and interests of each of her students. 

Cindy Bergeron: Cindy Bergeron is a TVI, COMS, and CATIS at NSSEO and Secretary of IAOMS.

Pamela Bergman:  Since 2014, Pam has contributed her time and expertise as an Outreach Alumni Representative for Guide Dogs for the Blind, helping build strong connections and support across the GDB community. She has worked three guide dogs over the years and is currently partnered with her third, Brian. Drawing on her lived experience as a handler and her long-standing role within alumni outreach, she brings a valuable blend of knowledge, perspective, and dedication to her work with the GDB alumni community.

Eric Bocklage: After a 40-year career in corporate America, Eric Boklage set out to discover his Act II. Now a CVRT and a CATIS, Eric is the newest member of the incredible team at Second Sense in Chicago, where he spends much of his time teaching clients how to use their personal technology to live their daily lives - just like everyone else.

Lisa Borgo:  Lisa Borgo is an Itinerant Teacher of Students who are Blind and Visually Impaired with Rockford Public Schools. She primarily serves students who are DeafBlind, Blind and Autistic, and Blind with multiple disabilities. Lisa earned her bachelor’s degree in education for students with visual impairments from Northern Illinois University and later completed her master’s degree in Orientation and Mobility, along with the Vision Rehabilitation Therapy program, also at NIU.

Lisa has a longstanding professional interest in DeafBlindness and completed specialized coursework through the University of South Dakota’s online DeafBlind program. She has been actively involved with Camp Lions of Illinois since 2010, beginning as a volunteer and now serving as one of the camp’s directors. In this role, Lisa adapts activities to ensure full accessibility for all blind and low-vision participants. Her favorite camp activities include swimming, horseback riding, and dancing. Camp Lions has had a profound impact on her personally and professionally, and she looks forward to returning each summer.

Jaret Bozigian: Jaret is the COMS/Director of Orientation and Mobility at the Chicago Lighthouse,

Casey Byrne:  Casey has been a TVI with Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization (NSSEO) for 18 years.  She has experience working with a wide variety of learners, but has spent the last several years working with tactile learners navigating the developmental space between object-based concepts and formal braille literacy. She has designed individualized tactile symbol systems for students with diverse needs, creating communication and literacy tools that honor each learner’s strengths and support meaningful access to their world. Driven by a belief in the transformative power of tactile symbols, Casey advocates for intentional, student-centered tactile learning approaches that promote connection, independence, and lifelong learning.

Mary Kate Carroll:  , and Mary Kate Carroll is a TVI/COMS at NSSEO and Treasurer of IAOMS.

Michelle Clark:  Michelle is the Outreach Coordinator for Illinois School for the Visually Impaired. She has worked for the State of Illinois for 27 years and transferred to ISVI in 2018. She has been co-director of the Opening Doors/Parent Infant Program since this time.  She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Illinois College and her Master’s Degree in Human Services Counseling – Dobson Center Parenting and Child/Adolescent Development from Liberty University. Michelle enjoys spending time with her two children, camping at the lake, and traveling.

Michelle Clyne: Michelle holds an M.S. Ed. and coordinates the Illinois DeafBlind Project. She volunteered for Hilton-Perkins International and HKNC. She helped develop the Illinois standards and test for the LBS II/Teacher of the Deaf-Blind endorsement and the revalidation of the CEC Deaf-Blind Intervener Standards. She helped create several Open Hands, Open Access Intervener Learning Modules and the first NCDB “Teaching Children Who Are DeafBlind” educator module. She holds an Illinois PEL: Teacher of Students Who are Blind or Visually Impaired. She worked as a DT – Vision and co-taught early intervention coursework about visual impairment, additional disabilities and deafblindness for El Vista/ISU.

Samantha Conklin:  Samantha received Bachelor's and Master's degrees in special education from Purdue University. While completing her graduate coursework she participated in the Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Personnel Preparation grant, and was a course instructor for undergraduate classes in special education and a teaching assistant for a graduate course in AAC. Her previous work experience includes teaching in elementary special education classrooms, and working as an AAC Consultant and as an Assistive Technology Specialist for school districts. Samantha works for UCP/Seguin as an Assistive Technology Facilitator. She collaborates and provides technical assistance to classroom teams to support the integration of assistive technology for students, and provides training on a variety of topics related to assistive technology.

JenniferCousineau:  Jennifer is a vision itinerant for the Cooperative Association for Special Education. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University in 2019 and is currently in her third year of teaching. She’s a strong believer that an organized (and colorful!) digital workspace boosts productivity and makes taking data something you look forward to.

Natalie Cortellassi:  Natalie is a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI) dedicated to supporting learners with diverse visual, cognitive, and physical needs. She graduated from Illinois State University in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in Low Vision and Blindness as well as Learning and Behavior. Now in her fifth year of teaching—and her fourth year with NIA—Natalie provides specialized instruction and advocacy for students across a wide range of ages and abilities. She is passionate about fostering independence, accessibility, and confidence in every student she serves.

Danielle Czajkowski:  Danielle is an occupational therapist (OTR/L), certified driver rehabilitation specialist (CDRS), and certified driving instructor (CDI). She is also co-owner of an occupational therapy driver rehabilitation private practice, STRIVE for Independence, Inc. located in Lombard, IL. Danielle graduated from Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine with a Master of Science degree in occupational therapy in 2005. Her master's research focused on driving, dementia, and driving retirement. Danielle has specialized in the field of driver rehabilitation since 2010. She has been an active member of the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists at the local level, serving terms as Secretary and President of the Midwest Chapter. Beyond working with clients, Danielle has enjoyed educating the community and her colleagues about the field of driver rehabilitation through various presentations to local community programs and at professional educational conferences such as the Illinois Occupational Therapy Association and the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists. Danielle is passionate about helping people maintain their independence and her heart lies especially with helping the older adult population. Outside of work, Danielle enjoys being a mom and spending time with her two young children, reading, being active outdoors, and rooting on her favorite sports teams.

Christina DeLongis:  Christina is a vision itinerant teacher at CASE DuPage. She earned her bachelor's degree in low vision and blindness with LBS1 from Illinois State University and completed a master's degree in early childhood special education at the University of Missouri. This is her 10th year teaching and second year serving as the IVLC Co-Chair. 

Jean Deptolla:  Jean is retired!  After 38 years as a Vision Supervisor, Vision Teacher, EI provider, DeafBlind Specialist, adjunct instructor at NIU, and occasional presenter, she is, well, back working a bit here and there.  Last year she was honored with the IAER Distinguished Service Award and could not feel more loved by the best people to work with ever. Now she spends her time reading, crocheting, making music, going to lunch with friends, and protesting. She loves continuing to support Vision professionals and contributing to the field.

Patrick Dugan:  Patrick is a TVI from Northern Illinois University who works at SASED.

Jennifer Duncan:  Jennifer is a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TSVI) and a Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (COMS). She is also a National Board–Certified Teacher (NBCT), Vice President of the Illinois Association of Orientation & Mobility Specialists (IAOMS), District Director for National AER O&M Division, and President of Illinois AER.

Molly Dunne:  Molly is the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning at NSSEO. In her role, she has supported the NSSEO vision program in a leadership capacity for the past nine years and as a teacher of the visually impaired for nine years prior to that. Molly began teaching in a resource room for Chicago Public Schools. She served as the co-chair for IVLC from 2018-2022 and has been a presenter at IAASE, IAER, and at Illinois State University. Molly has been honored with the IAER Distinguished Educator Award and the IAASE Trailblazer Award. 

Reed Evans: Reed is a Citywide Itinerant Teacher of the Visually Impaired and COMS in Chicago Public Schools, with a M.A. in Teaching from National-Louis University and a M.Sc. in Special Education: Vision Studies. Prior to working in this field, Reed worked as a sustainability consultant and educator. She is also a Pilates instructor.

Dionna Ford:  Dionna is a Master's student within NIU's Vision Studies program.

Morgan Foreman:  Morgan graduated from Illinois State University’s Vision Program and began her career as a TVI in 2013.   She received her Master’s Degree in Reading from University of St. Francis in 2017, completed Illinois State University’s EL VISTA program in 2019 received a second Master’s Degree in Blindness and Low Vision and a Graduate Certificate in Special Education Technology and Innovation from Missouri State University in December 2024.  Morgan has presented at state, national, and international conferences on the topics of literacy, working with early learners, Active Learning, and the Expanded Core Curriculum.   Morgan has worked as an early intervention DTV and works full-time as a TVI for Naperville Community Unit School District 203.

Anna Froehling:  Anna has her Bachelors' degree in Special Education Low Vision and Blindness and Masters' degree in Early Intervention from Illinois State University. She has been a Teacher of Students' with Visual Impairments for 4 years at Northwestern Illinois Association. She has taught a variety of students with visual impairments.

Cody Froeter:  Cody is a Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist. He meets with clients on an individual or small group basis at Second Sense or in the community. Cody works with clients in the areas of independent living skills and assistive technology.  Cody earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Monmouth College, a master’s degree in vision rehabilitation therapy, and received his certification in 2016.

Haley Grant:  Haley, a Teacher of the Visually Impaired, was born with low vision herself.  From 2013-2017, she was an undergraduate student at Aurora University in Aurora, IL, where she majored in Disabilities Studies.  After graduation, she decided to become a Teacher of the Visually Impaired, as she was inspired by many other TVIs that have worked with her in the past.  She pursued her dreams at Northern Illinois University and graduated in December of 2019 with her masters degree.  From 2020-2022, she taught students virtually in Naperville 203, Woodstock 200, and the Perandoe Special Education School District.  She is now happily working for the Northwestern Illinois Association, where she teaches students primarily in the East Aurora School District 131 and transcribes braille documents for School District U46.

Maura Guimon-Warren:  Maura has been a school-based vision professional in Illinois for more than 20 years. She has held both classroom and itinerant positions throughout the Chicagoland area. Currently, she works as both a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments and Certified Orientation and Mobility Instructor in Naperville, Il. Maura earned her undergraduate degree for TVI from Illinois State and her Master’s in O&M from Western Michigan. Additionally, Maura holds a Master’s in Educational Technology and in early intervention for both Vision and O&M. She has provided early intervention services in both vision and O&M in the past but currently only works with the 3--22 population. Maura has presented at state, national and international conferences on the topics of braille literacy, working with early learners, and students with multiple disabilities. Maura currently serves as the secretary for the Illinois Chapter of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired. 

Mandi Hetzel:  Mandi is a COMS/CVRT at Second Sense, a non-profit organization in Chicago and previously trained guide dogs at Guide Dogs for the Blind. 

Leslie Hoskins:  Leslie is a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) and serves as the Outreach Services and Community Engagement Manager at Leader Dogs for the Blind. Since joining the organization in March 2014, Leslie has brought energy and dedication to a variety of roles, including six years as Camp Director and COMS before transitioning to her current outreach-focused position. 

In her role, Leslie is responsible for client recruitment, graduate and community engagement, and fostering partnerships with organizations in the blindness and low vision field. She leads bi-monthly Collaboration Events and co-hosts the Taking the Lead podcast, both of which aim to educate and connect professionals, clients, and the broader community. 

Leslie earned her Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and a Master of Arts in Orientation and Mobility from Western Michigan University. 

Cherise Jerrard:  Cherise is a TSVI and COMS who earned her degrees from Northern Illinois University, including a Master’s in Advanced Special Education Practices and a Certificate in Assistive Technology Instruction for Individuals with Visual Impairments. She is passionate about teaching and technology and currently serves as an EPIQ (Experience Programming In Quorum) Committee Chair for an Accessible Coding Conference that takes place every year. Cherise is also a parent of a child with a visual impairment and is in her third year with SASED as a TSVI/COMS and technology specialist. 

Joe Jorgenson:  Joe holds an MSEd., along with COMS, CVRT and CATIS certifications through ACVREP. He is the founder and lead developer at Accessibyte. Joe has 10 years experience in blind rehabilitation, focusing heavily on assistive technology, prior to starting Accessibyte.

Becca Kelley:  Becca is a COMS/CVRT at Center for Sight and Hearing (Rockford).

Terra Knowles:  Terra attended NIU and received her certification as a TVI.  From there, she went on to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock to become a COMS.  Terra has worked at CASE (Cooperative Association for Special Education) for over 20 years and enjoys the ever-evolving field of educating students with visual impairments.  In the evenings, Terra is busy being a taxi to active teen boys, and loves watching them shine in their chosen activities!

Elizabeth Koster: Elizabeth works in Chicago Public Schools as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired and COMS. She earned her M.S.Ed. from Northern Illinois University where she participated in research about the benefits of assistive technology for individuals with visual impairments. She enjoys cooking both at school and during leisure time. 

Lisa Maher:  Lisa is a Citywide Itinerant TVI in Chicago Public Schools.  Lisa received her undergraduate degrees from EIU in 1994 as a Teacher for K-12 General Education.  She then attended NIU for her Masters and graduated in 1998. She has worked for Chicago with students ranging from Pre-K to age 22. Lisa has been in Resource Rooms and Itinerant, teaching Braille and Print readers in all settings.  

McKenna Liesman: McKennna is HKNC’s Youth Services Coordinator (YSC) for Illinois, Wisconsin, and consulting in Minnesota. She provides pre-employment transition services (pre-ETS) to individuals aged 14-22 years old with combined vision and hearing loss. As a YSC, McKenna can train, counsel, and advise within the 5-core areas of WIOA, support and develop alternative communication strategies, provide DeafBlind-friendly techniques, attend IEP meetings, and connect DeafBlind students and families to local, state, and national resources. McKenna’s had a winding journey to get to HKNC some of her previous occupations include ASL/English Interpreter, Marketing Coordinator, K-12 Teacher, Box Office/Audience Manager, and Segway Tour Guide. Her favorite past job was Consultant to the Accessibility Director with Red Theater Chicago-RTC, where she co-led Touch Tours, coordinated Interpreters, supervised closed caption nights, and managed house during ASL interpreted shows. 

Laurel Kramer:  Laurel Kramer is a TSVI/COMS in District 54 and the President of IAOMS. 

Ana Leffel: Ana has worked in the blindness rehabilitation world for nearly 20 years, from training guide dog teams at Leader Dogs for the Blind to serving as a COMS and CLVT at the Hines and Cleveland VA Centers and at The Chicago Lighthouse. She has also been at the forefront of innovation as an artificial vision rehabilitation specialist, teaching individuals with retinal degenerative diseases how to use their new, artificial vision in everyday life. These days, she’s living her best life as a bilingual O&M specialist with NSSEO, where she’s passionate about making mobility empowering, engaging, and a true pathway to independence. 

Matt Love:  Matt is a Master's student within NIU's Vision Studies program.

Charmaine Martin:  Charmaine is a Master's student within NIU's Vision Studies program.

Yesenia Martinez: Yesenia is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and school counselor who works closely with students and families to support social-emotional learning, inclusion, and mental health. She is also a proud mom of four, including her son Lionel, who was born with bilateral congenital cataracts and inspired her children’s book Lionel the Brave: A Lion’s Journey to See.

Through both her professional work and personal journey, Yesenia is passionate about walking alongside families as they navigate early interventions, school transitions, and the emotions that come with raising children who see and experience the world differently. Her approach combines professional insight with the compassion of a mom who believes in advocacy rooted in courage, connection, and hope.

Lauren Mehalek:  Lauren is a certified orientation and mobility specialist and itinerant teacher of students with visual impairments. She completed her undergraduate degree from Illinois State University and earned her masters in orientation and mobility and vision rehabilitation therapy from Northern Illinois University. Lauren has been teaching for 11 years.

Chase Mielke:  Chase Mielke is an award-winning educator, writer, and speaker focusing on preventing teacher burnout and increasing student engagement.

He has been awarded multiple honors, including being a Michigan Teacher of the Year nominee and a Allegan County “Outstanding People for Education” recipient. For his work minimizing the achievement gap with at-risk high schoolers, his Positive Psychology program received a Michigan Association of School Administrator’s “Winner’s Circle Award.” The program teaches concepts of positive emotion, engagement, meaning, and accomplishment to hundreds of students each year, especially at-risk high schoolers. Consistently, students reduce failure rates by at least 50% each year.

In addition to modeling excellence as an educator, his writing has been featured on WeAreTeachers, Huffpost, Edutopia, and EdPost. He received a WordPress “Freshly Pressed” distinction for his viral blog and video “What Students Really Need to Hear,” which has been used across the world to motivate students.

As an engaging, nationally recognized speaker, he has traveled across the nation to speak with students and educators on topics of resilience, mindset, applied neuroscience, and positive psychology.

Caitlyn Miller: Caitlin is a certified vision rehabilitation therapist and itinerant teacher of students with visual impairments. She completed her undergraduate degree from Illinois State University and earned her masters in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy from Western Michigan University. Caitlin has been teaching for 7 years.  

Bryan Moles:  Bryan is a COMS/TSVIB and the dept chair at his district in Colorado. He loves tech, and figuring out what we can do to make fun and engaging activities for our students. On weekends he and his partner head to the mountains for hiking or skiing. 

Rosey Nave-Stawasz: Rosey Nave Stawasz, Ph.D., is a dual-certified TVI and COMS with over 20 years of experience in the vision field, working with children and adults. She also contributes to the field by teaching classes for university preparation programs specializing in visual impairments and volunteering for professional committees. Rosey works for the Naperville Community Unit School District 203.

Alyssa Otis:  Alyssa is the Outreach Specialist at Leader Dog, where she has dedicated over a decade to empowering independence through guide dog mobility. She began her career at Leader Dog immediately after earning her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and American Sign Language from Central Michigan University.

With more than 10 years of experience as a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor (GDMI), Alyssa has trained hundreds of dogs and successfully placed guide dog teams across the United States, Canada, and Spain. Her expertise extends to mentoring GDMI apprentices, leading professional seminars for Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS), and delivering engaging presentations to diverse audiences on guide dog training, expectations, and the life-changing impact of these partnerships.

Niraj Parikh:  Niraj brings more than 24 years of experience in the assistive technology (AT) field to his role as the Interim Director for CATT at AIDB. With a Master of Science in Assistive Technology and Human Services from California State University, Northridge, and a Bachelor of Science in Global Business and Management Information Systems, his expertise is well-rounded.

Niraj's career journey started with impactful roles as an Assistive Technology Specialist, where he collaborated with universities, school districts, and non-profits across multiple states, including California, Nevada, Texas, and Arizona. His dedication and contributions to the AT industry led him to found Kratu, Inc.

In his current role, Niraj oversees CATT, a program committed to providing assistive technology training. The program's mission centers on empowering teachers, professionals, and parents involved with blind or low-vision children. Through a "train the trainer" approach, CATT ensures widespread support and expertise in this vital field.

Kirstin Peahl:  Kirstin Peahl is a COMS from Western Michigan University.  She works at SASED and currently has a caseload that ranges from EC through high school and transition-aged students.  She continuously collaborates with her colleagues on O&M programmatic curriculum that drives instruction to ensure that students are as prepared as possible to take ownership of their lessons and independence.  

Rachel Ramos: Rachel has worked in the Access Technology field for almost 15 years. She has extensive experience teaching Braille, Assistive Technology, and presenting at various regional, national, and international educational and technological conferences. She creates content and support materials in addition to building product presentation workshops, traveling to various government and other agencies/schools, and fostering educational opportunities for all to learn about HumanWare products.

Carly Reddy:  Carly Reddy is a COMS from Northern Illinois University.   She works at SASED and currently has a caseload that ranges from EC through high school and transition-aged students.  She continuously collaborates with her colleagues on O&M programmatic curriculum that drives instruction to ensure that students are as prepared as possible to take ownership of their lessons and independence.  

Taylor Richier: Taylor is a vision itinerant for the Cooperative Association for Special Education. He has an M.S.Ed in Special Education for Visual Impairments and a certificate in AT for individuals with visual impairments from Northern Illinois University. Taylor previously worked as an inclusion specialist in education programs at the Brookfield Zoo, where he trained staff and facilitated inclusion for program participants with disabilities. He credits his former zoo colleagues for first piquing his interest in the organizational possibilities of spreadsheets. 

Emily Shuman:  Emily is a CVRT at Center for Sight and Hearing (Peoria).

Andrea Simpson:  Andrea has a Masters’ degrees in Audiology and Speech and Language Pathology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has been working with  students with multiple disabilities and who are deaf and hard of hearing for over 25 years. She is fluent in sign language and enjoys working with students using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to foster and enhance their ability to communicate independently.

Taurus Smith:  Taurus is a CVRT at Second Sense.

Amy Szumny: Amy is a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist working with The NIA for the last 3.5 years as her second (and more fun) career. She works with students from Pre-K to transition students in several counties, thankful for the collaboration with different TVI's and COMS along the way.

Lisa Tabaka:  Lisa is a graduate of Illinois State University, Lisa has been working with students who are blind or have low vision for the past twenty-two years.  Currently, she works for the Heart of Illinois Low Incidence Association (HILIA) as an itinerant teacher of students with visual impairments. Lisa is a National Board Certified teacher and has served as co-chair of IVLC for the last six years. 

Frank Taylor: Frank is the Project Coordinator for Mary’s Braille International, United States Partner with NaviLens for over 3 years. I am responsible for working directly with International Representatives of NaviLens in locating, creating and developing relationships with cities, businesses organizations and individuals who are working to make life better for everyone, everywhere through the use of the State of the Art Technology; NaviLens.

Megan Thomas:  For the past decade, Megan has worked as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired and Orientation & Mobility Specialist - transforming everyday challenges into opportunities for discovery. Currently at NSSEO, Megan deep dives into each student’s world to uncover what makes them shine. Whether it’s finding imaginative ways to teach a new skill or celebrating the small moments of independence, Megan is driven by the joy of helping learners navigate their world with confidence, courage, and a sense of adventure.

Jennifer Thompson:  Jennifer is the Children’s Programs Coordinator at Spectrios Institute for Low Vision located in Wheaton. She manages the ‘Seeing is Believing’ in-school outreach program that provides free glasses and devices to students across Illinois thanks to generous individual donations and the Lions of Illinois Foundation. In the summer, she organizes the weeklong Grandma Martyl Low Vision Day Camp for 6th-12th grade students with low vision and the Life After High School Transition Talks for ages 14-19 for a day of connecting with low vision peers. The summer programs are sponsored by a grant from the Reinsdorf Family, in memory of Grandma Martyl Reinsdorf.

Peter Tucic:  Peter Tucic is the Vice President of the Illinois Instructional Material Center (IIMC) and Public Policy at The Chicago Lighthouse. A native of the West suburbs and alumnus of the University of Illinois at Chicago, Peter has a deep-rooted commitment to the state’s educational landscape, having also attended the SASED COOP from preschool through high school graduation.

With over a decade of experience in the assistive technology field including ten years as the Director of Strategic Partnerships at HumanWare, Peter specializes in bridging the gap between innovative technology and classroom accessibility. He is a passionate advocate for students and educators, focusing his work on providing inclusive instructional materials and the advancement of public policy to empower blind people at any stage of their lives.

Gabby Vargas: Gabby is a dedicated Teacher of the Visually Impaired who graduated from Northern Illinois University and has recently completed her Master's Degree in Orientation and Mobility, as well as in Learning Behavior Specialist. She is in her third year of teaching and serves as a TVI with SASED. Gabby is passionate about creating an inclusive and empowering learning environment that supports the needs of her students. She has a personal connection to the field, as her younger sister has a visual impairment, which has further deepened her commitment to supporting individuals with visual disabilities.

Andrew Webb:  Andrew is the Bureau Chief at BCCBS.

Emily Weber: Emily is the Special Projects Manager for Mary’s Braille International, is responsible for all aspects of any implementation from beginning to end. She creates the initial layout of the project, creates the mapping and user involvement, and is responsible for the end result and complete user friendliness. She is also responsible not only for the unique NaviLens codes but the integration of traditional  QR codes with NaviLens capabilities.

Kacie Weldy: Kacie has found great satisfaction and fulfillment in working with HKNC in her role as a DeafBlind Employment Specialist for nearly 4 years and continues her long-standing collaborative relationship with Region 5 as the North Central Regional Services Coordinator.

A proud DeafBlind individual with Usher syndrome, Kacie identifies as a member of the DeafBlind community for nearly three decades.  Kacie is passionate about working with DeafBlind people and promoting person-centered services, advocacy, and access to live and thrive in the community of choice.

Kirsten Werner:  Kirsten graduated from Illinois State University with a bachelor's degree in Low Vision and Blindness. She currently works as a vision itinerant for EIASE in Charleston, IL. This is her 9th year teaching students with visual impairments. She has served as a member of the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired Advisory Council, and this is her first year as co-chair for the IVLC.

Tracy Wilks:  Tracy has been a Teacher of Students with visual impairments in the Chicagoland area for more than 25 years.  During this time Tracy has been both classroom-based and itinerant TVI.  Tracy has earned her Master’s in educational administration and her Master’s certificate in early intervention.  Additionally Tracy holds a Concentration in Deaf-Blindness & High Intensity Support Needs. Currently Tracy is an itinerant teacher in Naperville and works on a team of some of the best vision professionals in the business! 

Karen Windy:  Karen has been in the field of vision/deaf-blind since she graduated from Illinois State University in 1983.  Although she has been retired for 9 years, she is in the middle of her 43rd year.  Currently she is an itinerant vision teacher in the Quad Cities, hoping to find a replacement soon!   In addition to teaching and consulting for visually/deafblind students who have ranged from severely multi-impaired to college bound, she has been an evaluator and developmental therapist for vision in Early intervention.  She has also provided consultation for adult facilities throughout Illinois who provided services for visually impaired/deafblind.

Finding more TVI's for our students is a high priority at the moment.  Although she recruited two new teachers in the past 4 years, her daughter, Michelle being one of them, the need continues to be great.  It is hoped we will begin to think more and more outside the box to find people who will love this career as much as Karen has!

Danielle Wukitsch:  With over 20 years of teaching experience across public and private schools, Danielle Wukitsch brings a wealth of expertise in PC repair, cybersecurity, and game programming, honed over a decade in high school classrooms. Certified in Physical Science, Chemistry, Fine Art, Computer Science, CTE, and holding CompTIA A+ and Security+ credentials, they also qualify as an administrator. Their engaging, hands-on approach fosters creativity and problem-solving through innovative curricula, including drone troubleshooting, 3D game design, and cybersecurity simulations. Passionate about equitable education, they are eager to explore how AI, particularly voice-enabled tools, can empower learners and support educators. Drawing from diverse teaching experiences across all grade levels, they look forward to sharing insights on AI’s transformative role in tech education at the Illinois AER conference.

Aziz Zeidieh:  Aziz is a PhD candidate in Informatics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His research focuses on designing AI-driven systems that enhance safety, privacy, and spatial confidence for travelers experiencing directional disorientation in urban environments. His work sits at the intersection of spatial cognition, usable security, and multimodal AI, examining how data-informed technologies can support diverse populations, including but not limited to blind and low-vision travelers. Taking a pragmatic, participatory approach, he collaborates with travelers and stakeholders to surface lived experiences, prioritize needs, and iteratively develop solutions that address real-world navigation challenges.

Fay Zeigler (They/Them):  Fay is the Youth Transition Program Manager at The Chicago Lighthouse, where they oversee programs for young adults, including summer initiatives such as First Jobs, Summer in the City, Photography for All, and other short-term programming. Fay holds a degree in Behavioral Neuroscience from Northeastern University and has experience as a case manager at WORK, Inc. and as a teacher’s assistant at the Perkins School for the Blind. They are passionate about supporting blind and visually impaired youth as they transition from school to adulthood through creating accessible, inclusive programs that foster independence and success.

Deanna Zuchowski:  Deanna graduated from Valparaiso University in elementary education.  She attended NIU for her master's in teaching of the visually impaired and orientation and mobility.  She has been in education for 17 years and currently teaches in the Western suburbs at CASE, servicing all ages and abilities in both vision and o&m.  In her free time, she is running around with two kiddos of her own (4 and 7) and tackling any and all home projects.

Stephen Zulkowski:   Stephen is the Traffic Engineer for DuPage County, where he oversees the planning, design, and operation of the county’s roadway and traffic control systems. He brings over a decade of experience in traffic engineering and operations, having previously served as the Traffic Engineer for Kane County. Stephen has over 15 years experience in Transportation engineering.

Stephen earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Illinois and is certified as a Professional Traffic Operations Engineer (PTOE).

Stephen is a resident of North Aurora, is a father to two boys in elementary school, enjoys bike rides with family.

Mary Zurkowski: Mary is a Master's student within NIU's Vision Studies program.

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